What is the Golden Visa?

 

A Golden Visa is a permanent residency visa, offered by several European countries including Greece. The level of investment required in Greece is €250,000, while in other EU countries it can be much higher. It is an investment scheme that ensures visa-free travel in the Schengen zone to non-European investors and their families.

Greece introduced the law No 4251 in 2014 which allows citizens from any non-European country to acquire a European residence permit by investment, granting them free movement to travel within the Schengen Zone (26 countries).

 

Austria
Belgium
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany

Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Italy
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta

The Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland

What are its benefits?

 

The Golden Visa Program in Greece is exceptionally competitive in comparison to other European countries, as it features friendly terms, such as minimizing the amount of the capital required and with the help of investment consultants, it is easy to obtain. It is an investor visa and it can be renewed indefinitely as long as the main applicant keeps the investment, while there is no requirement to stay or live in Greece.

 

Who is eligible?

 

All non-European citizens are eligible

All non-European citizens are eligible to apply for a Golden Visa, as long as the main applicant is over 18 years old and the total investment is no less than €250,000.

Children under 21 years of age, parents, spouse or partner with a co-habitation agreement (concluded in Greece) and in-laws of the main investor can benefit from the same investment of €250,000 and above and issue a permanent European residence permit too.

 

What is the process?

 

Make a down payment of €10,000 and prepare your documents for your permit application and Greek bank account.

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Visit Athens for one day to open your Greek bank account, acquire your Greek tax number and provide power of attorney.

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Activate your Greek bank account and transfer €10,000+ from your local bank account.

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Select your new property and finalise the sales contracts. You’ll need to transfer your €250,000 investment fund to your Greek bank account.

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Visit Athens for one day to submit your biometrics. Your provisional residency permit is valid for one year and is for Greece only.

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Your permanent residency permit is for the Schengen countries and is valid for five years. You can renew it and have citizenship eligibility after seven years of continuous residency.

Delays to timelines may occur due to reduced capacity of government departments as a result of Covid-19.