Greece Will Grant Golden Visas for Startup Investments

Brittany Collins

Greece has recently announced a new pathway to residency for foreign investors. Golden Visas will become available to entrepreneurs establishing startups in the country.

Introduction of the new startup investment option. At the 88th Thessaloniki International Fair in September 2024, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced the government’s plans to expand the Golden Visa program with a new startup investment option. This aims to diversify the economy, attract international entrepreneurs, and drive growth in Greece’s innovation sector.

The Greece Golden Visa by startup investment is expected to launch in early 2025. Applicants will need to invest at least €250,000 in a startup in Greece to qualify. In return, they will receive a 5-year residence permit. No further details have been announced.

Investment thresholds. The €250,000 required for startup investments is almost three times lower than the €800,000 now required for real estate in popular areas like Athens and Thessaloniki. The lower cost of the startup option is expected to attract both capital and tech expertise to Greece.

Existing Greece Golden Visa options. Currently, Greece’s Golden Visa program mainly focuses on real estate investments. Options include:

real estate purchase — €250,000+ for properties requiring renovation, €800,000+ for properties in popular areas such as Attica, Thessaloniki, Mykonos, and Santorini, and €400,000 for other regions;
10-year lease of tourist accommodation — €400,000+;
timeshare for tourist accommodation — €400,000+;
inheritance or gift of real estate — €400,000+;
purchase of shares in mutual or alternative investment funds — €350,000+;
opening a fixed-term deposit — €500,000+;
purchase of government bonds — €500,000+;
capital investments in Greek companies — €500,000+;
purchase of corporate and government bonds listed for trading — €800,000+.

Investors in the Greece Golden Visa program receive 5-year residence permits for themselves, their spouses, children, and parents. To maintain and extend their status after 5 years, they must retain investments. Moving to Greece is not obligatory: it is only required if the investor seeks Greece citizenship after 7 years.