One could pursue a Greece Golden Visa. It is a residence-by-investment visa, issued to non-EU citizens who make a significant contribution to the Greek economy. There are several investment options, but the most common
route is through
purchasing real estate
Investment Options for the Golden Visa for Greece
To qualify for a Golden Visa for Greece, you must make one of the following investments:
Purchase a real estate property worth at least €250,000
Sign a
lease agreement with a
hotel or tourist establishment for at least 10 years
Make a capital investment of at least €400,000 in a company registered in Greece
Make a €400,000 investment in Greek
government bonds.
Make a €400,000 investment in bonds or shares of real estate investment companies.
Make a €400,000 deposit in a Greek bank.
Make an €800,000 investment in corporate or
government bonds.
Eligibility criteria for a Greek Golden Visa are:
You must be over the age of 18.
You must not have any
history of criminal records, in any country in which you have lived.
You must make a significant investment in Greece (see the investment options above).
You must have obtained
health insurance from a company operating in Greece.
Benefits of the Greek Golden Visa
A Greek Golden Visa is one of the most competitive Golden Visas in the EU and is accompanied with the following benefits:
The threshold investment options are relatively lower than in most other EU countries with Golden Visa routes.
You can extend the visa to include your
family members, like your spouse, (unmarried)
children under 21 years of age, and dependent parents of either yourself or your spouse. If your child is over the age of 21, but no older than 24, and they are a student, they may also be included in the Golden Visa application.
You and your
family members will enjoy visa-free travel to the Schengen Zone.
There are no requirements to live in Greece for any duration in order to renew the residence
permit.
You can choose to rent out your property after purchase.
You can apply for Greek citizenship after seven years of residence. Greece is an EU
Member State, so you would have access to the EU free market and visa-free travel to more than a hundred countries.
You can live, work, and invest in Greece.
You have access to Greek education and healthcare
Duration of a Greece Golden Visa
The Golden Visa for Greece is issued for five years and can be renewed indefinitely as long as you maintain the investment.
If you ultimately choose to live in Greece, then after seven years of continuous residence, you can also apply for Greek citizenship.
How Long Do You Need to Live in Greece to Renew the Golden Visa?
Unlike most other countries who issue Golden Visas, you do not need to live in Greece at all in order to renew the residence permit. You can keep renewing it every five years, as long as you have still maintained your investment.
To renew the residence permit, you have to provide proof that the real estate property is still in your
ownership or a solemn declaration by the relevant representatives that the investment is still ongoing.
Can You Get Greece Citizenship by Investment?
Yes, you can become a Greek citizen by making an investment in Greece and obtaining the Golden Visa. However, unlike residency, you cannot apply for Greek citizenship without actually living there and paying
taxes. You must live in Greece for at least seven years before being eligible to apply for citizenship.
In addition, you must also be able to prove you have ties to the country and knowledge of the Greek language and culture, at least on a basic level.
How to Apply for a Greece Golden Visa?
You have to apply for a Greek Golden Visa at the Alien and Immigration Department at the Decentralised Authority in Greece. Before that, you must apply for an entry visa at one of the Greek Embassies or Consulates abroad. An outline of the Golden Visa application process is:
Apply for a Greek national visa at an Embassy or Consulate.
Enter Greece and finalize your investment. It is your choice whether you decide to hire professional
legal help through this step.
Collect the required documents for the Greek Golden Visa.
Submit the documents at the local Alien and Immigration Department.
Wait for the visa to be processed. You will usually hear back about a decision within 3 months.
If the decision is positive, you have to travel back to Greece and submit your biometric information.
You will receive a Golden Visa residence permit, which will be valid for five years.