Who Qualifies for the Greek Golden Visa? (2025 Update)

What Does “Qualification” Actually Mean?

Most people assume that as long as they have the money, they qualify for the Greek Golden Visa.

But that’s not how it works.

Yes, investment is the foundation, but there are other factors that determine whether or not you’re eligible.

Some people apply, thinking it’s a done deal—only to get rejected for reasons they never expected.

So before you start looking at properties or planning your move, you need to answer one key question—do you actually qualify for the Greek Golden Visa?

Do you actually qualify?

In this guide, we’ll break it down step by step.

Let’s start with the biggest requirement of all—investment eligibility.

The Investment Threshold: Do You Meet It?

If you don’t meet the minimum investment, your application is dead on arrival.

So how much do you need?

That depends on where you’re buying:

• €250,000 Minimum – Applies to most regions in Greece.
• €500,000 Minimum – Required in high-demand areas, including:
  • Central Athens
  • Mykonos
  • Santorini
  • Thessaloniki

Why does it cost more in some places?

Simple: The Greek government raised the limit to push investors toward less crowded areas.

But here’s where things get interesting…

You can split the investment across multiple properties—as long as the total adds up to the required amount.

You don’t have to live in the property—it can be rented out from day one.

Commercial properties also qualify—but only if you buy them as an individual, not through a business.

That’s the Greek Golden Visa investment threshold, but investment alone doesn’t guarantee approval.

Are You Eligible Based on Nationality & Background?

Having the money is one thing. But not everyone qualifies, even if they can afford the investment.

So who can actually apply?

Nationality Restrictions: Who’s In and Who’s Out?

The Greek Golden Visa is open to non-EU citizens, which means:

• EU and EEA nationals do not qualify. They already have the right to live in Greece.
• UK citizens are eligible (since Brexit).
• US, Canadian, Australian, and most other nationalities qualify without issue.
• Some restricted countries exist. If your country is subject to EU sanctions, additional screening applies—or the application may be outright rejected.

Criminal Record Checks: What Matters?

Greece does not require a background check from every applicant.

However, if your home country requires a criminal record certificate as part of the Greek visa process, you must provide one.

The key point? A serious criminal record can disqualify you.

• Minor offenses usually don’t lead to rejection.
• Major financial crimes, fraud, or anything tied to money laundering will cause issues.
• If you have a conviction, legal consultation is essential before applying.

Financial Requirements: Is Just Having the Investment Enough?

The Greek Golden Visa does not require proof of income or employment, unlike many other residency programs.

However, Greece expects applicants to be:

• Financially solvent. You don’t need a salary, but you should be able to support yourself.
• Able to justify the source of funds. The investment money must come from a legal source.

Banks and notaries may request additional documentation if anything seems unclear.

That covers nationality and background.

Next, let’s look at how the visa extends to your family.

Can Your Family Join the Program?

One of the biggest advantages of the Greek Golden Visa is that it’s not just for you—it can extend to your entire immediate family.

But there are specific rules on who qualifies.

Who Can Be Included in the Application?

When you apply as the main investor, you can add:

• Your spouse
• Your children under 21
• Your dependent parents
• Your spouse’s dependent parents

This means three generations of your family can qualify under a single investment.

Age Limits and Dependency Rules

Children qualify as dependents until they turn 21.

After that, they have two options:

1. Apply for a separate five-year visa extension (until age 24).
2. Transition to another residency status—which usually means securing a work or study visa.

Parents and in-laws must be financially dependent on you to be included. This is an important factor to prove in the application process.

What About Unmarried Partners?

Greece does not allow unmarried partners to be included under the same application—even if they have been together for years.

The only exception is if you are in a civil partnership registered in Greece. Foreign civil partnerships usually do not qualify.

This makes legal marriage the safest route for partners to qualify.

That covers Greek Golden Visa family eligibility, including who qualifies as a dependent and who doesn’t.

Now, let’s move on to what happens if you don’t want to buy property—are there other ways to qualify?

What If You Don’t Want to Buy Property?

Most people assume that buying real estate is the only way to qualify for the Greek Golden Visa.

That’s not true.

There are alternative investment routes, but they come with different rules—and not all of them are as straightforward as property ownership.

Here’s how else you can qualify.

Option 1: Investing in Government Bonds or Stocks

Greece allows Golden Visa applicants to qualify by investing in Greek government bonds, stocks, or mutual funds.

The minimum required investment is €400,000 and must be placed in:

• Greek government bonds with a minimum maturity of three years.
• Shares in a Greek real estate investment company.
• Mutual funds registered in Greece or the EU.

This method can be attractive for investors who prefer liquidity over real estate ownership.

However, it requires working with an approved Greek financial institution to process the investment.

Option 2: Bank Deposits in Greece

A less common but valid option is making a fixed-term deposit of at least €400,000 in a Greek bank.

The funds must remain locked in for a minimum of one year and be held in your name.

This route is rarely used because:

• The amount is higher than the €250,000 real estate option.
• It doesn’t provide long-term returns compared to property.
• Interest rates on deposits in Greece are relatively low.

For most investors, real estate remains the best route—but for those who prefer flexibility, these financial options exist.

Now, let’s look at who gets rejected and why.

The Biggest Dealbreakers: Who Gets Rejected?

Not everyone who applies for the Greek Golden Visa gets approved.

Even if you have the money, there are key reasons why applications get rejected.

Understanding these in advance can save you time, money, and frustration.

1. Insufficient or Ineligible Investment

The most common reason for rejection is failing to meet the minimum investment requirements.

This happens when:

• The property purchase is below the threshold (€250K or €500K, depending on location).
• The investor tries to use a payment method not allowed (such as an installment plan).
• The property is not fully compliant with legal requirements (e.g., missing permits or unpaid taxes).

2. Issues with the Source of Funds

Greece requires that the investment money comes from a clear, legal source.

Even if you have the funds, you may be rejected if:

• The money cannot be properly traced (e.g., no verifiable bank records).
• The funds come from sanctioned sources or high-risk jurisdictions.
• There are discrepancies in financial documentation.

3. Criminal Record Problems

While Greece does not automatically request a criminal background check, certain cases will trigger one—especially if your home country requires it as part of the visa process.

Rejection is likely if:

• You have a serious criminal conviction (especially financial crimes).
• Your record includes offenses tied to money laundering or fraud.
• You are flagged as a high-risk individual under EU security policies.

4. Dependents Who Don’t Meet Eligibility Rules

Many applications fail because dependents don’t meet the requirements.

Common mistakes include:

• Including children over 21 who are not financially dependent.
• Trying to add unmarried partners without a legally recognized civil union.
• Applying with extended family members who do not qualify.

5. Legal or Documentation Errors

Even strong applicants get rejected due to small but critical mistakes in paperwork.

Issues that can lead to rejection include:

• Missing documents (such as proof of ownership or tax receipts).
• Errors in translations (all documents must be legally certified in Greek).
• Failure to meet residency rules after approval (e.g., selling the property without reinvesting).

The good news?

Most of these issues are avoidable with careful planning.

Next, let’s wrap up with a quick checklist to confirm whether you qualify.

So, Are You In or Out?

By now, you should have a clear idea of whether you qualify for the Greek Golden Visa.

Let’s do a quick recap:

✔ You are eligible if:

• You are a non-EU citizen with a clean financial record.
• You can invest at least €250K or €500K (depending on location).
• Your money comes from a legal, traceable source.
• You are buying a qualifying property or making an approved alternative investment.
• Your dependents (if included) meet the age and relationship requirements.

✖ You might be rejected if:

• You have an unclear source of funds.
• You try to apply with ineligible dependents.
• You make a documentation mistake or fail to provide legal translations.
• You have a serious criminal record that affects eligibility.

If you meet all the criteria, you’re in a strong position to move forward.

But if you’re uncertain about any of these points, our Greek Golden Visa experts can help you navigate the process with confidence before making an investment.