Is Greece residency still worth considering for investors in 2026?

Posted by goldenvisa6387@reddit | expats | View on Reddit | 5 comments

Many people focus on investment amount, but lifestyle, taxes, and long-term plans also matter. Curious what others think.

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ellytic@reddit

Greece has been an attractive option for residency, especially for investors, but there are a few factors to consider moving into 2026.

Investment Options: The Golden Visa program is still a popular route for investors. It typically requires a minimum investment in real estate (currently €250,000). This can provide residency for you and your family.
Lifestyle: Greece offers a rich culture, beautiful landscapes, and a generally pleasant climate. Many expats find the lifestyle appealing, with a slower pace and strong community ties.
Tax Considerations: While Greece has a relatively high tax rate, there are some benefits for residents. For instance, the non-dom regime allows foreign income to be taxed at a flat rate, which could be beneficial for investors. However, it's essential to stay updated on any changes in tax law, as these can impact your long-term plans.
Bureaucracy: Navigating Greek bureaucracy can be challenging, especially for newcomers. Be prepared for potential delays and ensure you have all necessary documents in order, such as proof of investment, residency applications, and any required translations.

Overall, if you’re considering a long-term investment in Greece, the residency options can be appealing, but it’s crucial to weigh all factors related to lifestyle and taxes.

If you're looking to register for an AFM (tax number), get certified translations, or handle banking onboarding, feel free to reach out. Full disclosure: I work at Ellytic (ellytic.com), which helps with these specific services. Happy to answer any questions!

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forreddituse2@reddit

If you are not aiming for citizenship, the programs Greece offers (golden, FIP, and digital nomad visa) are good. With foreign income, living in Greece is comfortable. Just be aware of wild fire and do not hiking in summer. (Stupid tourists from northern Europe countries die every year because of heat stroke.) Tax is not an issue as long as you registered TIN in tax office for overseas residents. The tax agency is busy enough catching their own citizens (Greeks are tax evading masters) so the only tax you need to pay is the property tax (if you buy a house). For long term plans, the leftist parties (mainly PASOK) are weak and unlikely to govern again so you can expect policy consistency. Also Greece maintains a large army so the potential threats (Turkey and Russia) will think twice before launching any missiles.

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Far_Look_4801@reddit

AFAIK, if you register as a foreign resident with the tax authority you will not meet the continuous legal residence requirement as you have openly stated you actually do not reside in the country. You need to have legal continuous residence of 7 years (or 3 of you have a child with a Greek citizen) to be eligible for citizenship.

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forreddituse2@reddit

Another reason for not pursuing citizenship is the conscription (up to age 45). Most foreigners do not have feud with Turkey and are not interested in Cyprus.

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Virtual_Bluebird_107@reddit

I looked into Greece recently and had the same impression at first.

The more I got into it, the more it felt like the investment is just one part of the picture, a lot seems to depend on how everything around it is set up.

It ended up being a bit more nuanced than I expected.