One of the most popular investment visa schemes in the EU is the Golden Visa for Greece. It's a residence-by-investment visa for non-EU people who contribute significantly to the Greek economy. There are numerous ways to invest, but the most usual is to buy real estate worth at least a quarter million dollars.

Golden Visas provided by EU Member States such as Greece are in high demand since they may lead to citizenship and consequently EU membership.

The Greece Golden Visa grants the investor and their immediate family members instant five-year residence as well as unfettered travel inside the Schengen Zone.

Investment Options for Greece's Golden Visa

You must make one of the following investments to qualify for a Golden Visa in Greece:

• Purchase a property worth at least €250,000 in real estate.

• Sign a 10-year leasing deal with a hotel or other tourist attraction.

• Make a capital investment of at least €400,000 in a Greek company.

• Make an investment of €400,000 in Greek government bonds.

• Make a €400,000 investment in real estate investment trust bonds or shares.

• Make a deposit of €400,000 in a Greek bank.

• Make an investment of €800,000 in business or government bonds.

• Although you should complete your investment in Greece in most situations, you may do so remotely if you provide Power of Attorney to a legal representative.

Given the amount of money at stake, most applicants will seek legal counsel throughout the process. Experts from companies such as Golden Visa Real Estate provide counseling and guidance on foreign investing, immigration, and real estate. They may also assist you with the investing procedure in Greece.

Who is Eligible for a Greece Golden Visa

The following are the eligibility requirements for a Greece Golden Visa:

• You must be at least 18 years old.

• You must not have a criminal record in any of the countries where you have resided.

• In Greece, you must make a large investment (see the investment options below).

• You must have purchased health insurance from a Greek firm.

You may have a free consultation with the professionals at Golden Visa Real Estate Agency to see whether you qualify for the Greek Golden Visa Scheme. If you are, they can assist you with both the investment and the Greek visa application processes.

The Greece Golden Visa's Benefits

A Greece Golden Visa is one of the most cost-effective in the EU, and it comes with the following perks:

• The investment thresholds are lower than in most other EU nations that provide Golden Visa pathways.

• You may extend the visa to include members of your family, such as your spouse, (unmarried) children under the age of 21, and your or your spouse's dependant parents. If your kid is between the ages of 21 and 24, and is enrolled in school, they may be included in the Golden Visa application.

• You and your family will be able to visit the Schengen Zone without needing a visa.

• To renew your residence permit, you do not need to stay in Greece for any period of time.

• After you've purchased your home, you may opt to rent it out.

• After seven years of residency, you may petition for Greek citizenship. Because Greece is a member of the European Union, you'll enjoy access to the EU's free market and visa-free travel to over a hundred nations.

• Greece is a place where you may live and invest.

• Greek education and healthcare are available to you.

Duration of a Greece Golden Visa

The Golden Visa is valid for five years and may be renewed forever as long as the investment is maintained.

If you eventually decide to settle in Greece, you may seek for Greek citizenship after seven years of continuous residency.

To Renew Your Golden Visa, How Long Must You Live in Greece?

You do not need to live in Greece to renew your residence permit, unlike most other countries that offer Golden Visas. You may keep renewing it every five years as long as your investment is still intact.

To renew your residence permit, you must provide evidence of ownership of the real estate property or a solemn certification from the appropriate representatives that the investment is still active.

Can You Get Greece Citizenship by Investment?

Yes, by investing in Greece and earning a Golden Visa, you may become a Greek citizen. Unlike residence, however, you cannot apply for Greek citizenship without residing in Greece and paying taxes. Before applying for citizenship, you must have lived in Greece for at least seven years.

You must also be able to demonstrate that you have links to the nation and have a basic understanding of the Greek language and culture.

How to Apply for a Greece Golden Visa?

You must apply for a Greek Golden Visa at the Decentralized Authority's Alien and Immigration Department. You must first get an entrance visa from one of Greece's embassies or consulates abroad. The following is a summary of the Golden Visa application process:

• Apply for a Greek national visa at a consulate or embassy.

• Enter Greece and complete your transaction. You have the option of hiring expert legal assistance at this point.

• Gather the paperwork needed for a Greek Golden Visa.

• Send the paperwork to the Alien and Immigration Department in your area.

• Allow for the processing of the visa. In most cases, you will get a decision within three months.

• If the verdict is favorable, you must return to Greece and submit your biometric data.

• A Golden Visa residency permit will be issued to you, which will be valid for five years.

Golden Visa Real Estate Agency's professionals can assist you in planning your trip to Greece, guiding you through the investment procedure, accompanying you on property visits, meeting with attorneys and government authorities, and ultimately applying for the Greek Golden Visa.

What Documents Do I Need to Apply for a Golden Visa in Greece?

When applying for a Greece Golden Visa, the following papers are required:

Form of application

• Passport-size photos of oneself taken recently. Ensure that they adhere to the Greek visa photo standards.

• A copy of your valid passport is required. The appropriate entrance visa must be included in the passport.

• Proof of payment of all applicable government fees.

• Proof that you and any family members have purchased health insurance in Greece.

• Evidence of your finances.

Additional documentation, depending on the kind of investment, including:

For real estate purchases:

• A purchase contract that attests to the absence of any limitations or exclusions in the purchase, stating the entire amount of the purchase, and the manner of payment (full payment, credit held in a Greek institution, or credit transfer).

• The responsible Land Registry must provide proof of contract transfer.

• The Land Registry issues a certificate demonstrating that the acquisition was not hampered in any way.

• For renting a hotel or tourist establishment, the following documents are required: I A timeshare contract for a minimum of five years, stating the annual price; ii) Proof of transfer registration issued by the competent Land Registry; iii) A certificate issued by the National Tourism Organisation (EOT) stating that it has been informed of the conclusion of the particular timeshare contract.

For a business investment:

• Documents containing information on the firm receiving the investment, whether it is founded or not (must include name, type of legal entity, and share-holders)

• A document that contains information about the investment project.

• The investment project's location

• The investment's budget and funding structure

• A timetable outlining how the investment will be implemented.

• Predictions for the first five years of investment outcomes (feasibility study and cash flow forecast)

• A document that shows how many jobs will be generated as a result of the investment.

• A concise CV

• Your role in the investing venture

• Any additional papers that the appropriate authorities want.

Documentation recommendations:

The papers you provide must be translated into Greek by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Translation Service in Athens, Greece, or by an attorney who is a member of a Greek bar organization.

If your nation is a signatory to the Hague Convention, your papers must be confirmed by an Apostille Stamp or the closest Greek Embassy or Consulate (if your country is not part of the Hague Convention).

F.A.Q. About Greece Golden Visa Programme