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Greece | EU Golden VISA
Secure residency in Greece with expert-led guidance
Starting at €250,000
EU Visa Free
6 Months Processing Time
greece | Starts at €250,000 | EU Visa Free
Essential Information
Country: Greece
Capital: Athens
Population: 10.3M
Language: Greek, English
Timezone: GMT+2
Currency: Euro (EUR)
VISA Free Access: EU VISA Free
Program Started: 2013
Program Overview
Greece’s Golden Visa Programme, launched in 2013, remains one of the most accessible routes to European residency.
With visa-free travel across the entire Schengen Area and no minimum stay requirement, it’s ideal for globally mobile investors.
Greece offers a strategic EU base, strong property market opportunities, and a Mediterranean lifestyle—making it a powerful platform for both mobility and long-term planning.
Full family inclusion is permitted, and the application process is streamlined with approvals often granted within 4–6 months.
Investment & Pricing Options
The most popular route is real estate investment, with minimum thresholds ranging by location:
€250,000 for properties in qualifying zones
€400,000 in most cities
€800,000 in high-demand areas like Athens, Santorini, and Thessaloniki
Other qualifying investments include Greek government bonds, €500,000 bank deposits, or regulated private equity funds. The real estate route also allows for hotel shares, tourist residences, or heritage property restoration.
All investments must be held to maintain residency. Free From Borders guides you through the selection, legal, and registration process from start to finish.
Eligibility & Dependents
Greece keeps its eligibility rules straightforward: applicants must be 18+, pass due diligence checks, and hold valid health insurance.
No education, business experience, or language tests are required at the time of application. Spouse, children, and both sets of parents can be included under a single application.
Residency cards are issued for five years and are fully renewable. No physical presence is required unless pursuing citizenship later.
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Application Timeline & Process
Applications are processed in 4–6 months. Once the investment is made and the file submitted, residency cards are issued promptly.
Free From Borders handles everything—legal filings, notarisation, translation, and local tax setup. For those who later wish to apply for citizenship, a continuous 7-year physical stay is required, along with a Greek language and culture exam.
Greece permits dual citizenship and offers one of the clearest naturalisation pathways among EU countries.
Why choose Greece?
Golden Visa holders are not taxed in Greece unless they spend over 183 days there or register as tax residents. For those who do, Greece’s Non-Dom regime offers a flat €100,000 tax on global income—regardless of amount—for 15 years.
Additional exemptions apply for inheritance and donation taxes in certain scenarios. Greece also maintains double-tax treaties with 50+ countries to eliminate double taxation.
Investors can maintain residency without triggering tax obligations, or relocate and optimise their position with careful structuring.
Free From Borders provides full quote transparency and expert tax advisory through our local partners.
What Are the Procedures and Timeline for the Greek Residency by Investment Program?
After onboarding, clients travel to Greece, open a bank account, complete the investment, and submit the Golden Visa application. Biometrics are taken in-country, and approval typically arrives within 2–3 months.
Can I retain Greece residency while keeping my current passport?
Yes. Greece allows dual residency and dual citizenship. You can maintain your original nationality while enjoying the benefits of Greek and EU residency.
Legal Basis for Greek Residency by Investment:
The programme is regulated under Law 4251/2014, Article 20B, which outlines the legal framework for granting residence permits through investment in Greece.
Which countries can I travel to in the EU with a Greece residency permit?
With a Greek residency permit, you can travel visa-free to:
Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.
We advise consulting with your Free From Borders advisor for the most up-to-date information at the time of your application. We are not responsible for any changes to the above that occur during or after your application is completed, as these changes are beyond our control and at the discretion of foreign governments' border policies.
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