Known as the cradle of Western civilization, Greece embodies the best of business and leisure, welcoming nearly 40 million tourists each year. Whether it is swimming in the turquoise seawaters of Zakynthos, enjoying vibrant nightlife in Mykonos, or delving into the historical heritage of Athens, Greece is perfect for leisure and for building a desired life.
As one of the most popular investment programs in Europe, the Greece Golden Visa Program offers access to a European oasis with arguably the most competitive investment options in the region.
Why choose Greece?
A member of the Schengen Area and of the eurozone, Greece bridges historical heritage and exceptional Mediterranean scenery, with a booming economic landscape that has regained momentum through growing foreign direct investment. Participation in the Program enables holders to acquire a long-term residence status, which is one of the prerequisites for naturalization.
Benefits
- Straightforward procedure and fast application processing time of 3–9 months.
- Right to enter Greece even in case of closed borders.
- Right, but not obligation, to reside in Greece with no minimum residency requirements.
- Children up to 21 years old, parents, and parents of spouses eligible as dependents.
- Residency cards renewable for life as long as the qualifying investment is maintained.
- Access to public education institutions under the same terms as Greek nationals.
- Visa-free access across the Schengen Area.
- Country ranked as the world’s number one country for retirement.
Qualifications
Greece’s Golden Visa is considered one of the most attractive and competitive residency-by-investment programs in Europe. To qualify, applicants must fulfill all investment criteria in addition to meeting the requirements below:
- Possess a valid passport.
- If selecting the real estate option, complete the property purchase in full.
The following family members qualify as dependents of the main applicant:
- Spouse.
- Children up to 21 years old.
- Parents of the main applicant.
- Parents of the spouse.
Investment options
Real estate investment
Applicants can qualify through several real estate options under the Golden Visa:
- €800,000 in a single property with a minimum area of 120 sqm in Athens, regional units of Thessaloniki, the islands of Mykonos and Santorini, and those islands with more than 3,100 inhabitants.
- €400,000 in a single property with a minimum area of 120 sqm in all other regions of Greece.
- €250,000 in a commercial property to be converted for residential use – the conversion must be completed before the submission of the application.
- €250,000 in the acquisition and full restoration of a property in listed buildings of historical and cultural importance.
Capital investment
Applicants may also obtain residency via the following capital investments:
- €800,000 in shares, corporate bonds or Greek Government bonds which are imported for trading or traded on regulated markets or multilateral trading facilities operating in Greece.
- €500,000 in a company registered in Greece for the acquisition of shares or bonds.
- €500,000 in a Public Limited Real Estate Investment Company (REIC).
- €500,000 in Greek Government bonds.
- €500,000 in a fixed-term deposit.
- €350,000 in a mutual fund investing exclusively in shares, corporate bonds or Greek Government bonds.
- €350,000 in shares or stocks in an Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) established in Greece or any other EU country which aims to invest exclusively in Greece.
- €250,000 minimum investment in startups listed on the National Register of Startups (Elevate Greece).
Application fees
The fees associated with this program cover service fees for the principal applicant and all accompanying family members throughout the first application for permanent residence. Additional fees are applicable depending on the investment selected.
Translation, notarization, and authentication of documents are not included in the estimate of fees and are the responsibility of the investor at all stages.
All application fees and taxes charged by the Greek Government and by entities external to Arton are subject to change without prior notice.
Next steps
Program Check
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Program Cost
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Program Map
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