Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
Live in Greece
You can live in Greece, rent or occupy a home, and enter and leave while your permit is valid.
The permit lasts five years and can be renewed for further five-year periods if you keep the qualifying investment and meet the other conditions.
Time spent outside Greece does not by itself prevent renewal.
Study in Greece
Holders can access public education in Greece on the same basis as Greek citizens.
Visit Schengen countries
Your residence card lets you visit other Schengen countries, normally for up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period, if you meet their entry conditions.
How to apply
From outside GreeceFrom outside Greece
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for your investor residence permit application.
See required documentsFind your consulate
If you need a visa to travel to Greece, find the Greek consulate that serves the place where you live.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which Greek consulate serves your city for a visa to travel to Greece?”
Get a travel visa
If you need a visa to travel to Greece, apply for a short-stay or national visa at your Greek consulate. You do not need a Greek residence visa before applying for the investor residence permit.
Find visa instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I apply at a Greek consulate for a visa to travel to Greece?”
Fill in the application
Create an account on the Greek legal-migration portal and fill in the initial permanent residence permit for investors application. You or your authorised lawyer can complete it.
Open the applicationSubmit your application
Upload your documents, pay the electronic administrative fee and the €16 card printing fee online, and submit your application. Save the electronic receipt; it identifies the service handling your application.
Submit your applicationBook your appointment
Book an appointment to give your fingerprints, photograph and signature. If the service makes the appointment available only through the lawyers' portal, ask your authorised lawyer to book it.
Book an appointmentSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I book a biometrics appointment for Greece's initial permanent residence permit for investors?”
Travel to Greece
Travel to Greece for your appointment. Submit your residence permit application before your entry visa expires.
Find travel requirementsSearches DuckDuckGo for “What do I need to travel to Greece for an initial permanent residence permit for investors appointment?”
Once in GreeceOnce in Greece
Go to your appointment
Go to the assigned service in person to give your fingerprints, photograph and signature. Bring your appointment confirmation, original passport and the originals or certified copies of the documents you uploaded.
Find appointment instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “What should I bring to my biometrics appointment for Greece's initial permanent residence permit for investors?”
Wait for the decision
Follow your application through the legal-migration services or the office handling it. Respond if the office asks for more information or documents.
Follow your applicationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I follow my Greece initial permanent residence permit for investors application?”
Collect your card
When you are notified, attend your card-delivery appointment or follow the office's delivery instructions. Your residence card shows your investor residence permit.
Find collection instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I collect my Greece initial permanent residence permit for investors card?”
Documents needed
Required to applyRequired to apply
Health insurance contract
Provide your private health insurance contract. It must cover the health and safety risks and benefits required by Greek law.
Copy of your passport
Provide a certified copy of your valid passport or another travel document recognised by Greece. Include your valid national visa if you need one.
Passport photos
Provide four recent printed digital passport photos. Also supply them digitally in JPEG2000 format on a CD.
Application form
Complete and sign the initial investor residence permit application as required for your filing method. This list covers investment in Greek property, including qualifying leases and timeshares, not other types of investment.
Property purchase contract *
Provide your property purchase contract. Get a copy from the notary who handled the purchase.
* Only if you are buying property.
Notary certificate *
Get a certificate from the notary who handled your purchase. It must identify the people involved, the property, the price and payment transaction, any clause allowing the contract to be cancelled, and whether the seller has previously used the property for an investor residence permit. If the price paid is below €250,000 but the property's official value reaches that amount, the certificate must also state that the price was fully paid, the contract is no longer subject to conditions or time limits, and the official value is at least €250,000.
* Only if you are buying property.
No encumbrance certificate *
Get a certificate showing that there are no registered claims or restrictions on the property. Ask the land registry or cadastre office responsible for the property.
* Only if you are buying property.
Company ownership records *
Provide the property title and company records showing the ownership arrangement. They must show that you hold the required interest in the structure that owns the property.
* Only if you buy the property through a company or another legal structure.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationResidential conversion records *
Get the official planning or building records showing that the change to residential use was completed before your application. Where relevant, include evidence showing whether you or the seller completed the change.
* Only if you are buying a property converted to residential use.
Construction contract *
Provide the contract for the construction or restoration work. It must have been lodged as required.
* Only if you are buying land with construction or restoration.
Planning permission *
Provide the planning permission for the work. It must be in your name.
* Only if you are buying land with construction or restoration.
Contractor invoices and receipts *
Provide the contractor's invoices and receipts for the construction or restoration work. Ask your contractor for copies.
* Only if you are buying land with construction or restoration.
Lease and timeshare contracts *
For a hotel or tourist accommodation lease, provide a copy of the notarised lease showing full payment of €250,000 and referring to the tourism operating licence. For a timeshare, provide the contract showing that it lasts at least five years and stating the annual benefit.
* Only if you are investing through a tourist accommodation lease or a timeshare.
Lease registration proof *
Provide proof that your lease or timeshare has been registered at the land registry responsible for the property. Ask the relevant land registry or cadastre office for the record.
* Only if you are investing through a tourist accommodation lease or a timeshare.
Timeshare notification certificate *
Provide the National Tourism Organisation certificate showing that it was notified of your timeshare. Ask the organisation for the certificate.
* Only if you are investing through a timeshare.
Considerations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Employment restriction
Your status does not allow employment in Greece, and your family’s permits do not give them access to employment either.
Insurance and renewal
Keep your passport and residence details current, and maintain health insurance for yourself and qualifying family members where required.
File for renewal in the two months before expiry; filing up to one month late costs €100.
Later filings are generally accepted only for proven events beyond your control.
Residence can be lost
Your status can end if you no longer meet its conditions, such as owning and possessing the required property or keeping a qualifying contract in force.
It can also end on expiry without valid renewal, or be taken away for fraud, false information, public order, security or other legal reasons.
Your family’s permits normally end with yours.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
Golden Visa Greece - Residency by Investment
English Facebook group for people living in Greece interested in Greek visas
Join on FacebookThe Ultimate Greece Golden Visa Group 2024!
English Facebook group for people living in Greece interested in Greek visas
Join on FacebookMoving to Greece “the original”
English Facebook group for people living in Greece interested in Greek visas
Join on FacebookConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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