December 19, 2024
The Greece Golden Visa was introduced in 2013 for people who intend to live in the country through investment in properties. However, some big reforms were made to the Greece Golden Visa program in 2024 to enhance economic and social factors such as housing and the overall financial progress in the country especially in the field of innovative solutions-based startups and ventures.
Substantial Changes Happened to the Greece Golden Visa Program in 2024
- Increased Investment Thresholds: The minimum thresholds for the Golden Visa in Greece have been set to EUR 800,000 in the most preferred areas in Greece such as Athens, Thessaloniki, Mykonos, Santorini, islands inhabited by more than 3,100 residents. In other areas though it is a relatively low threshold at EUR 400,000.
- Restrictions on Short-Term Rentals: To avoid exacerbating the housing deficit and realize appreciation of housing, the new rules extending and intensifying the regulation of uses under the Golden Visa program do not allow short-term letting of properties bought under this program. Failure charges can go up to EUR 50,000 besides permit cancellation and other rulings may await the breaching party.
- Implementation Timeline: All of these changes were implemented on the 31st of August 2024. Those who have begun their investments before this date have up to December 31, 2024, when investing under the previous terms; property transactions are to be made before April 30, 2025.
- Venture Capital and Startup Investments: The government prepared a law draft that includes a one-of-a-kind way to acquire the Greece Golden Visa in 2025. The initiative encompasses a minimum investment of EUR 250,000 in Greek venture capital firms, private equity funds, and innovation-oriented start-ups in which investors can invest directly.The investment must be in a fund that Greek authorities or the EU approves. In particular, they need to target Greek-based ventures, including budding companies exclusively. It finances innovation and promotes entrepreneurs to develop businesses in Greece for visionary investors.
Implications of Greece Golden Visa Updates for Investors in 2025
It is believed that with these new measures raising the investment thresholds and the restrictions on housing rentals, the Greek authorities would attract foreign capital without compromising its own population’s interest of attaining affordable homes.
Higher requirements may narrow the entry of some investors, but on the other hand, they reduce competition in some investment areas and may stimulate the development of regions, that are not oversaturated with investments.
Greece Golden Visa Program Benefits in 2025
- Residency Validity: The Golden Visa approaches include a five-year residence permit which can be renewed for an indefinite period provided the investment is retained.
- Family Inclusion: Relocation permits may go hand in hand with the investor’s spouse, children below the age of 24 years, and parents, to accompany the investor.
- Path to Citizenship: Investors who would like to obtain Greek citizenship the straightforward way may need to meet other requirements; After seven years of residency, a foreign investor may apply for naturalization as a Greek citizen as per specific regulations.
- Free Visa Travel to Schengen Zone: If you succeed in the process of meeting all the Greek Golden Visa requirements, you are eligible to travel to more than 186 countries, with all the European countries included.
Other Paths to Obtain Greece Golden Visa in 2025
1. Capital Shares or Company Investments:
- The company’s capital shares can be bought by investors to secure the Golden Visa.
- Minimum Investment: EUR 400,000.
Requirements:
- The company must be operating from Greece.
- It can be active in many industries including energy, tourism, manufacturing, or technology.
- The investment should be used directly to increase the company’s capital or form part of private equity.
- This has dual benefits for those looking for an active business and the development of the Greek economy.
2. Greek Government Bonds:
- Another way of getting residency is through the purchasing of Greek government bonds.
- Minimum Investment: EUR 400,000
- Investment Duration: At least 3 years
Requirements:
- Automatically they have to be bought from a Greek bank or financial institution.
- The investor has to hold the securities in the form of bonds for such period required.
- This option is a relatively secure investment with low risk associated with it, all the more enhanced by the Greek state.
3. Hire of Hotel Space or Tourist Services:
- Investors can enter into long-term lease agreements for hotel rooms or leased property for uses related to tourism as the qualifying investment.
- Minimum Investment: EUR 400,000.
- Lease Duration: Minimum of 10 years
Requirements:
- Housing must be registered and classified according to the law as a tourist object.
- The lease agreement should also be formal and in this process, they should be attested by a notary public.
- This investment is useful to anyone with an interest in the tourism industry which makes up a solid sector of Greece’s economy.
4. Corporate and Municipal Bonds:
- One can buy corporate or municipal bonds in Greece.
- Minimum Investment: EUR 400,000
- Investment Duration: Minimum of 3 years
Requirements:
- Bonds need to be bought and sold on an exchange in Greece only.
- The investor cannot sell the bonds at any time before the stipulated holding period for the bonds.
- This option is useful for those who seek more fixed-income investments other than in real estate.
Advantages of Investment Diversification in Greece in 2025
The differentiated options of investment as set in Greece Golden Visa Updates for 2025, which are available to the buyers of the Greek residence permit, allow considering the program as the one that is designed to meet the requirements of investors with different risk appetites. Key advantages include:
- A slightly larger proportion in capital shares, enabling an increased relative involvement in startup investments.
- Stability with government or corporate bonds.
- Leasing rights to two identified major industries in Greece, namely tourism and real estate.
- After investing in the country, potential residents can improve their status and get a ready-for-business residence permit while the Greek economy and various industries will also benefit.
Hence, the new prospects of investments in the 2025 Greece Golden Visa program have not only extended to property investment as a form of financial interest. Investors can use several routes through which they can get residency while at the same time diversifying their investment and gaining from the strength of the Greek economy through government bonds, business shares, and venture capital to mention but a few.
