Greece residency
Residency pathways in Greece, compared honestly
Greece offers several residence routes for non-EU nationals, including investment-linked residence, residence based on independent income, remote-work residence and family routes. The right route depends on the source of your means, your intended activity in Greece and who is coming with you.
The main routes
Greece Golden Visa
- Who it suits
- Non-EU investors acquiring qualifying assets in Greece.
- Purpose
- Residence linked to a qualifying investment, commonly real estate.
- Typical stages
- Eligibility review → Investment due diligence → Transaction → Application → Permit and renewals
- Family
- Eligible family members may generally be included, subject to the rules in force.
Financially Independent Person
- Who it suits
- Individuals with sufficient stable income arising outside Greece.
- Purpose
- Residence without local employment, based on independent means.
- Typical stages
- Income assessment → Document legalisation → Application → Decision → Renewals
- Family
- Family inclusion is possible where the statutory conditions are met.
Digital Nomad Permit
- Who it suits
- Remote employees and freelancers working for parties outside Greece.
- Purpose
- Residence while continuing existing remote work.
- Typical stages
- Work arrangement review → Evidence of income → Application → Decision → Extension
- Family
- Spouses and dependent children may generally be included.
Family and other routes
- Who it suits
- Family reunification, employment, study and long-term residence.
- Purpose
- Residence based on family ties or another statutory ground.
- Typical stages
- Route comparison → Documentation → Application → Decision → Long-term status
- Family
- Route-specific; assessed at the initial consultation.
What decides the route
- Where your income arises, and whether it continues once you are in Greece.
- Whether you intend to work, invest, retire or study.
- Which family members will apply with you.
- Your longer plan: renewal, permitted absences and long-term status.
- Your tax position in Greece and in your current country of residence.
Thresholds, qualifying investments and permit conditions are set by Greek legislation and change from time to time. We confirm the requirements in force at the date of your instruction rather than publishing figures that may date.
Free guide · PDF
Greek Golden Visa: the investor's checklist
A 5-page guide to the route from €250,000, the steps and the checks to work through before you commit funds.
- Why the Greek Golden Visa
- The real estate route, from €250,000
- Is the Golden Visa the right route for you?
- How it works, step by step
- Questions to ask before you sign
- Common mistakes to avoid
Frequently asked questions
Questions about residency in Greece
These answers are general information. They are not legal advice and cannot take account of your circumstances.
No. Investment-linked residence is one of several routes. Independent income, remote work, employment, study and family ties each provide separate grounds, and the appropriate route depends on your circumstances rather than on preference.
Not automatically. Immigration status and tax residence are assessed under different rules. We consider both together so that a residency decision does not create an unintended tax position.
Much of the process can be handled under a power of attorney. Certain steps, including biometrics, require personal attendance in Greece and are scheduled in advance.
Consultation
Begin with a clear understanding of your options
Tell us briefly what you are trying to achieve. We will confirm whether we can help, who would handle the matter and how fees would work, before any commitment.
- Telephone
- +30 698 334 7829
- info@chronilaw.com
- Office
- 73 Skoufa Street, Kolonaki, 10680 Athens, Greece
