Does the Greece Golden Visa Give the Spouse a Work Permit?

Although the Greece Golden Visa provides residency to the main applicant and their spouse, the right to work is not automatically included. This is one of the most frequently misunderstood aspects of the program; many families settle in Greece assuming the Golden Visa itself also provides a work permit. In this article we explain why the spouse cannot automatically work in Greece, which routes are available for spouses who want to work, and how the new "Single Permit" system that took effect in 2026 affects this process.

The Golden Visa's Fundamental Limit: Residency Only, Not Work

The residence permit granted under the Golden Visa — for both the main applicant and the spouse — provides only free movement and residency in Greece and the Schengen area; the right to work is not part of this permit. This is a general principle that also applies to Greece's other alternative residency routes such as the Financially Independent Person permit and the Digital Nomad Visa; all of these permits prohibit their holders from working in salaried employment in Greece. The work ban is therefore not a restriction specific to the Golden Visa but an approach the Greek immigration system applies generally to investment/passive-income-based residence permits.

Two Routes for the Spouse to Work

Route 1: A Separate Work Permit (Single Permit)

Law 5275/2026, which took effect in 2026, transposed EU Directive 2024/1233 into Greek law and introduced a combined residence-and-work permit system called the "Single Permit." In this system the process begins with a Greek employer's electronic authorization request; that is, for the spouse to use this route they must first receive a concrete job offer from a Greek company. A positive aspect of the process is that, thanks to Law 5275/2026, applicants can start working with just an "application confirmation document" as soon as the digital Single Permit application is submitted, without waiting for final approval.

A point to note: family reunification rights under the standard Single Permit (Type E.4) are far more limited than the broad "three-generation" family model the Golden Visa offers; they usually cover only the spouse and dependent minor children. However, as this is a separate and independent permit process, it in no way affects the spouse's existing Golden Visa residence permit or the Golden Visa status of other family members (children, parents).

Route 2: Company Formation or Partnership

Without being employed as a salaried employee, the spouse can form a Greek company, become a partner in an existing company or serve as a director in company management. As such activity is considered entrepreneurship or investment activity rather than "employment," it does not require a separate work permit. Because this route carries no obligation to find a job offer in practice, it is generally preferred as a faster and more predictable alternative to the Single Permit process.

Which Route Makes More Sense?

If the spouse wants to be an employee at a specific Greek company without management or control rights, the Single Permit process is the only route needed; but this route can be time-consuming as it first requires finding a job offer. If the spouse wants to start their own business, do consulting or become a partner in a venture, the company-formation/partnership route is generally a faster, less bureaucratic option that can be run directly in parallel with the Golden Visa process. This second route is therefore more often preferred in practice by spouses with an entrepreneurial inclination.

The Same Rule Applies to Other Family Members Too

The fact that the right to work is not automatically included applies not only to the spouse but to all dependent family members under the Golden Visa (children, parents). Student children aged 21-24 may, while maintaining their student status, be subject to separate arrangements regarding part-time work rights in Greece; the current status of this should be clarified with a lawyer. For parents, as a work purpose is generally not in question anyway, this restriction causes fewer problems in practice.

Points to Watch For

• Do not act on the assumption that the Golden Visa itself provides a work permit; this is a common mistake that can cause problems during the process.
• If a Single Permit is being considered for the spouse, planning the job-offer search in parallel with the Golden Visa application can shorten the total process.
• Spouses considering the company-formation route should consult an accountant in advance about corporate and tax obligations.
• The "start working with the application confirmation document" facility introduced by Law 5275/2026 significantly speeds up the Single Permit process; confirm the current application of this detail with a lawyer.
• The work-right restriction covers only salaried employment; earning passive investment income (such as rent, dividends) is not subject to this restriction.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can my spouse automatically work in Greece with the Golden Visa?
No, the residence permit granted under the Golden Visa provides only residency and Schengen free movement; it does not automatically include the right to work. This applies to both the main applicant and the spouse. For the spouse to work in salaried employment in Greece, they must start a separate work-permit process (Single Permit) independent of the residence permit, or operate through entrepreneurship by forming their own company. This limitation is a principle generally applied to Greece's other investment-based residence permit types too (Financially Independent Person, Digital Nomad Visa).

2. What is the fastest way to get a work permit for my spouse?
It depends on what kind of work activity the spouse plans. If they want to be a salaried employee at a specific Greek company, the Single Permit system that took effect in 2026 is used; but this first requires finding a job offer. For spouses wanting to start their own business or become a partner in a venture, the company-formation/partnership route is generally a faster alternative, because it does not require finding a job offer and can be run directly in parallel with the Golden Visa process. This second route is more often preferred in practice by spouses with an entrepreneurial inclination.

3. If I apply for a Single Permit, can I start working immediately?
Thanks to Law 5275/2026 that took effect in 2026, yes, largely. Under this regulation, most employment-based applicants can start working as soon as the digital Single Permit application is submitted and an "application confirmation document" is issued; they do not have to wait for final approval. This is a significant speed-up compared with earlier periods. However, remember that for this process to begin, a Greek employer must first have initiated the electronic authorization request.

4. Does my spouse need a separate permit from the Golden Visa to form a company?
No, the spouse can form a Greek company, become a partner in an existing company or serve as a director without being employed as a salaried employee; as this is considered entrepreneurship/investment activity rather than "employment", it does not require a separate work permit. This is a practical and relatively fast route that can be run alongside the spouse's existing Golden Visa residence permit. However, as company formation, corporate governance and tax obligations are a separate process in themselves, consulting an accountant or lawyer in advance is recommended.

5. Does the same work restriction apply to my children or parents?
Yes, the fact that the right to work is not automatically included is a rule that applies not only to the spouse but to all dependent family members under the Golden Visa. Separate arrangements regarding part-time work rights may apply for student children aged 21-24; the current status of this should be clarified with a lawyer. For parents, as a work purpose is generally not among their reasons for inclusion, this restriction causes fewer problems in practice; but the same two routes (Single Permit or company formation) remain valid for any family member who wants to work.

Note: The process information in this article is based on general regulations and can change with current practice. Contact us to determine the most suitable route for your spouse's right to work and to manage the Single Permit or company-formation process.