Residency program
Greece Golden Visa — Residence by Investment
Time to residency
8 - 12 months
Visa-free access
Schengen Area
Overview
About Greece
Greece sits in southeastern Europe, revered as the birthplace of Western civilisation and home to more than 2,000 islands across the Aegean and Ionian seas.
The Golden Visa grants permanent residency, visa-free Schengen travel and — after seven years of continuous residence and Greek language proficiency — a route to naturalisation.
- Capital
- Athens
- Currency
- Euro
- Population
- 10.72 million
Investment routes
Greece residence by investment
The card renews every five years with no minimum stay requirement.
Benefits
Why families choose Greece
- Spouse, parents and children up to 21 qualify as dependents.
- Income earned outside Greece is not taxed in Greece.
- Visa-free travel across the 27 Schengen countries.
- A route to Greek citizenship after seven years of continuous residence and Greek language proficiency.
- The right to establish a business in Greece.
- No physical stay requirement.
- The Elite Passport is a government-authorised agent for this programme, with a 100% approval record across the applications we have submitted.
Requirements
Programme requirements
- At least 18 years old.
- Evidence of legitimate sources of investment funds.
- No criminal record.
- Valid health insurance cover.
Family
Who you can include
- A spouse or registered cohabitation partner may be included on the same application.
- Dependent children under 21 qualify, with coverage extending to 24 in defined circumstances.
- Parents and parents-in-law of the main applicant may be included as dependents.
- Unlike citizenship by investment, this is a residence permit: it does not confer nationality on its own and does not automatically pass to future generations.
Important to know
Residence is time-bound
- The Golden Visa is a residence permit, not citizenship: it is time-bound and must be renewed every five years for as long as the underlying investment is retained.
- Children included as dependents lose their derived residence status once they turn 21 (or 24 in limited cases) and must qualify independently thereafter.
- A path to Greek citizenship exists after seven years of continuous residence, but it is slow, requires demonstrated integration and Greek language proficiency, and is granted at the state's discretion.
- This differs materially from citizenship by investment programmes, where nationality is granted directly and permanently upon approval.
Payment structure
Three payments, the largest after approval
Onboarding retainer
Professional fees and the retainer are settled at engagement, before the local process begins.
Due diligence & government processing fees
Due diligence and application processing fees are paid once the permit application is submitted.
Investment
The real estate purchase or capital transfer — the largest instalment — is completed once the process is cleared to proceed toward permit issuance.
Process
The application process
Assessment & onboarding
- Private consultation with a client advisor at The Elite Passport.
- Internal due diligence check.
- Onboarding and settlement of retainer fees.
Application submission
- Travel to Greece, opening of a local bank account and start of the legal process.
- Investment requirement fulfilled.
- Biometrics appointment booked and attended.
- Preparation of documents and submission of the Golden Residence Permit application.
Document & application processing
- Processing of the application by the authorities.
- Approval of the application.
Approval & handover
- Golden Residence Permit issued.
- Our team stays with you until the permit is officially stamped and your cards are in hand.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Does the Greek Golden Visa lead to citizenship?+
Citizenship requires seven years of residence in Greece and proficiency in the Greek language.
Which family members are included?+
Your spouse or cohabitation partner, children under 21 (covered until 24), and the parents and in-laws of the main investor.
Where can I buy qualifying property?+
Across Greece — Athens, city centres, coastal areas and the islands. Athens real estate remains markedly more affordable than Lisbon, Madrid or Paris.
Want the exact figure for your family in Greece?
Security & opportunity
For families seekingsecurity and opportunity
Three short films that walk you through the decision — what a second citizenship actually changes, the concerns families share, and why our files get approved.
Chapter 01
What a second passport actually changes
Whether you are a successful entrepreneur or a father who values his children's future, we secure a second citizenship that delivers real global advantages.
- Visa-free access to 150+ countries
- Access to a stable international banking system
- Citizenship that passes automatically to your children
- Tax-friendly living, up to 0% income tax
Chapter 02
The same concerns, wherever you are from
Torn between a Golden Visa in Greece, permanent residency in Cyprus, or Caribbean citizenship? We organise your priorities and build a clear step-by-step plan.
- Fear of instability or conflict
- Rising crime and economic pressure
- Visa rejections that limit opportunity
- Uncertainty around your children's future
- Financial restrictions and banking barriers
Chapter 03
Why families choose The Elite Passport
We are government-authorised promoters, Swiss certified by the industry's highest council, and every application is supported by our own legal team.
- Antigua & Barbuda authorised representative
- Saint Lucia licensed promoter
- Independent third-party due diligence before we file
- Pre-approval process behind our approval rate
- 100% confidentiality at every step