Fast-track route to the Greek Golden Visa: how to speed up your residency application

A fast-track route for a Greece Golden Visa typically refers to the financial investment options: 

• placing a deposit in a Greek bank;

• purchasing investment fund units. 

These are seen as quicker alternatives to the real estate route, especially for those whose main goal is to obtain residency as soon as possible.

While buying property remains the most popular option — thanks to its tangible value, potential for rental income, and relatively low entry point — it often takes 3 to 6 months from purchase to actually receiving the residence permit card. By contrast, applications based on financial investments tend to move faster. Once the paperwork is in, residence permits are usually issued in about 2 months.

It’s worth noting that whichever route you choose, you’ll still need time to prepare your application. Setting up the investment — whether it’s a deposit, fund subscription or property deal — typically takes at least a month before the official submission.

Investment fund route. This is currently considered the fastest option. It requires a minimum investment of €350,000 into a qualifying fund. These are licensed Greek mutual or alternative investment funds, and they may include holdings like real estate, company shares or traded bonds. 

The funds are designed to support the local economy, and investors typically see returns of around 4—5% annually.

Bank deposit route. This option involves placing at least €500,000 in a fixed-term deposit with a Greek bank. The deposit must stay untouched for at least 12 months, and automatic renewal must be arranged. It’s a simple route administratively, though setting up a Greek bank account may take a bit of coordination.

Real estate route. To qualify through property, you’ll need to buy real estate worth €250,000, €400,000 or €800,000, depending on the property’s location and type. The highest threshold applies in high-demand zones such as Athens, Thessaloniki and the most popular islands, while the lowest applies to renovation properties.

Investors can rent out their property long-term, and yields can reach up to 10% per year. While property is still the go-to route for most investors, it’s usually the slowest in practice.

The Greek Golden Visa is open to non-EU and non-EEA nationals who are looking to invest in the country and gain residency. To apply, you’ll need to meet a few basic conditions — both as a main applicant and, if relevant, for your family members.

Main applicant requirements. To qualify, the main applicant must:

• be at least 18 years old;

• have no criminal record;

• hold valid health insurance that covers them in Greece;

• be able to prove the legal source of the investment funds.

These are standard eligibility checks, and they apply across all investment types — whether you go for property, a bank deposit or a fund.

Family member requirements. One of the benefits of the Greek Golden Visa is that you can include close family members under the same investment — no need to invest separately.

You can include:

• spouses or partners — for partners, you’ll need a cohabitation agreement signed in Greece;

• unmarried children under 21;

• parents of either the main applicant or the spouse or partner — with no age limit;

This means a full three-generation family can qualify together, provided the main applicant meets the investment and documentation requirements.

Choose the fastest route. Property is the most popular option, but often the slowest. It takes time to find the right place, complete legal checks and register the purchase. Even before applying, you’ll need at least a month to meet the investment conditions. After that, getting the residence card typically takes 3 to 6 months, depending on the case.

If speed is your priority, consider financial investments instead — either a fixed deposit in a Greek bank or investment fund units. These also require about 1 month to set up, but from what we’ve seen, applications are usually processed within 2 months. 

Prepare documents in advance. One of the best ways to keep your Golden Visa application on track is to get your documents in order early. Some documents, like passports and birth certificates, can be sorted well in advance, even before you begin the application process formally. Starting with a simple checklist helps avoid last-minute surprises.

Here’s what’s typically required when applying for the Greek Golden Visa:

1. Completed application form.

2. Valid passport plus copies.

3. Birth certificates for any children included in the application.

4. Marriage certificate, if applying with a spouse.

5. Recent passport photos.

6. Police clearance certificate.

7. Proof of the source of your funds.

8. Confirmation of your residential address.

9. Health insurance valid in Greece.

10. Proof of investment — property deed, bank certificate or fund documentation.

The exact list may vary a little depending on your case, but having these ready will save time and help things move smoothly once the application starts.

Work with a trusted local expert. Having a reliable lawyer or licensed agent on the ground in Greece makes a huge difference. They know the system, understand where delays usually happen, and can guide you through the process step by step — avoiding unnecessary stress or costly mistakes.

Here’s how the right professional can help:

1. Initial screening. A good agent will run basic Due Diligence checks before the application starts. This helps flag potential issues early and avoids delays due to missing documents or compliance questions.

2. Smooth paperwork. Experienced teams know exactly which documents are needed, how they should be formatted, certified, and translated to meet Greek legal requirements. This saves time and prevents back-and-forth with the authorities.

3. Local network. Trusted agents usually work with reputable realtors, notaries and translators, which helps speed up the property purchase and visa steps.

4. Representation in Greece. With a power of attorney, your agent can act on your behalf — from opening a bank account to signing the purchase agreement. This means fewer trips to Greece and faster progress overall.

5. Ongoing updates. A responsive team will keep you in the loop, follow up on your case, and quickly handle any additional requests from the Greek side.

Immigrant Invest has over 20 years of experience in helping investors obtain residency and citizenship — including the Greece Golden Visa. The legal team works with each case individually and makes the entire process as smooth and time-efficient as possible.

Be ready for biometrics. You won’t get your residence permit until your biometric data has been submitted in Greece. Appointment slots can be limited — especially in busy regions like Athens or Thessaloniki. Once your application is submitted, try to stay flexible: you might need to travel on short notice when an appointment becomes available.

Use a power of attorney. Many steps in the process — like getting a tax number or signing a property contract — can be handled without you being in Greece. If you give power of attorney to a local lawyer, they can act on your behalf. Your lawyer will prepare the necessary documents and make sure it’s properly apostilled and legalised.

Keep transactions simple. When transferring funds to Greece, use a direct bank wire. It’s the fastest and cleanest way. If your funds are not already in euros, plan your currency conversion early. Using a bank that can handle quick foreign exchange transfers helps avoid delays at the last step.

Incomplete or incorrectly translated documents. Greek immigration authorities follow strict rules when it comes to paperwork. A missing apostille, an outdated passport copy or a document that isn’t translated properly can stop your application in its tracks.

Anna Semenyuk,

Citizenship by Investment Programs Advisor

All application documents must be properly prepared. Documents issued by non-Greek authorities must be officially certified — either with an apostille for countries in the Hague Convention or consular legalisation for all others.

Translations must be done by an authorised party. This includes the official Translation Service of the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a lawyer registered with the Greek Bar Association, or a certified graduate of the Ionian University’s Faculty of Foreign Languages.

Real estate complications. If you’re investing in property, expect a few extra moving parts. Delays often happen due to:

• unclear or disputed ownership history;

• boundary or permit issues;

• slow notarial or land registry procedures;

• hold-ups with signing or registering the final contract.

These kinds of issues can easily push the timeline well beyond the typical 3 to 6 months, especially in busy regions.

Family-related delays. When applying with family, timing becomes even more important. Everyone’s paperwork needs to be ready at the same time, and one missing piece can hold up the entire group.

To keep things moving:

• assign a single point of contact to handle coordination;

• try to schedule biometric appointments for the whole family on the same day;

• prepare documents for dependants and children early — at the same time as for the main applicant.

1. Visa-free travel within the Schengen Area. Golden Visa holders can visit 29 Schengen countries without needing extra visas. You’re allowed to stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period — great for both short trips and flexible travel planning.

2. Residency for the whole family. The residence permit covers not just the main applicant, but also their spouse or partner, children under 21, and both sets of parents — with no age limit. That means three generations can move together under one investment.

3. Option to relocate — no obligation to live in Greece. You and your family can move to Greece anytime and stay as long as you like. There’s no residency requirement unless you plan to apply for citizenship later.

4. Access to Greece’s flat tax regime. Golden Visa investors can apply for the Non-Dom tax programme, which allows you to pay a flat €100,000 per year on all foreign income — no matter how much you earn. The benefit can last for up to 15 years.

5. Path to EU citizenship. After 7 years of legal residence, you can apply for Greek citizenship. That opens the door to an EU passport, giving you the right to live, work and study anywhere in the European Union.

1. The Greece Golden Visa allows non-EU nationals to obtain residency in Greece by making an investment of €250,000 or more.

2. The fastest routes are through a bank deposit or investment fund, with the full process typically taking around 4 months when planned properly.

3. To speed up the process, it helps to work with a trusted lawyer or agent, prepare documents early, stay flexible for biometrics, keep transactions simple, and plan currency exchange ahead of time.

4. Common delays include missing or incomplete documents, poor coordination when applying as a family, and not booking biometric appointments in time.

5. The program offers strong advantages, such as visa-free travel within the Schengen Area, the ability to relocate with your family, access to a favourable flat tax regime, and a path to EU citizenship after 7 years of residence.