Permanent residency for Greece

Greece offers residency by investment options to individuals who wish to purchase property or perform a strategic investment and contribute to the country’s economic development. The most attractive and profitable areas for investments in Greece are the ones in which Greece has competitive advantages under international standards, such as tourism and real estate, food and agriculture, renewable energy sources, technology and ICT, export-oriented manufacturing, environmental management, and life sciences.

The “Greece Golden Visa” permanent residency program enables applicants to live in Greece indefinitely without traveling restrictions and visa requirements across the EU. Permanent residency is granted based on the investment in Greece.

More specifically it grants a five year residency visa in return for an investment in real estate and is subject to renewal if the property investment is still retained and most importantly there is no necessity of living in Greece in order to keep and renew the visa, but citizenship can only be granted after seven years of citizenship. There is no minimum stay condition and children up to the age of 21 are included in the family application. The investor and his/her family will have free access to the Greek health system and also your children will be free to attend the Greek Educational institutions (schools, universities, etc.).

One advantage and reason why the Greek program is quite attractive is that the required investment amount scheme is the lowest scheme among the Southern European countries that have created their own investment-based real estate programs. Thus, a foreign investor may purchase multiple properties whose values combined makeup at least 250,000 Euros in order to meet the required investment amount. That/s what makes it the most affordable residency based on investment including the family members and granting free visa access to the Schengen Zone within 2 months of submitting an application.

Investment Options

• Purchase real estate property in mainland Greece or surrounding islands with a minimum value of €250,000,
• Sign a 10-year lease with minimum €250,000 for hotel or other tourist residences.
• Have purchased a property before 2013 currently worth €250,000 or more.
• Own Greece real estate of minimum value €250,000 acquired through donation or parental concession.
• Purchase land with intent to build, the provided value of land and construction contract is minimum €250,000.
• Summary of the Benefits of Greece Immigration Golden Visa Investor Program
• Greek residency for a property purchase of just €250,000.
• Live and work in Greece when maintaining a residence in another country.
• Access to Greek educational institutions
• Visa-free access to the Schengen area of EU countries
• Family members are included.
• Visa can be renewed every five years

Process for Obtaining Residence

Before applying for Greek residence, the applicant must first have a visa valid for entry into the country. The process for this first step is widely dependent upon the foreign national’s country of origin as nationals of EU countries and the United States have different entry visa requirements than other nations.

The application for foreign investors or property owners must contain three color photos of the investor, a copy of the investor’s passport, a health certificate from a Greek doctor certifying that the investor is free of communicable diseases and also a clear criminal record and medical insurance to cover any stay in Greece. The application must have a copy of the contract for the purchase of the property (or properties) that are valued at a minimum of 250,000 Euros or proof of the title transfer if the property has already been transferred to the investor, also a notarized statement confirming that the contract satisfies the requirements for investment-based residence in Greece.

The application must be submitted to Greece’s Aliens and Immigration of the Decentralized Authority agency. If the agency Secretary supports the application, the investor and family will get the residence permit.

The above process usually takes approximately 40 days from the time of investment until the Residency Permit is issued. Prior to applying for a residence permit, the property investment in Greece has to be implemented.

ADVANTAGES OF PERMANENT RESIDENCY IN GREECE

1. Living in Greece

Once granted, the Permanent Residency Permit includes the whole family: the main applicant and spouse, their parents and children under 21 years of age. All of them will have free access to the Greek health system, free to attend to the Greek Educational organizations (schools, universities, etc.). there is no requirement to live in Greece prior to or during the Golden Visa residency application, or even after residency has been granted.

2. Free Travel

Visa-free travel across the EU without traveling restrictions and visa requirements.

3. Fast Application Processing

All applications are evaluated by the Greek government within approximately two months from the date of filing. The applicant’s presence is not required, the application can be filed on their behalf.

4. Favorable Tax Structure

There are not any tax implications unless you reside in the country for over 183 days during the year.

Citizenship for Greece:

Greek citizenship gives you the right to get a Greek ID and enjoy the same rights as Greeks and other European Union citizens. For example, you will be able to live in another EU country, which is something you cannot do as a recognized refugee. Also, you will be able to vote in Greek elections. Those that have not Greek ancestors but want to become Greek citizens must have legally lived in Greece for a duration of ten years within the last twelve years in order to apply for citizenship. The applicant must be an adult at the time of the lodging of the application and must not have been convicted of any of a range of crimes — including drug trafficking, money laundering, international economic crimes, crimes committed with the use of modern technology, monetary crimes, crimes against adolescents, smuggling and so on -or any crime receiving a sentence of a year or more in prison.

HOW TO APPLY:

First, go to the municipality of the permanent address is and submit a declaration that you want Greek citizenship. Next, you can apply for Greek citizenship before the Administrative Office of the Municipality.

The following documents will be required:

• The application form for Greek citizenship
• A copy of the declaration for Greek citizenship submitted to the municipality
• One color ID photo
• A copy of the previously granted Residence Permit
• A copy of your Travel Document, if there is one
• Birth certificate from the country of origin, but if it is not possible to present this document, the candidate can submit the decision granting asylum
• Tax declaration from the previous year
• The applicant’s AMKA number

The only way for a foreign citizen to acquire Greek citizenship is naturalization, which is the administrative act by which the Greek Government makes a foreigner a Greek citizen.

The documents to apply for naturalization are as follows:

a) A validated copy of the naturalization statement,

b) A copy of the Social Security Number (AMKA),

c) A validated copy of a passport, ID or any other travel document proving identity,

d) A copy of the residence permit in force,

e) Birth certificate of the applicant or other equivalent certificate provided by the legislation of the first country of nationality,

f) Copy of a statement of income or tax return for the last financial year.

Work Permit for Greece

Foreign workers, especially those who are non-EU citizens are required to have the proper visas and work permits in Greece.

Requirements for citizens of EU-EEA

If the applicant is a citizen from an EU-EEA member state, things are rather simple, all they need is their passport or ID to reside and work in Greece without any restriction. After spending a full three months (90 days) in Greece you should obtain a Certificate of Registration from the Aliens bureau. In order to obtain the Certificate, the applicant needs to just visit the local police station and ask whether they have a foreigner’s department, if not they can point you towards the direction of the closest police station that has one. This Certificate is free of any charges and does not expire. To get it, you’ll need to provide the following:

• An application form from the police station
• A copy of your passport or ID.
• 4 standard passport photos.
• Proof that you have medical insurance or private health insurance.
• If you are an employing a certificate from your employer or proof of other sufficient financial resources.
• If you’re retired, a letter from your pension provider that states the annual income (translated in Greek).

Some evidence that you have a local residence (a rental agreement, documents of property ownership documents or a statement from the person who’s signing the property deed).

After five years of living in Greece, you can get a Permanent Residence Certificate, which doesn’t expire either.

For now EU-EEA citizens

If you’re not coming from an EU-EEA country, the process will be much more complicated. Once you have received your visa to travel to Greece and have successfully joined the country, you will need to apply for a residence/work permit. There are various types of permits, so read below to find what applies to your case.

A National Work visa

This is an Entry type of visa, which suggests you’ll have to have it issued before your arrival to the country alongside the entry visa if you plan to stay in Greece for more than 90 days. To get it, you’ll need to have and present a job offer from a Greek company or from a company in your home country with a Greek branch that you’re going to be transferred to. The documents generally required for a National Work visa are a valid passport, your contract (or offer) of employment, some proof of medical insurance and a clear criminal background check, but for more details, you will need to contact your local Greek embassy or consulate.

This process can prolong up to a year. One possible way of obtaining this type of visa is to enter the country on a tourist visa, find a job and an employer who tends to sponsor your work visa and permit and then, once you and your potential employer have met, after being interviewed you are sure you got the job, you need to return to your home country in order to issue a work visa. Your potential employer has to complete the paperwork, submit it to the Office of Manpower and the Ministry of Interior Affairs, justify why you should be hired instead of a Greek national or other EU citizen, and then put up a deposit of several months’ salary. Once everything above is done and the process is completed, the official work invitation letter and contract should be sent from Greece to the Greek embassy/consulate in the applicant’s country of residence, which will invite you to interview with them before approving the visa.

As it is seen above, this option of work visa obtainment involves several steps and requires a fairly long time, besides it is really hard to find and get an employer ready to do all that stuff as it is much easier for them to hire candidates already in Greece taking also into account that the employer has to show an annual profit of a certain amount of his/her private business or company.

Get your own working permit

If you don’t have any sponsors, you have to get it by yourself. Within 30 days of your arrival in the country, you must apply in person for a residence/work permit at the local Municipal Office. It’s very important to start the process early on because the process is lengthy and may take a few months so if your visa expires before your application papers go through, you’ll be required to leave the country and start the process from the beginning. To obtain your permit, you need to present, in Greek, the following documents:

• Your Entry Visa.
• Your passport and its copy and two passport photos.
• A certificate of medical insurance.
• A health certificate from a state hospital stating that you don’t have any communicable diseases.
• Some proof that you have a local residence address whether it is a rental contract or something else.
• Some proof that you can support yourself financially, be it job or other resources
• A tax number (AFM) from the local tax office and proof that you paid the required fee.
• From the nearest Social Security Institute (IKA) office or the Citizens Service Office (KEP) a social security number (AMKA)

Visa for Greece

• Transit Visa
• Tourist Visa – Visiting Family/Friends
• Business Visa
• Medical Treatment
• Cultural/Sports/Religious Events and Film Crews
• Study – Research – Internship(Short Course)
• Members of Official Delegation
• Sea Farer
• Long Stay National – “D” Visa

General required documents for a Greece Visa Application:

• Completed Visa application form
• 2 recently taken passport format photos must be attached with a whole-face capture with a light background
• Your passport with at least 2 blank pages and copies of your previous visas.
• Medical insurance confirmation of minimum 30,000 € coverage for traveling within Greece and the whole Schengen area
• A cover letter stating the purpose of visit to Greece
• Record of civil status (marriage certificate, death certificate of spouse, birth certificate of children, ration card if applicable)
• Flight details and Itinerary with dates and flight numbers particularizing entry and exit from Greece
• Hotel Reservation for the entire duration of the intended stay in Greece.
• Proof of sufficient financial means for the period of stay in Greece

Additional documents may be required depending on the status of the applicant:

Greece Tourist/Visitor Visa:

• An Invitation letter from family members or friends residing in Greece with their address and phone number
• Bank account statement of the last 6 months
• Passport copies

Greece Visa for Medical Purposes:

• A medical report from the country of residence
• A medical statement from a local hospital or a doctor in Greece, confirming the date of your arrangement as well as describing your medical situation
• Proof of paid medical fees
• Greece Visa for Study, Training, Research, or another type of Internship Purposes:
• A certificate proving enrollment in any school, university, seminar, etc.
• Certificate of completed courses
• Financial situation

Greece Visa For The spouse of a Greek citizen:

• Proof that one of the spouses obtains Greek citizenship, for example, ID card or consular card or certification of Greek nationality or naturalization order
• Marriage certificate
• Family record book

Greece Visa for Under-Age Children:

• Proof of parent’s regular financial income, work contract or business license
• Notarized parental travel permission from both parents

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Taxes In Greece

The taxation system in Greece is implemented in direct and indirect systems. Greece taxes its residents on income earned in any part of the world but reduces tax liability for the tax that was paid in the foreign country in which the profits arose. The tax rates differ depending on the type of income. The country has multiple agreements to avoid the double imposition of taxes.

• Income tax
• Social security tax
• Employees
• Self-employed or contractors
• Corporation tax
• Capital gains tax
• Withholding tax
• VAT
• Tax exemptions
• Tax deductions
• Business deductions
• Payments

Non-residents in Greece will make a tax payment on their income derived in Greece but not on income from outside of the country. Income tax starts at a rate of 22%. Property-based income is taxed at rates, from 11% to 33%. Certain expenses are deductible from the gross income. Capital gains tax (CGT) is charged at 15% on property sales.

Business Establishment in Greece

The basic options to structure a business in Greece are Corporation, Limited Liability Corporation (LLC) and Partnership/Joint Venture (JV).
Greece business visa is designed for those business professionals who intend to visit Greece with a particular business purpose with Greek companies and other clients in the search for new business opportunities. Applying for the business visa they gain the right to participate in business-related activities in Greece such as business meetings and conferences, seminars.
Greece Business Visa Documents Checklist for Applicant
1. Original Passport valid for at least six months
2. 3 Photographs close up of your head and top of your shoulders and so white background
3. Financial statements for the last 3 months.
4. Employment reference letter and pay slips.
5. Income Tax Returns.
6. Travel medical insurance shall be with validation throughout the territory of the Member
States and include the entire period of the person’s intended stay or transit. The minimum coverage shall be EUR 30 000.
7. Flight reservation and hotel booking
8. Business bank statement of the latest 6 months
9. An introductory business plan
10. Business license copied

Disclaimer for Immigration, Greece

We DO NOT provide consultancy for illegal immigration to Greece and do not promote illegal immigration for Greece, including, illegal residency for Greece or illegal work permit for Greece. Also, we do not entertain agents for illegal immigration for Greece.

Information provided on https://www.millionmakers.com regarding Greece cannot be taken as legal advice in any way, please consult immigration lawyer in Greece for expert legal advice for Greece.

We don’t support or provide any of our services to below mentioned Individuals or category(s) of business in Greece for immigration:

• Any device for Greece that might result in abuse of human rights in Greece or be utilized for torture in Greece.
• Trade in Greece, distribution in Greece and/or manufacturing of arms in Greece, weapons in Greece, ammunition in Greece, mercenary or contract soldiering in Greece.
• Espionage in Greece or technical surveillance in Greece or bugging instrumentation or equipment in Greece.
• Any illegal activities in Greece or criminal activities in Greece or company(s) or individual(s) that are black listed in Greece under The Law of Greece.
• Genetic material in Greece.
• Hazardous or Dangerous or risky biological, chemical or nuclear materials which also includes, instrumentation or machinery accustomed for disposing or manufacturing or handling of any such material(s).
• Trading in Greece, storage in Greece or transportation of Human or animal organ(s) in Greece, use of animals in Greece or abuse of animals in Greece for any scientific or product testing.
• Adoption agencies in Greece, as well as, surrogate parenting procedures in Greece or any kind of abuse of human rights in Greece.
• Non-secular cults in Greece and their charities.
• Pornography in Greece.
• Drug paraphernalia in Greece.
• Pyramid sales in Greece.