Greece is a typical Mediterranean country in the center of Europe with a history dating back to the 5th century B.C. With its warm and stable climate and convenient geographical position Greece is considered an attractive place for residence. Greece has a modern, free-market, service – based economy, with an effective and transparent regulatory and legal framework, giving international investors and businesses confidence to invest, grow and prosper. As part of the European Union since 1981, the Schengen area since 2000, and a Euro-adoptee since 2001, Greece is a country that’s safe, accessible, under a dependable rule of law, and has a relatively low cost of living.

The Greek Residency (also known as the “Greek Golden Visa”) provides a visa-free travel to the 26 member countries of the Schengen zone. Greece Golden Visa Program offers a pathway to secure permanent residency in Europe through an affordable real estate in Greece. Residency allows the applicant to live in Greece as long as desired. You are not required to live in Greece prior or during the Golden Visa application. The Golden Visa allows you to obtain absolute ownership of your property and get your own title deed. The residency is permanent with renewal after 5 years and as long as you keep the property under your ownership. You and your company will have free access to the Greek health system and also your children will be free to attend the Greek educational institutions (schools, universities etc). New residents may not be employed in Greece but new residents may set up their own business and register a company in Greece.

The Greece Golden Visa Program is considered one of the most affordable residency by investment routes to Europe. The program grants visa free access to the Schengen Zone to the applicant as well as the family within 2 months of submitting an application.

To meet the residency program requirements an applicant must invest in local real estate valued at no less than €250 000. Further, the main applicant must be at least 18 years old and have a clean criminal record. The main applicant may also add dependents to a residency or citizenship application, including his/her spouse, children and parents.

Applicants may acquire Greek residency through:

• • A property purchase at a minimum value of €250 000 in any part of the country;
• • A timeshare agreement where the applicant may choose to sign a 10-year time share agreement provided the minimum value of this lease is €250 000;
• • The purchase of a plot of land. The value of this transaction must also total at least €250 000.

The timeframe for application processing is approximately 2 months subject to having completed all documentation and the investment.

If for 7 years, you actually and physically reside in Greece and are a taxpayer there, you will be eligible to apply for Greek citizenship.