Berlin: +49 30 88702382 | Thessaloniki: +30 2310 284408 [email protected]

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Greece Golden Visa Program

The Greece Golden Visa Program has been established by the Greek government to attract foreign citizens and investors by allowing them to secure residency in Greece by buying a property thereby obtaining Greece citizenship.

Through the Golden Visa in Greece, non-European citizens can obtain a residence permit in Greece and move freely within the Schengen area.

Golden Visa in Greece Requirements

The basic requirement for obtaining a residence permit through the Greek Golden Visa Program is the ownership of property in Greece worth at least 250,000 euros.

The property can be owned personally or through a legal entity, provided that the applicant owns 100 percent of its shares.

In determining the value of the property (or properties), the amount paid for the purchase as stated in the purchase and sale agreement is taken into account, not the property’s financial and commercial value.

The residence permit obtained in Greece is valid for five years and can be renewed without limit, provided the owner remains in possession of the property acquired.

As with Greek citizens, the residence permit obtained gives access to the Greek health care system and public education.

After holding a residence permit for seven consecutive years, the investor and their family members may apply for Greek citizenship or even for a dual Greek citizenship, after successfully passing the Greek citizenship test.

Contact us if you are interested in the Greek Golden Visa Program. We will walk you through everything you need to know.

Thessaloniki
+30 2310 284408

Berlin
+49 30 88702382

[email protected]

Our Golden Visa Services

Golden Visa in Greece Lawyer: We Will Assist You Throughout the Process

I am an experienced Greece Golden Visa lawyer and, in addition to offering all the advice you need regarding the Golden Visa, our law firm will assist you in finding a suitable investment property, managing the purchase contract, and obtaining a residence permit for you and your family.

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Real Estate Legal Due Diligence

Before purchasing a property, we will conduct extensive due diligence on the legal status of the property to ensure that it is free from legal encumbrances of any kind and that third parties do not dispute the property.

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Purchase contracts

We assist you in negotiating with the property owner, and we will draft or check purchase contracts to ensure that your interests are properly protected.

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Greek Bank Account and Tax Number

We assist you in opening a Greek bank account and obtaining a Greek Tax Identification Number (TIN)-which is necessary to purchase a property.

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Conclusion of the purchase contract

We will conclude the purchase contract in the presence of highly qualified notaries. We will be present with you when the purchase contract is registered with the notary, or we will act on your behalf through a power of attorney if you cannot travel to Greece.

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Property Registration

In Greece, the transfer of ownership of a property does not become effective until the purchase contract is registered with the land registry: we will take care of this on your behalf.

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Residence permit

We prepare all the necessary documents to apply for a residence permit, constantly monitor the process, and collect the residence permit as soon as it is issued.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Golden Visa Greece: FAQ

Golden VISA FAQs will guide you through the eligibility criteria based on property types, benefits for family members, rental opportunities for your property, work possibilities in Europe, transition to Greek citizenship, and unrestricted movement within the Schengen Area. For more detailed answers or assistance on these matters, contact us and we will work together on your case.

What kind of property can I buy in Greece to get a residence permit as an investor?

You can buy any type of property in Greece, whether residential (a house, apartment or villa) or commercial (stores, offices, hotels or other tourist properties). The important thing is that the individual property or the total properties purchased have a contract value of at least 250,000 euros. What is stated in the purchase contract is then taken into consideration when valuing the purchased property.

Can I rent out my property?

Yes. The purchased property can be rented either under a long-term lease or exploited for short-term rentals, perhaps through electronic booking platforms like Airbnb.

Can I get a residence permit for my family members as well?

Yes. The Golden Visa Program provides that members of the investor’s family can also obtain a residence permit in Greece. Specifically, it is stipulated that the investor’s partner, children under the age of 21 of both spouses, and the spouses’ parents can apply for a residence permit.

Can I work in Europe once I have obtained my Greek residence permit?

Unfortunately no, the Greek Golden VISA is not a work permit.

The law does not stipulate that a residence permit obtained through the Golden Visa Program allows access to work in Greece or other states.

According to the law, however, the holder of a Golden Visa can own shares in a company, work as a CEO or serve on a board of directors.

After obtaining a Golden Visa, can I apply for Greek citizenship?

Yes, as the duration of possession of the residence permit counts in measuring the time required to acquire Greek citizenship. Therefore, after seven consecutive years of holding a residence permit, the investor and his or her family members can apply to acquire Greek citizenship.

Why apply for a Golden Visa in Greece?

The conditions required by the Greek government for granting a residence permit through investment in real estate are particularly advantageous compared to those in other countries. For example, Spain and Portugal require an investment of at least 500,000 euros, double that of Greece. Moreover, Greece has proven over the years to be a thriving real estate market with great investment opportunities and large profit margins.

Will I be able to move freely in the Schengen Area?

Yes. The Greek residence permit will allow you to move freely within the Schengen Area of the European Union, which consists of the countries that have signed agreements to abolish passport control at the border and allow citizens to move freely.

Keep this in Mind!

Greece Golden Visa: what to know

What is a Golden Visa in Greece

The Golden Visa program in Greece allows non-EU citizens and their family members to obtain a Greek residency permit in exchange for a real estate investment in the country.

By investing at least €250,000 in Greek real estate, or €500,000 in some areas, applicants can obtain a five-year renewable residence permit.

The residence permit gives the holder the right to live in Greece, travel freely within the Schengen zone, and access the Greek education and healthcare systems. Although it does not automatically grant the right to work in Greece, it is also a first step toward obtaining Greek citizenship through naturalization.

This program is particularly attractive for its relatively low investment threshold compared to other European countries.

Apply for a Greek golden visa after buying a property

The ideal way to obtain a Golden Visa in Greece and a residence permit is to apply after buying the property.

The interested person can then travel to Greece, find and purchase a property, and apply for a visa and residence permit.

Applying for a Golden Visa before having purchased a property

It is also possible to apply for a Golden Visa and residence permit before purchasing property in Greece.

In this case, however, it is necessary to enter into a contract with a real estate agent to purchase a home and then submit the application based on this contract.

In addition to the contract with the real estate agent, as the applicant you will also have to provide documents proving the economic viability of the transaction, i.e., the existence of bank accounts, bonds or shares capable of covering the investment of at least 250,000 euros envisaged for obtaining the residence permit.

While obtaining a Golden Visa without having purchased a property may be more complex, as real estate lawyers in Greece we will assist you throughout the whole process.

Greece Golden Visa Requirements

The procedure for obtaining a residence permit in Greece through a Golden Visa is divided into two parts: the application for a special visa and the application for a residence permit.

To apply for a Golden Visa in Greece, the applicant must provide the following:

  • Copy of the purchase contract for one or more properties with a total value of at least 250,000 euros prepared by a notary public in Greece
  • A certificate from the notary certifies that the purchase contract meets the legal requirements under the law
  • Proof of registration of the transfer of ownership with the land registry or the relevant cadastral office
  • Legalized certificate of family status

The procedure for obtaining the Golden Visa then involves a brief interview at the Greek consulate, subject to an appointment that we will make.

To apply for a residence permit in Greece, the applicant must provide the following:

  • Passport valid for at least three months after the expiration date of the visa
  • Certificate provided by the authorities in the country of origin regarding criminal record
  • Medical health certificate stating that the applicant is not suffering from a disease dangerous to public health
  • Application made to a health insurer for insurance to cover medical expenses during the stay in Greece
  • Documents related to the purchase of the property
* The information on this site is provided for the sole purpose of illustrating the subject matter. It in no way constitutes legal advice nor a substitute for individual legal advice provided by counsel. Each case is unique, presents unique circumstances, and should be evaluated in detail by an attorney who will verify its specific circumstances.

We help you buy property in Greece and get your Greek residency permit

Please write to us if you are interested in the Greek Golden Visa Program and obtaining a residence permit in Greece through the purchase of property.

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+30 2310 284408 (Thessaloniki)

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+49 30 88702382 (Berlin)