UNLOCKING OPPORTUNITY

INVESTMENT REQUIREMENTS AND OPTIONS

Greece Golden Visa program is a residency-by-investment initiative that allows non-European Union citizens to obtain a residence permit in Greece by making a significant investment in the country. Investment options vary from real estate purchase to financial investments such as bank deposits and capital contributions.

REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT

Among the investment options for a Golden Visa, the most common investment by the applicants is purchase of a real estate in Greece under certain conditions. The investment requirements for a real estate in Greece to gain a Golden Visa introduce a tiered system based on the location and the property:

Tier A:
800,000 EUR Minimum Investment:
This applies to properties in high-demand areas such as Athens, Thessaloniki, Mykonos, Santorini, and the islands with a population of more than 3,100 inhabitants. 34 Greek islands are in this context.
  • Aegina
  • Alonissos
  • Andros
  • Chios
  • Corfu
  • Crete
  • Euboea (Evia)
  • Ikaria
  • Kalymnos
  • Karpathos
  • Kefalonia
  • Kos
  • Kythera
  • Lefkada
  • Lemnos
  • Leros
  • Lesbos
  • Milos
  • Mykonos
  • Naxos
  • Paros
  • Patmos
  • Poros
  • Rhodes
  • Salamis (Salamina)
  • Samos
  • Santorini
  • Skiathos
  • Skopelos
  • Spetses
  • Syros
  • Thassos
  • Tinos
  • Zante (Zakynthos)
The investment must be carried out in a single property with a minimum surface area of 120 square meters.
Tier B:
400,000 EUR Minimum Investment:
This threshold is for properties located in all other regions of Greece. In these areas the minimum value of real estate at the time of acquisition is set at 400,000 EUR.
The investment must be carried out in a single property with a minimum surface area of 120 square meters.
Tier C:
250,000 EUR Minimum Investment:
This exceptional lower investment of 250,000 EUR threshold is valid in two specific cases:
  • In case the Golden Visa property is converted from commercial (i.e. industrial, etc.) into residential use, the minimum threshold is 250,000 EUR, regardless of the location and the size of the property.  This investment is carried out on a single property, and the conversion of the use must be completed before submitting the golden visa application. In the event of non-compliance with these provisions, the residence permit is revoked, and an independent administrative fine is imposed on the property owners.
  • In case the Golden Visa property is in listed buildings (i.e. buildings with historic interest under special protection) that are to be fully restored or reconstructed by the Investor, the minimum threshold is 250,000 EUR, regardless of the location and the size of the property. This investment is carried out on a single property, and the full restoration is a prerequisite for the first renewal of the golden visa after five years. The property cannot be sold until restoration is complete. Failure to restore will result in a revoked residence permit and a 150,000 EUR administrative fine.
Additionally, properties acquired under the Golden Visa program cannot be rented out on a short-term basis through platforms like Airbnb, even by third parties under sublease agreements, or used for commercial purposes, such as being the registered office of a company. Non-compliance with this rule will result in the cancellation of the residence permit and a potential fine.
Greece Golden Visa holders are given the possibility to rent out their properties.
The resale of the real estate during the validity of the residence permit to another citizen of a third country, gives the right to grant a residence permit to the new buyer with the simultaneous revocation of the seller’s residence permit.