Apply for the Greece Golden Visa
Want to get immediate permanent residency in Europe without the hassle of language tests, job offers, or even your physical presence? The Greece Golden Visa gives you that flexibility and freedom with an investment of at least €250,000.
Why Apply for the Greece Golden Visa?
No Minimum Stay
After investing in the Greece Golden Visa, you can live in Greece full-time or not at all. There’s zero stay requirement to keep your residency.
EU Access
Enjoy long-term access to Greece and visa-free travel across Europe’s Schengen Zone member states.
Whole-Family Residency
Spouse, kids, and even parents of the main applicant can qualify under just a single investment.
Path to Citizenship
Live in Greece for seven continuous years and you can apply for citizenship. Greece offers one of the world’s most powerful passports.
Multiple Investment Options
Most residency by investment programs lock you into one or two investment options. The Greece Golden Visa requires an investment in real estate, leases, bonds, or funds.
Ready to Explore Your Options in Greece?
Who is the Greece Golden Visa for?
Asset Diversifiers
Looking to hedge against inflation and gain EU residency in return? This is a smart Plan B with potential investment upside.
Family Legacy Planners
Want to future-proof your family’s access to Europe? The Golden Visa grants legal rights for your minor children too.
Remote Entrepreneurs
If you earn online, why stay stuck in a high-tax, high-cost country? Set up shop in Greece without a business visa.
Qualifying Investment
You must make an investment in Greece:
- €250,000+ in property renovated or converted from commercial use
- €250,000+ for long-term leases (10+ years)
- €400,000+ in emerging or low-density areas
- €500,000+ in Greek stocks, bonds, funds, or fixed deposits
- €800,000+ in property in high-demand areas
Source of Funds
Your investment funds must come from abroad and be in your name. Mortgages are allowed only above the chosen threshold.
Accommodation
You’ll need proof of long-term accommodation (owned or leased). Hotels and short-term rentals don’t qualify.
Valid Passport
You need at least two blank pages in your passport and validity for the full processing period.
Non-EU National
The Greece Golden Visa is only available to non-EU, non-EEA, and non-Swiss nationals.
Criminal Record
Police clearance from your current country of residence is required.
Health Insurance
Comprehensive private insurance for the duration of your stay in Greece is required.
Good Health
Provide medical proof from a certified doctor demonstrating you’re in good health.
Request Your Greece Visa Infosheet
The Greece Golden Visa Process
Step 1
Strategy & Selection
Book a Freedom Consult to confirm your eligibility for the Greece Golden Visa, choose your investment type, and begin the documentation process. If the investment route isn’t the best option for you overseas, we’ll recommend another jurisdiction and/or another immigration route that better suits your needs.
Step 2
Greek Tax ID & Bank Account
You’ll need a Greek tax number and Greek bank account to handle your qualifying investment, in almost all cases.
Step 3
Make Your Investment
Purchase Greek real estate, sign a long-term lease, or transfer the qualifying funds into bonds or investment vehicles in Greece. Freedom Files clients have exclusive and preferential access to some investment types but not all. We can guide you through the process, but you should make a wise investment decision based on your circumstances and goals.
Step 4
Gather Your Documents
Collect all necessary documents as outlined above. The Freedom Files support team will help you translate and apostille them for international use in Greece.
Step 5
Submit Application
The Freedom Files will submit your Greece Golden Visa application and schedule your biometrics appointment. While your application is reviewed by the immigration authorities, you’ll receive a temporary permit that allows you to legally reside in Greece if you so choose. This process could take up to 18 months.
Step 6
Get Your Residence Permit
Once your Greece Golden Visa application is approved (typically in under 18 months), you’ll receive a five-year renewable residence permit.
Step 7
Maintain & Renew Visa
To renew your visa when it expires, you must continue to hold your qualifying investment in Greece.
Step 8
Apply for Citizenship
If you meet the following criteria, you may qualify for Greek citizenship:
- Spend 183+ days per year in Greece for seven consecutive years
- Are not absent from the country for more than ten months in the last five years or six consecutive months
- Pass Greek language and integration tests
Other Greece Visas
FAQs About Greece Golden Visa
How Much Does the Greece Golden Visa Cost?
Apart from your qualifying investment in Greece, government fees total under €2,500 for the main applicant. You may also incur additional changes for dependents and processing fees as you apply. And, the Freedom Files offers a full-service immigration and government liaising service.
Can I Become a Greek Citizen with the Greek Golden Visa?
Yes. If you live in Greece 183+ days per year for seven consecutive years, are not absent from the country for long periods, and meet language and integration requirements, you may be eligible for Greek citizenship. However, the path to qualification is uphill.
Must I Pay Greek Taxes if I Have the Greece Golden Visa?
No, not necessarily. As the Greece Golden Visa grants immediate permanent residency in the country, the program does not require physical presence in Greece. Therefore, if you do not spend the requisite 183+ days per year in Greece to become a tax resident, you won’t need to file or pay taxes in the country at all. But if you live in Greece permanently, you may incur taxes. Greece offers some relief though, in the form of the flat 7% tax rate on foreign pensions and retirement income for new residents and the flat €100,000 tax per annum for new high-earning residents. The Freedom Files can guide you through the tax regime application process if you choose to relocate to Greece.
How Fast is the Greece Golden Visa Process?
Under 18 months. Initial approval can take more than a year, depending on your consulate and investment type under the Greece Golden Visa. But once you’re approved in-principle, your Blue Certificate allows legal stay in Greece while you await the end of the residency process.
Can I Include My Family under the Greece Golden Visa?
Yes. Your spouse, children under 21, and even parents of both spouses can be included in the same Greece Golden Visa application without any additional investment in the country. You may, however, need to provide further documentation to prove your relationship ties and financial sufficiency.