Do You Need to Live in Greece to Keep the Golden Visa?

One of the biggest advantages of the Greek Golden Visa is that it doesn’t come with any residency requirements.

Unlike other European Golden Visa programs that expect investors to spend a minimum number of days in the country, Greece lets you hold the visa without living there at all.

That’s right—you could get a Greek Golden Visa, keep it for years, and never actually move to Greece.

As long as you maintain your investment and renew your permit every five years, your residency remains valid.

But here’s the catch.

Just because you don’t need to live in Greece doesn’t mean you shouldn’t spend time there.

The Golden Visa keeps your residency active, but it doesn’t automatically give you citizenship, tax benefits, or local rights beyond the residency itself.

So, while living in Greece is not required, there are some situations where spending time in the country could be beneficial.

Let’s break down when you can live abroad freely—and when you might want to consider staying in Greece.

Can You Keep Your Greek Golden Visa Without Living in Greece?

Yes, you can.

Greece does not require Golden Visa holders to live in the country to maintain their residency.

This is one of the biggest reasons the Greek Golden Visa is so attractive to investors—it’s a true residency-by-investment program, not a residency-by-commitment program.

That means you can live anywhere in the world while keeping your Golden Visa active.

Unlike some countries that require Golden Visa holders to spend a minimum number of days per year in the country, Greece has no such requirement.

So, what does that actually mean for you?

If your goal is simply to hold EU residency—without needing to relocate, work, or change your lifestyle—you can keep your Greek Golden Visa indefinitely without ever needing to move. As long as you:

• Keep your investment active.
• Renew your permit every five years.
• Follow Greece’s legal and compliance rules.

Then you’re completely fine.

No physical stay is required.

But does this mean you should ignore Greece completely?

Not necessarily.

While there’s no residency requirement, spending time in Greece could bring other benefits—especially if you ever plan to apply for citizenship.

Let’s take a look at how that works.

What If You Want Greek Citizenship?

While you don’t need to live in Greece to keep your Golden Visa, things change if your goal is citizenship.

The Greek Golden Visa is a residency permit, not a passport.

If you want full Greek citizenship, you’ll need to go through the naturalization process, which has one big requirement: you must actually live in Greece for at least seven years.

This is where the difference between residency and citizenship really matters.

• With a Golden Visa, you can live anywhere and keep your Greek residency as long as your investment remains active.
• With Greek citizenship, you get an EU passport, allowing you to live, work, and move freely across Europe—but you must first spend at least 183 days per year in Greece for seven years to qualify.

It’s not just about time.

You’ll also need to:

• Pass a Greek language test (B1 level).
• Show knowledge of Greek history, culture, and society.
• Prove that you’ve integrated into Greek life—owning property helps, but you’ll need deeper connections.

So, if your plan is to eventually become a Greek citizen, keeping your Golden Visa without living in Greece won’t be enough.

You’ll have to commit to spending at least half the year in Greece for seven years.

But what if you’re not interested in citizenship?

Do you need to worry about things like tax residency or having an address in Greece?

Let’s take a closer look.

Do You Need a Greek Address or Tax Residency?

If you hold a Greek Golden Visa, you’re not automatically considered a Greek tax resident.

That’s because the visa is a residency permit, not a tax obligation.

You can live anywhere in the world and still keep your Golden Visa, as long as your investment stays active.

But here’s where things can get a little tricky.

Do You Need a Greek Address?

Technically, no.

You don’t need to rent or buy a home in Greece if you already qualify for the Golden Visa through property ownership or another investment.

However, for practical reasons, having a registered address in Greece can make things easier when:

• Renewing your Golden Visa.
• Receiving official documents or correspondence.
• Applying for bank accounts or utility services.

Many Golden Visa holders use their investment property as their registered address, even if they don’t live there full-time.

If you’re planning to spend some time in Greece, this can be a convenient option.

Will You Be Considered a Greek Tax Resident?

That depends on how much time you spend in Greece.

• If you live in Greece for less than 183 days per year, you are not considered a tax resident. You only pay tax on income earned within Greece (such as rental income).
• If you spend more than 183 days per year in Greece, you automatically become a Greek tax resident, meaning you may need to pay tax on your worldwide income.

For most Golden Visa holders, Greek tax residency is optional—unless you choose to live in Greece for more than half the year.

If you keep your primary residence in another country and visit Greece occasionally, you won’t be taxed as a resident.

So, while living in Greece isn’t required, some Golden Visa holders choose to spend time there for personal or business reasons.

But could the rules change in the future?

Let’s explore that next.

Can Greece Change the Rules in the Future?

Right now, the Greek Golden Visa has no residency requirement, making it one of the most flexible investment residency programs in Europe.

But could this change in the future?

The short answer: It’s possible, but unlikely for existing visa holders.

Could Greece Introduce a Minimum Stay Requirement?

Other EU countries, like Portugal and Spain, have tightened their Golden Visa rules in recent years, adding new conditions and even restricting real estate-based investments.

Greece, on the other hand, has kept its investor-friendly approach, but governments can always revise policies over time.

If Greece decided to add a minimum stay requirement, there are a few possible ways it could happen:

• Future applicants may need to spend a certain number of days per year in Greece to qualify for renewals.
• Existing Golden Visa holders might be grandfathered in, meaning they keep their original residency terms without new restrictions.

Historically, Greece has been one of the most stable Golden Visa programs in the EU, so sudden drastic changes are unlikely.

However, investors who secure their visa sooner rather than later can lock in their residency status before any future restrictions take effect.

What Happens to Existing Golden Visa Holders if the Law Changes?

Greece has always protected existing investors when making changes to immigration or tax policies.

If new residency rules are introduced, they would likely apply only to new applicants, while current Golden Visa holders would continue under their original terms.

That’s why many investors prefer to secure their residency early—to avoid potential policy shifts down the line.

Even though you’re not required to live in Greece, is it a good idea to spend time there anyway?

Let’s explore why some investors choose to stay in Greece, even without a legal requirement to do so.

Best Strategy: Should You Spend Time in Greece?

Even though Greece doesn’t require you to live there to keep your Golden Visa, many investors choose to spend at least some time in the country.

Why?

Because while it’s not legally necessary, it can offer several advantages—both financially and personally.

1. Easier Renewals and Bureaucratic Processes

If you plan to keep your Golden Visa long-term, spending some time in Greece can simplify paperwork and renewals.

When it’s time to renew, having a local presence, an active address, and a history of engagement can make the process smoother.

Some investors face minor delays in renewals due to administrative backlogs.

Being in Greece—even briefly—can help avoid unnecessary complications when submitting paperwork or attending in-person appointments.

2. Faster Path to Citizenship

If you ever plan to apply for Greek citizenship, spending time in Greece is mandatory.

You’ll need to have lived in the country for at least seven years and prove your integration into Greek society.

Even if you’re not sure whether you want to become a Greek citizen, spending occasional time in Greece keeps the option open.

If you later decide to apply for citizenship, having an existing presence makes the transition easier.

3. Tax and Business Advantages

While the Greek Golden Visa doesn’t automatically make you a tax resident, some investors choose to spend time in Greece for tax optimization or business reasons. Greece offers:

• A low tax regime for foreign retirees.
• Special tax incentives for high-net-worth individuals moving to Greece.
• A growing real estate and tourism market, which investors can manage directly.

If you own property and rent it out, spending time in Greece also helps you stay on top of local real estate trends, pricing, and legal requirements.

4. Enjoying the Lifestyle & Travel Benefits

Beyond the legal and financial side, there’s one simple reason why many investors choose to spend time in Greece—because it’s an incredible place to live.

The Golden Visa gives you full access to the country, meaning you can:

• Enjoy the Mediterranean lifestyle without any long-term commitment.
• Use Greece as a base for traveling within the EU and Schengen Zone.
• Spend part of the year in Athens, Crete, Santorini, or other destinations, depending on the season.

For many investors, having the flexibility to live in Greece when they want—without being required to—makes the Golden Visa even more valuable.

Do You Need to Live in Greece?

The Greek Golden Visa doesn’t require you to live in Greece—your residency stays valid as long as you keep your investment.

But while living there isn’t necessary, it can provide practical and financial benefits.

If your goal is just long-term residency, you can hold onto your Golden Visa indefinitely without moving.

If your goal is citizenship, you’ll need to commit to living in Greece for seven years.

Either way, the Greek Golden Visa gives you the freedom to choose—which is what makes it one of the most flexible investor residency programs in Europe.

Need Help With Your Greek Golden Visa?

At Totsi, we help investors secure, renew, and maximize their Greek Golden Visa.

Whether you need guidance on investments, residency rules, or long-term planning, we’re here to assist.

Get in touch today and let’s make your Greek residency strategy work for you.