Obtaining Greece Golden Visa with Investment

In recent years, Greece has become a popular destination for foreign investors seeking to obtain a Golden Visa. Greece offers this residency permit to non-European Union citizens in exchange for an investment in the country’s economy. This opportunity grants the permanent residence of a country that has a rich culture and history, beautiful nature, and one of the most relaxed lifestyles in Europe. There are several ways to obtain a Greece Golden Visa with investment, and in this article, we will explore all the necessary requirements and documents needed to obtain one.

What is the Greece Golden Visa?

The Greece Golden Visa is a residency permit that offers non-EU citizens a pathway to obtain permanent residence in Greece. This residency permit was established under Law 4251/2014, and it grants the opportunity to investors who commit to investing in Greek real estate or businesses.

This residency permit offers several advantages to the investor and their family, such as:

The right to live and work in Greece for an unlimited period.
The possibility to include family members in the visa program.
The ability to travel within the Schengen area without additional visas requirements.
The opportunity to apply for Greek citizenship after seven years of continuous residency.
A non-citizen foreigner can use this residency permit to access Greece's fantastic healthcare system, education, and many more opportunities.

Investment Requirements for the Greece Golden Visa

The Greece Golden Visa program has several investment options that an investor can participate in to obtain permanent residence. These investments are real estate acquisitions, business investments, and debt securities (government bonds). Below is a detailed breakdown of these three significant investments that one can make to obtain a Golden Visa.

1. Real Estate Acquisition

Acquiring a property is one of the most popular ways to obtain a Greece Golden Visa. This option requires the investor to purchase a Greek property valued at a minimum of €250,000. The property investment can be one single property or several combined investments reaching the €250,000 minimum limit.

What to know about real estate acquisition

The investment can be in residential or commercial real estate. However, it must be a brand-new property or a property that has been built or issued a permit after 2006.
The investor is not required to reside in the purchased property within Greece.
The Investor must verify that the purchase price was fully transferred to the seller through Greek Banks.
The Investor must have an insurance policy for medical and hospital coverage.

2. Business Investment

Business Investment is another way to acquire permanent residency in Greece. Business investments for Golden Visa purposes must amount to at least €250,000 or €400,000, depending on the business's industry. This program enables investors to start or invest in a Greek company or organization.

What to know about business investment

The business must be set up as a Greek company or organization.
The investment must be in a company registered in Greece and be located and operate exclusively within Greece.
The investment must be a new or existing company or organization undertaking a new business activity, job creation, or income generation.
The Investor must employ Greek or EU citizens for job creation.
The Investor must verify that the payment was transferred through bank institutions in Greece.

3. Debt Securities (Government Bonds)

Another way of obtaining a Greece Golden Visa is through investing in Greek Government Bonds. The investment in Greek Government Bonds must be worth a minimum of €400,000.

What to know about debt securities

The purchase of the government bonds must be through a Greek Bank.
The investor shall own the government bonds for at least three years from the purchase date.

Application requirements for Greece Golden Visa

The following are the requirements the investor must meet while applying for the Greek Golden Visa:

A valid passport (not expiring for six months from the date of their last exit/entry in Greece).
Police clearance certificates (must be authenticated, translated into Greek and certified/approved by the Greek consulate of the country that issued the document).
An application form for a Visa and residence permit through the submission of the Investor's private user account (PUA) on the Ministry's website.
Proof of health insurance coverage issued by a Greek insurer or an insurance company operating in Greece.
A statement by the investor on the amount and the way they will achieve the minimum amount of investment.
The original or a certified true copy of the valid lease agreement or any other proof of accommodation.
Proof that the Investor's funds were legally obtained.
A biometric identifier, or fingerprints, picture, and signature of the investor.

Duration of the Golden Visa Applications process

The Greece Golden Visa application process takes about two to three months. The investors may apply for visa D entering Greece for three months after receiving approval from the Hellenic Migration Policy Minister. Upon arrival, the investor should register with the nearest Hellenic Aliens and Immigration Department within the first two months.

Conclusion

Obtaining a Greece Golden Visa with an investment is an excellent opportunity for investors looking to have long-term residency in a relaxed European country. Greece offers several investments opportunities in real estate, business, and government bonds for the foreign investors. The application process takes a short period, and the Golden Visa offers numerous benefits such as ease of travel within the Schengen area without additional visa requirements, the right to live and work in Greece for an unlimited duration, and also the ability to apply for Greek citizenship after seven years of permanent residency. It's essential to work with a reliable company when investing in Greece to ensure that the process is seamless and protect the Investors' interests.

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