🇬🇧
United Kingdom
🇬🇷
Greece

UK Citizen to Greece Golden Visa

Regain EU freedom with Europe's most flexible residency-by-investment programme

180+
Visa-Free Countries
27
EU Countries Access
12-36
Months to Citizenship
€1.5M
Total Investment

Why British Citizens Choose Greece

🏠

Property Investment

Unlike Portugal, Greece still allows residential property for Golden Visa. Own your Mediterranean home while gaining EU residency.

⏱️

Zero Residency Requirement

No minimum stay required. Keep living in the UK full-time while holding Greek residency.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

Include Parents & In-Laws

Greece is the only EU Golden Visa that includes parents of both the investor AND spouse. Ideal for multi-generational families.

💰

Lower Entry Point

From €250K in non-prime areas. Even Athens at €400K is cheaper than most EU alternatives.

🌤️

Mediterranean Lifestyle

250+ islands, ancient history, incredible cuisine, and a relaxed pace of life Brits love.

🇪🇺

Full EU Access

Travel, live, and eventually work across the EU. Schengen zone access restored.

✈️

Easy Access from UK

3-4 hour flights to Athens. Low-cost carriers serve multiple Greek destinations year-round.

The Path to Greek Residency

1

Property Search

1-4 weeks

Identify qualifying properties. We help narrow options based on budget and goals.

2

Property Purchase

4-8 weeks

Complete purchase with Greek notary. Receive title deed registration.

3

Application Preparation

2-3 weeks

Gather required documents: passport, proof of funds, health insurance, clean criminal record.

4

Biometrics & Submission

1-2 weeks

Visit Greece for biometrics appointment and submit Golden Visa application.

5

Processing

2-4 months

Greek immigration reviews application. High approval rate for complete applications.

6

Residence Permit Issued

2-4 weeks

Receive 5-year residence permit. Renewable indefinitely while property is held.

Property Investment Thresholds

Heritage/Regional Areas

Properties in non-prime areas, islands (except Mykonos, Santorini, Rhodes), and heritage buildings.

€250,000

General Areas

Most of Greece including Thessaloniki, coastal areas, and secondary islands.

€400,000

Prime Locations

Athens, Thessaloniki center, Mykonos, Santorini, Rhodes, and other high-demand areas.

€800,000

UK vs Greece: Key Differences

Factor🇺🇸 US Passport🇲🇹 Malta Passport
EU Freedom of Movement❌ Lost with Brexit✅ Full EU rights
Minimum Stay RequiredN/A (home country)0 days per year
Parents IncludedN/A✅ Both sides
Property OwnershipHigh cost (UK market)€250K-800K for visa
Pension Tax (flat rate)As income (up to 45%)7% flat rate option
Weather (avg sunny days)~120/year~250/year
Cost of LivingHigh (especially London)~40% lower
HealthcareNHS (free)Public + affordable private
Path to CitizenshipCitizen7 years + residency

Keep Your UK Investments Working

Don't sell your portfolio to buy Greek property. Borrow against it.

Pay Cash

  • Liquidate $1.5M from portfolio
  • Trigger capital gains taxes
  • Miss 10 years of compound growth
  • Portfolio after 10 years: $1.5M
Opportunity cost over 10 years
-$6.28M lost growth
RECOMMENDED

Lombard Loan

  • Keep your £500,000 portfolio invested
  • Borrow £250,000 at 50% LTV
  • No monthly payments required
  • Portfolio after 10 years: £1,080,000
Net wealth advantage
+$6.28M more wealth

Your Portfolio Growth with Lombard

Today
£500,000
Year 1
£540,000
Year 5
£735,000
Year 10
£1,080,000
Based on 8% annual portfolio growth, 4% loan interest
Your £500K portfolio continues compounding at 8% annually
After 10 years: portfolio worth £1.08M (vs £250K if you'd sold)
Greek property also appreciates—double benefit
No CGT triggered on selling UK investments
Rental income from Greek property can offset loan interest
Preserve ISA tax advantages while gaining EU residency

Tax Implications for UK Citizens

Current US Tax Situation

UK tax residents pay income tax up to 45%, capital gains up to 20%, and 40% inheritance tax above thresholds.

After Malta Citizenship

Greece offers a 7% flat tax on foreign pension income. Non-dom regime available for high-net-worth individuals.

Key Tax Considerations

  • Greece's non-dom regime: €100K flat tax on worldwide income for 15 years
  • Alternative: 7% flat tax on foreign pension income only
  • No tax on foreign capital gains for non-doms
  • UK-Greece double tax treaty prevents double taxation
  • Greek inheritance tax ranges from 0-40% based on relationship
  • Property taxes are low compared to UK (ENFIA annual tax ~0.3%)

Frequently Asked Questions

Can UK citizens still get Greece Golden Visa after Brexit?

Yes. The Greece Golden Visa is available to all non-EU citizens, which now includes UK citizens. It offers British citizens a pathway back to EU residency through property investment.

Do I have to live in Greece?

No. Greece Golden Visa has zero physical residency requirement. You can maintain your UK life completely while holding Greek residency for EU travel freedom.

Can I include my elderly parents?

Yes. Greece is unique in allowing parents of both the main applicant AND their spouse to be included. Both sets of parents can receive Greek residency through one investment.

Which areas qualify for €250K?

The €250K threshold applies to non-prime areas: most islands (except Mykonos, Santorini, Rhodes), northern Greece, rural areas, and designated heritage buildings anywhere in Greece.

Can I work in Greece with the Golden Visa?

The Golden Visa doesn't automatically grant work rights in Greece. However, you can be self-employed, start a business, or work for a Greek company with additional permits.

What about the 7% pension tax rate?

Greece offers a special 7% flat tax rate on foreign pension income for new tax residents who transfer their residency to Greece. This is significantly lower than UK income tax rates on pensions.

Can I rent out my Greek property?

Yes. Many Golden Visa holders rent their property on Airbnb or long-term leases. Greek property generates 4-6% rental yields in tourist areas. Income is taxable in Greece.

What's the total cost including fees?

Budget approximately 10-12% on top of property price for transfer tax (3%), legal fees (~2%), notary fees (~1%), agent fees (~2%), and Golden Visa application fees (~€2,000).

Ready to Explore Your Options?

Our team specializes in helping United Kingdom citizens obtain Greece citizenship. Schedule a confidential consultation to discuss your specific situation.