Situated at the junction of Europe, Asia, and Africa, Greece's history dates back to 800 BCE and has significantly influenced the language, arts, philosophy, politics, and physical pursuits of the modern world. Remnants of Greece’s illustrious past can still be seen in its capital city Athens, which still retains the city’s ancient landmarks.

Consisting of a mainland on the Balkan peninsula and thousands of islands spread throughout the Aegean and Ionian seas, Greece has become a major European business center and is regarded as one of the world’s top holiday destinations.

Greece’s warm Mediterranean climate, world-renowned gastronomy, and cosmopolitan cities, coupled with the country's exquisite beaches and authentic local traditions and hospitality, have led many upwardly mobile individuals to make this country their second home.

As a member state of the EU, Greece offers its residents and citizens a number of reassuring benefits including high levels of safety and security, excellent education opportunities, robust healthcare options, and a dependable rule of law.

Greece Golden Visa Program

The Greece Golden Visa Program is considered one of the most affordable residence-by-investment programs that provides access to Europe. Successful applicants and their families are able to benefit from visa-free access to Europe’s Schengen Area within two months of applying.

Benefits

• Visa-free travel within Europe’s Schengen Area
• No requirement to reside in Greece
• Residence permits can be acquired within 30–60 days
• Unlimited expiry date of residence permit
• Opportunity to rent out the investment property
• Residence applicable to the whole family (married spouse, children under 21 years old, and parents of the main applicant and spouse)
• Eligibility to apply for citizenship after seven years of residence
• Ability to hold shares and receive income from the dividends of a company registered in Greece (but not to be employed in Greece)

Qualification Criteria and Requirements

1. An investment in property with a minimum value of EUR 250,000 plus the applicable taxes
2. Proof of health insurance coverage that is valid in Greece
3. In all cases, the applicant and their spouse, children, and parents must have health insurance in Greece.
4. A valid visa is needed at the beginning of the application process in order to enter Greece.
5. All the essential documentation that accompanies the application for an immigration permit must be duly certified, along with a translation of the same documents into the Greek language.

Procedures and Timeline

Step 1: Visit Greece

To start the process, the applicant must visit Greece, entering the country with a valid visa from their country of origin. The applicant may then assign a legal representative to conclude the rest of the process, including the signing of a purchase contract, the handling of banking and tax matters, and the submission of the application on their behalf.

Step 2: Choose the preferred property

The applicant must acquire a property for a minimum amount of at least EUR 250,000 plus the applicable taxes. This real estate acquisition may be limited to a single property or include multiple properties. Aside from residential and commercial properties, applicants can also purchase land.

Step 3: Submission of the application

Once the applicant has collected all the necessary supporting documents and paid the application fee, the completed application must be submitted.

Step 4: Final verification

Once the application has been verified and approved, the applicant will be invited to Greece for biometric capturing, after which the residence permit can be issued.

Citizenship in Greece

After residing in Greece for seven years, the applicant may apply for citizenship according to the Greek Nationality Code (Law 3284/2004) via the process of naturalization. This process can only be achieved if the applicant can demonstrate that they have established close ties with the country and that they have successfully integrated into Greek society, both financially and socially. The naturalization process also entails an exam to verify that the applicant has obtained an adequate knowledge of the Greek language.