GOLDEN VISA GREEK RESIDENCY PROGRAM
In accordance with both regulations 5083/2023 and 5100/2024, a 5-year residence permit (Golden Visa) for Greece (European Union) is issued to citizens of third countries.
The Greek Golden Visa provides you with permanent residence in Greece without time restrictions and free entry to Schengen zone countries.
Α. Requirements for a Greek “Golden Visa” / residence permit
To qualify for a Greek “Golden” residence permit, a minimum investment in Greece is required. The two different types of investments required are described below:
- Real Estate Investments
- For the Attica Region, Thessaloniki Regional Unit of the Central Macedonia Region, Mykonos and Santorini Regional Units of the South Aegean Region, as well as for the islands with a population of more than 3,100 residents (according to the latest census) the minimum acquisition value of real estate at the time of purchase, as well as the total contractual rent of the contracts under paragraph (d) of section 1, is set at €800,000.
In the case of an investment through the purchase of real estate in the areas mentioned above, the investment must be made in a single property.
Specifically, if the property is built or has an issued building permit, the minimum surface area of the main spaces must be 120 square meters.
In the case of an investment through the purchase of an undivided share of ownership in a property, the minimum value of the ownership share is set at €800,000, subject to the conditions stated in the previous sections.
- For remaining areas within Greece, the minimum acquisition value of real estate at the time of purchase, as well as the total contractual rent of the contracts under paragraph (d) of section 1, is set at €400,000.
In the case of an investment through the purchase of real estate in the areas mentioned, the investment must be made in a single property. Specifically, if the property is built or has an issued building permit, the minimum surface area of the main spaces must be 120 square meters.
In the case of an investment through the purchase of an undivided share of ownership in a property, the minimum value of the ownership share is set at €400,000, subject to the conditions stated in the previous sections.
According to the above laws, the minimum investment amount remains at €250,000 in the following cases:
- Property that undergoes a change of use to residential
- Property that is an industrial building or part of an industrial building, provided it has not been used as such in the past five (5) years
- A heritage protected building or part of a such building or a redevelopment project
In these cases, there is no requirement for the property to have a minimum surface area of 120 square meters of main space.
- Other Investment Options
- Investment of at least €500,000 in:
- Bonds or shares in a company based or operating in Greece
- Shares or stakes in real estate investment companies in Greece or companies whose purpose is to invest exclusively in businesses based or operating in Greece
- Bonds of the Greek State
- Time deposits in Greek credit institutions for a minimum duration of one year
- Investment of at least €800,000 in bonds or shares of the Greek State that are listed for trading or are traded on regulated markets or multilateral trading facilities
- Investment of at least €350,000 in:
- Shares in a mutual fund whose purpose is to invest in bonds or shares of the Greek State
- Shares or stakes in an Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) that invests exclusively in Greece
- Whatever investment you choose to make, you benefit from the below:
- 5-year residence permit in Greece, renewable every 5 years, as long as you maintain your investment.
- free movement within the Schengen zonefor 90 days every 6 months
- residence permit for all your family members(spouse, unmarried children up to 21 years of age and parents)
- Access to the Greek education
- Greek passport after 7 years, under certain conditions
- Ν.Β. Τhe Greek investor current residence permit scheme, does not give you the right to work in Greece.