How Long Does It Take to Get a Greek Golden Visa? (2025 Update)

Most people assume that getting a Greek Golden Visa is a fast process—some even think it’s instant.

It’s not.

While Greece has one of the most straightforward Golden Visa programs in Europe, the actual timeline depends on multiple factors.

So, how long does it really take?

Here’s the truth:

1️⃣ The official timeline states that approvals take 2 to 6 months.
2️⃣ In reality, some applications are approved in as little as 100 days, while others take over a year.
3️⃣ The biggest factor is not just government processing—it’s how well-prepared you are.

So, if you’re looking to speed things up, understanding the three key stages is essential.

Let’s start with how long it takes to prepare your application.

Pre-Application Phase: How Fast Can You Prepare?

Before you even submit your Greek Golden Visa application, there’s a crucial preparation phase—and this is where most delays happen.

Why?

Because the biggest slowdown isn’t the Greek authorities—it’s how long it takes you to get everything ready.

So, let’s break it down:

1. Choosing & Securing Your Investment (1-3 Months)

Your biggest decision is how to invest.

• If you’re buying property, you need time to find the right one, negotiate, and complete legal checks.
• If you’re choosing alternative investments, such as government bonds or bank deposits, the process can be faster—but requires financial approvals.

Real Estate vs. Financial Investments: Which is Faster?

💡 Pro Tip: Pre-selecting a property before you start the visa process can shave weeks off your timeline.

2. Opening a Greek Bank Account & Getting a Tax Number (1-4 Weeks)

To complete your investment, you need:

✔ A Greek tax identification number (AFM)
✔ A Greek bank account

This can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks, depending on:

• Whether you’re doing it remotely or in person
• How quickly you submit the required paperwork
• The bank’s internal processing speed

Some applicants delay the process by not preparing documents in advance—having certified translations ready can save weeks.

3. Gathering Documents for Your Application (2-6 Weeks)

The Greek Golden Visa requires several key documents, such as:

• Proof of investment (property contract or financial asset confirmation)
• Criminal record check (if applicable)
• Health insurance for Greece
• Passport & biometric data

Some of these, like criminal records or investment confirmations, can take longer if they need authentication or Apostille certification.

Many delays come from last-minute document issues.

Getting these sorted before making your investment speeds things up significantly.

Total Time for Pre-Application Phase: 1 to 4 Months

Fastest Case: 30-45 days if you’re well-prepared, have chosen your investment in advance, and your documents are ready.

Slowest Case: 4+ months if you haven’t picked an investment, need bank approvals, or face delays in document processing.

Once you’re ready, the next step is submitting your application—let’s see how long that part takes.

Submitting Your Application: How Long Until Approval?

Once your investment is secured and your documents are ready, it’s time to officially submit your application.

This is where government processing time comes into play.

So how long does it actually take?

1. Application Submission & Acknowledgment (1-2 Weeks)

Your application is submitted to the Greek authorities—either in person or through a legal representative.

Once received, you will get:

✔ An official confirmation receipt
✔ A temporary residence permit (which allows you to stay in Greece while waiting for approval)

If you apply through a lawyer, the submission process is usually faster and smoother.

2. Government Processing & Background Checks (2-6 Months)

The official government timeline states that approvals take 2-6 months, but in reality, this varies based on:

• The workload of Greek immigration offices (some process faster than others)
• The complexity of your case (family applications take slightly longer)
• Any missing documents (which can trigger delays)

Fastest Approvals: 45-60 days (for well-prepared, straightforward cases)
Average Processing Time: 3-6 months
Delayed Cases: 6+ months (if additional documents or clarifications are needed)

Submitting a complete, error-free application is the best way to avoid unnecessary delays.

3. Receiving the Official Approval (Immediate After Processing)

Once approved, you’ll receive:

✔ A formal approval notice
✔ Instructions on how to collect your residence permit

At this stage, your Golden Visa is officially granted—but you still need to complete the final step: getting your residence card.

That’s what we’ll cover next.

After Approval: How Long Until You Get Your Residence Permit?

Once your Greek Golden Visa is approved, there’s just one final step: getting your physical residence permit.

But how long does that take?

Let’s break it down.

1. Booking Your Biometric Appointment (2-8 Weeks)

Before receiving your residence card, you must attend a biometric data appointment in Greece.

This appointment includes:

✔ Fingerprinting
✔ A facial photo scan
✔ Digital signature collection

How fast can you get an appointment?

• Some locations (like Athens) have long wait times—4-8 weeks.
• Smaller offices may have availability in as little as 2 weeks.

Some applicants experience delays because they don’t book their biometric appointment early. The sooner you schedule it, the faster you’ll receive your card.

2. Issuance of Your Residence Permit (2-6 Weeks After Biometrics)

Once your biometrics are collected, the residence permit takes 2-6 weeks to be issued.

• If you applied in a high-demand area, expect closer to 6 weeks.
• Some applicants receive their card within 15-30 days in less busy regions.

Once your permit is ready, you can collect it in person or authorize a lawyer to pick it up for you.

3. Can You Travel While Waiting for the Permit?

Yes.

Once you’ve received your temporary residence permit (right after submitting your application), you are legally allowed to:

• Stay in Greece while waiting for approval.
• Travel in and out of Greece freely.
• Enter the Schengen Zone, even if your visa hasn’t been finalized yet.

Your temporary residence permit serves as proof of legal stay and is valid until your official card is issued.

Total Time from Approval to Getting Your Residence Card: 1.5 to 4 Months

Now that we’ve covered the full timeline, let’s wrap up with how to speed up the process.

How to Make the Process as Fast as Possible

By now, you have a clear picture of how long it takes to get a Greek Golden Visa—from investment to approval and finally receiving your residence permit.

But what if you want to speed up the process?

Here are the biggest mistakes that slow people down—along with strategies to avoid them.

1. Delays in Choosing an Investment

The longest delay happens before you even apply.

• Buying real estate? Start searching before you begin the visa process.
• Prefer an alternative investment? Choose an option with a shorter approval timeline.

💡 Fastest Route: If you already have a property or investment in mind before applying, you can cut months off the process.

2. Not Preparing Documents in Advance

A missing or incorrect document can delay approval by months.

• Get all documents translated and legalized before submission.
• Ensure your proof of funds is clear and traceable.
• Double-check property contracts to confirm they meet Greek visa requirements.

💡 Fastest Route: Work with an expert to review your documents before submitting your application.

3. Waiting Too Long to Book Biometrics

Biometric appointments can have long wait times, especially in major cities.

Book your biometric appointment as soon as your application is submitted.

This ensures you don’t have to wait months after approval.

4. Not Using Legal Representation

While you can apply on your own, hiring a lawyer dramatically speeds up the process.

Why?

• They know which documents get approved faster.
• They can submit your application without you being in Greece.
• They can handle the process while you focus on your investment.

If you’re aiming for a fast approval, using a Greek Golden Visa expert can make a huge difference.

Realistic Timeline for the Fastest Possible Approval

If everything is perfectly planned, here’s the fastest real-world timeline:

Typical applicants take 6-12 months—but if you optimize the process, you could be holding your Golden Visa in under 5 months.

Thinking about applying for a Greek Golden Visa?

We can help you through every step—from choosing the right investment to getting your residence permit.

Get in touch today and let’s make the process simple for you.