Golden Visa Greece: investment and business opportunities
The Greek Golden Visa program is one of Europe's most popular residence-by-investment programs, having attracted thousands of non-EU investors since its launch in 2013. It offers non-EU nationals a five-year renewable residence permit in exchange for qualifying investments, primarily in real estate. For business-minded investors, the Golden Visa provides not only residency in the EU but also a strategic base for establishing commercial operations in Greece and across Europe.
Investment thresholds
Since September 2024, the Greek Golden Visa program has updated its investment requirements to reflect market conditions:
- €500,000: Required for real estate investments in high-demand areas including Attica (Athens and surrounding region), Thessaloniki municipality, Mykonos, Santorini and islands with populations exceeding 3,100 residents
- €250,000: Still available for investments in other regions of mainland Greece and smaller islands. This lower threshold also applies to conversion of commercial properties to residential use and restoration of listed/protected buildings, regardless of location
- €400,000: Alternative investment routes including capital contributions to Greek companies, government bonds (held for minimum 3 years), shares in real estate investment companies (REICs), or time deposits in Greek banks
Key benefits
- EU residency: Five-year residence permit renewable indefinitely as long as the investment is maintained, providing the right to live in Greece and travel freely within the Schengen area (up to 90 days per 180-day period in other Schengen countries)
- Family inclusion: Spouse, children under 21, and parents of both the investor and spouse are covered under the same application at no significant additional cost
- No minimum stay requirement: Unlike most EU residency programs, the Greek Golden Visa does not require the investor to spend any minimum number of days in Greece – the investment alone is sufficient to maintain the permit
- Path to citizenship: After 7 years of legal residency with demonstrated physical presence and Greek language proficiency, investors may apply for Greek citizenship and obtain an EU passport
- Business establishment: Golden Visa holders can establish and operate businesses in Greece without additional work permits, opening the door to EU market access
Combining Golden Visa with business
Many investors strategically use the Golden Visa as a gateway to entrepreneurship in Greece. Common approaches include: purchasing commercial property that generates rental income while also serving as business premises, investing in tourist accommodation such as short-term rental properties (a thriving sector given Greece's tourism industry), or simply using the residency status to establish an IKE company and operate in the EU single market. The real estate investment and business activity remain separate legal matters – the Golden Visa investment provides the residency foundation, while the company operates independently under its own tax and regulatory framework.
Application process
The application is submitted to the Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum. Processing time ranges from 2 to 6 months. Required documents include: valid passport, proof of qualifying investment (title deed, bank confirmation), comprehensive health insurance covering Greece, clean criminal record certificate from country of origin, and proof of sufficient funds.
Recent developments
Greece continues to fine-tune the Golden Visa program to balance investment attraction with housing market concerns. The increase in thresholds for high-demand areas reflects Athens' growing real estate market, while maintaining the €250,000 entry point in other regions ensures accessibility.
Zunapro connects investors with trusted real estate partners, legal advisors and tax professionals to facilitate both the Golden Visa application and business establishment in Greece.