Living in Greece Information

Last Update July 28, 2023

The Greek system of Golden Visa was begun in 2013 and Greece's application time line is considered particularly fast, with an average of 60 days for application approval with the €250,000 real estate investment fee. However, the fee cost is set to change to €500,000 for some areas, and there has been growing pressure from the EC European Commission for countries to end the programs.

Related: Real Estate in Greece

Golden Visa Programs in Europe

Serious security concerns in the EU about Golden Visa programs linked to abuse by organized crime and tax evaders – EuroWeekly News July 19, 2023

Portugal has been a top destinations for high-profile US investors but the program's untenable situation is causing Americans to turn to Greece with an increase of 740% in applications.

Information Pages:

VISA Page at the Greek Government Website (in Greek. Use Google Translate to convert to another language.)

Media Articles:

Golden Visa program produces €5 billion in "sales" in just five months

July 19, 2023: Story at OT Financial Post [Greek]

Jobs using English in Greece – Media Feed MSN

Article discusses types of work available for people with English language skills (mostly jobs around the large Greek tourism industry, but there are non-tourism jobs mentioned, too). Covers basic list of legal requirements for working and residency.

The changing of the Golden Visa program

March 10, 2023: story at OT Financial Post [Greek]

Golden Visa doubles to €500,000 for some areas

December 17, 2022: Story at Imerisia [Greek]

How the Golden Visa program has changed

October 10, 2022: Story at Imerisia [Greek]

Mitsotakis announces doubling of fee of "golden visa" program

September 14, 2022: Story at Keep Talking Greece [English]

Some "Golden Visa" holders are selling properties and exiting

July 14, 2022: Story at Kathimerini [Greek]

Decline in rate of Golden Visa applications

July 16, 2022: Story at Naftemporiki [Greek]

Seven out of ten "golden visas" are for Chinese

April 23, 2022: Story at OT Financial Post [Greek]

Studying in Greece

March 26, 2021: Article "Want to study in Greece" Here’s why you should" at Study International

How we retired to Greece

She and her husband, Americans in their 60s, moved here without speaking Greek and only weeks after she retired from her job in Arkansas. They settled on Athens after considering Tampa, Fla., Barcelona and Venice and say it’s a great fit for what they want: easy travel and an affordable place to live.

December 3, 2020: Story at MSN News

Tax reduction benefits for foreigner workers moving to Greece

November 25, 2020: Article at Daily Hellas [in Greek]

Online Groups and Websites

Facebook Expat group in Athens - in English

XE.GR - housing, jobs, and sale item classified ads -in Greek

Living in Greece - in English - Blog which addresses many bureaucratic and practical aspects of living in Greece with personal anecdotes and some step-by-step guidance on maneuvering through problems. Hasn't been updated for years but is a wealth of helpful info.