Greece
Resident card

Greece Golden Visa Program (Permanent Residence Permit)


Processing Time (from application to residence permit):
Approximately 4 months.

Pathway to Citizenship:
Eligibility to apply for Greek citizenship arises after 7 years of legal residence in Greece, subject to meeting all naturalization conditions.

Eligible Family Members:
Main applicant, spouse, children under 21, and parents of both spouses.

Key Benefits:
  • Permanent residence permit valid for life, provided the qualifying investment is maintained.
  • The investment property may be leased on a long-term rental basis.
  • After residing in Greece for more than 183 days per year for 7 years, the applicant may apply for Greek citizenship (subject to additional criteria).
Physical Presence Requirement:
A single visit to Greece is required to provide biometric data.

Minimum Investment (effective September 1, 2024):
One of the following options:
  • €800,000 — Investment in real estate within Attica (including Piraeus and most of the greater Athens area), Thessaloniki, Mykonos, Santorini, and on other islands with a permanent population exceeding 3,100.
  • €400,000 — Investment in real estate in all other regions of Greece.
  • €250,000 — Participation in historic building restoration/renovation projects.

Important Property Conditions:
  • Only one property may be purchased to meet the minimum investment threshold.
  • If the property is new, under construction, or purchased with a building permit, it must have a minimum area of 120 m².
  • Residential properties must be used exclusively for dwelling purposes and may only be rented out on a long-term lease basis (short-term rentals such as Airbnb, as well as commercial use, are prohibited).
Other Investment Options:
Alternative investment routes are available (e.g., capital investment in companies, funds, etc.).

Taxation:
Applicable taxes include the annual Unified Property Tax (ENFIA) and tax on rental income.

Travel Privileges:
Visa-free travel to all Schengen Area countries.

Right to Live and Work:
Right of permanent residence in Greece. Permit holders cannot be employed as salaried workers (a work permit is not granted), but they may own and operate a company.

Excluded Nationalities:
The program is temporarily suspended for citizens of Russia and Belarus, unless they hold a second citizenship other than Russian or Belarusian.

Important Notes:
Applicants for Greek citizenship are required to pass a Greek language exam at Level B2.