Updated
GL-G-01
Glossary · Citizenship and residency programs
Greece Golden Visa - Thresholds EUR 250/500/800k
01 / In 30 seconds
The short answer
- What it is
- The Greek Golden Visa — a residence permit for buying real estate
- Where it applies
- Greece, an EU and Schengen country
- Cost
- From €250,000; higher in Athens, Thessaloniki and on the popular islands
- Duration
- Processing usually takes 2-3 months
- Can you prepare
- Yes: choose the region and property, assemble the funds file
02 / In plain words
What Greece Golden Visa means
The Greece Golden Visa is Greece’s residence permit programme for investment in real estate. By buying a home, you and your family receive a five-year renewable residence permit, the right to live in the country and to travel freely in the Schengen area. You are not required to live in Greece permanently.
The entry threshold depends on the region. The base is from €250,000 in certain areas, but in popular locations (Athens, Thessaloniki, islands such as Mykonos and Santorini) the thresholds are higher — €400,000 and €800,000. This is designed to spread investment around the country rather than concentrate it in the capital.
The Greek Golden Visa is valued for its speed, a threshold that is modest by EU standards and the fact that permanent residence in the country is not required. Over time, with actual residence, the road leads to permanent residence and citizenship through naturalisation.
A case from practice
A family buys a flat in a region with the base threshold for €250,000 and receives a five-year Greek Golden Visa. They are not obliged to live in the country permanently, but they travel freely in the Schengen area. After several years of actual residence they will be able to apply for permanent residence or citizenship.
Why people choose the Greek Golden Visa
- Free travel in the Schengen area
- A modest entry threshold into the EU
- A second home by the sea
- Rental income from property
- A basis for future citizenship
- Education and healthcare in Europe
03 / What it covers
What the Greek Golden Visa gives
Who receives it
- Principal applicant
- Spouse and children
- Sometimes parents
Investment
- Property purchase
- From €250,000
- The threshold depends on the region
Rights
- A 5-year residence permit
- Schengen 90/180
- Minimal presence
Outlook
- Path to permanent residence
- Path to citizenship
- Rental income
04 / How it works
How to obtain the Greek Golden Visa
Choosing the region and property
Checking the title and land registry
Property purchase
Filing the application
Residence card
05 / Cost and timelines
Thresholds by region
01Certain areas
from €250,000
The base threshold in regions with lower demand.
02Large cities
from €400,000
Parts of mainland Greece and growing locations.
03Athens, Thessaloniki, the islands
from €800,000
The capital, the second-largest city and the popular islands.
The threshold depends on the region and the type of property. On top come property taxes, legal support and government fees. We calculate the exact budget for the chosen location and family composition.
Timelines
- Processing time
- Usually 2-3 months
- Who issues it
- The Greek migration service
- Residence
- Permanent residence in the country is not required
- To citizenship
- Through actual residence and naturalisation
06 / Key facts
What you need to know
01The threshold depends on the region
€250,000 / €400,000 / €800,000
02
Permanent residence in Greece is not required
03
The residence permit is granted for 5 years, renewable
04
The property must be held for the whole term of the status
05
A Golden Visa is a residence permit, not citizenship
Common mistakes
- Buying a property without checking the title and Golden Visa eligibility
- Not accounting for the higher threshold in Athens and on the islands
- Confusing a Golden Visa with citizenship
- Selling the property early and losing the status
- Delaying the application — thresholds are revised
07 / Expert advice
How to prepare in advance
Decide on the goal and region in advance — the threshold depends on it — and check the property’s title and land registry records and that it qualifies for the programme. Separately, assemble a source-of-funds file and budget for property taxes and fees. Then the deal and the filing go through without surprises.
What we do for you. We choose a property for your budget and goal — Schengen, rental income or a second home — check the title and Golden Visa eligibility and take you through the deal and filing end to end, so that you obtain Greek residence without delays.
Anna KovalevskayaLead lawyer for EU citizenship and residency, 12 years of practice
08 / Questions
Frequently asked questions
From €250,000 in certain areas. In Athens, Thessaloniki and on the popular islands the thresholds are higher — €400,000 and €800,000. Plus property taxes and fees.
No, permanent residence is not required for the Golden Visa. But if the goal is future citizenship, actual residence and naturalisation will be needed.
Not straight away. It is a residence permit; a passport may come later, through years of actual residence and naturalisation.
The status gives the right to live in the country; the conditions on employment are confirmed separately. In the Schengen area it gives travel, not work in other EU countries.
While the Golden Visa is in force, the property usually has to stay in your ownership — it is the basis of the status. Selling early may cost you the visa.
The spouse, children (often up to 21-24) and in some cases dependent parents. The exact composition is confirmed for the programme.
INITIAL ASSESSMENT
Tell us what outcome your family needs
We will design a solution for your case, choose the country and the right status, and take the whole process through to the result.
