Greece is a go-to destination not only for vacations but also for those looking to move permanently to someplace abroad. Taking in the Mediterranean Sea, exploring ancient ruins, and enjoying scrumptious food are just some of the many reasons to visit Greece and contemplate living there.
The simplest way to make this happen is through the Greece Golden Visa program. Launched in 2013, the Greece Golden Visa is a residency-by-investment program, which means that individuals can avail of the Greek Golden Visa program by investing in real estate or other assets in Greece.
If you’re wondering what the Greece Golden Visa is all about and how you can go about the process, then we at Global Residence Index are here to help you out with all your queries.
In this article, we will be explaining all you need to know about the Greece Golden Visa and its numerous benefits. Let’s get started.
What is the Greece Golden Visa?
The Greece Golden Visa is a highly coveted residency-by-investment program that enables non-EU citizens to get their Greek residency. They are granted a five-year residence permit, and all they have to do in return is invest a minimum of €250,000 in real estate.
The program was created to boost the Greek economy and bring in foreign investment.
Once the investment is complete, the investor is granted a five-year residency permit. They can include their family in the residency program as well, and it can be extended for five more years, given that the original investment is maintained.
After the investor has been a resident of Greece for seven years, they can apply for citizenship, and so can their families.
Regardless of who the investor is, it’s vital to have a knowledgeable agent who can help you understand and accelerate the process of applying for the Greece Golden Visa, and this is where we at Global Residence Index come in.
Our team works in a manner such that both parties can go through the application process smoothly, and the applicant can receive their Greece Golden Visa quickly without any hassles involved.
What are the Benefits of the Greece Golden Visa?
Listed below are some of the benefits of the Greece Golden Visa, which makes it such an attractive and lucrative option:
Living in Greece
With the Greece Golden Visa, you get to live in Greece along with your family. The visa doesn’t come with any limitations on how long you can stay in Greece while also not placing any minimum stay requirement.
The fact that your family gets to stay with you through this program is an added bonus. The Greece Golden Visa permits individuals to bring their spouse and children to Greece if they are below the age of 21.
Visa-Free Travel Across Schengen Zone
The Greece Golden Visa permits investors as well as their families to travel across the Schengen Zone without requiring any additional visas. Therefore, you get access to all the 27 member states that belong to the Schengen Zone during this period.
Access to European-Standard Healthcare and Education
Investors can derive the benefits of Europe’s healthcare and education system for not only themselves but also their families through this visa. So, if you wish to include your parents and children in this program, it will turn out to be extremely beneficial for you.
Journey to Citizenship
In addition to the Greece Golden Visa allowing investors and their dependents to lawfully live in Greece, it gives them the chance to apply for Greek citizenship once they have been living in the country for seven years continuously. Investors can get their permanent residence permit renewed every five years.
Investment and Business Opportunities
Those who get the Greece Golden Visa can expand their international business to all the 27 member states of the Schengen Zone, thereby widening their professional network.
The investment opportunity required to get the visa can turn out to be immensely lucrative for the ones getting it as one can avail high returns from their initial investment.
Double Taxation Treaty
Based on the amount of time one spends in Greece and their country of residence, it’s possible that the investor’s international income will not be applicable to taxation in Greece. Therefore, the investor will get to have their business outside of Greece while enjoying the tax benefits in the process.
This visa also lets foreigners enjoy tax benefits if they reside in Greece as tax residents. Various incentive programs are available for digital nomads, retirees, and expat segments accordingly. You can discuss how to make the most of these incentives with your financial advisor.
Conclusion
Through the Greece Golden Visa, foreign nationals get to obtain their Greek residency in a fast and seamless fashion while also helping to stimulate the economy of Greece in terms of tourism, energy, manufacturing, infrastructure, agriculture, and much more.
At Global Residence Index, our team conducts a preliminary review of the individual’s application before initiating the application process.
After completing the process of due diligence from our end, the investment process is completed, following which all the documents are prepared and then submitted for approval to the Ministry of Immigration.
The process ends with the applicant receiving their residence cards anywhere between four to six weeks. So, if you’re looking for an agency that will guide you through the entire journey of obtaining your Greece Golden Visa, get in touch with us right away.