Greece, among the top 5 Golden Visa programs in the world

A few weeks ago, Henley & Partners , a consultancy specializing in residency and citizenship by investment, published its ranking of the best Golden Visa programs in the world. The list is compiled taking into account factors such as the required investment amounts, tax payments or exemptions, and processing time, among others.

This year's ranking was topped by Portugal , and Greece is among the top five. Both countries have announced changes to their residency by investment programs in recent months; in Greece's case, several of the required amounts were modified. We will delve deeper into this later.

The fact is that, even with these reforms, the Greek Golden Visa remains of great interest to investors worldwide. Why? That's what we want to discuss in this blog.

Like similar programs in other European countries, this initiative was launched in 2013, aiming to attract foreign investment and stimulate the Greek economy. One of its main advantages is the simplicity and speed of the process . Applicants can obtain a residence permit within three to four months of submitting their application, provided all the necessary requirements are met.

Until early 2024, the minimum investment was €250.000 in real estate, one of the lowest compared to similar programs in Europe. However, in February it was announced that the minimum investment thresholds for the Golden Visa would be increased.

Confirmation came in April, when Parliament approved the new rules, which increased the minimum real estate investment to €400.000, depending on the geographical area where the property is located. Furthermore, the property can be rented out.

At the same time, it was also established that investors could still qualify for the €250.000 limit , provided they make a 10% deposit before August 31 of this year and complete the investment before December 31. In certain circumstances, the deadline could be extended to the end of April 2025.

This situation does not overshadow the other advantages offered by the Greek Golden Visa, such as the freedom of movement it provides for travel to any of the 27 countries that make up the Schengen Area. This not only facilitates business and leisure travel but also opens up opportunities for business expansion and professional networking throughout Europe.

The program also provides benefits for family reunification. Residence permits are extended not only to the main investor, but also to their spouse, children under 21, and the parents of both spouses. This allows entire families to benefit from the opportunities that living in Greece offers, without the need to meet additional investment requirements for each family member.

Another advantage is that applicants are not required to reside in Greece to maintain their residency permit. While the option to apply for citizenship opens up after seven years of continuous residence, this is not always the goal of those who invest in the Golden Visa.

Henley & Partners also highlights, regarding living in this country, “its high levels of safety, excellent educational opportunities, solid healthcare options and a reliable rule of law.”

If you're interested in Greece as an investment opportunity, the Golden Visa is an excellent option. AIM Global has extensive experience in this area and is available to help you achieve your goals.

Schedule a meeting with our team today . We have offices in Europe, and we'll guide you through every step of the process.