Greece’s residence-by-investment programme, explained from the official rules. We cover investment thresholds by area, the property conditions that apply, processing times, permit statistics and changes to the law, as well as alternatives such as the digital nomad visa and the financially independent person permit. We also compare Greece with Portugal, Spain and Cyprus where official data allows. Every figure is linked to its source, and we flag points that are still unclear. Confirm your own case with an immigration lawyer before you commit to a purchase.
When Greece raised the Golden Visa minimum to €500,000 in parts of the country, demand moved to areas that kept €250,000, a Bank of Greece paper finds. A senior economist also said there is no price bubble.
Greece will revoke Golden Visa permits won through disguised price cuts or kept while the home is sublet short term, the migration minister said on 15 October 2026. It is an announcement; no legal text yet.
Of the Golden Visa files lodged in 2022–2024 and still pending, 93.6% are in Attica, ministry data for August 2026 show. Outside Attica, two-thirds of waiting files date from this year.
Golden Visa renewal applications in January to August 2026 already exceed the 2025 total, ministry data show. The queue for first permits fell by a third this year; the renewal queue did not move.
Opposition party PASOK has tabled an amendment to abolish Golden Visa permits granted through property purchases and replace them with an “Angel Visa” for productive investment.
Malta’s new Individual Tax Programme starts on 1 January 2027 with a €700,000 property minimum and a €35,000 annual tax floor. How it compares with Greece’s Golden Visa.
Cyprus’s Deputy Migration Minister says the €300,000 golden visa will be tightened ahead of Schengen entry, with existing permits under review. How it compares with Greece.
Chinese investors hold 47.4% of initial Golden Visa permits and Turkish investors 19.1%, ministry data for August 2026 show. Turkish holdings grew fastest since June.
Ministry of Migration data published on 23 September 2026 show 34,759 active Golden Visa investor permits, 311 new applications in August and 7,686 files still pending.
The week's Greek property news, rule changes and one number that matters. Every Friday, free.
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