Updated on September 16, 2026
Greece Golden Visa & Residence Permits
Non-EU nationals can obtain Greece residency by investment or by proving passive income.
Benefits of getting a Greece permit include enjoying a slow life by the sea, doing business in Europe, travelling visa-free across the Schengen states, and reducing your tax burden.
Greece Residence Permit Options
Greece Golden Visa
Main investment options include:
- €250,000, €400,000, or €800,000, depending on the type and location — real estate;
- €350,000 — units of investment fund;
- €500,000 — bank deposit.
An investor may include their spouse, children under 21, and parents in the application. The family composition does not affect the financial threshold.
The permit is issued for 5 years and can be renewed if an investor maintains the qualifying asset. There is no residency requirement.
€250,000+
Investment amount
4+ months
Obtaining period
Greece residency for financially independent persons
The Greece FIP residence is designed for foreigners with passive income from abroad. It is necessary to either confirm a passive income of €3,500 per month or savings of €126,000.
The income or savings requirement rises when a family member is included:
- by 20% — for a spouse;
- by 15% — for a child.
Income may come from dividends, interest, royalties, pensions, and rental income.
The residence permit is issued for 3 years and can be extended if the holder again confirms passive income and resides in Greece for at least 183 days a year.
€3,500 a month
Minimum income
4+ months
Obtaining period
Key Differences between Greek Residence Permits
The Greece Golden Visa is an investment-based residence permit. Applicants obtain an asset like real estate, units of investment funds, or a bank deposit. The permit is issued for 5 years, can be renewed, and does not require its holder to live in Greece.
The financially independent persons residence permit is income-based. Applicants must show passive income or savings and spend at least 183 days a year in Greece.
Greek residence permits comparison
5 Benefits of Greece Residence Permits
1
Visa-free travel within the Schengen Area
As Greece is a part of the Schengen Area, holders of the country’s residence permits may visit any of 29 Schengen countries and stay there up to 90 days every 180 days.
As Greece is a part of the Schengen Area, holders of the country’s residence permits may visit any of 29 Schengen countries and stay there up to 90 days every 180 days.
2
Residence permit for the family
Both investors and financially independent persons may include their spouse and children in the application. For the former, the children’s age limit is 21, while for the latter, it is 18.
Parents of Golden Visa holders may also get their Greek residence permit.
Both investors and financially independent persons may include their spouse and children in the application. For the former, the children’s age limit is 21, while for the latter, it is 18.
Parents of Golden Visa holders may also get their Greek residence permit.
3
Tax optimisation
Greek tax residents may pay a €100,000 flat tax on their worldwide income instead of a progressive rate of up to 45%. Retirees with Greek tax residency can also pay as little as 7% on their foreign-sourced income. It is possible to become a Greek tax resident by living in the country for at least 183 days a year.
There is an exemption from 24% VAT when buying a new property in Greece; only a 3% transfer tax applies.
Greek tax residents may pay a €100,000 flat tax on their worldwide income instead of a progressive rate of up to 45%. Retirees with Greek tax residency can also pay as little as 7% on their foreign-sourced income. It is possible to become a Greek tax resident by living in the country for at least 183 days a year.
There is an exemption from 24% VAT when buying a new property in Greece; only a 3% transfer tax applies.
4
Access to European healthcare and education
The Greek healthcare system provides free healthcare for both citizens and residents. It is also possible to choose from a variety of private clinics.
Children of residents can study in Greek schools for free, but the curriculum is in Greek. To study in English, residents opt for private schools that offer IB or British educational programmes.
The Greek healthcare system provides free healthcare for both citizens and residents. It is also possible to choose from a variety of private clinics.
Children of residents can study in Greek schools for free, but the curriculum is in Greek. To study in English, residents opt for private schools that offer IB or British educational programmes.
5
Prospect of Greek citizenship
Residents who live in Greece for at least 183 days a year for 7 years become eligible to apply for citizenship by naturalisation. They must pass the Greek language exam before applying. Dual citizenship is allowed.
Greek citizens can visit 185 visa-free or with an electronic travel authorisation, including all EU countries, Switzerland, Norway, the US, the UK, China, and Hong Kong.
Residents who live in Greece for at least 183 days a year for 7 years become eligible to apply for citizenship by naturalisation. They must pass the Greek language exam before applying. Dual citizenship is allowed.
Greek citizens can visit 185 visa-free or with an electronic travel authorisation, including all EU countries, Switzerland, Norway, the US, the UK, China, and Hong Kong.
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Schedule a meeting at one of the offices or online. A lawyer will analyze the situation, calculate the cost and help you find a solution based on your goals.
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How to Get Your Greek Residency
Our team helps you choose a residence permit type depending on your circumstances and family goals. Steps may differ depending on grounds for residency and investment option. The process takes at least 4 months.
1 day
Preliminary Due Diligence
Before signing the service agreement, Immigrant Invest conducts a confidential Preliminary Due Diligence check.
Our compliance team checks the applicant against international legal and business databases to identify potential risks before the application begins. This allows lawyers to address possible issues in advance and reduces the risk of refusal.
1+ weeks
Document preparation
Immigrant Invest lawyers provide a checklist of the documents. We help translate and notarise them, as well as fill out application forms.
Up to 1 week
Obtaining a Greek tax number
A tax number is required for property transactions and other major transactions in Greece. The Immigrant Invest legal team submits the documents to the Greek tax authorities on behalf of the applicant.
The number is typically issued within 3 to 7 working days.
1.5 weeks
Obtaining a national D visa
Foreigners apply for a Greek national D visa to enter the country and then get a residence permit.
The visa is valid for up to 12 months, allowing entry into Greece to complete the residence permit procedure.
2+ weeks
Getting accommodation
Potential residents must have accommodation in Greece before applying for a permit. It is possible to either rent or purchase a property. It takes 2 weeks or more to find a place to rent and at least 4 weeks to close the purchase deal.
For Golden Visa applicants, a purchased property may be considered an investment asset if it meets the financial requirement.
2+ weeks
Investing — for Golden Visa
This step is only necessary if an investor opts for an asset other than a property purchase, for example, a bank deposit.
1 day
Applying for the residence permit and submitting biometrics
Immigrant Invest submits the application for a Greek residence permit via the official migration portal.
Once the application is approved, the investor and their family visit Greece to submit their biometric data.
3 months
Getting a residence permit
After approval, a residence card valid for 3 or 5 years depending on the residence permit type is issued. The card can be collected in person or by an authorised lawyer.
Why Investors Trust Immigrant Invest
For 20 years, Immigrant Invest has been helping clients obtain residence and citizenship, including residence permits in Greece. We support clients at every stage of the application process, from assessing eligibility to receiving the status.
Our legal team includes members of the Investment Migration Council — the world’s leading association in the field of citizenship and residence by investment.
We have an in-house Anti-Money Laundering Department that conducts preliminary Due Diligence, reducing the risk of application refusal to just 1%.
Our lawyers are experts in all migration specifics and strictly follow the legal framework, including Law No. 4251 of 1 April 2014 and its amendments, Law No. 5038/2023, and Article 64 of Law No. 5100/2024.
Elena Kozyreva,
Managing Director for Real Estate projects
The Golden Visa of Greece is one of the most popular investment visa programmes in the EU. There are several investment options, but the most common and popular route is through acquiring real estate in Greece.
Our team provides a list of properties suitable for participation in the Greece Golden Visa programme. We help you choose real estate from reliable developers and get your documents ready for a purchase.
Your Greek Residence Permit Team
Path to Greece Permanent Residency and Citizenship
Residents with a FIP permit or a Golden Visa can obtain citizenship by naturalisation. To qualify, it is necessary to reside in Greece for at least 183 days per year for 7 years.
Obtaining a residence permit
Renewing a residence permit, for FIPs
Obtaining a permanent residence permit
Passing language and citizenship exams
Collection of documents and application for citizenship
Approval of the application and passport issuance
Our Services for Greece Residence Visa Holders
Permit renewal
We help renew permits after 3 or 5 years and replace them if required.
Family inclusion
We help obtain residence permits for close family members.
Documents preparation
We help obtain, notarise, and apostille Greek documents.
Real estate selection
We help rent or purchase property from start to finish.
Bank account opening
We help prepare the required documents and fill out all the forms.
Permit renewal
We help renew permits after 3 or 5 years and replace them if required.
Family inclusion
We help obtain residence permits for close family members.
Documents preparation
We help obtain, notarise, and apostille Greek documents.
Real estate selection
We help rent or purchase property from start to finish.
Bank account opening
We help prepare the required documents and fill out all the forms.
Client Testimonials
Clients’ names and photos have been changed to comply with a non-disclosure agreement.
Blog
We share expert commentary in our blog: learn more about Greece Golden Visa updates, residence by investment options, Greece residency for financially independent persons, real estate purchase, retirement in Greece, and practical insights into life in Greece as an expat.
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Greece Golden Visa and Passive Income Visa Frequently Asked Questions
The Immigrant Invest co-founder answers the most common questions about the Greece Golden Visa, including updated investment rules, family eligibility, renewal, taxation, and the application process. Our expert also addresses questions about Greece Residency for Financially Independent Persons, or FIPs. Whether you are just starting to explore your options or preparing to apply, here you’ll find clear, structured information based on the latest legal framework and Immigrant Invest’s practical experience.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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We will develop an individual solution, select a country and status that will solve your problems, and accompany the entire process.
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