Unlike some other European countries, Greece does not offer direct citizenship by investment. However, it does offer the popular Golden Visa Program, which provides a pathway to citizenship through residency — making it a viable long-term option for investors seeking an EU passport.
🛑 Does Greece Offer Direct Citizenship by Investment?
No. Greece does not grant immediate citizenship in exchange for investment. Instead, it offers a residence-by-investment program through the Golden Visa, which can lead to citizenship after several years of legal residence and fulfilling key requirements.
🪪 The Golden Visa: Your First Step Toward Citizenship
The Greek Golden Visa grants 5-year renewable residency to non-EU citizens who invest in:
🏘️ Real estate (min. €250,000–€500,000 depending on region)
📈 Investment funds, REICs, or long-term leases (less common)
You and your family can:
✅ Live in Greece
✅ Travel in the Schengen Area
✅ Renew residency every 5 years (as long as you maintain the investment)
🧭 How to Qualify for Greek Citizenship (via Golden Visa Path)
After 7 years of legal residency, you may be eligible to apply for Greek citizenship if:
✔️ You have actually resided in Greece for the majority of those 7 years
✔️ You speak Greek at B1 level or higher
✔️ You are integrated into Greek society
✔️ You pass a citizenship exam covering history, politics, and culture
📌 Simply holding a Golden Visa without living in Greece full-time will not make you eligible for citizenship.
👨👩👧 Who Can Be Included in the Golden Visa Application?
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Spouse or registered partner
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Children under 21 (renewable to 24 if studying)
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Parents of both the main applicant and the spouse
📋 Greek Citizenship Benefits
When you become a Greek citizen, you gain:
🛂 EU Passport: Visa-free access to 180+ countries
💼 Right to live and work anywhere in the EU
🧾 Full tax residency rights
🎓 Access to EU education, healthcare, and benefits
🗳️ Right to vote and participate in public life
🧑⚖️ Why Work With Borderless Lawyers?
We specialize in helping investors navigate Greece’s investment visa and citizenship process from start to finish:
✅ Golden Visa application & real estate legal review
✅ Tax ID and bank account setup
✅ Family member applications
✅ Long-term planning for citizenship
✅ Greek language & integration coaching (via partners)
🗺️ We’ve helped clients from China, USA, Brazil, Lebanon, Russia, and UAE make Greece their second home.
📦 Quick Reference Table
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Direct citizenship by investment? | ❌ No |
| Golden Visa required? | ✅ Yes |
| Residency years required | 7+ years |
| Language required | ✅ Yes (Greek B1+) |
| Citizenship exam? | ✅ Yes |
| Work allowed before citizenship? | ❌ Not on Golden Visa (self-employed/business only) |
| EU passport benefits? | ✅ Yes |
🔁 Alternative Residency Options
If you’re not ready to invest in real estate, other paths to Greek residency include:
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💼 Digital Nomad Visa
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📈 FIP Visa (Financially Independent Person)
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👵 D7-style Retirement Residency (not officially named D7 in Greece)
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👨👩👧 Family Reunification