Introduction
Greece, a popular country located in southeastern Europe has been an attractive destination for global investors seeking long-term residency. The country has been a major tourist destination due to thousands of stunning islands and a unique blend of ancient history in Greece. Nice weather and beautiful landscapes further add to the millions of reasons to visit Greece.
The country offers a well-organized Greece residency by investment program for investors and according to recent statistics, the interest of people has significantly risen in the program in 2025-26. The recent updates in the Greece golden visa program, including tiered property thresholds and a new focus on business and startup-driven investments reflect the effort of the Greek government to balance foreign investment with sustainable economic growth.
Understanding the Greece Golden Visa Program
Greece offers a legal pathway to investors to acquire its residency by investment in Greek real estate or by capital transfer. It allows non-EU nationals to live and work in Greece for 5 years by fulfilling the investment and eligibility requirements under its Greece golden visa program. The program in return for investment not only grants legal residence to the applicants but also provides them with the privilege of traveling across the Schengen area visa-free and with no permanent relocation.
This is an ideal option for business owners and startup founders who need to explore EU business markets without any inconvenience or full commitment of living in the country. According to statistics, Greece issued 17,254 golden visas in July 2025 showing a monthly increase of 5.7% which was the largest in the past year. The strong demand reflects the growing interest of people in the Greece golden visa program despite the new updates and launch of Greece startup visa.
New Tiered Property Investment Thresholds
Although Greece offers different investment routes to suit individuals of different profiles and goals, the most prominent investment route to get Greek residency is the real estate investment pathway. Among all the updates in Greece residency by investment framework, the most important one is the introduction of tiered real estate thresholds.
Tiered Investment Levels Explained
There are different investment thresholds for the Greece golden visa program. Higher investment amounts for high-demand areas and lower amounts for mid-scale and other areas.. The following include the price variations:
€250,000 Real Estate Investment
This is the most affordable option for investors. Here investors convert commercial properties into residential units by a minimum €250,000 investment.
€400,000 Real Estate Investment
For individuals who seek real estate in mid-scale areas of Greece,, the minimum investment required is €400,000.
€800,000 Real Estate Investment
In high-demand areas of Greece such as Attica, regional units of Thessaloniki, Santorini, and Mykonos, the investment amount required is €800,000.
Greece Golden Visa Cost: What Investors Should Expect
The Greece golden visa cost varies depending on the investment route and different tiers depending on the location where you are purchasing the property. Apart from investment costs, the applicants should also consider the following fees:
Government fees.
Legal and administrative fees.
Registration fees and property taxes.
Despite surging CBI prices in 2024 and the increased prices in prime zones in Greece too, the country still offers one of the most flexible programs in Europe due to its low stay requirements and family friendly structure. Furthermore, the major benefit is that applicants can apply for Greece permanent residency by investment after 5 years and Greece citizenship by investment after 7 years of Greek residency.
Startup Track Overview
In November 2025, Greece introduced a startup choice within its golden visa program which has a one-year duration with the option of two-year renewals. Greece residency by investment program startup route means that the applicant must invest in startups within Greece as opposed to investing in the real estate or residential property market. This would be the best choice to the entrepreneurs or the startup founders who desire Greece permanent residence on investment.
Greece PR By Investment: Long-Term Residency Benefits
The Greece pr by investment allows golden visa holders to maintain renewable residency permits as long as they hold the investment. After getting Greece permanent residency, investors enjoy long-term benefits of living in Greece such as business expansion opportunities, access to healthcare and education.
Conclusion
The latest Greece residency by investment updates clearly show the effort of the Greece government towards quality-driven investment. The global investors are attracted to its golden visa program due to its contribution towards economic growth as well as a legal pathway to long-term residency in Greece.
Most individuals thinking about the Greece golden visa cost should know that its cost varies based on location and investment tiers but it offers flexibility, stability, and benefits of European lifestyle. Investors of Greece residency program also enjoy global mobility