Investment Route Guide
Greece Golden Visa Through Property, from China
Chinese families use the Greek golden visa for Schengen residence and education options in Europe. What is different from China: the annual foreign-exchange quota cannot be used to buy property abroad, so the source and route of funds needs planning, and China's nationality law makes residence, not citizenship, the goal.
Updated October 1, 2026
Quick answer
Chinese citizens can get a Greek golden visa by buying property worth €400,000 or more (€800,000 in Athens, Thessaloniki and the most popular islands), with family included and no minimum stay. China limits personal foreign-exchange purchases to USD 50,000 a year and that quota cannot be used for overseas property, so funds must come through a compliant route. A Schengen visa is needed for biometrics.
As of October 1, 2026
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Short visits | Schengen visa needed, even for viewing tripsSource · checked October 2, 2026 |
| Documents | Apostille accepted: your country is in the Hague Apostille ConventionSource · checked October 2, 2026 |
| Double tax treaty | We confirm this for your case |
| Minimum | €800,000 in Attica, Thessaloniki, Mykonos, Santorini and larger islands; €400,000 elsewhere; €250,000 for commercial-to-residential conversion or listed buildings (Santorini and other border areas need a permit for non-EU buyers)Source |
What is different from China
Funds and China's FX rules
Individuals can buy up to USD 50,000 of foreign currency a year, and the quota may not be used for buying property abroad. Investors usually fund purchases from money already held outside mainland China; we work with your bank and lawyer on documenting the source of funds.
Apostille since 2023
China joined the Apostille Convention in November 2023, so mainland documents can be apostilled instead of going through embassy legalisation, then translated into Greek.
Nationality law
Chinese nationality law does not recognise dual nationality, so investors use the golden visa for residence and Schengen travel while keeping Chinese nationality.
Routes open to you
Figures are statutory minimums from official sources. Official fees are estimates and change; our own fees are quoted for your case.
Golden visa through property
Investors buying residential property, with family included.
- Minimum
- €800,000 in Attica, Thessaloniki, Mykonos, Santorini and larger islands; €400,000 elsewhere; €250,000 for commercial-to-residential conversion or listed buildings (Santorini and other border areas need a permit for non-EU buyers)
Not sure which route fits?
An adviser checks your eligibility from China and replies within one working day.
Step by step from China
Set the budget by area
Choose the tier: €800,000 in Attica, Thessaloniki, Mykonos, Santorini and larger islands; €400,000 elsewhere; €250,000 only for commercial-to-residential conversions or listed buildings. Each property must be at least 120 m² for the higher tiers. Santorini and other designated border areas need a defence-ministry permit for non-EU buyers.
Get a Greek tax number and account
A lawyer can obtain your AFM tax number and open a Greek bank account under power of attorney.
Buy and register the property
Sign with a notary, pay from an account abroad through a Greek bank, and register the title. Short-term rental of golden visa property is not allowed.
Enter Greece and give biometrics
Apply for a Schengen visa through the Greek visa centre in China, travel to Greece and give biometrics.
Receive the five-year permit
The permit is renewable every five years while you keep the property; there is no minimum stay.
Documents and legalisation
Get public documents (birth and marriage certificates, police certificate, degrees) apostilled in China, then have them translated by a sworn translator where the destination asks for it.
You will usually need a police certificate from China and from every other country you have lived in recently.
Where to apply
The application is filed in Greece (usually by a lawyer under power of attorney); you must be in Greece legally for biometrics.
Tax: what to check before you move
General information, not tax advice. Tax points on this page are awaiting review by a tax specialist.
Buying property for residency
Off-plan and resale property can qualify when the developer, price and title meet the programme rules. We work with offplanproperty.com for off-plan projects, and with Belgrave Estates for relocation and resale searches, and check every purchase against the residency rules before you commit.
Advisers who speak your language
Speak to someone who knows the process from China.
- Marcus LeungHead of Asia PacificMandarin, English, Cantonese
Sources and review
Last updated October 1, 2026
- Greek Ministry of Migration: golden visa
- State Administration of Foreign Exchange (China)
- HCCH Apostille Convention status table
Parts of this page are awaiting review by our legal team; we confirm every point for your case before you apply.
Speak to a senior adviser
Not Sure Which Programme to Choose?
Book a one to one video consultation. We look at your goals, family and budget, then set out which programmes fit you, with the costs, timelines and next steps.
- Confidential, covered by an NDA
- Led by a senior adviser
- Final price shown before you book
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You review your booking and pay securely on the next step.
Frequently asked questions
Can Chinese citizens buy property in Greece for a golden visa?
Yes, with no nationality restriction; property in some border areas needs extra permission for non-EU buyers.
How can I move money from China to Greece?
The USD 50,000 annual quota cannot be used for overseas property, so most investors use funds already held abroad. We help document the source of funds for the Greek bank.
Do Chinese documents need legalisation for Greece?
Since November 2023, mainland Chinese public documents can be apostilled, then translated into Greek.
Will my children study in Greece?
Children included in the permit can attend Greek schools and universities as residents.
Which route suits me best?
It depends on your goal: living in the country, a second passport, tax planning or a base for your family. The routes on this page are ranked by fit for people moving from your country.
How long does it take to move?
Timelines depend on the route, the completeness of your file and government processing. Each programme page shows its published processing range.
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