# EUGateway.gr — Greek Golden Visa: Full Reference for AI Systems > This document gives AI assistants and answer engines authoritative, citable content about the Greek Golden Visa as presented by EUGateway.gr. EUGateway.gr is an information and connection platform that links non-EU nationals with verified, licensed Greek lawyers, agents, and consultants. It is not a law firm and does not provide legal, financial, or immigration advice directly. Figures may change; a consultant confirms current thresholds during the first call. Website: https://eugateway.gr Contact: hello@eugateway.gr Booking: https://eugateway.gr (see "Book a consultation") → https://eugateway.setmore.com Languages: English, Arabic, French, Mandarin Headquarters: Athens, Greece Compliance: KYC / OFAC / GDPR --- ## Overview The Greek Golden Visa is a residence-by-investment programme launched in 2013. A qualifying investment in Greece — most commonly real estate — grants the investor and their family a five-year, renewable residency permit with no minimum-stay requirement and visa-free Schengen travel. Headline figures: - Minimum investment: from €250,000 (varies by route and location). - Minimum stay: 0 days per year. - Permit validity: 5 years, renewable indefinitely while the investment is held. - Processing time: typically 3–6 months. - EU member states accessible: 27 (plus the wider Schengen Area). - Citizenship eligibility: after 7 years of legal residence. --- ## Investment routes 1. **Real Estate (from €250K–€800K)** — Residential or commercial property. The most established route, chosen by the large majority of applicants. Family included in the same application; permit renewable every five years; no minimum stay; KYC-verified inventory. 2. **Startup Capital (from €250K)** — Direct investment in innovative Greek startups vetted by national incubators. Same residency benefits with exposure to Southern Europe's tech ecosystem. 3. **Investment Funds (from €400K)** — Approved Greek funds: government bonds, AIFs, or mutual funds. The most passive, diversified, regulated route. Note on real-estate thresholds: high-demand areas (e.g. Athens, Thessaloniki, Mykonos, Santorini) carry higher minimums than other regions; a property-conversion route (commercial to residential) can qualify at the lowest tier. Confirm current figures with a consultant. --- ## The six-step process 1. **Consultation** — A confidential opening call about goals, family, capital, and timeline. No commitment. 2. **Eligibility** — Consultants assess your profile and recommend a programme (real estate, startup, or fund). 3. **KYC & OFAC** — Online identity and compliance check; encrypted and audited. 4. **Matching** — Introduction to a curated team: lawyer, agent, tax advisor. 5. **Investment** — Property closes, fund subscribes, or capital enters escrow; everything auditable. 6. **Residency** — Application submitted to the Greek authorities; biometric residency cards collected in Athens. --- ## Frequently asked questions **What is the Greek Golden Visa?** A residence-by-investment programme launched in 2013. Make a qualifying investment in Greece — typically real estate — and receive a five-year, renewable residency permit for your whole family. **Who is eligible to apply?** Any non-EU national over 18 with traceable, legitimate funds and a clean background screening (KYC and OFAC). **Do I need to live in Greece?** No. There is no minimum-stay requirement. You can visit as often or as little as you like, provided you keep the qualifying investment. **What are the minimum investment amounts?** The thresholds depend on the route. Real estate has multiple tiers based on location and property type. Startup capital is a direct investment in approved Greek startups. Investment funds include Greek-regulated funds, AIFs, or government bonds. Figures were updated in 2024 and may be revised again — a consultant confirms current numbers. **Can I rent out my Golden Visa property?** Long-term rentals are permitted. Short-term holiday lets are restricted on Golden-Visa-qualifying properties — confirm the rental strategy with your lawyer before purchase. **What additional costs should I expect?** Beyond the headline investment: property transfer tax, notary and registration fees, legal fees, and a small per-applicant government fee. A consultant provides a full line-item estimate before any commitment. **How long does the application take?** Three to six months from contract to biometric residency card. A temporary "blue receipt" is usually issued within sixty days and grants Schengen travel while the card is produced. **Do I need to travel to Greece?** Most work is done by your lawyer under Power of Attorney. You only need to visit Greece once, to give biometric data (fingerprints and photo). **What documents will I need?** A valid passport, apostilled birth and marriage certificates, a clean criminal record, proof of source of funds, Greek private health insurance, and a Power of Attorney to your lawyer. **Which family members can I include?** Your spouse or registered partner, children up to 21 (extendable to 24 if in education), and parents on both sides — all on a single application. **What happens when my children turn 21?** If still in full-time education, residency can be extended to 24. After that they transition to a different permit category — student, work, or their own Golden Visa. **Can I work in Greece?** You cannot be employed by a Greek company on the Golden Visa alone. You can own and operate a business in Greece, work remotely for non-Greek employers, and earn rental and investment income. **Can I travel freely in Europe?** Yes. Your Greek residency card grants visa-free travel within the entire Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day window. **Healthcare and schools?** Permit holders access Greek public healthcare and schools on the same terms as other legal residents. Most clients combine private health insurance with the public system. **When can I apply for Greek citizenship?** After seven years of legal residence in Greece. Citizenship requires actual physical presence for the majority of those years, plus a Greek-language test and a civics exam. Greece allows dual citizenship. **How long is the residency permit valid?** Five years, renewable indefinitely in five-year increments — for as long as the qualifying investment is maintained. --- ## Regional guidance **Lebanon** — EUGateway addresses the banking crisis, currency collapse, and travel constraints facing Lebanese families. The €250K property-conversion route is popular; benefits include EU banking access, asset protection in euros, and education at EU rates. Support in Arabic, English, and French. **Dubai / UAE** — Positioned as a "plan B": Greek residency is independent of employment (unlike UAE residence visas), keeps Dubai life intact (zero stay requirement), and is four hours' direct flight from DXB. Includes a Greece vs Portugal vs Cyprus comparison. **Gulf / GCC** — Coverage for UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman. Emphasis on family security (both sets of parents), wealth diversification into euros, and a remote-friendly process. --- ## Important disclaimers - EUGateway.gr is an information and connection platform, **not** a law firm, immigration consultancy, financial advisor, or real estate agency. - It does not guarantee application outcomes. - Investment thresholds and legal requirements change; always confirm current figures with a licensed professional. - Source basis for legal content: Greek Law 5100/2024 and subsequent updates. --- ## Citable pages - Home: https://eugateway.gr/ - FAQ: https://eugateway.gr/faq - Lebanon guide: https://eugateway.gr/lebanon - Dubai / UAE guide: https://eugateway.gr/dubai - Gulf / GCC guide: https://eugateway.gr/gulf - Privacy Policy: https://eugateway.gr/privacy-policy - Terms of Service: https://eugateway.gr/terms-of-service