Greece Golden Visa: The Situation for Russian Citizens (2026)

Since 2022 the Greece Golden Visa programme has been subject to a special legal regime for Russian citizens. As part of the EU sanctions, new applications made with a Russian passport alone were suspended, while an important partial easing took place in 2026. In this article we clarify the current situation, the dual-citizenship exception and the alternative routes.

Current Status Table

What Has and Has Not Changed Since 2022?

In 2022 Greece, as part of a broad EU sanctions package, suspended new Golden Visa applications from citizens holding only a Russian passport. This was not an isolated Greek decision but part of a wider sanctions package affecting Russia-linked financial transactions, property purchases and investment-migration routes across Europe.

In January 2026 the Ministry of Migration lifted the suspension on pending Golden Visa renewal applications for Russian and Belarusian citizens and their families; residence permits for senior employees and Digital Nomad visas also benefited from this easing. However, the change covers renewals only — new (first) applications made with a Russian passport alone remain suspended.

The Dual-Citizenship Exception: The Most Important Way Out

Although the Russian passport is restricted, people who hold a second citizenship from a non-sanctioned country can apply on that second citizenship without any restriction. It is an exception many investors do not notice but that makes a significant difference in practice. Some investors first obtain a second citizenship through a relatively fast citizenship programme (for example a €400,000 property investment in Türkiye or a programme of around $130,000 in Vanuatu) and then apply for the Greece Golden Visa with this new passport.

For this strategy to succeed, the second citizenship must have been acquired through a genuine and legally recognised process; in addition, the source-of-funds review during the application is carried out more extensively for dual citizens of Russian origin than under the standard procedure.

The Challenge of Transferring Funds

Even if eligibility is secured through dual citizenship, a second obstacle arises: EU sanctions severely restrict direct transfers from Russian banks to EU banks. Greek banks, like most other EU banks, apply strict limits to transfers coming directly from Russian bank accounts. This means the source of funds and the transfer method must be structured in advance, in full compliance with the current sanctions regime and with experienced banking and legal advice; the process requires considerably more preparation and time than a standard Golden Visa application.

Alternative Routes Through Family Reunification

Outside the Golden Visa, other legal options can be considered for Russian citizens who already hold a valid Greek residence permit or have family or business ties:

• Russian citizens married to an EU citizen (including a Greek citizen) can apply for a family-reunification residence permit.
• Children of Greek citizens or permanent residents may be eligible for separate residence rights.
• For Russian citizens with a company or property assets established in Greece, different case-specific legal routes can be explored.

Comparison with Other European Programmes

For Russian citizens the picture across Europe is extremely fragmented: Spain's programme has closed completely, Italy and Greece have suspended new applications, Malta excludes Russian citizens entirely, and Cyprus is restricted for political reasons. Portugal had left applications unprocessed between 2022 and 2024; this practice was found unconstitutional and applications began to be accepted again, except for individuals on the sanctions list — but all applicants face delays because of the backlog at AIMA. Hungary stands out as a relatively more open option.

Practical Recommendations

• If you hold only a Russian passport, you cannot make a new Golden Visa application under the current situation; if you have a pending renewal, you can benefit from the 2026 update.
• If you have, or are considering acquiring, a second citizenship, it is critical for a smooth application that it was obtained through a genuine and internationally recognised process.
• On fund transfers, working early with an experienced banking/legal adviser to build a structure fully compliant with the current EU sanctions regime is strongly recommended.
• Preparing your source-of-funds file more comprehensively and transparently than for a standard application can speed up the increased scrutiny.
• Because the rules in this area can change quickly, always confirm the current situation with an immigration lawyer before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I apply for the Golden Visa if I hold only a Russian passport?
No. Since 2022, new (first) Golden Visa applications from citizens holding only a Russian passport have been suspended, and this restriction continues as of 2026. It is part of the broad EU sanctions package. However, if you already have a pending renewal application, the Ministry of Migration lifted the suspension on these renewals in January 2026; existing Golden Visa holders' renewals can therefore now proceed, while only new applications remain restricted.

2. Does it change anything if I have a second citizenship?
Yes, significantly. People of Russian origin who hold a second citizenship from a non-sanctioned country can apply for the Golden Visa on that second citizenship without any restriction. This is why some investors first obtain a second passport through one of the relatively fast citizenship programmes such as Türkiye (€400,000 in property) or Vanuatu (~$130,000) and then apply to Greece with it. However, the second citizenship must have been acquired through a genuine and legal process.

3. How can I transfer my funds from Russia to Greece?
This is a separate challenge even when eligibility is secured through dual citizenship. EU sanctions severely restrict direct transfers from Russian banks to EU banks, and Greek banks also apply strict limits to such transfers. Because the process requires a structure fully compliant with the current sanctions regime, it should be planned carefully and in advance with an experienced banking and legal adviser; it is a stage that requires extra time and professional support compared with a standard application.

4. Is there another option through family reunification?
Yes, there are some alternative routes outside the Golden Visa. Russian citizens married to an EU citizen (including a Greek citizen) can apply for a family-reunification residence permit; children of Greek citizens or permanent residents may also be eligible for separate residence rights. For people with a company or property assets established in Greece, different case-specific legal routes can also be explored. As each of these options is subject to its own specific conditions, each needs to be assessed separately with a lawyer.

5. Which European Golden Visa programmes are still open to Russian citizens?
The picture is extremely fragmented and can change quickly. Spain's programme has closed completely, Italy and Greece have suspended new applications, Malta excludes Russian citizens entirely and Cyprus is restricted for political reasons. Portugal is accepting applications again, except for individuals on the sanctions list, but delays occur because of the backlog. Hungary stands out as a relatively more open option. As the rules in this area change frequently, it is always advisable to confirm the current situation with a specialist.

Note: The information in this article is based on general observations and current legislation; sanctions regimes and immigration rules can change quickly, and this does not constitute legal advice. Contact us to clarify your current situation and the legal route that suits you — we are with you from the beginning to the end of the Golden Visa process.