By the end of this guide, you’ll understand every route to live in Greece—whether you’re investing, working remotely, retiring, or reuniting with family. You’ll learn specific requirements, fast-track options, tax consequences, mobility rights, and even inheritance rules, all backed by official sources.

Exploring the Main Permit Categories

Greece offers several national (Type D) residence permits. Each has distinct criteria, validity periods and renewal paths.

Investor Permit (Golden Visa)

If you invest in Greece, you can qualify for the Golden Visa.

• Minimum investment: €250,000 in real estate (official Golden Visa program requirements)
• Includes spouse and children under 21
• Initial validity: five years, renewable indefinitely
• Path to permanent residency after seven years

Statistic: According to Wikipedia’s overview of Greece’s Golden Visa program, more than 10,000 permits have been issued since launch.

Digital Nomad Visa

Launched in late 2021, this permit targets remote workers and freelancers.

• Proof of remote employment or freelance contracts
• Minimum monthly income: €3,500 (Enterprise Greece’s Digital Nomad Visa overview)
• Valid for one year, renewable up to five
• 50% income tax reduction for up to seven years under the non-dom regime (Deloitte’s analysis of Greece’s non-dom tax regime)

Retiree Residence Permit

Designed for pensioners wishing to settle in Greece.

• Stable monthly pension income of at least €2,000 (Hellenic Ministry’s guidelines for retiree residence permits)
• Proof of health insurance covering you in Greece
• Initial issuance: two years, then five-year renewals
• Leads to permanent residency after seven years

Step-by-Step Application and Fast-Track Options

Standard Application Process

1. Choose the appropriate national visa (D-type) via your local Greek consulate
2. Submit:
3. Valid passport
4. Application form
5. Proof of investment/employment/pension
6. Health insurance certificate
7. Criminal record check
8. Attend an in-person interview
9. Receive visa, enter Greece, then apply for the residence permit at an Alien and Immigration Unit

Expedited Processing

High-value investors and Greek descendants may qualify for priority handling:

• Investments exceeding €400,000 can move through a fast-track channel.
• Applicants with verified Greek ancestry (up to second generation) often see processing times halved.

Navigating Tax Residency and Financial Implications

Becoming a tax resident means spending more than 183 days in Greece annually (Tax Foundation’s analysis of Greece’s tax residency rules).

• Non-dom regime: 50% flat tax on foreign income for seven years (Deloitte’s analysis of Greece’s non-dom tax regime)
• Double taxation treaties prevent you from being taxed twice on the same income
• Wealth and inheritance taxes apply under Greek law

Schengen Mobility and EU Rights

Your Greek residence permit lets you travel freely across the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period (EU Regulation 810/2004 on the Schengen Area). You can:

• Study in another member state (with local visa if required)
• Work in certain cases (seek local work authorization)
• Reside temporarily for business or tourism

Inheritance and Property Rights

Foreign permit holders enjoy the same inheritance rules as Greek citizens:

• Direct relatives face an inheritance tax rate between 1% and 10% (KPMG’s guide to Greece’s inheritance tax rates)
• No foreign-ownership restrictions on real estate
• You can bequeath property to non-EU heirs, though tax rates may differ

What’s Changing and What to Watch

• Investment threshold increase proposals may raise the minimum real estate amount to €400,000 in 2025
• New digital services aim to cut processing times by 30% by mid-2024
• Expanded regional incentives for investments on smaller islands are under discussion

Your Greek Chapter Awaits

You now have a clear map of Greece’s residence permits—from investor to digital nomad to retiree—along with detailed application steps, tax insights, mobility rights and even inheritance rules. Whether you see yourself strolling through Athens’ ancient streets, working from a Cycladic terrace or enjoying a seaside retirement, Greece offers a tailored pathway. Your next step is gathering the required papers, reaching out to the right consulate and beginning your journey to Mediterranean life.