Greece Golden Visa for Russian citizens
Since 28 February 2022 Greece has suspended the issue and renewal of investment residence permits for Russian citizens and does not accept new requests "until further notice". In practice an application is possible if you hold a lawfully acquired citizenship of another country.
What stays the same
- The same thresholds: €800,000, €400,000 and €250,000 depending on the area and the property type.
- A 5-year renewable permit with no minimum stay in Greece.
- One property, and no short-term letting through platforms such as Airbnb.
What matters for Russian citizens
What is suspended
Greece suspended the issue and renewal of investment-based residence permits for citizens of the Russian Federation and does not accept new requests. The decision applies "until further notice" (IMI Daily, 28 February 2022). We have not found any report in open sources that the decision was lifted.
A second citizenship
An application is possible if you hold a passport of another country and apply as its citizen. The citizenship must be lawfully acquired and supported by documents: Greek authorities and banks look at how it was obtained. We check your case before you buy a property.
Family members
Whether family members who hold only a Russian passport can be included depends on the practice of the Greek migration service. We clarify this for your family in advance, before the deal.
Banks and sanctions
People on EU sanctions lists cannot buy property: their assets are frozen. For everyone else, banks and the notary carry out an enhanced check of the origin of funds. Payments from Russia are restricted by sanctions, so funds that are already abroad are normally used.
Investment thresholds
- €800,000€800,000 is the threshold for the most sought-after locations: Attica with Athens, Piraeus and the Athens Riviera, Thessaloniki, Mykonos, Santorini and islands with more than 3,100 residents.
- €400,000€400,000 is the threshold for all regions of Greece except the most sought-after ones: the mainland outside Attica and Thessaloniki and small islands with up to 3,100 residents.
- €250,000€250,000 is the reduced threshold. It applies anywhere in Greece, including central Athens, but only to two kinds of property: premises converted to residential use and listed historic buildings being restored.
For Turkish citizensFor Chinese citizensFor Ukrainian citizens
Let us review your case
Leave a request: we check the origin of funds and the entry route and select a property for the threshold.
Where to start on your own
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Can Russian citizens get a Greek golden visa?
Holders of a Russian passport alone cannot file new applications: since 28 February 2022 a suspension has applied "until further notice". If you hold a lawfully acquired citizenship of another country, an application is possible. We check your case before you buy.
What about permits that were already issued?
The suspension concerns the issue and renewal of investment-based permits. How it affects the renewal of a specific permit we review case by case.
Can I obtain a second citizenship for the sake of a golden visa?
The citizenship must be lawfully acquired on a genuine basis. Greek authorities and banks check how it was obtained, so the documents must be impeccable. We do not arrange third-country citizenship and only check how it is evidenced.
Which threshold should I choose?
It depends on the area and the property type: €800,000 in Attica and popular locations, €400,000 in other regions, €250,000 for premises with a change of use and for restored historic buildings.