The Greece Golden Visa is a residence-by-investment program that lets non-EU nationals and their families obtain a Greek residence permit by making a qualifying investment, most often in real estate. Bayraktar Attorneys guides foreign clients through the whole process in English, from choosing the investment to collecting the residence cards.
Greece introduced the program in 2013, and it has become one of the most popular routes to European residency. It grants residency, not citizenship, though after several years of lawful residence you may become eligible to apply for Greek citizenship. The amounts and rules are set by the Greek government and can change, so we confirm the current requirements in your consultation.
Talk to an English-speaking lawyer about the Greece Golden Visa. The first consultation is free and there is no obligation.
Applying for residency in a country whose language and administration are new to you can feel daunting. Our team works with foreign clients every day and manages the Greece Golden Visa from your first questions to the day your residence cards are issued.
We take care of the whole process, so nothing is missed:
Real estate is the best known route, but Greek law also recognises other qualifying investments. We help you choose the option that fits your budget and plans, and we confirm the figures that apply on the day you invest.
The most common route. The minimum property investment currently starts from around EUR 250,000 in many parts of the country, and is set higher, in the region of EUR 400,000 to EUR 800,000, in prime areas such as Athens, Thessaloniki, Mykonos and Santorini. The thresholds and the map of higher-priced zones are set by the government and have changed more than once, so we confirm the current position before you commit.
Greece also allows residency through certain financial routes, such as a capital contribution, shares or bonds in Greek companies or funds, or a fixed-term bank deposit. These usually carry higher minimums than the entry-level real estate figure. We explain the current options and the paperwork each one requires.
In some cases the investment can be held through a company structure. We advise whether this suits your tax and succession planning, and coordinate with any company formation you may need.
The program is valued for its low entry point and its flexibility. The main advantages are:
The Golden Visa is designed for non-EU investors of good standing. In general you should:
One application can include your spouse or registered partner, your dependent children up to the age set by law, and dependent parents of both you and your spouse. This makes Greece one of the more generous programs for extended family. The exact ages and dependency rules are set by the government, and we confirm who qualifies in your case.
The Golden Visa is a residence permit that you renew for as long as you hold the qualifying investment. It does not by itself make you a Greek citizen.
Greek citizenship is a separate route. After a longer period of lawful residence, and subject to conditions such as language and integration requirements, you may become eligible to apply. Naturalisation is decided by the Greek authorities on its own criteria, so we set out a realistic timeline rather than a guarantee. If citizenship is your main goal, we compare Greece with other programs so you can plan with clear expectations.
Holding a Greek residence permit does not automatically make you a Greek tax resident. Tax residency generally depends on where you actually live and spend your time. Because there is no minimum stay, many holders keep their tax home elsewhere.
Greece has double taxation treaties with many countries and offers certain incentive regimes for individuals who move their tax residence to Greece. Your position depends on your circumstances, so we work through it with you and, where helpful, with a tax adviser, before you make any decision.
We learn your goals, explain the current thresholds and routes, and set out the costs, timeline and documents.
We obtain your Greek tax number, help open a bank account, and carry out legal checks on the property or investment.
We draft and review the contracts, and complete the purchase or investment in line with the program rules.
We prepare and submit the residence permit application for you and your family, and arrange biometrics.
We collect your residence cards, handle later renewals, and advise on the longer citizenship route when the time comes.
We work daily with international clients, entirely in English, and explain each step plainly.
We act for you, not for a developer or agent, and carry out proper due diligence on every investment.
From tax number to residence cards, we manage the whole file and coordinate any company or property work.
We give you realistic timelines on residency and citizenship, with no overselling.
Atty. Nevzat Oğulcan Bayraktar
Confidential, English-speaking guidance from your first questions to your residence cards.
This page provides general information about the Greece Golden Visa in Turkey and does not constitute legal advice. For guidance on your specific situation, please contact Bayraktar Attorneys for a consultation.
