Greece has made significant progress in restoring its economic stability in recent years. According to the International Monetary Fund’s World Economic Outlook database (April 2025), Greece’s nominal GDP is estimated at approximately USD 267.348 billion for 2025, ranking it 50th worldwide. Furthermore, Greece stands as the 16th largest economy in the European Union by GDP and the 11th largest in the Eurozone. In this article, you will learn about obtaining permanent residency in Greece through real estate investment.
About the Golden Visa Program in Greece
Among the economic support plans introduced by the Greek government is the launch of the Golden Visa program in 2013, This program allows eligible investors and their families to obtain permanent residency. According to the Golden Visa program’s specific regulations, investors interested in applying for the program are required to make an investment in Greek real estate (apartment, house, store, land, or a portfolio of real estate assets) through the several investment paths in the program:
- Starting from 800,000 EUR in Athens and all its suburbs, the Thessaloniki region, Mykonos, Santorini, all islands with a population of more than 3,100, and certain administrative units.
- Starting from 400,000 EUR in all other regions. (Conditions apply.)
- Starting from 250,000 EUR in certain exceptional properties.
Benefits of the Golden Visa Program in Greece
The Golden Visa program in Greece offers many benefits, which are as follows:
- Investors and their family members can freely travel between all Schengen countries without the need for a visa, making it easy for them to explore Europe.
- No Obligation to Reside in Greece.
- The spouse, children under 21, and parents can be added to the residency application
- Greece offers the lowest property transfer tax in Europe, making it an attractive destination for real estate investment.
- Investors and their families have the opportunity to benefit from social advantages and educational rights provided by the Greek golden visa.
- Investors can generate a return on their investment by renting out the property they have purchased, offering the opportunity to increase their capital
Investors who hold the golden visa will be eligible to apply for Greek citizenship in 7 years of continuous residency, and accordingly, be issued a Greek passport (terms and conditions apply). Notably, the Greek passport ranks fifth in the Reach Immigration Passport Index, offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 187 destinations worldwide.
It’s worth mentioning that the Golden Visa program for Greece witnessed a significant increase in the number of golden visa applications Over 9,200 applications in 2024, accounting for a 10 % increase compared to 2023’s statistics.
Greece’s Golden Visa Program has, in particular, attracted wealthy foreign nationals following Spain’s announcement to abolish altogether its similar program. Unlike Spain, Portugal, on the other hand, abolished the real estate investment option from this scheme, which was the most sought-after option of this program.
If you’re interested in real estate investment in Cyprus, Greece, or the United Arab Emirates, get in touch by clicking the link here.
