GREECE
Residency by Investment
Program Type
Residency by Investment
Investment Type
Real estate
Minimum investment
€250,000
Processing time
3-6 months
Visa-free travel
Schengen Area
Overview
Greece’s Golden Visa grants a five-year residence permit to non-EU nationals who complete a qualifying investment, most often in Greek real estate. The rules now follow Law 5100/2024: the amount depends on where the property sits and on the type of building.
There is no minimum stay to keep the permit. The family travels with the investor. After seven years of legal residence, Greek citizenship may be requested under the ordinary nationality rules.
The purchase is completed first. The residence file is then filed with the Ministry of Migration and Asylum.
Country
Capital
Athens
Language
Greek
Currency
Euro (EUR)
Permit
Residence permit for investment — Golden Visa
Population
About 10.4 million
Government type
Parliamentary republic
Why choose Greece?
• A five-year European residence card, renewable for as long as the property is held.
• No minimum number of days in Greece each year.
• A home in Athens, on the islands, or in the quieter mainland — an asset as well as a permit.
• Family included on the same investment.
• Schengen travel on the Greek residence card.
• A path to long-term residence and, in time, citizenship.
• Athens is the capital and the business centre. The islands and the Peloponnese are the usual choice for a second home.
Greece
Residency by Investment
Benefits
- Greek residence for the investor and qualifying family members.
- Travel across the Schengen Area.
- The right to live in Greece and to let the property.
- No minimum stay to renew.
- A five-year card from the first issue.
- Long-term residence and a later citizenship application after the ordinary years of legal stay.
Qualifications
- Non-EU citizenship.
- Age 18 or over.
- A valid passport.
- A clean criminal record.
- A completed qualifying purchase or fund subscription.
- Health insurance valid in Greece.
- A Greek tax number (AFM), which can be obtained by power of attorney.
Family members
- Spouse or recognised partner.
- Children under 21.
- Dependent parents in defined cases.
Step by step process
- Obtain a Greek tax number.
- Select and diligence a qualifying property.
- Sign the deed and pay the price and transfer tax.
- File the Golden Visa application with title, passport, police certificates and insurance.
- Provide biometrics in Greece.
- Collect the five-year residence card.
Timeframe
From a completed purchase, most files reach a card in three to six months. Property search sits before that clock.
Property and deed
4–12 weeks
Ministry review and biometrics
8–16 weeks
First permit
5 years
Citizenship
After 7 years of legal residence
Documents
- Valid passport.
- Purchase deed and proof of payment.
- Police certificates.
- Health insurance.
- AFM and supporting civil-status documents for the family.
- Documents issued abroad are legalised and translated into Greek.
FAQs
Who can apply?
Non-EU adults who complete a qualifying Greek investment and hold a clean record.
Do I have to live in Greece?
No minimum stay is required to keep the Golden Visa.
Can I buy two smaller flats instead of one?
The €400,000 and €800,000 tiers require a single property.
Which family members are included?
The spouse or recognised partner, minor children, dependent adult children, and parents where dependency is shown.
When can I apply for citizenship?
After seven years of legal residence, under the ordinary nationality rules.