The Greece Golden Visa Program

The Greece Golden Visa Program is considered one of the most affordable residence-by-investment programs that provides access to Europe. Successful applicants and their families are able to benefit from visa-free access to Europe’s Schengen Area within two months of applying.

Requirements

The Greece Golden Visa Programs is a residence by-investment program that has been launched for non-EU nationals and their family members to obtain permanent residence permits in Greece to be renewed every five years.

The program’s qualifying categories in a nutshell are as following:

Shares, bonds and/or government bonds

1. Purchase of shares, corporate bonds or bonds of the Greek government at a minimum value of €800,000, which are listed for trading or are traded in regulated markets or multilateral trading mechanisms operating in Greece;

2. Invest at least €400,000 in a capital equity company or an equity mutual fund investing exclusively in companies based on Greece.

3. Invest at least €400,000 to buy Greek state bonds with a maturity of at least 3 years through a credit institution based in Greece and acts as custodian of Bonds;

4. Capital contribution with a minimum value of € 400,000 to a company that has establishment in Greece for the acquisition of shares in a share capital increase or bonds that are, at the time of issue, admitted for trading on regulated markets or multilateral trading mechanism that operates in Greece.  

Bank Deposit:

1. Term deposit of a minimum value of €400,000 to a domestic credit institution, for at least one year, with a standing order for renewal. 

Real Estate Investments

1. Invest at least €400,000 in a real estate Investment Company Investing exclusively in Greece or buy shares through a share-capital increase scheme. 
2. An investment in real estate property with a minimum value of €250,000, plus the applicable taxes.

Qualifying Criteria

1. In all cases, the applicant and their spouse, children, and parents must have health insurance in Greece.
2. A valid Schengen visa is needed at the beginning of the application process in order to enter Greece.
3. All the essential documentation that accompanies the application for an immigration permit must be duly certified, along with a translation of the same documents into the Greek language

Key advantages of the Greece Golden Visa Program

• Visa-free travel within Europe’s Schengen Area

Property Purchase Costs

• Transfer tax   3.09%
• Registration fees 0.48% - 0.68%
• Notary fees 0.8% - 1% (+ 24% VAT)
• Real Estate Agent Fee 2% -4% 

Portugal Golden Visa Program

Portugal has specifically designed the Golden Visa Program for attracting Direct foreign investment.

The programme is very straight forward and flexible, having very simple and clear requirements and it is recognised as one of the most attractive residency visa programs for investors worldwide. 

Requirements

1. Acquisition of a property above Initial €500,000. 
2. Acquisition of a property above €350,000 in cases where the properties are beyond 30 years old or positioned in parts of urban restoration.

Qualifying Criteria

Aimed at attracting foreign investors, the Portugal Golden Visa demands very few requirements from investors. This demands the investor to comply with general requirements applicable to all types of qualifying investments and also to sustain investment at least 5 years,

Key advantages of Portugal Residency

• Permanent free entry and circulation in Portugal and the other 25 Schengen Space countries.
• Freedom to live and/or work in Portugal, while keeping another residence (if so wished) in another country.
• Option to become a "non-habitual resident" of Portugal for tax purposes, thereby paying little or no tax for 10 years.
• Option to obtain permanent resident status after 5 years of having made the initial investment.
• Option to acquire Portuguese citizenship after 5 years of having made the initial investment.
• The benefits are extensible to the investor's family, including the spouse or partner, under-aged or dependent children of either spouse or partner, dependent parents of either spouse or partner, and under-aged siblings of either spouse or partner if legally under their supervision.
• No Minimum stay, (7 days in the first year and 14 days during each of the two subsequent 2-year periods, whether or not consecutive) 
• Safe, stable economy and country in which to live and invest.

Property Purchase Costs

• IMT Property Transfer Tax 1%- 7%
• Value Added Tax (VAT) 23% - Usually Included in the Property Price
• Stamp Duty 0.8%
• Notary fees 1%-1.5% (+ 23% VAT)
• Legal Fees 1% -2% Property Value (+ 23% VAT)

For the “Initial Consultation” procedure & time frame needed to acquire a Portuguese Golden Visa, please click here.
 

The Spain Golden Visa Program

Requirements

1.  
2. 1) The purchase of one or more properties for a minimum overall amount of €500,000 excluding taxes, plus acquisition costs.
3. 2) The purchasing of €1,000,000 of shares in a Spanish company.
4. 3) The deposit of €1,000,000 in cash in a Spanish bank.
5. 4) The purchase of €2,000,000 of Spanish treasury bonds.
6.  

Qualifying Criteria

Key advantages of Spain Residency

• - A resident permit is issued at the same time to main applicant, plus members of his/her family, including dependent, adult children and parents.
• - Permanent free entry and circulation in Spain and the other 27 Schengen Space countries.
• - Apply for citizenship and a Spanish passport after 10 years.
• - Safe, stable economy and country in which to live and invest.

Property Purchase Costs             

• Property Transfer Tax                        8%- 10%
• Value Added Tax (VAT)                     10%
• Land Registry Fee                              0.3%
• Notary fees                                         0.5% -Approximately             
• Legal Fees                                          1% -2% Property Value (+ 23% VAT)

For the “Initial Consultation” procedure & time frame needed to acquire a Spanish Golden Visa, please click here.