Frequently asked questions

At KNK LAW, our experienced lawyers are ready to answer all your questions on property and real estate law, immigration law, and family reunification cases. We also provide certified translation services to ensure clear communication with clients from any country.

What is the Golden Visa Program?

The Golden Visa program refers to the legally established procedure for obtaining a permanent residence permit for investors or for for investment activities in Greece, which provides a number of privileges to its holder.

What investment options qualify for the Greece Golden Visa?

There are various ways to invest in order to obtain a golden visa, specifically:
- acquisition of full ownership and possession of only one property in Greece or a plot of land or building plot, provided that a building permit has already been issued for it
- long-term lease agreement for a complex tourist accommodation
- timeshare lease agreement for tourist accommodation, based on Law 1652/1986
- implementation of strategic investments in Greece

For more information tailored to your specific needs, please contact our office.

What are the benefits of the Greece Golden Visa program for non-EU investors?

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What is the minimum investment required for the Greece Golden Visa Program?

- Αbility to reside and settle in Greece
- Right to travel within Schengen countries*
- Access to compulsory public education for the minor children of the permit holder*
- Εligibility to utilize the property to be acquired*
- Αbility to purchase a car with Greek license plates
- Εligibility to apply for Greek citizenship through naturalization*
 
*The above privileges are subject to specific conditions. For more information tailored to your needs, please contact our office.

Does the Greece Golden Visa allow family members?

Family members of the golden visa holder are entitled to receive individual residence permits, for which they must submit a separate application. The individual residence permit of the holder's family members is directly dependent on the holder's main permit. The persons recognized as beneficiaries of the above individual residence permit are specified in the law and, in general, are the spouse, unmarried children, and direct ascendants of the holder and his or her spouse.

Are there residence obligations under the Greece Golden Visa program?

The granting of a residence permit for investment activities and investors gives to the holders the opportunity to reside and settle in Greece. It should be noted, however, that holders of such permits are under no obligation to reside in Greece for any period of time, without this affecting in any way the validity or renewability of the residence permit.
However, it should be noted that, in the case of settlement in Greece, the holders' minor children are subject to compulsory public education in the same way as Greek citizens.

How to get Greek citizenship through the Greece residence by investment program?

 

Golden visa holders have the right to apply for Greek citizenship through naturalization, provided they meet the formal and substantive requirements. In summary:
i. They are adults at the time of submitting their naturalization application.
ii. They have not been convicted of certain crimes.
iii. They are not subject to deportation or other pending issues regarding their legal residence in the country.
iv. They have been legally residing in Greece for seven consecutive years.
v. They have sufficient knowledge of the Greek language to fulfill the obligations arising from Greek citizenship.
vi. They have sufficient knowledge of Greek history and geography, Greek culture and the customs of the Greek people, as well as the functioning of the country's political institutions.
vii. They have integrated smoothly into the economic and social life of the country.
viii. There are no reasons of public or national security for not granting Greek citizenship to the specific applicant.
The application must be submitted to the competent General Directorate of Citizenship, while the official opinion of the respective rapporteur of the Naturalization Committee is required regarding the fulfillment of the substantive requirements  .
We are at your disposal and will be happy to provide you with specialized information regarding your case. 

How do you apply for the Greece Golden Visa Program?

 

Τhe first stage requires the issuance of an entry visa to Greek territory, if one does not already exist. Τhe application for an entry visa must be accompanied by specific supporting documents.
During the period of validity of the entry visa and before its expiry, the interested party must gather all the supporting documents and complete all the necessary actions in order to be able to apply for an investor or for investment activities residence permit, before the expiry of the entry visa. 
Next, the supporting documents are submitted to the competent authority and biometric data are collected. Provided that the required supporting documents are complete, an annual application certificate is issued, which constitutes a legal title until the residence permit is issued, and the holders of the certificate reside legally in the country and enjoy all the rights provided by the residence permit they are applying for.
Although it is not necessary for the applicant to have entered Greece in order to submit the application, they must, within a period of twelve (12) months from the date of submission, enter Greek territory and submit the required biometric data to the competent authority on a predetermined date, the required biometric data.
Following the issuance of the decision accepting the application, the applicant, in person or through a representative, in order to receive a copy of the issued golden visa from the competent authority, they must present their passport or other travel document and the deposit certificate.

What is the minimum investment amount required for a Golden Visa in central Athens?

Currently, the minimum real estate investment required for a Golden Visa in central Athens (Attica region) is €800,000. This threshold also applies to other high-demand areas such as Thessaloniki, Mykonos, and Santorini.

Are there areas in Greece where the Golden Visa can be obtained with a lower investment?

Yes. In other regions of Greece outside the high-demand zones, the minimum investment threshold is €400,000. In addition, a lower threshold of €250,000 applies nationwide in specific cases, such as when investing in the conversion of commercial or industrial properties into residential use, subject to legal conditions.

Does the Greek Golden Visa allow travel within the Schengen Area?

Yes. Holders of a Greek Golden Visa have the right to travel freely within the Schengen Area without the need for an additional visa.

How long can Golden Visa holders stay in other Schengen countries?

Golden Visa holders may stay in other Schengen countries for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. This limit applies to travel outside Greece. There is no time restriction on staying in Greece itself, as long as the residence permit remains valid

Entry Visa Requirement for Permanent Investor Residence Permit

Is any type of entry visa valid for applying for a Permanent Investor Residence Permit in Greece?