The Greek Golden Visa is a residency-by-investment program that allows non-EU citizens to
obtain a five-year renewable residence permit in Greece by making a significant investment in the country. The program was launched in 2013 and has since become one of the most popular and affordable golden visa programs in Europe.
There are several ways to obtain a Greek Golden Visa, including:
Property investment: Purchase a property in Greece worth at least €250,000.
Hotel leasing: leasing a hotel or tourist establishment for at least 10 years.
Government bonds: Invest at least €400,000 in Greek government bonds.
Shares or corporate bonds: Invest at least €800,000 in shares or corporate bonds of Greek companies.
Venture capital fund: Invest at least €400,000 in a venture capital fund that invests in Greek companies.
Bank deposit: Deposit at least €400,000 in a Greek bank for at least five years.
Obtaining a Greek Golden Visa through property investment
The most popular way to obtain a Greek Golden Visa is through property investment. This is because the minimum investment amount is relatively low and there are a wide variety of properties to choose from.
The price thresholds for investment in the Greek Golden Visa program vary depending on the town or municipality where the investment is made. As of October 2023, the price thresholds are as follows:
Athens, Thessaloniki, Mykonos, and Santorini - €500,000
All other towns and municipalities - €250,000
To obtain a Greek Golden Visa through property investment, you must:
Purchase a property in Greece worth at least €250,000, or multiple properties totalling this amount. The property(ies) can be residential, commercial, or industrial.
Provide evidence that you have paid for the property in full.
Submit an application for a Golden Visa to the Greek embassy or consulate in your home country.
The application process is relatively straightforward and usually takes around two months to complete. Once your application is approved, you will be issued a five-year renewable residence permit. Efkolaw's partners can help you throughout the whole process, from selecting your property with legal support, to finally applying for the visa.
Benefits of obtaining a Greek Golden Visa
There are many benefits to obtaining a Greek Golden Visa, including:
The ability to travel freely within the Schengen Area.
The residence permit does not expire.
The opportunity to invest in Greek stocks and receive income from dividends.
The ability to apply for Greek citizenship after seven years of permanent residency.
The ability to include your spouse, children, and dependent parents in your application.
The ability to rent out your investment.
Access to Greek education and healthcare.
No requirement to live in Greece.
Additional information on obtaining a Greek Golden Visa through property investment
It is also important to note that there are some additional costs associated with purchasing a property in Greece, such as real estate transfer taxes, notary fees, and legal fees.
You should also consider the location of the property when making your decision. If you are planning to rent out the property, you will want to choose a location that is popular with tourists or businesses. If you are planning to live in the property yourself, you will want to choose a location that is close to schools, hospitals, and other amenities.
How Efkolaw can help
Efkolaw offers access to a fully managed Greek Golden Visa service that can help you with every step of the process, from choosing a property to applying for the Golden Visa.
Our team of experienced legal and real estate partners will work with you to find the perfect property for your needs and budget and provide you with legal support throughout the property purchase and Golden Visa application process.
If you are interested in learning more about our fully managed Greek Golden Visa service, please complete the form below to contact us or click here. We would be happy to answer your questions and help you get started on the path to obtaining your Greek Golden Visa.
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