Greece residence permit for non-EU citizens
The simplest way to get a Greek residence permit is to buy properties worth €250,000 or invest money in a Greek company and therefore participate in the Golden Visa programme. Although it is not the only way to obtain a residence permit in Greece.
Foreigners can also legally reside in Greece on the grounds of studying, work or as financially independent individuals. In this article, Tranio’s experts cover all the possible ways to get a Greek residence card.
Greek residence permit for financially independent persons
A foreigner with a stable monthly income that exceeds €2,000 can get a residence permit for economically independent persons. This type of residency is issued for three years and can afterwards be renewed every three years.
Greek residence permit for financially independent people may include the family of the applicant as well. In such a case, the amount of money the applicant is required to have, increases by 20% for the spouse and by 15% for each child. The applicant should provide a bank document confirming that the person has sufficient means of subsistence for the next three years of residence.
All of the funds for the two-year period for the whole family should be deposited in advance.
With this type of residence permit, a foreigner must reside in Greece and is not allowed to have any economic or investment activity in the country.
Greek Golden Visa for property owners
A residence permit in Greece may be obtained by buying one or several properties worth €250,000 or more. This type of residence permit is called a Golden Visa in Greece. The Greek Golden Visa investment threshold will increase to €400,000 or €800,000, depending on location, from August 31, 2024.
the cost of your Golden visa
time taken for a residence permit to be issued
of residence in Greece to qualify for citizenship
Residency may be also granted to the investor’s family members including a spouse, children under 21 years of age, and the parents of the applicant and spouse.
Residence card holders do not have to live in Greece or demonstrate proficiency in the Greek language.
The purchased property can be rented out and bring in rental yields of 3–5% per annum in euro.
From 158,000 €
Built in 2025 Total of 11 apartments
From 200,000 €
Built in 2024 Total of 17 apartments
From 250,000 €
Completion in: 2026.II Total of 22 apartments
360,000 €
Total area 74 m² 1 bedroom
From 250,000 €
Completion in: 2026.II Total of 27 apartments
From 302,000 €
Completion in: 2027.III Total of 48 apartments
From 300,000 €
Completion in: 2025.IV Total of 43 apartments
From 257,000 €
Completion in: 2026.II Total of 13 apartments
How to choose a project
To find a profitable option, talk to our experts.
Experienced managers will help you find a suitable location for a residence or a project with a stable income to rent out, as well as help you prepare the documents for obtaining Greece’s residency card.
Contact an expert
The minimum investment threshold will be raised to 400–800 thousand euros in the areas of Greece most popular with investors. Make a 10% deposit prior to this date and obtain a residence permit under the current favourable threshold conditions (from €250,000).
An investor also has an option of signing a 10-year lease agreement for hotel accommodation or furnished tourist residences in tourist accommodation complexes instead of buying real estate.
Greek Golden Visa on the grounds of a capital contribution, shares or bonds
Additionally, an investor can obtain a Golden Visa through investment in several assets other than real estate:
- A capital contribution with a minimum value of €500,000 to a company that has its registered office or establishment in Greece (except for portfolio investment companies and real estate investment companies).
- A capital contribution with a minimum value of €500,000 to a real estate investment company that will invest exclusively in Greece.
- A capital contribution with a minimum value of €500,000 to a closed-end investment company for the acquisition of shares or to a closed-end mutual fund for the acquisition of shares, provided that the aforementioned alternative investment institutions have the intention to invest exclusively in companies that have headquarters or establishments in Greece.
Another option for investors is to purchase Greek corporate and/or government bonds:
- Purchase of Greek government bonds with a minimum acquisition value of €400,000 and residual maturity of at least three years at the time of purchase via a credit institution established in Greece, which will also act as the custodian of these bonds.
- Purchase of shares or corporate bonds with a minimum acquisition value of €800,000, which are admitted for trading or are traded on regulated markets or multilateral trading mechanisms operating in Greece.
- Purchase of units with a minimum value of €350,000 of a mutual fund incorporated in Greece or another country and with the intention to invest exclusively in shares, corporate bonds, and/or Greek government bonds that are admitted for trading or are traded on regulated markets or multilateral trading mechanisms, operating in Greece.
- Purchase of units or shares with a minimum purchase value of €350,000 of an alternative investment fund established in Greece or another country of the EU, which intends to invest in real estate in Greece exclusively.
Finally, to obtain Greek residence card, an investor can deposit a minimum value of €350,000 to a domestic credit institution for at least one year, with a standing order for renewal.
Advantages of the Greek golden visa
- The lowest barrier of entry in Europe compared to similar programmes in Malta, Portugal, or Spain.
- The legal right to reside in the Schengen area;
- The ability to use the services of the European banks for both personal and business purposes;
- Flexibility to buy several properties or participate in one large project.
- Residence permit renewal can be done just once in five years.
- No residence restrictions: you may continue to live outside Greece.
- Residence permits issued to all family members of the applicant (spouse, children under 21, parents of the applicant and spouse).
- An investor residing in Greece less than 183 days per year is not considered a Greek tax resident.
Greek residence permit for employees
Greece’s work permit is issued to those who have signed a job contract with a legally licensed employer and incorporated in Greece. Work permits are usually valid for a year.
Greek residence permit for students
Similarly, foreigners can obtain a residence permit if admitted to one of the universities in Greece. A student residence permit requires the applicant to prove knowledge of English or Greek language (depends on the language of studies) and to have sufficient funds in the bank, amounting to at least €900 a month. A student residence permit is to be renewed annually.
The residence permit is valid for the duration of the study programme if it lasts less than one year.
How to obtain a Greek residence permit remotely
Investment property acquisition and residence permit application can be done remotely. Tranio helps to choose the property, close the transaction, and submit the documents. Buying through us, you will have to come to Greece only once within six months after the application to submit your fingerprints.
Get a greek residence permit remotely
Contact managers at Tranio to apply for Greek residency remotely and what documents are needed.
Buy a property remotely
How to get Greek citizenship
After residing in Greece for seven years, a foreigner can apply for citizenship through naturalisation. To obtain citizenship, applicants should prove that they have successfully integrated into Greek society, are financially independent, and know the Greek language.
EU citizens must have lived in Greece for three years to qualify for Greece citizenship. A spouse of a Greek national can be eligible for Greek citizenship after staying in Greece for three years if they have a child together.
Any person born in the country also qualifies for citizenship of Greece if one of the applicant’s parents is a Greek citizen or if the applicant’s parents are not Greek but have resided in Greece for more than five years.
Where to start
Whether you have made up your mind or just looking at Greece, we recommend starting with a personal consultation that will help you feel more confident in communicating with property sellers, helping you effectively manage your time and costs.
Hit a pause after the consultation to cool off and think it all out. You can then proceed on your own or go through us.
How we can help
- We will propose quality pre-owned properties and new developments in the good neighbourhoods of Athens.
- We will help to do the paperwork for the sale, submit the documents and make your application for a residence permit in Greece.
- A manager speaking your language will support you in Athens.
- After the acquisition, we will make arrangements to rent out your property, pay the bills and taxes.
- We will coordinate the remote purchase and document filing if necessary.
- We will propose alternatives in any other European country at any moment.
Contact Tranio
Consult our expert or get a selection of properties in Greece. Our manager will contact you during business hours to discuss the details.
Send a request
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