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Residency · Europe

Greece Golden Visa

Q: How long does the process take?

About 4 to 6 months, depending on the investment route. (secondary source)

Accepting applicationsFrom EUR 250,000

Discuss this programme Estimate Family Costs

Residence in Greece through qualifying investment, with regionally varying thresholds.

Investment from: EUR 250,000
Processing: 4–6 months
Family: Spouse, Children, Parents
Stay required: No minimum stay

Decision summary

What do you obtain?: Greece Golden VisaRoute to citizenshipMay apply for citizenship after seven years of residence, subject to naturalisation requirements.
What does your family invest?: Real estate from EUR 400,000, or EUR 800,000 in Athens, Thessaloniki and larger islands; EUR 250,000 for conversions or listed-building restorations.
Full wordingHide full wording
Real estate: EUR 250,000 for a commercial-to-residential conversion or a listed-building restoration; otherwise from EUR 400,000, or EUR 800,000 in Athens, Thessaloniki and larger islands.Full details below
What is additional?: Government feesElectronic fee EUR 2,000 for the investor permit, plus EUR 16 for the residence card.
How long does it take?: About 4 to 6 months, depending on the investment route.
Must you travel or live there?: No minimum stay required; the investment must be kept to renew the permit.
What is the main drawback?: Standard-route homes of at least 120 sq m bought as one property; no short-term rental such as Airbnb.
Full wordingHide full wording
Residential properties on the standard routes must be at least 120 sq m and bought as a single property; short-term rental of golden visa properties (e.g. Airbnb) is prohibited.Full details below
Family inclusion: Spouse, Children, Parents · conditions apply
Program status: Operational

Overview

Greece offers residence permits to qualifying investors.

The figures below are researched and dated. Confirm them with your advisor before any decision.

Path to citizenship

7 yearsof residence before you can apply for citizenship

May apply for citizenship after seven years of residence, subject to naturalisation requirements.

See every residency route to citizenship →

Who this program may not suit

Taken from the facts recorded on this page. It may not suit you if:

Your budget is below EUR 250,000, the minimum recorded investment, before fees and costs.

Investment pathways

Investment pathway: Real estate (threshold depends on location and property type), a EUR 500,000 fixed-term deposit, EUR 350,000 in qualifying Greek funds, or a EUR 500,000 company capital contribution.
Minimum investment: Real estate: EUR 250,000 for a commercial-to-residential conversion or a listed-building restoration; otherwise from EUR 400,000, or EUR 800,000 in Athens, Thessaloniki and larger islands.

Checked against official programme sources

Family inclusion

Spouse
Named in the rule
Children
Named in the rule
Parents
Named in the rule
Siblings
Not named in the rule

Ages, dependency and other conditions are in the rule below; confirm them for each family member.

Eligible dependents: Spouse, children under 21 and parents of the applicant and spouse.

Checked against official programme sources

Application process

1Make the qualifying investment, for example buying property in full ownership, paid by bank transfer, crossed cheque or card; the minimum amount depends on location and property type.
2Apply online through the Ministry of Migration and Asylum's e-Services portal, in Greece with a valid national visa or from abroad through a proxy holding an apostilled power of attorney.
3Upload supporting documents such as the notarial certificate, land registry proof and private health insurance, and pay the EUR 2,000 permit fee plus EUR 16 for the permit printout.
4After a completeness check, the applicant receives a certificate of submission, and biometric data is collected while the application is examined.
5The competent Director issues or refuses the permit; the official service registry estimates about 50 to 60 days in total, and a refusal can be appealed within two months.
6The permit is valid for five years and can be renewed while the property is still owned, with a further EUR 2,000 fee and proof of continued ownership.

Steps and timings can change; your advisor confirms the current process before you apply.

Indicative timelines

Indicative processing timeframe: About 4 to 6 months, depending on the investment route.

Checked against official programme sources

Investment and fees

Qualifying investment amounts and government fees are always shown separately. We do not publish single "total price" figures, as the total depends on family composition and circumstances.

Estimate for your family

Spouse

Children0

Parents0

Investment for your family: EUR 250,000; Conversion / restoration property
Known total so far: EUR 250,000; 6 cost items not yet included

Children are counted as 10 and parents as 60 unless you enter ages in the calculator. Full breakdown and ages

Qualifying investment

Conversion / restoration property: EUR 250,000
Standard property (from): EUR 400,000
Prime zones (from): EUR 800,000

Government fees: Electronic fee EUR 2,000 for the investor permit, plus EUR 16 for the residence card.
To be confirmed: Due diligence fees · Estimated additional costs · Investment holding period

Checked against official programme sources

Residence requirements

Residence requirements: No minimum stay required; the investment must be kept to renew the permit.
Renewal requirements: Residence permits renewable every five years while the investment is held.
Potential route to citizenship: May apply for citizenship after seven years of residence, subject to naturalisation requirements.

Checked against official programme sources

Due diligence and documentation

Applicants and included dependants undergo background and source-of-funds checks by the relevant authority. Documentation requirements are confirmed during preparation — no documents are needed for an initial consultation.

Considerations, limitations and risks

Important restrictions

Residential properties on the standard routes must be at least 120 sq m and bought as a single property; short-term rental of golden visa properties (e.g. Airbnb) is prohibited.

Residency is not citizenship; status typically requires renewal and continued compliance.
Any route to citizenship depends on separate naturalisation law, often including residence and language requirements.
Qualifying investment categories have changed in several jurisdictions in recent years.
Tax residency is distinct from immigration status and requires specialist advice.

Status and authority

Operational status: Operational
Official government authority: Ministry of Migration and Asylum, Greece
Legal basis: Law 4251/2014 Article 20/20B, as amended by Law 5100/2024 (real estate investment residence).
To be confirmed: Nationality restrictions

Programme rules change; your advisor confirms every figure before you commit.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Greece program currently open?

Program availability is confirmed during verification. Please speak with an advisor for the current status.

What is the minimum investment for Greece Golden Visa?

Real estate: EUR 250,000 for a commercial-to-residential conversion or a listed-building restoration; otherwise from EUR 400,000, or EUR 800,000 in Athens, Thessaloniki and larger islands.

Can my family be included?

Spouse, children under 21 and parents of the applicant and spouse.

Is there a minimum stay requirement for Greece Golden Visa?

No minimum stay required; the investment must be kept to renew the permit.

How long does the process take?

About 4 to 6 months, depending on the investment route.

Does the Greece Golden Visa lead to citizenship?

May apply for citizenship after seven years of residence, subject to naturalisation requirements.