Ways to Europe

Golden Visa Greece for investments

Obtain a residence permit in Greece through investment in liquid residential real estate directly from the developer. We plan for up to 8 months from signing the deal; official timelines depend on the migration service queue.

While others face complex Greek bureaucracy, we handle the property checks, the documents and the support up to the residence card. The conditions for Russian citizens are set out on a separate page.

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Greece is the only country in Europe where, despite all the changes, obtaining a residence permit through direct real estate investment is still available.

You can obtain resident status in the Schengen Area by purchasing residential real estate and receive the completed documents within up to 8 months from the moment of signing the deal.

The advantages of the Greek Golden Visa that set it apart from other programs

Greece Golden Visa 2026: key investment options

Residence permit in Greece through investments: what has changed and what still works

Despite the 2023–2024 reforms, investments of €250,000 still make it possible to obtain a residence permit in Greece. The conditions have become more flexible: the entry threshold now directly depends on the district and the type of property selected.

New properties and secondary housing

  • From €800,000 — for properties located in Attica (Athens), Thessaloniki, on the islands of Mykonos and Santorini, as well as on islands with a population of more than 3,100 people.
  • From €400,000 — for purchasing real estate in all other regions of Greece. The optimal balance between entry cost and high potential growth of your asset's market price.

Properties with a change of purpose

  • From €250,000 — for properties that originally had non-residential status (offices, shops, warehouses, industrial premises).
  • Full legality: such areas are legally converted to residential property in accordance with the urban planning legislation of Greece. This is the most affordable way to participate in the residence permit program in any location, including the central districts of Athens.
Calculate the cost

Steps to obtaining a "Golden Visa" in Greece through real estate investment

  1. 12 weeks

    Preparation of documents and selection of the property

    Collection, verification, and apostilling of the necessary documents. At the same time, we select liquid assets that meet your criteria and program requirements.

  2. 25 weeks

    Transaction processing and payment

    Signing the sales contract. Thanks to the power of attorney, the transaction is completed remotely — your personal presence in Greece at this stage is not required.

  3. 33 months

    Application for residence permit and obtaining documents

    A visit to Greece for biometric registration. From this moment on, you have the right to legally stay and live in the country. We will personally deliver the finished residence permit card to you anywhere in the world.

Simple requirements for applicants

For Russian citizensFor Turkish citizensFor Chinese citizensFor Ukrainian citizensFor US citizensFor UK citizensFor Israeli citizensFor Lebanese citizens

Who can be included in the application

  • Spouse

    Included in the same application; both receive resident status.

  • Children under 21

    Under certain conditions the status can be extended to age 24.

  • Parents on both sides

    Both yours and your spouse's, without having to prove financial dependence. This makes Greece convenient for a three-generation family.

What the Greek residence permit gives

It gives the right to

  • live permanently in Greece and move freely around the Schengen countries (up to 90 days in a half-year);
  • use state healthcare and education on a par with Greek citizens;
  • own a Greek business and receive dividends.

It does not give

  • the right to work as an employee: you cannot join a local company as a staff member. If work is the goal, another type of permit is needed.

Do you have to live in Greece

  • No mandatory residence

    To keep and renew the permit (it is issued for 5 years at once) there is no mandatory residence requirement. It is enough to keep ownership of the property.

  • One visit

    You need to come to the country at least once to give biometric data. The deal itself can be completed remotely by power of attorney.

Renting out the property

  • Long-term renting is allowed

    Investors may let the home on a long-term lease.

  • Short-term is prohibited

    Properties bought under the program may not be used for short-term rental (Airbnb-type). A breach can lead to revocation of the permit and a heavy fine.

The path to EU citizenship

  1. 1actually live in Greece for at least 7 years;
  2. 2spend more than 183 days a year in the country;
  3. 3pass an exam in the Greek language, history and culture.

Investor status alone does not shorten the path to a passport. If you only hold the visa but live in another country, you can renew the permit indefinitely but cannot apply for a passport.

What it costs: worked examples

Three typical scenarios using our calculator's formulas: purchase taxes and fees plus the cost of the residence permits for the whole family.

  • A single investor

    1 person, a €250,000 property

    Property
    €250,000
    Taxes and fees of the purchase
    €17,230
    Residence permit application
    €5,695
    Full cost
    €272,925
  • A family of three

    3 people, a €400,000 property

    Property
    €400,000
    Taxes and fees of the purchase
    €27,560
    Residence permit application
    €9,174
    Full cost
    €436,734
  • Three generations

    6 people, an €800,000 property

    Property
    €800,000
    Taxes and fees of the purchase
    €55,120
    Residence permit application
    €13,804
    Full cost
    €868,924

The estimate is indicative. Exact sums depend on the property, the applicants' ages and the tariffs at the time of filing. Work out your own case in the calculator.

Calculate the cost

Projects suitable for the program

  • Urban86, Ambelokipi

    Urban86

    Ambelokipi

    Threshold €250,000

    Average price
    €365,000
    Free apartment sizes
    45–106 m²
  • Hestia Grove, Alimos

    Hestia Grove

    Alimos

    Threshold €800,000

    Average price
    €890,000
    Free apartment sizes
    140–252 m²
  • Golden Nest, Bournazi

    Golden Nest

    Bournazi

    Threshold €250,000

    Average price
    €280,000
    Free apartment sizes
    33–92 m²
  • Negri Acropolis, Neos Kosmos

    Negri Acropolis

    Neos Kosmos

    Threshold €250,000

    Average price
    €260,000
    Free apartment sizes
    32 m²

Projects for the Greek Golden Visa →

Get a selection of liquid properties in Greece

A ready-made list of projects where a property purchase leads to resident status. We selected them on solid criteria: developer reputation, document processing speed, location liquidity, and potential rental yield.

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Check your chances of a residence permit in 1 minute, online

The result is available right after the test. The system analyses your answers against the current Greek legislation and builds an instant report on how you meet the program's requirements.

  • Whether you meet the criteria of the 2026 program.
  • Which investment threshold applies in your case.
  • A preliminary calculation of taxes and related costs.
  • A preliminary calculation of the cost of the Golden Visa.
  • An individual step-by-step plan to obtain the residence permit in 8 months.
Calculate the cost

Get a consultation

Leave your contact and a consultant will get back to you during working hours. We usually reply within an hour.

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Frequently asked questions

Answers to the most frequent questions about the Greek residence permit

What is the minimum investment for 2026?

Currently, a three-tier system is in effect in Greece.

  • 800,000 € — for popular locations: Athens, Thessaloniki, Mykonos, Santorini, and islands with a population of more than 3,100 people.
  • 400,000 € — for all other regions of the country. The property area must be at least 120 m².
  • 250,000 € — a preferential threshold that has been maintained only for specific properties: conversion of commercial real estate into residential or complete restoration of historical buildings.
Is there a physical presence requirement?

No, this is the main advantage of the Greek program. There are no mandatory residence requirements for maintaining and extending the residence permit (which is issued for 5 years). You just need to maintain ownership rights to the property. You will need to come to the country at least once — to provide your biometric data.

Can I include adult children and parents?

The Greek program is one of the most generous in terms of family circle. One application can include:

  • Spouse.
  • Children under the age of 21 (under certain conditions, the status can be extended to 24 years).
  • Parents on both sides (both yours and your spouse's) without the need to prove their financial dependency. This makes Greece a leader for those who want to bring the whole family (“three generations”).
Can I rent out my property?

Yes, but with an important limitation introduced in recent years. Investors are allowed to rent out housing for long-term rental. However, the law prohibits the use of properties purchased under the 'Golden Visa' program for short-term rentals (like Airbnb). Violating this rule may lead to the revocation of residency and a hefty fine.

Does this lead to EU citizenship?

Yes, but the status of an investor does not in itself shorten the path to a passport. To be eligible for citizenship, you need to:

  1. Live in Greece for at least 7 years.
  2. Be in the country for more than 183 days a year.
  3. Pass an exam on knowledge of the Greek language, history, and culture.

Important: If you simply hold a visa but live in another country, you can endlessly renew your residency permit, but you will not be able to apply for a passport.

What are the benefits of this residence permit?

There is an important nuance. The "Golden Visa" grants the right to:

  • Reside permanently in Greece and move freely across the Schengen Area (for up to 90 days in a six-month period).
  • Access public health and education services on par with Greek citizens.
  • Own a Greek business and receive dividends. However: this type of residence permit does not grant the right to work for others. You cannot be employed by a local company as a staff employee. If your goal is to work, you will need to obtain a different type of permit.
What is the main difference?

Cyprus permanent residence is an indefinite status (no renewal required) that grants access to Non-Dom tax benefits. Greece residence permit (Golden Visa) is issued for 5 years, provides full freedom of movement within the Schengen Area, but requires renewal as long as you own real estate.

What are the minimum investment amounts?

For Cyprus, this starts at €300,000 in new residential or commercial real estate. In Greece, the threshold depends on the region: in popular locations (Athens, Thessaloniki), it is €800,000; in all other areas, from €400,000. We select properties based on your budget and goals.

Can I obtain status without being physically present?

Yes, most of the process is carried out remotely. We conduct preliminary due diligence to eliminate the risk of rejection. Your presence will only be required at the final stage for biometric submission, which significantly saves your time.

Which family members can obtain status?

You can include your spouse, children, and, in some cases, parents in the application. We handle the complete preparation of documents for all family members.

Is it necessary to live in the country?

No. Neither program requires you to permanently reside in Cyprus or Greece to maintain status. It is an ideal “backup airfield” for business and life that is always active.

How does Ways to Europe guarantee security?

We work only with trusted developers and conduct a thorough legal audit of each property.

Key reading

In-depth guides on the program: laws, taxes, the property market, moving.

All articles →
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