Since I moved to Greece in February 2019, I've been asked a lot about what kinds of visas are available to spend more than just a few months in Greece. As a result, I figured I would write out exactly what I've learned directly from my professional friends at the Greek Embassy in Chicago about some of the most appealing options. If you have questions about what's required for any visas that can get you to Greece, I have some answers that you may not be able to find online. This is especially helpful if you're interested in becoming a permanent resident in Greece (ask me how; there's a whole course online about How to Move to Greece that I'm excited to promote!).
Disclaimer 1: I'm not a lawyer; I just know exactly what you need for any visa you could possibly want to live in Greece.
Disclaimer 2: You must get your visa in your home country as it's not going to be possible to get one while you're already abroad.
Disclaimer 3: There may be visa processing fees at your local Greek Consulate from anywhere between $50 to $300 USD, give or take $100.
C.3.2 Owners and Prospect Real Estate Property Investors
As provided in point B, Article 20 of Law 4251/2014, as amended by par. 26-30, Article 8 of Law 4332/2015, non EU/EEA nationals wishing to buy real estate property in Greece, who have started or have not yet completed the buying process, as well as real estate property owners in Greece (minimum investment amount: 250,000 euros)Â may be granted following an interview, a national visa indicating, in the field "REMARKS" of the visa sticker, the reference <<C.3.2 Real Estate Owners>>.
Please note that, exceptionally, holders of Schengen visas (type C) may be entitled to lodge an application for a residence permit if, during their stay in Greece, they complete the process of buying real estate property.
A) Issuance of a national visa in case the buying process has not yet started or is not complete:
The supporting documents required to be submitted by non EU/EEA nationals with the consular authority, to grant them a visa, are the following:
Evidence of financial means, such as a certificate issued by a recognized bank or an official financial institution or another recognized custodian of securities, attesting the existence of bank accounts or accounts of other securities, in particular bonds or shares, to cover the investment capital, equal to at least two hundred and fifty thousand (250,000) euros.
A copy of a brokerage contract with a lawyer or a law firm or a real estate property agency.
The general supporting documents (application, valid travel document, criminal record, medical certificate, health insurance).
B) Issuance of visas to real estate property owners:
The beneficiaries of a specific category national visa are non EU/EEA nationals who are:
(1) Owners
Owners, either personally or through a legal entity, under the condition that they fully own the shares or the corporate units, in full title, occupancy and possession, of a real estate property in Greece, the minimum value of which is two hundred and fifty thousand (250,000) euros. [Right of shared ownership: a right of residence is granted only if the owners of the real estate property are spouses, holding the real estate property undivided. In all other cases of shared ownership, the right of residence is granted only if the amount invested by each co-owner amounts to 250,000 euros.]
In addition, it concerns non EU/EEA nationals who:
purchased a real estate property before the entry into force of Law 4146/2013.
acquired their property by donation or parental benefit. The residence right, in this case, is exercised only by the donatary or the recipient of the parental benefit.
purchased a parcel or plot and then constructed a building, if the combined value of the purchase contract and the contractor's building contract is at least equal to two hundred and fifty thousand (250,000) euros.
(2) Tenants
Tenants, for at least 10 years, of hotel accommodation or tourist furnished residences in tourist complexes provided by Article 8, par. 2 of Law 4002/2011 (Government Gazette No. 180, Series A), if the minimum amount of the lease is equal to two hundred and fifty thousand (250,000) euros
Tenants, for at least 10 years, on a timeshare basis, pursuant to Law 1652/1986. A time sharing agreement under the Article 1 of Law 1652/1986, is the commitment on the part of the lessor to concede annually, to the lesee, during the contract, the use of a tourist accommodation and provide him/her with related services for a specified in the contract period and for the tenant to pay the rent agreed.
The above may be accompanied or followed by their family members, provided that their subsistence and health care expenses will not burden the Greek national welfare system and provided they are granted, following an interview, a national visa indicating, in the field "REMARKS" of the visa sticker, the reference <<F.1 Family members of third-country nationals>>. The national visa is granted upon presentation of the following supporting documents:
A purchase contract stating that "the purchase contract of the real estate property is not conditional, the total consideration amounts to ... which was fully paid by means of a crossed bank check or a bank transfer" and a proof for the transcription of the contract issued by the competent land registry
In order for the consular authorities to establish if a crossed bank check, issued by a branch of a third country's banking institution, can be accepted, a list of third country banking institutions operating in Greece is available on the website of the Bank of Greece and, in particular, at the following link: https://www.bankofgreece.gr/Pages/el/Supervision/SupervisedInstitutions/default.aspx
or
A notary certificate (in case, at the time of buying the real estate property, an amount less than two hundred and fifty thousand (250,000) euros was paid, but the current rateable value of the real estate property exceeds or is equal to this amount, stating "When examining the real estate property purchase contract under No. ..., it arises that the price of the real estate property value was fully paid and the contract is NO LONGER conditional or under a deadline and the rateable value of the real estate property, as it stands today, equals to ...".
A copy of a notarial lease document for the hotel accommodation or tourist furnished residences in tourise complexes, proving the single payment of 250,000 euros and mentioning that a relevant operation sign has been issued by the EOT (Hellenic Tourist Organization) and
A proof of transcription issued by the competent land registry in which the corresponding rental agreement has been transcribed or
A purchase contract for a parcel or plot and a construction building/renovation contract for a residence, filed with the tax office, in accordance with the law and
A building permit in the name of the person concerned and
Invoices from the contractor/s and the corresponding receipts or
A timeshare contract for at least ten years, stating the price corresponding per year and
A proof of transcription issued by the competent land register and
A certificate issued by EOT that it is aware of the specific time sharing agreement.
The general supporting documents (application, valid travel document, criminal record, medical certificate, health insurance).
The above may be accompanied or followed by their family members, provided that their subsistence and health care expenses will not burden the Greek national welfare system and provided they are granted, following an interview, a national visa indicating, in the field "REMARKS" of the visa sticker, the reference "F.1. Family members of third-country nationals." The national visa is granted upon presentation of the following supporting documents:
The family status certificate issued by the local competent authorities, proving family relationship.
The general supporting documents (application, valid travel document, criminal record, medical certificate, health insurance).
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