Greece, officially the Hellenic Republic, is a unitary parliamentary republic in Southeastern Europe. Considered the cradle of Western civilization and the birthplace of democracy, Greece has exerted a huge influence on the history, politics, and culture of the world, disproportionate in relation to its population of 10 million. Home to innumerable historic landmarks and World Heritage Sites, the country prides itself on its important traditions and strong culture which stretch back millennia.
A founding member of the United Nations, Greece has been part of the Eurozone since 2001 and was the tenth member to join the European Community, the forerunner to the European Union. It is also a member of the Council of Europe, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), and the World Trade Organization (WTO), among others. Greece’s unique cultural heritage, popularity as a tourist destination, prominent shipping industry, and geostrategic importance have led to it being considered a middle power.
Geographically diverse, with mountains in the far north, Greece is more well-known for its extensive coastline and more than 2,000 islands, of which 170 are inhabited. It is bordered to the east by the Aegean Sea, to the south by the Mediterranean Sea, and to the west by the Ionian Sea. Furthermore, it shares land borders with Albania to the northwest, North Macedonia and Bulgaria to the north, and Turkey to the northeast. Due to its close proximity to Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, Greece has long held strategic geographic importance, and is now a developed regional power, with the largest economy and most powerful military in the Balkans and Southeastern Europe. Residents of Greece enjoy visa-free access to all countries of the Schengen Area, as well access to world-class medical care, year-round sunshine, and a high quality of life.
Continent
Europe
Region
Southeast Europe
Capital
Athens
Population
10,43 million (2019)
Total Area
131,957 km²
Languages
Greek
Passport Rank
8th in 2020
GDP
$209,858 million (2019)
Currency
Euro (EUR)
Legal Basis
On April 18, 2013 Greece introduced Law 4146/2013, which provides a 5-year renewable residence permit to citizens of non-European countries under the European Union and their family members who have purchased property in Greece. The residence permit is issued for five years and can be renewed indefinitely (for five years at a time) provided that the ownership of the property remains with the applicant. The residence permit does not allow the right to work in any way.
Benefits
PROCESSING TIME 2 Months
Visa renewable after 5 years; citizenship may be granted after 7 years of residency
Physical stay not required
Freedom of movement in the Schengen Area
Safe environment for your family and your business
Access to state-of-the-art healthcare system
Freedom to establish a business in Greece
Freedom to rent out the investment property
Entire family is included in residency application
Investment Options
1. Real Estate Investment
To qualify for Greece Residency under the Real Estate Option of the Golden Visa Program, an applicant must purchase authorized real estate with the minimum value of € 250,000
Notice*Please note that the above amounts do not include Application fees, Processing fees, Permanent Residency Card fees, Taxes fees and World Gate’s professional fees.
Residency Process
Step 1
World Gate will pre-screen your passport copy for government pre-approval to ensure fast processing. A down payment of the professional fees will be required to open the application. World Gate will provide assistance and advice with regards to the collection of the necessary documents in the checklist.
Step 2
The applicant must apply for a Greek entry visa to the Greek embassy / consulate authority in their country of origin. Either a type C Schengen visa or a type D national visa is required to purchase a property in Greece.
Step 3
World Gate will guide the applicant through the Greek property options in order to find a property that fully satisfies the applicant’s requirements. World Gate will procure and begin preparing property purchase documentation required to be presented for the residency application.
Step 4
The applicant(s) must travel to Greece to get their passports stamped before submitting the residency application.
Step 5
World Gate will prepare property purchase forms to complete the purchase. Property purchase funds and taxes shall be transferred.
Step 6
The application is then submitted to the official Directorate of Immigration in Greece. If the Secretary-General approves the application, the investor and family will receive their residence permits.
NoticePlease note that the above schedules can vary from person to person.
Visa-Free Countries
* Visa on arrival
** Electronic visa
– The above list includes territories
– The list of countries is subject to change in accordance with each government’s policy
About Greece Residency
Greece, officially the Hellenic Republic, is a unitary parliamentary republic in Southeastern Europe. Considered the cradle of Western civilization and the birthplace of democracy, Greece has exerted a huge influence on the history, politics, and culture of the world, disproportionate in relation to its population of 10 million. Home to innumerable historic landmarks and World Heritage Sites, the country prides itself on its important traditions and strong culture which stretch back millennia.
A founding member of the United Nations, Greece has been part of the Eurozone since 2001 and was the tenth member to join the European Community, the forerunner to the European Union. It is also a member of the Council of Europe, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), and the World Trade Organization (WTO), among others. Greece’s unique cultural heritage, popularity as a tourist destination, prominent shipping industry, and geostrategic importance have led to it being considered a middle power.
Geographically diverse, with mountains in the far north, Greece is more well-known for its extensive coastline and more than 2,000 islands, of which 170 are inhabited. It is bordered to the east by the Aegean Sea, to the south by the Mediterranean Sea, and to the west by the Ionian Sea. Furthermore, it shares land borders with Albania to the northwest, North Macedonia and Bulgaria to the north, and Turkey to the northeast. Due to its close proximity to Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, Greece has long held strategic geographic importance, and is now a developed regional power, with the largest economy and most powerful military in the Balkans and Southeastern Europe. Residents of Greece enjoy visa-free access to all countries of the Schengen Area, as well access to world-class medical care, year-round sunshine, and a high quality of life.
Europe
Southeast Europe
Athens
10,43 million (2019)
131,957 km²
Greek
8th in 2020
$209,858 million (2019)
Euro (EUR)
Legal Basis
On April 18, 2013 Greece introduced Law 4146/2013, which provides a 5-year renewable residence permit to citizens of non-European countries under the European Union and their family members who have purchased property in Greece. The residence permit is issued for five years and can be renewed indefinitely (for five years at a time) provided that the ownership of the property remains with the applicant. The residence permit does not allow the right to work in any way.
Benefits
Investment Options
1. Real Estate Investment
To qualify for Greece Residency under the Real Estate Option of the Golden Visa Program, an applicant must purchase authorized real estate with the minimum value of € 250,000
Residency Process
Step 1
World Gate will pre-screen your passport copy for government pre-approval to ensure fast processing.
A down payment of the professional fees will be required to open the application. World Gate will provide assistance and advice with regards to the collection of the necessary documents in the checklist.
Step 2
The applicant must apply for a Greek entry visa to the Greek embassy / consulate authority in their country of origin. Either a type C Schengen visa or a type D national visa is required to purchase a property in Greece.
Step 3
World Gate will guide the applicant through the Greek property options in order to find a property that fully satisfies the applicant’s requirements. World Gate will procure and begin preparing property purchase documentation required to be presented for the residency application.
Step 4
The applicant(s) must travel to Greece to get their passports stamped before submitting the residency application.
Step 5
World Gate will prepare property purchase forms to complete the purchase. Property purchase funds and taxes shall be transferred.
Step 6
The application is then submitted to the official Directorate of Immigration in Greece. If the Secretary-General approves the application, the investor and family will receive their residence permits.
Visa-Free Countries
** Electronic visa
– The above list includes territories
– The list of countries is subject to change in accordance with each government’s policy
Passport Rank
4thVisa-Free/Access
+185 countriesProcessing Time
2 to 4 monthsProgram Brochure
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