Greece
European Residency by Investment Program
Program Overview
Introduced in 2013, the Greece Golden Visa Program is regarded as one of the most cost-effective residence by investment schemes offering entry to Europe. After a successful application, which typically takes about two months, applicants and their families can take advantage of visa-free access to Europe’s Schengen Area.
Program Details
Time To Citizenship
2-3 months
Visa Free Travel
All 26 Schengen countries
Passport Rank
5th In the world
Minimum Investment
EUR 250,000
No Worldwide Taxation or Inheritance Tax
Citizenship Program Established in 2013
Country Overview
Greece is one of Europe’s most popular tourist destinations due to its historic ruins, beautiful villages, magnificent beaches, and friendly people. Greece’s capital and largest city, Athens, is the country’s most popular city as its history lasts about 3,400 years making it one of the world’s oldest cities.
Greece is certainly one of Europe’s most beautiful and varied countries and is home to hundreds of breathtaking sights, Beautiful scenic villages, quiet beaches, decaying castles. The sun-kissed Mediterranean country offers enough ideal holiday spots to last a lifetime. With over 6,000 islands across the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas, you might spend years exploring Greece’s islands and just scratch the surface. While Santorini and Mykonos are well-deservedly popular tourist destinations, there are a few other Greek islands that will take your breath away.
Capital
Athens
Population
11,400,000
Language
Greek
Currency
Euro (EUR)
Exchange Rate
1 USD = 0.9 EUR
Government Type
Unitary Parliament Republic
Investment Requirements
The Greece Golden Visa Program offers several qualifying options that include real estate investments, capital contributions, acquisitions of shares, bonds, government bonds, or a capital transfer. Here’s a detailed overview of each:
1. Real Estate:
- An investment in real estate property, valued at a minimum of €250,000 EUR along with the applicable taxes.
- A 10-year lease agreement for hotel accommodations or furnished tourist residences in tourist accommodation complexes.
- A 10-year time-sharing agreement for hotel accommodations.
2. Capital Contribution:
- A minimum contribution of €400,000 EUR to a company registered in Greece, barring portfolio investment companies and real estate investment companies, for acquiring shares during a capital increase or bonds eligible for trading on regulated markets or multilateral trading mechanisms in Greece.
- A minimum contribution of €400,000 EUR to a real estate investment company planning to invest exclusively in Greece, for share capital increase.
- A minimum contribution of €400,000 EUR to a closed-end investment company for share acquisition or to a closed-end mutual fund for share acquisition, provided these alternative investment entities plan to invest solely in Greek companies.
3. Shares, Bonds, and/or Government Bonds:
- Purchase of Greek government bonds valued at a minimum of €400,000 EUR with a remaining maturity of at least three years, via a Greek credit institution that also acts as the custodian of these bonds.
- Purchase of shares or corporate bonds valued at a minimum of €800,000 EUR eligible for trading on Greek regulated markets or multilateral trading mechanisms.
- Purchase of units worth at least €400,000 EUR of a mutual fund registered in Greece or another country, intending to exclusively invest in shares, corporate bonds, and/or Greek government bonds eligible for trading on regulated markets or multilateral trading mechanisms in Greece.
- Purchase of units or shares worth at least €400,000 EUR of an alternative investment fund established in Greece or an EU country, aiming to invest solely in Greek real estate.
4. Capital Transfer:
- Term deposit valued at a minimum of €400,000 EUR in a Greek credit institution, held for at least a year with a standing order for renewal.
Visa Free Countries
27 Countries
Schengen Area
Austria
Belgium
Croatia
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Italy
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Organizations
Member of the NATO since 1952
Member of the United Nations since 1945
Member of World Trade Organization since 1995
Member of the European Union since 1981
Member of the Schengen Counties since 2000