GREECE

Known as the cradle of Western civilization, Greece embodies the best of business and leisure, welcoming nearly 40 million tourists each year. Whether it is swimming in the turquoise seawaters of Zakynthos, enjoying a vibrant nightlife in Mykonos, or delving into the historical heritage of Athens, Greece is perfect for leisure and for building a desired life. As one of the most popular investment programs in Europe, the Greece Golden Visa Program offers access to a European oasis with arguably the most competitive investment options in the region.

Why choose Greece?

A member of the Schengen area and of the eurozone, Greece bridges historical heritage and exceptional Mediterranean scenery, with a booming economic landscape that has regained momentum through growing FDIs by global investors. Participation in the Program enables holders to acquire a long-term residence status, which is one of the prerequisites for naturalization.

Benefits

• Fast and straightforward procedure where applications are processed within 3-4 months;
• Residency cards are renewed every 5 years for the lifetime of the main applicant and their parents, provided they keep a house of minimum sales value as per the investment thresholds;
• Applicants are issued with a 1-year long multiple entry residence visa for Greece upon application, which is canceled upon issuance of their residency cards;
• No VAT is payable on property purchases until the end of 2023;
• Right and no obligation for residing in the country;
• Children up to 21 years old and parents of the spouses can participate in the Program;
• Holders of the residence permit have access to public education (schools, universities) at the same terms as these for Greek nationals;
• Visa-free access to 172 countries, including Schengen countries;
• Right to enter and reside in Greece even in case of closed borders;
• Greece has been ranked as the world’s number one country for retirement.

Qualifications

The Greece Golden Visa Program is considered one of the most attractive and competitive residency-by-investment programs in Europe. To qualify, applicants must fulfill all investment criteria in addition to meeting the below requirements:

• Be at least 18 years old;
• Possess a valid passport;
• Enter Greece legally;
• Complete in full the purchase of the property.

The following family members qualify as dependents of the main applicant:

• Spouse;
• Children up to 21 years old;
• Parents of the main applicant;
• Parents of the spouse.

Investment options

In order to qualify for the Program, investors must comply with the regulatory requirements related to the contribution. In summary, applicants should:

• Invest in a housing unit having a minimum price of €250,000. This threshold is raised to €500,000 as on August 1, 2023 for the areas of Central, Southern and Northern Athens and other specific municipalities and islands, or
• Invest in financial products such as corporate shares, bonds and Government Treasury bonds that are traded on regulated markets, as well as bank deposits. All these must meet certain criteria. The starting investment amount is €400,000 rising to €800,000.

Real estate

For applicants to be eligible to maintain and renew their permits, they must hold their investments. Reselling the property/investment without replacement nullifies the permits for the applicants.
Applicants can own multiple properties as long as the combined value matches or surpasses the minimum property investment threshold. Joint ownership of property by the spouses is allowed as well as joint ownership by two or more main applicants provided each applicant individually meets the minimum investment criteria. The property can be rented out to third parties without any restrictions.
Property purchases made after December 31, 2023 will be subject to the payment of VAT on the sales price. Exclusive offers and bespoke products designed by ARTON are available upon request.

Application fees

The fees associated with this Program include service fees for the principal applicant and all accompanying family members. Applicants must also consider the out-of-pocket expenses related to the purchase of the property and translation and authentication of documents.

All application fees and taxes determined by the Greek authorities are subject to change without prior notice.

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