Greece keeps a €250,000 Golden Visa route open

By AI, Created 9:38 AM UTC, May 20, 2026, /AGP/ – Greece’s Golden Visa threshold has risen to €800,000 in prime zones, but two statutory exemptions still allow some investors to qualify at €250,000. Globevisa says commercial conversions and heritage restorations remain the main compliant paths as Greece tries to preserve investment demand and cultural assets.

Why it matters: - Greece’s Golden Visa remains one of the few European residency programs still offering a €250,000 entry point for some investors. - The lower-cost route matters for applicants who want Schengen access without moving into the new €800,000 tier in high-demand areas. - The program also supports redevelopment of older urban assets and restoration of culturally significant buildings.

What happened: - Greece raised the investment threshold for properties in high-demand Tier 1 zones to €800,000. - Globevisa Group released updated data through PassportRanking on the remaining Greek residency pathways. - The firm said Greece still draws global investors because of its Schengen position and specific statutory exemptions.

The details: - PassportRanking evaluates countries across five dimensions: mobility, governance, security, education and quality of life. - The latest index ranks the Greek passport 32nd globally. - Greece ranks 18th globally in mobility, reflecting cross-border access within the Schengen Zone. - Greece ranks 88th in quality of life, with strengths cited in climate, healthcare infrastructure and relative cost of living. - Globevisa said Greece remains competitive as Portugal and Spain have ended or tightened their own investment programs. - The €250,000 path remains available through legal routes tied to existing assets and cultural preservation. - One route allows commercial properties to be converted into residential units. - These conversion projects are typically found in established Athens districts and are often developed as serviced apartments. - A second route allows residency through restoration of historically significant buildings designated by the Greek Ministry of Culture. - Professional operators often manage heritage projects to protect compliance and architectural integrity.

Between the lines: - Greece’s policy shift appears aimed at steering foreign capital toward more targeted uses rather than broad prime-market demand. - The remaining €250,000 routes are more operationally complex, which raises the importance of legal and technical review. - Globevisa is positioning its Athens branch as a compliance-focused intermediary, not just a placement platform. - The company said its local team includes lawyers registered with the Greek Bar Association, architects and technical evaluators. - Globevisa said its risk checks include title deed review, Cadastre verification and construction compliance audits. - The firm said some Athens legal staff have backgrounds related to the Ministry of Migration’s approval processes.

What’s next: - Investors seeking the lower entry point will likely need to focus on conversion and restoration projects that meet Greek legal exemptions. - Globevisa said its Athens office will handle due diligence through final delivery for these cases. - The company said it has helped more than 5,500 families with Greek residency applications since 2013. - Globevisa said it will continue pairing PassportRanking data with local legal execution as European residency rules keep changing.

The bottom line: - Greece is no longer a broad low-cost Golden Visa market, but the €250,000 door is still open for investors who fit the exemption rules and can manage stricter compliance.