Greece vs Other Golden Visa Programs
How does Greece compare to Portugal, Spain, and Italy for residency by investment?
Key Takeaways
- On minimum real-estate investment, Greece's Golden Visa thresholds compare favourably with several other European programmes — current figures should always be verified.
- Unlike some comparable European programmes, Greece has no mandatory minimum stay requirement to maintain residency.
- The table below compares Greece against Portugal, Spain, and Italy across the features investors ask about most.
| Feature | 🇬🇷 Greece | 🇵🇹 Portugal | 🇪🇸 Spain | 🇮🇹 Italy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Min. Investment | €250K (special) | €500K+ | Closed to new applicants (3 Apr 2025) | €250K |
| Standard Real Estate | €400K / €800K | No longer available | Closed to new applicants (3 Apr 2025) | €500K |
| Min. Stay Required | None | 7 days/year | — | Varies |
| Family Included | Spouse, children and parents (incl. in-laws) | Spouse + children | — | Spouse + children |
| Processing Time | Route- and stage-specific; no universal timeline | Several months | — | Varies |
| Schengen Travel | 29 countries | 29 countries | — | 29 countries |
| Citizenship Path | Separate naturalisation process | 10 years | — | 10 years |
| Remote Application | Specified steps by POA; biometrics in person | Partial | — | Limited |
| Renewal | Every five years while conditions continue | With conditions | New applications closed; qualifying existing authorizations may still be renewed | With conditions |
Greece Golden Visa vs Portugal Golden Visa
Portugal removed real estate from its Golden Visa in 2023, leaving qualifying funds from €500,000, and in 2026 raised the residence requirement for citizenship to ten years for most non-EU nationals. Greece still offers direct real estate routes — €400,000 or €800,000 on the standard routes depending on the area, and €250,000 only for special statutory property categories — with no minimum stay, and specified applications can be submitted through a properly executed Power of Attorney, with a short visit for biometrics. Timing in both countries depends on the route and authority processing.
Greece Golden Visa vs Spain Golden Visa
Spain abolished its investor residence programme outright on 3 April 2025, closing it to new applications and to renewals — there is no longer a Spanish Golden Visa to compare against. Greece continues to offer real estate routes — €400,000 or €800,000 on the standard routes depending on the area, and €250,000 only for special statutory property categories — with no minimum stay requirement, and specified applications can be submitted through a properly executed Power of Attorney.
Greece Golden Visa vs Italy Investor Visa
Italy's Investor Visa starts at €250,000 for innovative startups or €500,000 for a company, but does not offer a real estate route at all, and requires more active business involvement. Greece's standard real estate routes (€400,000 or €800,000 depending on the area) do not require running a company or creating jobs, and lead to a renewable Greek residence permit; naturalisation remains a separate legal process.
Greece Golden Visa vs UAE Golden Visa
The UAE Golden Visa (from AED 2 million, roughly €500,000, in property) grants long-term residency within the UAE itself, but not access to the EU, Schengen travel, or a path to EU citizenship. The Greece Golden Visa — €400,000 or €800,000 on the standard property routes depending on the area — grants a Greek residence permit with Schengen mobility subject to the applicable rules; naturalisation is a separate legal process with its own requirements. For many GCC-based investors the two programmes are complementary rather than substitutes.
Greece Golden Visa vs Caribbean Citizenship by Investment
Caribbean citizenship-by-investment programmes (e.g. St Kitts & Nevis, Dominica, Antigua) grant a passport directly, usually through a non-refundable government donation, without requiring residence in Europe. The Greece Golden Visa instead grants a Greek residence permit — not citizenship — linked to an investment you retain. Naturalisation in Greece is a separate legal process with its own lawful-residence and other statutory requirements. Investors often compare the two because Greece keeps the capital in an asset rather than a one-way government fee.
What Does a Greece Golden Visa Cost in Total?
Beyond the qualifying investment itself (€400,000 or €800,000 on the standard property routes depending on the area; €250,000 only for special statutory property categories), budget for government fees per applicant, legal and due-diligence fees, real-estate transfer tax (3% of the taxable value plus a municipal levy of 3% of that tax, where applicable), notary and registration costs, translation and apostille of documents, and health insurance. Our team provides an itemised cost breakdown for your specific route and family size during the initial consultation.
View ThresholdsProgramme rules change frequently and the comparison on this page is general information, not legal advice. Eligibility, taxation, physical-presence duties and citizenship outcomes depend on your personal circumstances and the law in force when you apply. Ask Synergia to coordinate an individual legal assessment before you act on any comparison.
Residence in Greece with Clear Guidance
Speak with our team about the Golden Visa and other residence pathways. Athens or UAE team available.