Greece Golden Visa and Citizenship: FAQ
Straight answers on cost, timing, family, citizenship and tax – and how Greece compares with Malta and other European options.
Greece offers residence, not citizenship, for investors: a property from €400,000 (€800,000 in the most popular areas). Citizenship needs seven years of living in Greece and a Greek exam. If you want EU citizenship sooner, without moving and without a language exam, look at Malta’s Citizenship by Merit framework.
Frequently asked questions
Does Greece offer citizenship by investment?
No. Greece offers a residence permit, the Golden Visa, for buying property. Citizenship is possible only after seven years of actually living in Greece and passing a Greek language and civics exam.
What is the minimum investment for the Greek Golden Visa in 2026?
€400,000 for a single property of at least 120 m² in most of Greece, and €800,000 in Attica, Thessaloniki, Mykonos, Santorini and islands with more than 3,100 residents. The €250,000 threshold applies only to commercial-to-residential conversions and listed-building restorations.
Is the €250,000 Golden Visa still available?
Only for a commercial building that has already been converted to residential use, or a listed building that you restore. Ordinary flats and houses for €250,000 no longer qualify, and you can no longer combine several small properties.
Can I rent out my Golden Visa property?
Long-term letting is allowed, but short-term holiday rentals (Airbnb-style) are prohibited for Golden Visa properties, with a €50,000 fine and possible loss of the permit.
How long does it take to get the Golden Visa?
Buying the property usually takes one to three months. After filing you receive a certificate that lets you stay legally; the permit itself has often taken a year or more because of backlogs, which have been easing in 2026.
Can my family be included?
Yes. Your spouse, children up to 21 and the parents of both spouses can be included on the same investment. Malta’s MPRP also includes parents and grandparents.
Do I have to live in Greece?
No. There is no minimum stay to keep the Golden Visa. Living in Greece only matters if you want citizenship or Greek tax residence.
How long until Greek citizenship?
At least seven years of lawful residence actually living in Greece, plus the Greek language and civics certificate and proof of integration. Time spent abroad while holding a Golden Visa does not count.
Can I keep my current passport if I become Greek?
Yes. Greece allows dual citizenship. Check whether your current country does too.
Can I work in Greece with a Golden Visa?
No, the permit does not allow employment in Greece. You may own and manage your own company, and EU citizens may work anywhere in the EU.
Does the Golden Visa allow Schengen travel?
Yes. Greece is in the Schengen Area, so the permit lets you travel to other Schengen countries for up to 90 days in any 180.
How are residents taxed in Greece?
Tax residents pay 9% to 44% on income. New residents who invest €500,000 can opt for a flat €100,000 a year on foreign income for up to 15 years. The Golden Visa alone does not make you tax resident.
Can I get EU citizenship faster?
Yes. Malta’s Citizenship by Merit framework can lead to Maltese (EU) citizenship in about 12–16 months. It is discretionary and assessed case by case, and you can keep your current passport.
Can you help with a job, a tourist visa or a student visa?
No. We advise only on residence and citizenship by investment.
Does Zenturo have an office in Greece?
No. Zenturo is based in Malta. Greek applications are handled with licensed partner firms located in Greece, while our team coordinates your case and remains your point of contact.
Greece compared with other European options
Investment amounts are minimums for a single applicant; government and professional fees are extra. Spain closed its Golden Visa on 3 April 2025.
| Programme | Minimum investment | Status | Citizenship |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greece Golden Visa | Property from €400,000 or €800,000 (€250,000 for conversions and listed buildings) | 5-year renewable residence | After 7 years living in Greece + Greek exam |
| Malta Permanent Residence (MPRP) | €99,000 in government fees + property bought from €375,000 or rented from €14,000 a year | Permanent residence | Via Citizenship by Merit or naturalisation; dual citizenship allowed |
| Malta Citizenship by Merit | Discretionary, assessed case by case | Citizenship | About 12–16 months; dual citizenship allowed |
| Portugal Golden Visa | €500,000 fund or €250,000 cultural contribution | Renewable residence | After 10 years for most non-EU nationals |
| Cyprus permanent residence | €300,000 + €50,000 annual income | Permanent residence | After 7 of 10 years + B1 Greek |
| Bulgaria Golden Visa | €511,292 in a licensed fund | Permanent residence | After 5 years; usually renounce other citizenship |
Mainly after a low tax rate? Malta’s Global Residence Programme taxes foreign income brought into Malta at a flat 15%, with a minimum tax of €15,000 a year and a property bought from €275,000 or rented from €9,600 a year. From 1 January 2027 a new Individual Tax Programme replaces it (minimum tax €35,000; property €700,000 or €14,000 a year in rent); applications received by 31 December 2026 are expected to keep today’s terms until 2031. See Malta tax residence: the new rules.
Sources
- The Greek Golden Visa after the 2024–2026 overhaul (International Bar Association, September 2026)
- The Greek Golden Visa enters a new phase (IMI Daily, August 2026)
- Greek Golden Visa non-real-estate thresholds (IMI Daily)
- Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum
Checked November 2026. Programme rules and amounts change often; we confirm current figures in writing before you commit. This page is general information, not legal or tax advice.
Talk to a licensed adviser
Tell us your goals and timeline. Greek applications are handled with licensed partner firms located in Greece; Malta applications, including faster routes to EU citizenship, are handled by our own licensed team.
- Licensed in Malta: Zenturo Ltd. is a licensed agent (Residency Malta Agency licence RES-DALI), company C-39472.
- In business since 2006: one team from first question to approval.
- Fast replies: usually within one hour, by e-mail, phone, WhatsApp, Telegram or WeChat.