The Permanent Residence Permit for Investors (article 20 of Law 4251/2014), also known as Golden Visa program, is a special permanent residence permit for third-country nationals that are owners of real estate property in Greece the minimum value of which is 400.000€. This Residence Permit gives them the right to reside legally within Greek territory and it can be renewed every five years. Furthermore, the real estate owners reserve the right to lease their property and be accompanied by the members of their family.
The Residence Permit for Investment Activity (article 16 of Law 4251/2014), also known as Golden Visa, is a residence permit for third-country citizens who want to make investments that will have a positive impact on Greek economy, strategic investments or investments of specific categories (3 main categories). This Residence Permit gives them the right to reside legally within Greek territory and it can be renewed every five years (1st and 3rd category) or every ten years (2nd category) and the Golden Visa holder reserves the right to be accompanied by the members of his family.
The Greek Permanent Residency Program offers the lowest cost entry route to obtain EU residency for the entire family.
Invest in real estate from a minimum of €400,000 and relocate in just 60 days, with visa-free travel access within the Schengen Zone.
The Greece Residency by Investment Program was introduced by the Greek government in 2014 to enable genuine investors to acquire residency in Greece by investing in real estate. The five-year residence permit may be renewed every five years thereafter provided the applicant still owns the property. Greece offers a straightforward residency route, with no minimum stay requirement. The application process is quick with further opportunities to apply for citizenship after a set period.
Greece Residence by Investment offers visa-free access within Shenghen Zone — get visa-free access to 26 EU states, including Switzerland, Luxemburg, Italy and Germany. Go on a last-minute business trip or take your family on a spontaneous holiday in Europe — open up Europe with Astons.
We will evaluate your personal circumstances and help you select the most suitable program and real estate option
Based on your requirements we will carefully select the most suitable properties for you and arrange direct viewings in Greece.
A detailed checklist will be provided, and you will be guided through the documents collection stage. Experienced immigration advisers will be checking a scan of each document for compliance to ensure all requirements are met, including proof of investment documentation.
The complete application for a residence permit by real estate acquisition along with all supporting documents confirming investment in real estate will be submitted
Processing of the application usually takes approximately 60 days. After the application has been submitted, the applicant receives a proof of submission, which is valid for one year and allows the holder to travel to and from Greece as often as they wish.
Once the application is reviewed and the decision is made by the Secretary-General , the applicant will be notified. The applicant will receive their five-year residence permit which will allow them to enjoy living in Greece for a five-year period, as well as visa-free travel within the Schengen Zone.
The Golden Visa for Greece is one of the most popular investment visa programs in the EU. 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 worth at least a quarter of a million.
Golden Visas issued by the EU Member States such as Greece are especially coveted, as they may eventually lead to citizenship and thus access to the EU.
The Greece Golden Visa offers immediate five-year residency to the investor as well as their immediate family members, as well as free travel in the Schengen Zone.
Eligibility criteria for a Greek Golden Visa are:
A Greek Golden Visa is one of the most competitive Golden Visas in the EU and is accompanied with the following benefits:
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.
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.
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.
Before that, You have to visit Europe Resident in Erbil to apply for the Golden Visa application