2024 CHANGES TO THE GOLDEN VISA PROGRAM:
The Greek Parliament has approved significant adjustments to the Greek Golden Visa program, outlined as follows:
- TWO-TIERED INVESTMENT REQUIREMENTS:
In designated areas such as Attica, Thessaloniki, Mykonos, Santorini, and islands with over 3,100 residents, the minimum real estate investment is set at €800,000. For other regions, the requirement is €400,000. Investments must be in a single property with a minimum area of 120 square meters.
In the Region of Attica, the Regional Units of Thessaloniki, Mykonos, and Santorini, as well as islands with a population exceeding 3,100 inhabitants, the minimum real estate acquisition value stands at 800,000 EUR. For all other regions in the country, the minimum value required for real estate acquisition is set at 400,000 EUR. The investment must be made in a single property with a minimum area of 120 square meters.
Specifically for Mykonos and Santorini, the minimum threshold will be raised from 500k to 800k EUR. Furthermore, an additional thirty-two islands have been included in the same list with an 800k investment requirement. However, for these islands, the minimum threshold will be directly raised from 250k to 800k EUR. These islands include:
- Crete
- Euboea (Evia)
- Rhodes
- Corfu
- Lesbos
- Chios
- Zakynthos (Zante)
- Salamis (Salamina)
- Kos
- Kefalonia
- Samos
- Lefkada
- Syros
- Naxos
- Kalymnos
- Lemnos
- Paros
- Thassos
- Aegina
- Tinos
- Ikaria
- Andros
- Leros
- Karpathos
- Skiathos
- Milos
- Skopelos
- Spetses
- Kythera
- Patmos
- Poros
- Alonissos
- EXCEPTIONS:
For properties converted from commercial to residential use, the minimum investment remains €250,000 regardless of location or size. The conversion must be completed before applying for the visa.
In cases where properties are listed and require restoration, the minimum investment remains €250,000. Full restoration is mandatory within five years for visa renewal, and the property cannot be sold until restoration is completed.
- RESTRICTIONS – NO SHORT-TERM RENTALS:
All Golden Visa properties are banned from short-term rentals, including subleasing. It’s unclear if this applies retroactively to current visa holders.
Properties obtained through conversion are also prohibited from being used as a registered company seat.
Failure to comply results in revocation of the visa and a €50,000 fine.
- TRANSITIONAL PERIOD:
Investors can apply under the previous €250,000 threshold by paying a 10% deposit before August 31, 2024, and finalizing the investment by December 31, 2024. If the property purchase isn’t completed on time, investors have until April 30, 2025, to finalize their investment.
All other aspects of the Golden Visa Law remain unchanged.


