The Greece Golden Visa is a top echelon residency program – location, lifestyle, luxury, and a lucrative ROI opportunity. It is one of the most successful residency by investment programs in the European Union.
The Greek Investor Visa program is not only residency with real ROI, and the highly-coveted EU Plan B, but access to one of Europe’s most lucrative property markets and best performing economies.
Greece’s Residency by Investment Program was introduced by the Greek government in 2013 to attract entrepreneurs, investors, and families to invest in the country’s local economies and its booming tourist market to own a piece of Mediterranean paradise.
The benefits of Greek residency are significant. As an EU member, Greek residents enjoy visa-free travel throughout the Schengen area, including Switzerland, France, Germany, Netherlands, Italy, and Malta.
As Greek Golden Visa holders are full EU residents, they are also exempt from ETIAS and EES requirements for travel throughout the entire European Union.
Schedule a free confidential and comprehensive consultation with Astons to get all your questions answered, such as:
- What are the investment options for the Greece Golden Visa?
- Can I use property to generate income under the Golden Visa program?
- Are the Greek Isles included in the Greek Golden Visa program?
- Are there any restrictions on what property is eligible for the program?
For the Greek Golden Visa, it is best to begin with our Free Consultation, and Astons’ experts will analyze how your specific wants, needs, goals, and demands align with the program and provide you with the best solutions.
Program Benefits
- Fast Approval Time Residency in just 6 months
- EU Residency Renewable 5-year residence permit
- Lowest cost entry in EU Minimum investment of only €250,000
- Favorable Tax Programs Non-Dom Tax Program
- Family Friendly Entire family is eligible - spouses, parents, and children
- No Relocation Required No physical residency or relocation requirements prior to or after residence permit has been granted
- High Standard of Living Access to many prestigious universities, world-class medical facilities, high-end shopping, and vibrant nightlife options
- Visa-Free Travel Access the Schengen Zone for 90 days within any six-month period
- Property Investment Your summer residence in the Mediterranean, primary residence, or passive revenue stream
Program Requirements
The criteria for the Greek residency by investment program is as follows:
- Due Diligence: Greece is a very privacy-forward program that implements the least intrusive due diligence requirements of EU programs. The program is comparatively lenient, requiring a clean background check and investment funds transferred from a licensed bank to a Greek bank account.
- Investment Options: The Greece residency program is real estate based – requiring a real estate purchase. Properties can be used for personal use or to generate rental income.
- Investment Threshold: The Greek Golden Visa has three investment zones: the most popular areas, such as Athens, Thessaloniki, and the Greek Islands require a minimum investment of €800,000 [approx. $867,000]. All other areas require a minimum investment of €400,000 [approx. $435,000]. Properties for conversion or restoration start at €250,000 [approx. $278,000].
- Investment Hold: To keep and renew the Greece Golden Visa, the investment must be maintained. However, if Golden Visa holders acquire Greek citizenship, they are no longer obligated to maintain their investment.
- Physical Presence: Applicants are required to visit Greece to submit biometrics, however there are no additional requirements to be physically present in the country and relocation is not mandatory.
- Health: Applicants must provide proof of health insurance that covers everyone while in Greece.
Visa-free travel to 28 European states
Greece Residence by Investment offers visa-free access within Schengen Zone — get visa-free access to 28 EU states, including Switzerland, Luxemburg, Italy and Germany. Go on a last-minute business trip or take your family on a spontaneous holiday in Europe — open up Europe with HRS.
Investment Options
Greece offers the most affordable EU Golden Visa along with a streamlined application process – approval from only 6 months.
Investors must purchase real estate, and the required minimum investment starts at only €250,000 – depending on the region and the type of property.
The Greek residence permit is renewable in five-year intervals for as long as property ownership is maintained.
Option 1 / €250,000 minimum investment
- Conversion or Historical Restoration projects
- The property can be located anywhere in Greece and be any size
- Conversion of commercial property to residential – must be completed before the Golden Visa application can be submitted
Restoration of Listed Buildings (officially registered as having historical or cultural value) – must be completed within 5 years of Golden Visa approval
Option 2 / €400,000 minimum investment
- For property in most regions of Greece, for example, in Halkidiki and the Peloponnese.
- The investment must be made in a single property which is at least 120 square meters in size
Option 3 / €800,000 minimum investment
- For property in Attica, Thessaloniki, Mykonos, Santorini, and islands with populations of more than 3,100 residents
- The investment must be made in a single property which is at least 120 square meters in size
Important Program Notes
- All investment options are cash payments made via bank transfer from an accredited bank or financial institution & must be paid in full
- All investment options require additional processing fees, legal fees, and taxes
- Golden Visa properties may only be rented out on the long-term rental market
Step-by-Step Guide – Greece Golden Visa
Hellenic Realtor Service focus is to provide a hassle-free and seamless service, assisting you with your residency application.
We partner with you throughout the entire process of obtaining EU residency, ensuring that your application is submitted correctly, and maintaining constant monitoring until the application is approved.
Preparation
1 Free Consultation with HRS Team
HRS immigration advisers will evaluate your personal circumstances and help you to select the most suitable investment option. Our wide real estate portfolio can meet even the most demanding requirements. If you choose to purchase a property, our team will arrange a trip to Greece to view the properties.
In order to apply you must:
– be at least 18 years of age
– be a non-European Union citizen
– demonstrate a clean criminal record
2 Property viewings, selection, and down payment
Based on your requirements we will carefully select the most suitable properties for you and arrange direct viewings in Greece.
Prepare documents
3 Document collection and preparation
A detailed checklist will be provided, and you will be guided through the documents collection stage. Experienced immigration advisers will be checking a scan of each document for compliance to ensure all requirements are met, including proof of investment documentation.
4 Power of Attorney signing and acquisition of Greek tax number
Once the Power of Attorney is signed, Astons legal team will secure a Greek tax number for the client
5 Tax and government fees payment including the medical insurance
Once the Power of Attorney is signed, Astons legal team will secure a Greek tax number for the client
6 Finalizing property purchase
The property must be paid in full at this point for the residency process to begin
7 Golden Visa application submitted
HRS legal team completes the Golden Visa application package in full compliance with the program’s specific requirements and submits the application for the client
8 Biometrics submitted [in-person requirement]
All applicants must travel to Greece to appear in person at a Greek immigration office to provide biometrics – HRS will arrange all necessary appointments on behalf of the clients
9 Golden Visa approval and issuance of residency permit
Once the application is reviewed and the decision is made by the Secretary-General of the Decentralised Administration, the applicant will be notified. The applicant will receive their five-year residence permit which will allow them to enjoy living in Greece for a five-year period, as well as visa-free travel within the Schengen Zone.
