Can Russians still apply for a Greek Golden Visa in 2025?

The 2025 Reality: Are Russians Still Eligible?

If you’ve been researching the Greek Golden Visa in 2025, you’ve likely come across a lot of conflicting information.

Some sources claim Russians are completely banned, while others hint at loopholes that supposedly bypass restrictions.

So, what’s the actual situation?

The truth is, Russians can still apply for the Greek Golden Visa—but only under specific conditions.

The rules aren’t as straightforward as they were before 2022, but that doesn’t mean residency in Greece is off-limits.

The key?

Understanding how to structure your application correctly.

Before we get into the details, let’s clear up the biggest misconception—Has Greece officially banned Russians from the Golden Visa program?

Understanding Greece’s Official Stance on Russian Applicants

The idea that Greece has completely banned Russians from the Golden Visa program is one of the most common misconceptions out there.

But here’s the reality: there is no outright ban—just strict conditions that must be met.

Back in 2022, Greece suspended new Golden Visa applications from Russian nationals holding only a Russian passport.

This wasn’t a decision made in isolation—it was part of broader EU sanctions, which affected financial transactions, property purchases, and investment migration routes across Europe.

For Russian investors, this meant one thing: if you only hold a Russian passport, you cannot apply for the Golden Visa under your Russian nationality.

But that’s not the full story.

There’s an exception that many people don’t realize—one that makes a significant difference for those with the right background.

If you hold dual citizenship with a non-sanctioned country, you can still apply.

The key is understanding how to structure your application correctly, so it complies with both Greek and EU regulations without unnecessary complications.

That brings us to the most important factor: the dual citizenship rule and how it works in practice.

The Dual Citizenship Rule: How Some Russians Qualify

For Russian investors, the Golden Visa restrictions aren’t as absolute as they seem.

While direct applications under a Russian passport are still suspended, holding dual citizenship changes everything.

If you have a second passport from a non-sanctioned country, you can apply just like any other investor.

Your Russian nationality won’t factor into the process—as long as the application is structured correctly.

However, simply holding a second passport isn’t enough.

Greek authorities conduct strict due diligence on every applicant, and any inconsistencies in the paperwork can raise red flags.

That’s why structuring the application properly from the start is crucial.

The biggest mistake some investors make?

Assuming they can leave out their Russian nationality entirely.

But Greek officials perform background checks across multiple databases, so transparency is essential.

If you have dual citizenship, the key is to ensure that all financial records, residency documents, and investment funds are aligned with the nationality you’re applying under.

For those who meet this condition, the Golden Visa application process remains open and fully accessible.

And here’s something many people overlook—even if you qualify as a dual citizen, your family members may still apply, even if they only hold Russian passports.

That’s where things get even more interesting.

Family Applications: Can Russian-Only Passport Holders Apply?

One of the biggest concerns for Russian investors is whether their family members can be included in their Golden Visa application—especially if those family members only hold Russian passports.

Here’s the good news: they can.

The restriction on Russian passport holders only applies to the main investor.

Family members—including spouses, children under 21, and dependent parents—can still be included in the application, even if they only hold Russian citizenship.

This is an important detail that many people miss.

Some investors assume that their entire family needs dual citizenship, but that’s not the case.

As long as the primary applicant qualifies through their second nationality, dependents are eligible under standard Greek Golden Visa rules.

Of course, the application still needs to be structured correctly.

Greek immigration authorities will review each case carefully, ensuring that all supporting documents—such as marriage certificates, birth records, and proof of financial dependence—are in order.

For families planning to relocate together, this offers a straightforward path to residency without requiring additional workarounds.

The key is to make sure everything is prepared properly and in compliance with Greek regulations from the start.

Now that we’ve covered eligibility, there’s still one major hurdle to address—how to transfer funds legally for your Golden Visa investment.

Because while dual citizenship makes the application possible, banking restrictions add another layer of complexity.

The Banking Issue: Can Russians Still Pay for Property in Greece?

Even if you meet the eligibility criteria for the Greek Golden Visa, there’s still one major challenge—transferring funds for your investment.

Since 2022, EU sanctions have placed strict financial restrictions on Russian transactions, making it difficult for Russian nationals to transfer money to European banks.

Many investors assume this makes it impossible to buy property in Greece, but that’s not the case.

There is a legal way to complete the transaction—it just requires following the right process.

How Russian Investors Can Legally Transfer Funds

Greek banks, like most in the EU, have severe limitations on direct transfers from Russian banks.

However, there is a clear exception that allows payments from Russian clients if certain conditions are met.

The key requirement?

The seller must provide a notarized property contract before the payment is processed.

This means that before any funds can be transferred, the property sale must be officially documented and approved by a notary.

Greek banks will not accept payments unless they have proof that the transaction is legitimate and compliant with real estate regulations.

This is where many Russian investors make mistakes—they attempt to send money before securing the notarized contract.

If the transaction is flagged or rejected, it can lead to unnecessary delays or even frozen funds.

Avoiding Banking Pitfalls

Some investors explore third-country bank accounts to bypass restrictions, but this is a risky approach.

Greek banks conduct thorough due diligence checks to trace the source of funds.

If the money originated from a Russian entity—even if it passed through another country—it may still be flagged under EU compliance rules.

That’s why it’s crucial to structure transactions correctly from the beginning, ensuring that funds are transferred through a legally approved and fully documented process.

Once the financial side is handled, the next step is just as important—making sure the entire Golden Visa application process is smooth, efficient, and free of unnecessary risks.

The Smart Strategy: How Russian Investors Can Secure a Greek Golden Visa

By now, it’s clear that getting a Greek Golden Visa as a Russian national is possible, but only if every step is carefully planned and executed correctly.

The difference between a smooth approval and a frustrating delay comes down to how well the application is structured from the start.

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility and Prepare Documentation

The first step is ensuring you qualify under the current rules.

If you hold dual citizenship with a non-sanctioned country, you’re eligible to apply—but the application must be structured correctly to ensure smooth processing.

It’s equally important to have all supporting documents properly prepared.

This includes proof of dual nationality, financial records, and legal paperwork for any family members applying with you.

Any missing or unclear documentation can lead to delays, so attention to detail is key.

Step 2: Selecting the Right Investment Property

Not every property in Greece qualifies for the Golden Visa, and not every seller is prepared to work with Russian investors.

The right approach is to choose a property that is legally eligible and from a seller who understands the banking regulations—ensuring the transaction follows Greek and EU compliance standards.

Step 3: Securing the Notarized Contract Before Transferring Funds

This is the critical financial step.

Before any payment is made, the property contract must be officially notarized and submitted to the bank.

This allows the funds to be legally transferred without complications.

Attempting to send money before this step is completed can cause banking delays or even result in the payment being blocked.

Following the correct order of steps is crucial to avoiding issues.

Step 4: Submitting a Legally Strong Golden Visa Application

Once the investment is finalized, the final stage is submitting the Golden Visa application itself.

Greek authorities conduct thorough background checks on every applicant, which is why proper documentation and legal structuring are essential to a smooth approval process.

For those applying with family members, ensuring dependent applications are filed correctly is just as important.

A well-organized submission can significantly speed up processing times and avoid unnecessary complications.

Step 5: Securing Residency and Planning Ahead

Once approved, the Golden Visa grants full residency rights for five years, with no requirement to live in Greece full-time.

It also allows visa-free travel across the Schengen Zone and provides a stable, long-term investment opportunity.

For many investors, the Greek Golden Visa is not just about securing residency—it’s about future-proofing their options in Europe.

With the right preparation, the process can be smooth, predictable, and fully compliant with Greek regulations.

A Strategic Approach Makes All the Difference

For Russian investors, the Greek Golden Visa remains a real and achievable opportunity—but only when approached correctly.

The application process has become more complex since 2022, but for those who meet the right conditions, residency in Greece is still within reach.

The difference between a smooth approval and a frustrating delay comes down to how well everything is structured from the start.

By ensuring that:

• You meet eligibility requirements upfront (through dual citizenship).
• The right investment property is chosen (one that meets Greek Golden Visa criteria and banking regulations).
• Funds are transferred correctly (following notarized contract requirements to avoid banking restrictions).
• All documentation is properly prepared (so there are no unnecessary delays in processing).

…the entire process becomes straightforward, allowing you to secure residency without unnecessary stress.

But navigating these legal, financial, and administrative steps isn’t something you want to handle alone.

How Totsi Helps Russian Investors Secure Their Greek Golden Visa

At Totsi, we specialize in guiding Russian investors through every step of the process, ensuring that their applications are structured correctly, legally compliant, and free of unnecessary obstacles.

Here’s how we make it seamless for our clients:

✔ Eligibility Assessment – We review your specific situation to confirm that you qualify and ensure all documents are prepared correctly.
✔ Property Selection & Due Diligence – We help you find Golden Visa-approved properties and ensure transactions follow all legal requirements.
✔ Banking & Fund Transfers – We coordinate with Greek financial institutions, ensuring that payments are processed without issues or delays.
✔ Application Management – From preparing documents to handling communications with immigration authorities, we take care of everything for a stress-free process.

The Greek Golden Visa is still one of the most accessible residency-by-investment programs in Europe, but the key to success is doing it the right way—with expert guidance that ensures a smooth and predictable outcome.

If you’re considering applying, now is the time to take the next step.

📞 Contact Totsi today to discuss your eligibility and start your journey toward securing Greek residency.