How to Get the Greece Golden Visa: 5 Projects, Costs and Timeline

The answer to how you get the Greece Golden Visa is easier to see through a real project's real numbers than through general explanations. In this guide we take five of the projects currently listed on goldenvisaal.com and calculate the purchase costs, the possible 15% transfer tax gap and the application timeline for each. The process on our site comes down to three steps: choosing a project, buying, and applying for residence. Below we break these three steps into 10 practical tasks. For a general walk-through of the steps, see our 10-step application guide.

Project prices and delivery details are taken from the goldenvisaal.com project cards (October 2026). The “€250,000 Golden Visa” label on the cards shows the route's minimum; in some projects the starting price is higher. We have therefore used the card prices in the calculations. Always confirm the current price, unit and delivery status before you apply.

Route First: Which Golden Visa Route Do These Projects Use?

Most projects on our site follow the €250,000 commercial-to-residential conversion route (Zone C). This route has no 120 m² requirement, and the single-property rule applies. There is no regional difference: projects in Attica such as Piraeus, Glyfada, Psirri and Larissa Station all use the same €250,000 minimum. For the difference between routes, see our three tiers guide; for the conversion requirements, see our commercial conversion guide.

Real Costs with Five Projects

Purchase costs: transfer tax 3.09%, land registry 0.8%, notary 1.24%, legal fees about 2.24%; 7.37% in total. The table below applies these rates to the project prices. The “Extra with 15% tax” column is the difference if the transfer tax rise announced for non-EU buyers becomes law (15% − 3.09% = 11.91%).

Government fees, health insurance and items such as furniture and annual taxes are separate. Prices are the card starting prices; the price of the unit you choose may differ.

Government fees: single applicant and couple

Fees and required documents for children should be confirmed by the lawyer.

Example: total for a couple with the Piraeus Loft

• Sale price: €250,000
• Purchase costs (7.37%): ~€18,425
• Government fees and insurance (couple): ~€2,582
• Total: ~€271,000. If the transfer tax becomes 15%, add about €29,775.

Which Project Suits Whom? A Practical Match

Beyond these, more than 40 other projects are listed on the site (Moschato, Kallithea, Marousi, Peristeri, Elliniko, Voula, Chalandri and others). Detailed investment analyses of six projects are on their project pages. For the full list, see our projects page.

Application Timeline: If You Start Today, When Do You Finish?

The sample timeline assumes a reservation in November 2026. These are average expectations, not official waiting times.

10 Practical Tasks: How It Works with Us

The “How It Works” section of our site sums this up under three headings: choosing a project, buying (tax number, bank account, contract and title handled end to end) and the residence application (biometrics and, at the end, a renewable 5-year permit). The only physical requirement in the process is the biometric appointment in Athens.

Pre-Application Checklist

• A valid passport (for each family member) and a clear scan of the pages showing travel in the last 10–15 days
• Marriage and birth certificates (apostilled or legalised by a consulate)
• Bank and income documents showing the source of funds; scrutiny has increased since circular 1/2026
• Power of attorney (a joint family power of attorney saves time)
• Health insurance policy
• Written confirmation of the chosen unit's short-term rental status

For the full document list, see our required documents guide. Related articles: cost items in Golden Visa Total Cost 2026, a neighbourhood comparison in Buying a Home in Athens 2026, and renewal risk in What Happens to the Permit if the Property Value Falls?

Sources: goldenvisaal.com project cards (October 2026), Laws 5100/2024 and 5275/2026, circular 1/2026. Calculations are estimates, not legal or investment advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do you get the Greece Golden Visa, and what is the fastest way?
You first buy an eligible property in Greece, then apply for residence. The fastest way is to choose a ready or tenanted conversion project and prepare the power of attorney and documents completely from the start. For example, with a reservation in November 2026 the final contract could be signed in December, the application filed in January 2027 and the biometric appointment held in February; the plastic card follows about 6–8 months later. Apostilles and missing documents cost the most time. Running the process with a lawyer and a joint family power of attorney shortens it.

2. How much are purchase costs on goldenvisaal.com projects?
Transfer tax 3.09%, land registry 0.8%, notary 1.24% and legal fees of about 2.24% add up to roughly 7.37%. On the €250,000 Piraeus Loft that is about €18,425, on the €294,000 Kerameikos studios about €21,670 and on the €385,000 Glyfada apartment about €28,375. Government fees and insurance add about €2,216 for a single applicant or about €2,582 for a couple. Prices are the starting prices on the project cards; check the price of your chosen unit against the current information on the site.

3. How would a 15% transfer tax affect these projects?
A rise in transfer tax from 3.09% to 15% for non-EU buyers has been announced, but it is not yet law, and 1 July 2027 is being discussed as the start date. If it is enacted, it would add about €29,775 on a €250,000 purchase, about €35,000 on €294,000 and about €45,850 on €385,000. The purchase date therefore matters. Do not decide until your lawyer confirms in writing which transaction date the transitional rules will use — the contract or the title registration.

4. Is buying a tenanted apartment an advantage for the Golden Visa?
A tenanted apartment can produce rental income from the moment of purchase, which helps cash flow. In the Agioi Anargyroi project the apartments are let at €640 and €690 a month; for the Piraeus Loft the rent is shared on request. In both cases you should see the lease date, term, rent and the tenant's exit terms in writing. The letting must be long-term: short-term (Airbnb-style) rental of Golden Visa properties is banned, with a €50,000 fine and revocation of the permit. Base your return calculation on these limits.

5. Do I need to travel to Greece to apply?
The only mandatory trip is the biometric appointment. The purchase, tax number, bank account and application can be handled remotely through a power of attorney. The main applicant and dependants go to Athens to give fingerprints, usually a 1–2 hour appointment on a weekday morning. For those without a Schengen visa, the Application Certificate can be used instead of a visa for a single entry. The card is issued about 6–8 months later. You can come separately to view projects if you wish, but it is not required.

Note: This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. As current regulations may change frequently, we recommend consulting a licensed immigration advisor or our law office before applying.