The Greek Golden Visa Program, addressed to non-European nationals, is considered one of the most popular programs offering residence permit in an EU country. This is due to the relatively low financial requirements and the short acquisition time (approximately 3 months).
THE MAIN BENEFITS OF THE GOLDEN VISA PROGRAM are following:
- Among the lowest financial requirement compared to other EU visa programs.
- No requirement to reside in the country for obtainment or renewal.
- Provision of visa free travel within the Schengen zone, for the applicant and his family.
- Possibility to include family members i.e. a spouse, children (unmarried) under the age of 21, or up to the age of 24 if they are students, dependent parents of the applicant or of the spouse.
- Possibility to obtain rental income in case of investment in real estate.
- Obtainment of the right to apply for the Greek citizenship after seven years of continuous residence in Greece and thus to obtain the Greek Passport, which is an EU passport.
- Possibility to utilize the Greek education and healthcare systems.
- Possibility to reside, work and make further investments in Greece.
THE VALIDITY OF THE GREEK GOLDEN VISA:
The visa has validity for five years and can be renewed indefinitely provided that the investment has not been liquidated by the applicant.
It is possible for the applicant and his family to apply for the Greek citizenship only after seven years of continuous residence in Greece and provided that by then they have acquired knowledge of the Greek culture and language (at least on a basic level) as well as some ties with the country.
INVESTMENT OPTIONS IN ORDER TO OBTAIN THE RESIDENCE PERMIT IN GREECE:
- Real estate purchase for at least € 250,000(either one or several items). An officially married couple with undivided ownership, can invest together the total amount €250,000 in real estate and proceed with the application. In all other joint ownership cases, each applicant must invest a minimum amount of €250,000 in real estate. If the real estate will be obtained through a legal entity, the applicant must be 100% owner of shares of such legal entity.
- Signing of a lease agreement with a hotel or any touristic establishment for the minimum duration of 10 years. The total rental price must be at least 250,000 euros.
- Proceed with an investment of €400,000 in the following areas:
I) a company registered in Greece, or
II) Greek government bonds, or
III) bonds or shares of a real estate company in Greece, or
IV) deposit in a Greek bank.
- Proceed with an investment of € 800,000 in corporate or government bonds.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
- The applicant must be at least 18 years old.
- The applicant must have a clean criminal record in any country of previous residence.
- The applicant must proceed with any of the above-mentioned options of investment in Greece.
- The applicant must obtain private health insurance from any company operating in Greece.
THE PROCESS OF OBTAINING THE GREEK GOLDEN VISA:
- Issue entry visa and visit Greece to choose the appropriate investment.
- Obtain the investment in his name or in the name of a legal entity of which he is 100% owner.
- Filing of the documents for obtaining the Greek Golden Visa.
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED:
- Valid passport copy.
- 3 recent color photographs.
- Proof of proceeding with the corresponding investment.
- Residence permit application.
In case of married couples, the marital status must be proved providing a valid marriage certificate translated and executed with the APOSTILE stamp affixed thereon.