Buy a house and get a visa! How does the Greek Golden Visa allow overseas investors to kill two birds with one stone?

With the free flow of global capital, overseas real estate has become one of the choices for many investors to diversify investment risks and enrich asset portfolios. Greece, known for its rich history and comfortable climate, has now become the focus of global investors and families. Investing overseas in Greece is not only due to its high-quality living environment, but also because of its affordable investment threshold and the government’s active immigration policies, especially Greece’s Golden Visa program, which has attracted widespread international attention.

The advantages of Greek real estate investment immigration

Investing in Greek real estate is not only because of its charming Mediterranean climate and beautiful beaches, but also because it can bring stable asset appreciation. In order to attract foreign investment, the Greek government has launched various incentive measures including tax incentives, among which the Golden Visa program is particularly popular. It greatly reduces the investment threshold and makes Greece one of the most attractive investment immigration destinations in Europe.

Even though Greece has experienced an economic crisis, its real estate market has stabilized and shown signs of recovery, especially in popular tourist areas where house prices continue to rise. This not only provides investors with excellent opportunities for capital appreciation, but also ensures a long-term source of rental income.

Detailed explanation of the Golden Visa program

Greece’s Golden Visa program has been a direct and effective way for non-European Union investors worldwide to obtain residency through real estate investment since its launch. The program has been widely welcomed due to its clear entry requirements and relatively low investment threshold. Recent policy adjustments have further refined the program to adapt to changing market and investor needs, with significant modifications in investment amount and property requirements.

Firstly, for popular investment areas in Greece such as Attica, Thessaloniki, Mykonos, and Santorini, the investment threshold has been raised from 250,000 euros to 800,000 euros, and investors are required to purchase properties with an area of 120 square meters or more. This adjustment reflects the high appreciation potential and popularity of the real estate market in these areas.

In more remote areas, the new investment threshold is set at 400,000 euros, and the purchase condition is also a residence of more than 120 square meters. This change aims to encourage investors to explore more areas of Greece while also ensuring the quality of investment.

In addition to these adjustments, the policy also retains investment incentives for specific types of real estate. For example, investment projects that convert commercial real estate to residential use or restore cultural relics buildings still have an investment threshold of 250,000 euros.

These policy adjustments not only enhance Greece’s attractiveness as an investment destination, but also ensure that investors and their families can enjoy high-quality life and convenient travel rights in the Schengen area.

Holders of the Greek Golden Visa program and their family members can obtain residency and enjoy Greece’s high-quality education and medical services. These benefits make Greece unique in the global immigration investment market and a preferred destination for many families and investors.

How to start real estate investment

Clearly define investment goals and budgets

Before investing, you need to first understand your long-term goals: are you seeking short-term high returns or long-term capital appreciation? What is your budget, which will directly affect the areas and property types you can invest in. The budget not only includes the purchase cost, but also additional purchase taxes, lawyer fees, property management fees, and possible renovation costs.

Choose the appropriate overseas remittance method

Bank telegraphic transfer is a commonly used overseas remittance method, with fast remittance speed, large amount, but relatively high fees. Here we recommend using BiyaPay , a more convenient global multi-asset transaction wallet. It supports real-time exchange rate inquiry and exchange of more than 30 legal currencies and more than 200 digital currencies, with a handling fee as low as 0.5%. Local transfer methods can achieve zero cost in the middle of bank remittance, unlimited amount, and instant arrival.

Choose the appropriate area and property type

The real estate market in Greece is diverse, ranging from central apartments in Athens to sea-view villas in Santorini. The market conditions and potential returns in each region are different, so choosing the right area is crucial. For example, tourist hotspots may offer high rental income, while suburban areas or lesser-known islands may offer greater appreciation potential.

Conduct market research and preliminary screening

After selecting a region, it is necessary to conduct in-depth research on the local real estate market. This includes analyzing current market prices, understanding future development plans in the region, and their possible impact on property values. At this time, working with local real estate brokers can greatly improve efficiency. They not only provide market data, but also offer investment opportunities that are about to go public.

Legal and financial preparedness

The legal and financial matters that need to be prepared before purchasing property are complex and critical. This includes all legal procedures from contract review to completion of the purchase, ensuring that all documents and processes comply with Greek law. At the same time, reasonable tax planning is also very important to minimize financial burden.

Work with professionals

Working with experienced real estate agents, lawyers, and tax advisors is crucial during the home buying process. They can not only help you avoid potential legal and financial pitfalls, but also ensure a smooth purchase process. Especially when dealing with international real estate transactions, the role of professional advisors is indispensable.

Overall, investing by buying a house overseas, especially in Greece, is not only a cross-border flow of capital, but also a choice of lifestyle and a reflection of long-term planning. Through reasonable planning, not only can asset allocation bring more abundant and stable returns to investors, but also help change the environment and obtain a higher quality of life.