The Greek Golden Visa is one of the most popular investment visa programs in the EU. This is a residence by investment visa issued to non-EU citizens who have made a significant contribution to the Greek economy.
Euro-American immigration has compiled some of the most frequently asked questions about Greek immigration for you, let's find out together.
The Golden Visa refers to a long-term residence card in Greece, i.e. permanent residency in Greece. Investors and their families who hold this visa enjoy the same benefits as permanent residents.
Golden Visa holders and their families are free to live, start a business in Greece and send their children to study in Greece.
Investor families need to apply for Greece immigration investment documents within about 3-6 months to obtain this visa. After the visa expires, the investor needs to apply for an extension.
After 7 years of residence, the investor and his family can apply to obtain European citizenship and become a citizen of Greece.
Having Greek citizenship brings many benefits to investors, such as:
- Fast application processing time, only 3-6 months;
- Permanent residency for the whole family, including 3 generations: the applicant's parents, the applicant and children (under 21 years old);
- Long-term residence and settlement in Greece;
- Entry into the EU within 3 months;
- Visa-free travel to 169 countries worldwide;
- the opportunity to naturalize Greece and become a European citizen;
- No language test, no business requirements;
- Free health and discounted tuition fees.
In order to obtain the right to settle in Greece, applicants must meet the following conditions:
- The applicant is not an EU citizen and is at least 18 years old;
- Invest at least €250,000 in real estate;
- The investment must remain unchanged for the time of applying for the permanent resident card;
- The Greek residence card is renewed every 5 years, provided that this real estate is still owned.
The condition for domiciling in Greece is an investment of at least €250,000 in Greece. The applicant does not have to be in Greece at the time of investment, but can authorize a lawyer or legal representative to expedite the process.
The settlement is permanent and renewed every 5 years, as long as the investor still owns the property.
If you want to apply for Greek citizenship, you need to stay in the country for at least seven years or more.
In addition to this, it is necessary to demonstrate existing ties to the country and a basic understanding of Greek culture, art, history and political institutions.
The citizenship test is for foreign-born nationals who wish to reside in Greece and obtain citizenship of that country. This test assesses the candidate's basic knowledge of Greece.
Applicants are required to pay a written examination fee of €250. Once a candidate passes the written test, the applicant can submit a fee of €550 for an interview.
Greek citizenship can be obtained by marriage if married to a Greek citizen with children and who has lived in the country for at least three years.
The Greek Golden Visa allows a legal spouse, parents of the spouse and children under the age of 21 (including adopted children) to accompany the application.
Only the spouse can share the investment and jointly own assets with a total value of €250,000.
For other co-ownership, residency is granted only if the investment amount of each co-owner is at least €250,000.
Under the Greek Citizenship Act, individuals born outside Greece to parents or grandparents born in that country are legally entitled to apply for Greek citizenship by descent.
10. How long does it take to obtain Greek citizenship by descent?
It takes about three years to apply for Greek citizenship by descent.
The application processing time is very fast, only 3-6 months.
Greece does not require investors to be currently in Greece or live in Greece to maintain permanent residency unless they wish to apply for Greek citizenship.
If you want to obtain Greek citizenship, the investor must have lived in Greece for at least 7 consecutive years, 183 days per year.
Yes, Greece allows its citizens to have dual citizenship.
Once an investor obtains Greek citizenship, the entire family enjoys full citizenship privileges for life and can be passed on to the next generation.
These are the most frequently asked questions about Greek immigrants, and I hope to help the majority of immigrants.