If you’re looking to leave the UK behind for sunnier climates, you might be considering moving to Greece.
Nestled in the heart of Europe, this nation of islands certainly comes with a lot of appeal. According to IMIDaily, Greece’s golden visa programme had a record-breaking year in 2024, receiving 9,289 new applications. And with Spain announcing that their golden visa programme is about to come to an end in April, it’s no surprise that people are setting their eyes on Greece.
Luckily, if you have capital available to you, gaining residency in Greece is relatively simple.
Here, we talk you through everything you need to know about Greece’s golden visa programme, including how much you need to invest and how to apply.
What is the Greece Golden Visa?
The Greece Golden Visa was launched in 2013 as a way to attract foreign investors and high net worth individuals into the country.
And with a minimum investment of €250,000, it’s certainly more affordable than other golden visas in Europe.
If successful, applicants receive a 5 year residence permit for themselves and their families. This allows them to live and travel as EU residents for the whole 5 years.
Key Benefits of the Greece Golden Visa
The visa comes with a number of benefits, including:
- EU residency: The visa allows applicants to live in Greece for 5 years. This comes with public healthcare and education benefits.
- Visa-free travel: Golden Visa holders can travel freely across Schengen Area countries.
- Family: Spouses, children under 21, and parents of both the applicant and spouse can be included in the application.
- A way to citizenship: After 7 years of residency, investors can apply for Greek citizenship. However, they will have to be proficient in Greek to get this.
- Double taxation: Depending on where your country of residence is, Greece’s tax laws mean you won’t be taxed twice on foreign income.
Who Can Apply To Greece’s Golden Visa
To qualify for a Greece golden visa, you must:
- Be a non-EU/EEA citizen
- Be at least 18
- Have no criminal record
- Have medical insurance to cover health costs for yourself and your family
- Have the capital needed to invest
Investment Options For Greece’s Golden Visa
Now onto the nitty gritty, how much do you have to invest to be eligible for the golden visa?
It’s worth noting that the thresholds have changed as of September 2025, the latest investment requirements are:
1. Real Estate
- €250,000 – For properties converted from commercial to residential buildings.
- €400,000 – For properties in rural areas, smaller islands, or less densely populated cities (minimum 120 sqm).
- €800,000 – For properties in Athens, Thessaloniki, and islands with more than 3,100 people living on them.
Conditions For Real Estate Investments:
- The property must continue to be owned by you throughout the duration of the visa.
- If you are using a limited company to buy the property, you must own 100% of the company shares.
2. Other Investment Options
You don’t just have to invest in property to qualify, you can also invest in:
- €400,000+ investment in a 10-year lease agreement for hotels (depending on where they are based)
- €500,000+ investment in Greek government bonds
- €350,000+ in a Greek investment fund
- €800,000+ investment in shares, bonds or government bonds on the Greek market.
Greece Golden Visa Application Process
If you are thinking about applying for the Greek golden visa, here is what you’ll need to do:
- Choose your mode of investment and have the capital ready.
- Get a Greek non-resident tax number and open a Greek bank account.
- Buy the property or make the investment.
- Start the application process.
- Visit Greece to submit your fingerprints and photos.
- Collect your golden visa!
- Move to Greece for 5 years.
Of course, working with a professional business to help you achieve this is one of the best ways to secure the visa quickly.
Processing usually takes about 2-6 months, so it’s quick and efficient.
Greece vs. Other Golden Visa Programmes
If you aren’t sure about where to apply for a golden visa, it might be worth looking at the county comparisons side-by-side.
Whilst some golden visas may have lower thresholds, they may also come with shorter times. Likewise, some will be largely real-estate based whereas others will be more varied.
Some comparisons include:
- Greece: €250,000 – €800,000 (Real estate)
- Portugal: €500,000 (Fund investment), €250,000 (Donation)
- Italy: €250,000 (Startup), €500,000 (Business), €2,000,000 (Government bonds)
- UAE: AED 2,000,000 (around £500,000) – real estate.
- Monaco: €500,000 in a bank account.
- Spain: Coming to an end.
- UK: No longer offer investor visa.
Is Greece’s Golden Visa Worth It?
For investors with capital that want EU residency, the Greece golden visa is a great option.
With the minimum capital amount being much lower than other EU countries, and families able to be included, it’s certainly a great option.
Additionally, as more countries put their own golden visa programmes on hold, it definitely seems like an option that many investors will be interested in.
