Elias and I, HouseFinders Peloponnese, are happy to help you if you want to invest in applying for the Golden Visa. We can put you in touch with knowledgeable lawyers who will help you with more information or the application process. The Greece Golden Visa program is a highly sought-after investment visa program in the EU. It is a residency-by-investment visa offered to non-EU citizens who make a significant contribution to the Greek economy. The most common investment option is purchasing real estate worth at least €250,000.
Golden Visas issued by EU Member States, like Greece, are particularly valuable as they may lead to citizenship and access to the EU. The Greece Golden Visa provides immediate five-year residency to the investor and their immediate family members, as well as free travel in the Schengen Zone.
What kind of investments should you make to apply for a Golden Visa?
To qualify for a Greece Golden Visa, you must make one of the following investments:
- Purchase real estate worth at least €250,000
- Sign a lease agreement with a hotel or tourist establishment for at least 10 years
- Make a capital investment of at least €400,000 in a company registered in Greece
- Invest €400,000 in Greek government bonds
- Invest €400,000 in bonds or shares of real estate investment companies
- Deposit €400,000 in a Greek bank
- Invest €800,000 in corporate or government bonds
In most cases, you need to be in Greece to finalize your investment, but it is possible to do it remotely by giving Power of Attorney to a legal representative.
Who can apply, and what are the benefits?
Eligibility criteria for a Greece Golden Visa include being over 18 years old, having no criminal records in any country you have lived in, making a significant investment in Greece, and obtaining health insurance from a company operating in Greece. The benefits of a Greece Golden Visa include relatively lower investment thresholds compared to other EU countries, the ability to include family members in the visa, visa-free travel to the Schengen Zone, no requirement to live in Greece to renew the residence permit, the option to rent out your property, and the possibility to apply for Greek citizenship after seven years of residence.
The Golden Visa for Greece is initially issued for five years and can be renewed indefinitely as long as you maintain your investment. Unlike other countries, you do not need to live in Greece to renew the Golden Visa. It can be renewed every five years as long as you maintain your investment.
What documents will be needed?
To apply for a Greece Golden Visa, you must apply at the Alien and Immigration Department at the Decentralized Authority in Greece. Before that, you need to apply for an entry visa at a Greek Embassy or Consulate abroad. The application process involves applying for a Greek national visa, finalizing your investment in Greece, collecting the required documents, submitting them to the local Alien and Immigration Department, and providing your biometric information if the decision is positive.
The required documents for a Greece Golden Visa application include an application form, passport-size pictures, a valid passport, proof of payment of government fees, proof of health insurance, proof of funds, and additional documents depending on the type of investment made. The documents must be translated into Greek and certified by either the Translation Service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Athens or an attorney who is part of a Greek bar association.
It is important to note that separate documents are required for a Greek Schengen Visa application if you also need to enter Greece. These documents include travel medical insurance, a cover letter stating the purpose of the visit, flight itinerary, proof of accommodation, and proof of sufficient financial means. Please note that the information above was taken from Schengenvisainfo.com. The original and any updates can be found here!
