Greece Golden Visa: how the real estate route actually works

What the Greek Golden Visa requires today, why the minimum investment depends on where you buy, and how to choose between off-plan and completed property.

Greece is one of the last markets in our network where a EU residence permit is still available through a straightforward real estate purchase. That’s a real advantage, but the programme has changed more than once in recent years, and the details matter more than the headline.

Why the minimum investment isn’t one number

The Greek government set higher investment thresholds for Athens, Thessaloniki, Mykonos, Santorini and a handful of other high-demand areas, and left a lower threshold in place elsewhere. This means the “minimum investment” you read online often applies only to specific regions — and quoting a single figure without checking the area is one of the most common ways people misjudge their budget. We confirm the current threshold for your target area before you commit to anything.

Who gets included

The application covers your spouse, children under 21, and — depending on current rules — dependent parents. This makes the Golden Visa a genuinely family-oriented route rather than an individual one, which is part of why it appeals to people planning for their children’s future EU access as much as for themselves.

No minimum stay — but don’t ignore this

Unlike some residence programmes, the Golden Visa doesn’t require you to spend a minimum number of days per year in Greece to keep the permit. That’s a major reason it suits investors who want an EU foothold without relocating full time. It doesn’t mean the property should be an afterthought, though — you’re still committing real capital, and the investment should make sense on its own terms.

Off-plan or completed: how to decide

This comes down to your priority. Completed property gives you an immediate, checkable valuation and can start producing rental income right away. Off-plan property can offer a better entry price, but you’re taking on construction and delivery risk, and the eventual Golden Visa filing depends on the property actually being finished and registered correctly. We ask what you’re optimising for — capital growth, rental yield, or eventual personal use — before recommending either.

What we actually do

Two options: our partners’ portfolio in Greece, or research tailored to you. We check title and valuation independently before you pay, and coordinate the purchase and the residence filing with our partners on the ground.

Curious whether Greece fits your goals better than another market? Our free pre-assessment walks through your budget, timeline and what you actually want from the investment.

This page gives general orientation. The right route and the exact requirements are confirmed only after reviewing your file.

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