Foreign Nationals Law

Residence permits for foreign citizens

Our firm handles cases involving the issuance and renewal of residence permits for foreign citizens. We undertake and successfully complete cases involving the process of issuing or renewing residence permits.

1. Golden Visa through real estate investments

The Golden Visa program makes it easier for investors to secure free residence in Greece by investing in one or more properties within the Greek territory, with a minimum investment threshold of €400,000 per property and, exceptionally, €250,000. The residence permit is valid for five years and is renewed for the same period each time, provided that the real estate remains in the investor's ownership or continues to operate after its completion.

The minimum investment thresholds for obtaining a Golden Visa are set as follows:

• For the Region of Attica, the Regional Units of Thessaloniki, Mykonos, and Santorini, as well as for islands with a population of more than 3,100 inhabitants, the minimum property value is set at €800,000 at the time of acquisition.
• In contrast, in all other areas of the country, the minimum objective property value is €400,000.
• Investment is made in only one (1) property.
• The minimum surface area of the property must be 120 square meters.

Exceptionally, the minimum investment amount is €250,000 in the following cases:

• For buildings that are currently used for other purposes and are being converted into residences, the minimum investment amount is €250,000. The conversion must be completed before the application for a residence permit is submitted.
• The amount of €250,000 also applies as a minimum threshold in the case of investment through the purchase of real estate consisting of an industrial building or part of an industrial building, provided that no industry has been established and operating there for at least the last 5 years.
• The amount of €250,000 applies as a minimum threshold in the case of investment through the purchase of real estate consisting of a listed building to be restored or reconstructed, provided that the restoration or reconstruction is completed. (In this case, there are no restrictions on the surface area of the main rooms, i.e., the 120 m² limit does not apply).
• This exception applies to the whole of Greece and is implemented in one property.

Key benefits

• Affordable investment in real estate from €400,000 and, exceptionally, from €250,000.
• Possibility of granting a residence permit to members of the investor's family, such as spouse, children up to the age of 21, direct relatives in the ascending line of the investor, direct relatives in the ascending line of the spouse, who are granted, upon request, a residence permit for family reunification, which expires at the same time as the residence permit of the sponsor.
• Unrestricted residence in Greece (without the right to access the labor market).
• Access to public health and education in Greece.
• No disclosure of investor information to the authorities of the country of origin regarding the approval of the Golden Visa.
• No criminal or health record required.

Our office undertakes all the necessary procedures for the implementation of the investment and the granting of the residence permit, as well as the procedures for opening a bank account in Greece, if the investor so wishes.

2. Residence permits for third-country nationals with sufficient means of subsistence

(type "I.8" residence permit)

According to Article 163(8) of Law 5038/2023, it is possible to grant a residence permit (type I.8) to third-country nationals with sufficient means of subsistence (financially independent persons). A prerequisite for the granting of a residence permit is the prior issuance of a national entry visa (visa D). The residence permit is valid for three (3) years and may be renewed for the same period. Third-country nationals who wish to enter the country with a national entry visa and obtain the above residence permit must have a minimum monthly income of three thousand five hundred (3,500) euros, while if they are accompanied by their family members, this amount is increased by 20% for the spouse and 15% for each child. In addition, the sources of income and proof of income are indicatively as follows: pension from abroad, bank account, or evidence that they have sufficient financial means of their own, the legal origin of which can be proven, in accordance with the legislation in force, to cover their living expenses without providing dependent work or engaging in independent economic activity in Greece. The assessment of sufficient resources is carried out either on a monthly basis (if the income is proven to be periodic, such as a pension or salary or dividends from abroad) or on an annual basis in the case of income from other sources (such as bank deposits). It should be noted that this permit does not grant the right to dependent employment or independent economic activity of any kind in Greece, either for the sponsor or for his/her spouse or partner and family members.

The law provides that the family members of the sponsor may apply for and obtain an individual residence permit that expires at the same time as the sponsor's residence permit. The condition of sufficient means of subsistence must be met either by each family member individually or cumulatively for all members of the family.

Renewal of residence permits

Our law firm also handles the residence permit renewal process. Contact us and one of our associates will inform you of the necessary documents you need to submit for the category you wish to apply for.

Our office is always by your side throughout the process, monitoring the progress of your case, keeping you informed, and ensuring a successful outcome.

Our law office is located at Danaidon 4, 5th floor, Thessaloniki. Appointments are made by telephone for your convenience, or by email or via the contact form on our website.