In recent years, Greece's Golden Visa program has become a hotly debated topic among investors around the worldimmigrantsOne of the ways. As the year 2025 approaches, theImmigration to GreeceThere have also been some changes in the policy, especially in terms of the property investment threshold and the application process, which has attracted a lot of attention. So, what are the latest policy changes for the 2025 Greek Golden Visa? Are the application conditions more stringent?Immigration to GreeceIs it still worth it? This article will break it down for you!
I. 2025Greece Golden VisaLatest Policy Updates
1. The investment threshold has been raised, and 500,000 euros are required to buy a house in popular areas.
According to the new regulations for 2025, the Greek government continues to implement the policy of home purchase immigration, but in popular regions (e.g. Athens, Thessaloniki, Mykonos, Santorini), the minimum property investment has been raised to 500,000 euros from the original 250,000 euros. In other non-popular regions, the €250,000 investment threshold still applies.
The main aim of this adjustment is to control the overheating of the real estate market, while attracting investors to properties in other parts of Greece in order to boost the regional economy.
2. Increasing investment options and expanding migration pathways
In addition to real estate investment, the Greek government is actively promoting otherinvestment immigrationway, for example:
- business investment: Investing in a local Greek business or setting up a company that creates jobs may be a new avenue for immigration.
- Fund Investments: Similar to the Portuguese Golden Visa, it may in the future allow investment in government-designated funds or bonds for residency.
- green investment: Participation in environmentally friendly projects such as renewable energy, infrastructure development, etc. may become a new golden visa investment option.
3. Changes in residency requirements and possible increase in the minimum period of residency
As of today, there is no mandatory residency requirement for the Greek Golden Visa and applicants are only required to enter the country once every two years to maintain their status. However, from 2025 onwards, the Greek government is considering increasing the minimum residency requirement for applicants, e.g. a certain number of days per year, to ensure that the applicant is genuinely involved in local socio-economic activities.
4. More transparent and rigorous approval of the Golden Visa application process
Over the past few years, the approval process for the Greek Golden Visa has been relatively lax, but some loopholes have emerged as a result, such as fraudulent purchases and illegal money laundering.The new policy for 2025 is expected to strengthen application vetting, including:
- Stricter scrutiny of sources of funding
- Request more tax and bank references
- Accelerating electronic approvals to improve processing efficiency
II. 2025 Greece Golden Visa Application Requirements
To be eligible for a Greek Golden Visa, applicants must fulfill the following basic conditions:
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Meet minimum investment requirements::
- Purchase a property of at least €500,000 in a designated area or invest €250,000 in a non-popular area.
- Or choose other investment methods recognized by the Government, such as funds and corporate investment (specific details are still to be announced).
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Legal source of funds::
- Applicants are required to provide detailed proof of the source of funds to ensure the legitimacy of the purchase or investment funds.
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clean bill of health::
- Applicants are required to provide proof of a clean record to ensure that they have not been involved in illegal activities.
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Holding medical insurance::
- Applicants and dependents are required to have a local or international Greek health insurance policy to cover basic medical needs.
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The whole family can apply::
- The principal applicant can bring his/her spouse, children under 21 years of age and parents with him/her without additional investment.
Third, the main advantages of the Greek Golden Visa in 2025
1. One-step access to European residency
After obtaining a Greek Golden Visa, applicants can reside in Greece for a long period of time and enjoy the facilities of EU countries. For example, one can freely enter and exit the 27 countries in the Schengen zone without additional visas, which is ideal for investors who frequently travel to and from Europe.
2. No global taxation and high security of assets
Unlike countries such as Spain and Portugal, Greece does not have a global tax policy for Golden Visa holders, which means that investors do not have to pay additional taxes on their income outside of Greece. This is a great tax advantage for high net worth individuals.
3. High potential for real estate appreciation and significant rates of return
With the gradual recovery of the Greek real estate market, property prices continue to rise, especially in Athens, Santorini and other tourist cities, the short-term rental market is very hot, and the return on investment is as high as 4%-7%. At the same time, the Golden Visa allows applicants to rent out their properties freely after obtaining their status, increasing passive income.
4. No residency requirement and flexible status
While certain residency requirements may be added in the future, overall the Greek Golden Visa remains one of the most flexible European immigration programs. For those who do not want to live in Europe for a long period of time, but still want to obtain EU status, Greece remains an ideal choice.
5. High-quality educational resources and access to European education for children
Families with a Greek Golden Visa can give their children a quality international education in Greece, or use it as a springboard for future applications to top European universities.
Fourth, Greece Golden Visa VS other European immigration programs, which is more cost-effective?
| States | investment threshold | application cycle | Residence requirements | Key Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greece | Euro 250,000-500,000 | 3-6 months | Low or no | Schengen freedom of movement, no global taxation |
| Portugal | Euro500,000 | 12-18 months | 7 days per year | Fast property appreciation and permanent residence |
| Spanish | Euro500,000 | 6-12 months | Required 183 days of residence per year | Free passage through the Schengen area |
| Maltese | Donation of 700,000 euros or 350,000 euros for the purchase of a home | 8-12 months | Residence of at least 14 days per year is required | Tax benefits, British education |
In terms of comparison, the Greek Golden Visa remains one of the most cost-effective immigration programs in Europe, especially for those who want EU status but do not want to live there for a long period of time.
V. 2025Immigration to GreeceIs it worth it?
If you:
✅ Want to obtain European status but do not want to live there permanently
✅ Desire to invest in real estate at a low cost for stable returns
✅ Need for free movement in the Schengen area
✅ Desire to avoid global taxation and maintain asset flexibility
Well, the Greek Golden Visa 2025 is still the best option for you!
However, as the policy continues to be adjusted, prospective investors are advised to plan ahead as early as possible to avoid further increase in the investment threshold in the future.
