Record-breaking Greece residence permit program: how many investors got golden visas in 2023?

Greece has a residence permit by investment program. Foreigners receive residence permits via a simplified procedure in exchange for investments in the country’s economy: namely in real estate, government bonds, or shares.

All about Greece residence permit by investment

The number of residence permit program participants has increased by 63%: from January to May 2023, investors submitted 3,900 “golden visa” applications. For comparison, during the same period, 1,444 applications were submitted last year.

The immigration service is not handling the workload: previously, applications were processed for up to two months, but now it takes at least three.

The residence permit program brought Greece about 975 million euros in the first five months of 2023. This is almost three times more than in the same period last year when the investment amounted to 361 million euros.

To get a residence permit in Greece, investors typically purchase real estate. This is the most popular option of the investment program, chosen by 9 out of 10 participants.

Investing in Greek real estate is also a chance to buy a liquid asset and earn rental income. Investors also buy real estate for personal use to stay in their own houses when vacationing in Greece.

Property prices in Greece are growing yearly: since 2018, the cost of 1 m² has increased by 26%.

Under the residence permit program terms, participants can buy residential or commercial real estate. The investor can become the owner. Also, real estate can be registered in the name of a European Union, where the investor owns 100% of the shares.

Immigrant Invest has its own database of verified properties in Greece. All properties are eligible for the residence permit by investment program.

Examples of properties in Greece

Greece, Athens

€376,000 — €447,000

Hotel apartments in the historical center of Athens

47 m² — 97 m²

1

1

Greece, Athens

€741,000 — €1,423,000

Apartments in a closed residential complex near the sea, Alimos, Athens

86 m² — 153 m²

1—3

2—3

Greece, Chania

€290,000 — €380,000

Apartments and villas in a quiet area by the sea in Crete

64 m² — 112 m²

2—3

2

Investors can sell the property and return the expenses five years after obtaining a residence permit in Greece.

With a residence permit in Greece, investors can travel around the Schengen Area without a visa, optimize taxes, and use the services of local banks, hospitals, and educational institutions. After five years of living in the country, residents can get a permanent residence permit and apply for Greek citizenship after two more years.

Immigrant Invest is a licensed agent for government programs in the European Union and the Caribbean. If you want to buy property in Greece and get a residence permit in the country, please consult our investment program experts.