The Greece Golden Visa is a residency by investment program that allows non-EU citizens to obtain a residence permit through a qualifying investment in the country, most commonly by purchasing real estate worth at least €250,000, or €400,000 in certain zones. The program was introduced in 2013 and offers a path to permanent residency, visa-free travel across the Schengen Area, and the possibility of applying for Greek citizenship after seven years of residence, provided applicants meet language and residency requirements.

The Greece Golden Visa gives investors and their families a five-year residence permit that can be renewed. It provides visa-free travel across the Schengen Area and the possibility of applying for citizenship. The program stands out for its relatively low investment amount and flexibility, as there are no minimum stay requirements to keep residency.

It is not possible to directly obtain Greek citizenship through investment. Instead, Greece offers a Golden Visa Program that provides a five-year residence permit in exchange for a qualifying investment. This residency can then serve as a pathway to apply for citizenship through the standard naturalization process after seven years of continuous legal residence.

No, foreigners are free to buy real estate in Greece, though certain areas such as border regions or specific coastal zones, may require special permission from the Ministry of National Defense. While property ownership itself is open to all nationalities, non-EU citizens will need a residence permit for longer stays and must also obtain a Greek tax number and use a local bank account to complete property transactions.

In 2025, Greece reduced its Golden Visa backlog and improved processing times from an average of 18 months to just three months. Despite these improvements, the country is still on track to reach a record number of approvals for the sixth year in a row.

Yes, you must travel to Greece at least once for your Golden Visa application in order to provide fingerprints and collect your residence permit card. Most of the process and investment can be handled remotely through a power of attorney, but the biometric submission requires your physical presence.

When applying for the Greek Golden Visa, you can include your spouse, dependent unmarried children up to age 24, as well as the parents of both you and your spouse, regardless of age. All family members receive residence permits that are linked to and expire at the same time as the main investor’s permit.

The Greece Golden Visa does not include automatic work rights. Golden Visa holders must obtain a separate work permit to be eligible for employment in Greece.

Other Golden Visa programs include the Portugal Golden Visa, Spain Golden Visa, Malta Residency by Investment, and Cyprus Golden Visa. These programs grant residency or citizenship in exchange for investments in real estate, business, or government bonds, each with its own benefits and requirements.

Yes, you can retire in Greece after Brexit by applying for a residence permit as the Greece FIP Visa  (Financially Independent Person)  or through the Golden Visa program. As a non-EU citizen, you must show a stable monthly income outside Greece of at least €3,500 and have private health insurance. You also need to provide proof of accommodation, such as a rental contract or property purchase.

While not legally required, hiring a Greece Golden Visa lawyer is highly recommended to navigate the complex bureaucracy, ensure all documents are properly prepared and submitted, and avoid delays or mistakes, especially for foreign applicants unfamiliar with the Greek system. A lawyer can simplify the process, handle property due diligence, and ensure compliance with Greek law, making your application smoother and more efficient.

The permanent residence permit granted to non-EU citizens who qualified for the Greece Golden Visa program through real estate investment provides visa-free access to European countries in the EU and within Europe’s Schengen zone.

Yes, Americans can apply for the Greek Golden Visa, a residency by investment program, by making a qualifying investment in Greece, such as buying real estate or investing in government bonds. The program provides a five-year residence permit for the investor and their family, which can be renewed as long as the investment is maintained.

Buyers who invest in Greek Golden Visa real estate can sell their property anytime, but it must be held for the duration of the visa to maintain residency. If the property is sold, the visa may be retained if a new property of equal value is purchased.

You can get a mortgage to buy a property through the Greece immigration investment program, provided the mortgage does not cover the required minimum investment amount. Golden Visa applicants must finance the qualifying investment entirely from overseas funds.

Yes, you can rent out your Golden Visa real estate property to third parties, but only for long-term leases. The Greece Golden Visa program prohibits short-term rentals through platforms like Airbnb or other sharing economy services, and failure to comply can result in a fine of €50,000.

The Greece Golden Visa requires a minimum real estate investment of €250,000, but this can rise to €800,000 in high-demand areas like Athens, Thessaloniki, Mykonos, and Santorini. Additional costs, including legal, notary, and administrative fees, typically bring the total to around €300,000. The government fee is €2,000 for the main applicant and €150 per family member.

If you obtain a Greek Golden Visa, you are not required to change your tax residency to Greece as there is no minimum-stay requirement. This means that you are not obligated to pay taxes in Greece unless you reside in the country for more than 183 days per year.

As a Golden Visa holder legally residing in Greece, if you or your child graduates from a Greek high school, you will have the same access to higher education as Greek nationals. This means you and your children will pay the same tuition fees as Greek citizens.

As of  September 2024, Greece’s Golden Visa program will raise the minimum investment requirement for residency permits through property investment from €250,000 to €800,000 in high in-demand areas. This adjustment is intended to tackle rising property prices and encourage more balanced development.

No, Greece does not offer a direct path to citizenship through a Greece Golden Passport program. Instead, it provides a residence-by-investment option known as the Greece Golden Visa, which grants a five-year renewable residence permit starting at €250,000. Citizenship can only be acquired through naturalization after seven years of legal residency, along with meeting language, cultural, and tax requirements.