Detailed Process of The Greece Golden Visa
DETAILED PROCESS OF THE GREECE GOLDEN VISA RESIDENCE PERMIT
The Greece Golden Visa program grants a residence permit to non-European Union citizens and their family members through investment in Greece. Along with the main investor, the following family members can obtain a Golden Visa without the need for an additional investment.
Eligible Family Members for the Application:
- Main Applicant and Spouse
- Children under the age of 21
- Children from previous marriages of the main applicant or spouse
- Parents of the main applicant and parents of the spouse
All family members can be included in the Greece Golden Visa application with a minimum real estate investment of €250,000. However, certain government fees and costs increase as the number of applicants rises.
Children over the age of 21 cannot be included in the Golden Visa application. However, in specific cases, it may still be possible to include a child over the age of 21 in the investment structure. Please contact us for more detailed information on such situations.
Family members do not have to apply at the same time. If desired, the above-listed family members can be added to the Golden Visa application after the main applicant has already obtained the permit. In such cases, the Golden Visa residence card issued to the later-added family members will be valid only until the expiration date of the main applicant's permit. For example, if a family member is added one year after the main application, their residence permit will be valid for four years instead of five.
Requirements for the Investor
- The applicant must not be a citizen of the European Union.
- The applicant must be over 18 years old and in good health.
- The applicant must have valid health insurance.
- A qualifying real estate or capital investment must be made and maintained throughout the residence permit period.
Step-by-Step Golden Visa Process
1. Golden Visa Consultation and Signing of Advisory Agreement
At the initial stage, we conduct a consultation meeting with the investor to provide detailed information about the Greece Golden Visa program, including all its benefits and requirements. We also assess the investor's expectations and goals. Following this meeting, an advisory agreement is signed to officially commence the process.
2. Presentation of Investment Options
We present apartment options that fit the investor's budget and organize meetings with construction companies. Once the investor selects their desired real estate for investment, the process officially begins.
3. Signing the Reservation Agreement
After selecting the property, the investor signs a reservation agreement, ensuring that the real estate is held under their name until the title deed transfer. At this stage, 10% of the property price is paid from the investor's personal bank account to the construction company. This payment can be made by the investor or an immediate family member.
4. Completion of Licensing Procedures
Once the 10% payment is made, the licensing procedures for the property are completed. When the license is ready, the sales contract is signed, and the remaining balance is transferred to the construction company.
5. Tax Number and Power of Attorney Procedures
During this phase, our lawyers in Greece obtain a tax number for the investor and all family members included in the application. Additionally, a power of attorney is prepared to facilitate the title deed transfer and Golden Visa application process.
6. Title Deed Transfer
The title deed transfer must be completed in Greece before a notary, with a lawyer present. Using the power of attorney, our legal team in Greece handles this process on behalf of the investor. The transfer process usually takes 2-3 weeks and is officially registered in the land registry. If preferred, the investor may attend the title deed transfer in person or allow the lawyer to finalize the process with the power of attorney.
7. Golden Visa Application Submission
Once the title deed transfer is completed, the Greece Golden Visa application process begins. All required documents are sent to our legal team in Greece via courier. The title deed certificate is one of the key documents needed for the application.
8. Submission of Biometric Data
Shortly after the application is submitted, an appointment is scheduled with the Greek Immigration Office for biometric data and fingerprint collection. All family members included in the application must attend this appointment. If the investor does not have a Greek entry visa, a document called a "white paper" is issued to allow entry for the appointment.
9. Issuance of the Golden Visa Residence Card
After the biometric data is submitted, the processing time for the Greece Golden Visa card begins. The issuance of the card may take approximately six months from the date of application submission. The Golden Visa is generally issued for a period of five years and can be renewed indefinitely as long as the real estate investment is maintained.