The Greek Golden visa programme is a scheme launched by the Greek government, offering permanent residence to property buyers or investors of non-EU origin, who purchase property in Greece that exceeds €250.000 in value. Compared to other European countries, Greece offers the most financially beneficial residency permit.
Who does this permit apply to?
Those who have the right to and acquire a permanent residence permit in Greece under this scheme are:
- Non-EU citizens, planning to invest in Greece, either individually or via a legal body, provided the value of the property for sale surpasses €250.000.
- Family members of these non-EU citizens and more specifically the spouse, their children up to the age of 21 (provided they are not married) as well as the unmarried first-degree descendants of the dependent or his/her spouse as long as they are not over 21 and legal custody has been approved to either the applicant or their spouse.
What are the criteria for obtaining a golden visa under the law?
Residence permit can be granted as long as the following legal conditions are met:
- The property must be owned by a third-country national, who has legally entered the country on any type of Visa.
- If the property is owned by more than one people and its value surpasses €250.000, a permit can be granted only if the owners are married and have exclusive ownership of the property. In all other occurrences of joint ownership, a residence permit can be approved, only if the joint investment of each owner equals to the value of €250.000.
- If the property is bought through a legal body or organisation, then the applicant should have total control of the company’s shares.
- A residence permit can also be approved for applicants who own more than one real estate property in Greece with a combined worth of at least €250.000.
The documents required for the application include:
- A copy of your passport.
- A copy of your VISA permit.
- A copy of the settled contract of the property.
- A copy of the contract’s record at the Land Registry and Cadastre of Greece.
- Evidence of habitation in Greece.
- A fee of €2.000 imposed by the state for a Permanent Residence Permit.
- A state fee of €16 for covering the expense of the Residence Permit’s card.
- Photographs of the applicant.
We provide you legal services for representation, guidance and support in acquiring a Golden Visa in every stage of the process. More specifically, we offer property law and immigration law services:
- Help in finding a suitable property and negotiation over price on your behalf.
- Immigration law help with filing for a residence permit application.
- Conduct Due diligence of the property.
- Help with opening a bank account in a Greek bank.
- Help with finalising the property contract and registering it to the appropriate bodies (i.e. Land Registry and Cadastre).