Golden visa program in Greece have generated €1 billion euros with significant number of chinese and russians buying property in Greece. Permanent residence permits valid for 5 years issued to investors from outside europe who invest no less than € 250,000 euros buying a property in Greece.
Ekathimerini reported a total of 1,684 residence permits in Greece were issued in the context of the Golden Visa program from the start of the program in 2013 up to the end of April 2017.
Chinese citizens have received 701, Russians were the recipients of 357 and Egyptians were a distant third on 84. There also were 81 for Turkish citizens, 79 for Ukrainians, 78 for Lebanese investors, 53 for Iraqis, 45 for Syrians, 37 for Jordanians and 16 for Saudis.
Greece is a Schengen country, all visas and residence permits issued by Greece also valid in other 26 schengen states, which allows investors freely move between schengen countries. There is also no residency requirement to live in Greece but investors are required to visit Migration office in Greece once to receive their residence permit or when applying for extensions.
Access to Greek citizenship for Golden visa holders not possible without continuously living in Greece for 7 years and must be fluent in Greek language under naturalisation rules.
