Overview
Greece's Golden Visa programme (Άδεια Διαμονής για Επενδύσεις) has become one of Europe's most popular residency investment pathways, offering full Greek and Schengen residency from an investment of €250,000 — one of the lowest thresholds of any EU programme.
Successful applicants and their families receive a 5-year renewable Greek residency permit, full Schengen zone access, and eligibility for Greek citizenship after 7 years of legal residency. The programme has no minimum stay requirement and has attracted over 30,000 investors and their families since its launch in 2013.
Key Benefits
Investment Options
Prime Location Real Estate (Athens, Islands)
New higher threshold effective 2024 for properties in high-demand areas including Athens, Thessaloniki, Mykonos, Santorini, and other prime locations. These areas offer strong rental yields and capital appreciation potential.
Standard Location Real Estate
Properties in most areas of mainland Greece and less densely populated islands. Still offers full Schengen access and all programme benefits, with stronger capital appreciation potential in some emerging areas.
Low-Density Residential
The entry-level threshold applies to residential property in low-density areas and small municipalities with population under 3,100. This route is increasingly limited but remains available for qualifying properties.
Application Requirements
Application Process & Timeline
Tax ID & Bank Account
1–2 weeksObtain a Greek tax identification number (AFM) and open a Greek bank account.
Property Selection & Purchase
4–8 weeksSelect qualifying property, conduct due diligence, and complete the purchase.
Application Submission
2–4 weeks after purchaseGolden Visa application submitted to the relevant Regional Authority.
Biometrics Appointment
1–3 monthsIn-person appointment in Greece to provide biometric data.
Permit Issuance
1–2 months after biometrics5-year residence permit issued, renewable for successive 5-year periods.
