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The Greece Golden Visa continues to reinforce its position as one of Europe’s most sought-after residency-by-investment programs. More than a decade after its launch, the program has played a significant role in supporting Greece’s economic recovery while attracting tens of thousands of international investors seeking European residency opportunities.
But how many Golden Visa applications have been approved to date? Which countries currently lead in the number of investors participating in the program? Let’s take a closer look at the latest figures and market insights with AT Express.
1. How Did the Greece Golden Visa Program Begin?
The Greece Golden Visa Program was introduced by the Greek government in 2013, at a time when the country was seeking substantial foreign capital to support its recovery from a prolonged financial crisis.
The primary objective of the program was to attract international investment, particularly through the real estate sector, helping to stimulate economic growth and revitalize the domestic property market.
Over the years, the Greece Golden Visa has evolved into one of Europe’s most successful residency-by-investment programs. Thanks to its attractive residency benefits, access to the Schengen Area, and competitive investment thresholds, the program has gained increasing popularity among entrepreneurs, investors, and high-net-worth families worldwide.
Latest Greece Golden Visa Statistics
Data released by the Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum shows that demand for the program remains exceptionally strong, despite recent policy adjustments and investment threshold changes.
More Than 25,000 Applications Approved
According to the latest available figures, Greek authorities have issued a total of 25,573 residence permits and renewal approvals to investors and their family members participating in the Greece Golden Visa Program.
These numbers highlight the program’s enduring appeal among individuals seeking European residency through investment. They also reflect continued international confidence in Greece as a destination for both real estate investment and long-term residency planning.
Nearly 13,000 Applications Still Under Review
In addition to the applications that have already been approved, a further 12,910 new and renewal applications are currently undergoing review, assessment, and processing by the Greek immigration authorities.
The substantial volume of pending cases highlights the continued growth in demand for the Greece Golden Visa Program, particularly from investors originating outside the European Union.
Total Program Volume Could Soon Exceed 39,000 Applications
According to AT Express, if processing continues at its current pace, the total number of applications that have either been approved or are currently being processed under the Greece Golden Visa Program is expected to reach 39,009.
Notably, this figure includes only principal applicants and directly related cases. When spouses, children, and other eligible dependent family members are taken into account, the total number of individuals benefiting from residency rights through the program becomes significantly higher.
2. What Makes the Greece Golden Visa So Attractive?
The program’s continuous growth in application numbers is a clear indication of its strong appeal among international investors.
Beyond granting residency rights in Greece, the Golden Visa provides access to visa-free travel across the Schengen Area, offering greater flexibility for education, business activities, and cross-border asset management.
In an increasingly uncertain global economic and geopolitical environment, more families are turning to the Greece Golden Visa as a strategic tool for wealth diversification, long-term planning, and enhanced security. It also serves as a valuable pathway to create additional opportunities and future options for the next generation.
3. Israeli Capital Shifts Toward Greece: The Golden Visa Emerges as a Strategic Choice
The remarkable growth of the Greece Golden Visa Program in recent years is driven not only by the attractiveness of the country’s real estate market but also by a broader shift in how international investors manage wealth and plan for their families’ future.
Among foreign investor groups, Israel has emerged as one of the fastest-growing source markets. An increasing number of financially established families are actively seeking alternative residency options beyond their home country, aiming to enhance flexibility and resilience in response to evolving economic and geopolitical conditions.
For many investors, the Greece Golden Visa is more than a residency-by-investment program. It has become a strategic asset that provides greater mobility, access to Europe, and an additional layer of security for long-term family planning and wealth preservation.
The Growing Demand for a Strategic Backup Plan
Recent instability in the Middle East has accelerated interest among Israeli investors in securing alternative residency options outside their home country.
For many of these families, obtaining a Golden Visa does not necessarily mean relocating permanently. Instead, it is viewed as a long-term contingency plan that provides greater flexibility and additional choices for living, education, and future opportunities.
With its membership in the European Union, stable political environment, and strong connectivity to major international markets, Greece has become one of the most attractive destinations for investors seeking a reliable second residency option.
As a result, the Greece Golden Visa is increasingly being recognized not only as an investment opportunity but also as a practical tool for long-term family security, mobility, and strategic planning.
Benefits for the Entire Family
One of the most attractive features of the Greece Golden Visa Program is its ability to extend residency rights to multiple family members through a single qualifying investment.
Under the current regulations, an application may include:
- The principal investor
- The investor’s spouse
- Dependent children who meet the program’s eligibility requirements
- The parents of the principal investor
- The parents of the investor’s spouse
In addition to obtaining residency rights in Greece, eligible family members can enjoy visa-free travel throughout the Schengen Area, providing greater flexibility for education, business activities, and international mobility.
This family-inclusive structure is one of the key reasons why the Greece Golden Visa continues to attract high-net-worth individuals and families seeking a long-term European residency solution.
Flexibility Remains a Key Competitive Advantage
Compared to many other residency-by-investment programs, the Greece Golden Visa is widely recognized for its relatively flexible eligibility requirements.
Investors are not required to reside in Greece on a continuous basis in order to maintain their residence permits. This allows them to continue managing their businesses, overseeing investments, and maintaining their current lifestyle while still enjoying the benefits of European residency.
In addition, the program does not require applicants to demonstrate proficiency in the Greek language, and the application process has been designed to be straightforward and accessible for international investors.
As the demand for wealth diversification and long-term contingency planning continues to grow, the Greece Golden Visa is increasingly viewed as more than just a residency-by-investment program. For many families around the world, it has become an integral part of a broader strategy focused on mobility, asset protection, and future opportunities for the next generation.
4. Is the Window of Opportunity Closing for the Greece Golden Visa? Key Changes Investors Should Know
The growing popularity of the Greece Golden Visa Program has generated billions of euros for the Greek economy over the past decade. However, as international demand continues to rise and pressure on the domestic real estate market increases, the Greek government has gradually introduced stricter regulations and policy adjustments.
While these changes have not diminished the program’s appeal, they have made access to some of the most favorable investment conditions increasingly limited compared to previous years.
For prospective investors, this means that timing has become an important consideration. As regulations continue to evolve, securing residency under the current framework may offer advantages that could become more difficult to obtain in the future.
Minimum Investment Thresholds Continue to Rise in Key Locations
Over the past few years, Greece has steadily increased the minimum investment requirements in high-demand areas as part of its efforts to manage housing affordability and curb real estate speculation.
Major cities such as Athens and Thessaloniki, along with popular tourist destinations including Mykonos and Santorini, now require significantly higher investment amounts than those applied during the early years of the program.
This trend reflects the Greek government’s intention to position the Golden Visa Program toward higher-value investors while safeguarding the long-term stability and sustainability of the domestic real estate market.
As a result, investors who are considering the program may find that opportunities available today could become more limited as investment thresholds and regulatory requirements continue to evolve.
The 24% VAT Exemption on New Properties May End in Late 2026
Another issue attracting significant attention from investors is the future of Greece’s VAT exemption for newly built properties.
Under the current framework, this tax incentive is scheduled to expire at the end of 2026. Unless the policy is extended, investors purchasing newly developed real estate in Greece may face substantially higher acquisition costs due to the application of a VAT rate of up to 24%.
For international investors, this could have a direct impact on the overall investment budget required to participate in the market. As a result, many prospective applicants are closely monitoring policy developments and evaluating opportunities before any potential changes take effect.
Should the exemption expire as planned, the cost advantage currently enjoyed by buyers of new-build properties could become significantly less favorable in the years ahead.
Investors Are Accelerating Their Plans to Enter the Program
While the number of Golden Visa applications continues to grow, the favorable investment conditions available today may not remain in place indefinitely.
Rising investment thresholds, combined with the potential expiration of the VAT exemption, have prompted many investors to move forward with their applications sooner rather than later. By acting early, they aim to secure current benefits, maintain greater control over costs, and take advantage of the program’s existing conditions before further changes are introduced.
For families considering European residency through real estate investment, the current period is widely viewed as a critical window of opportunity before additional policy adjustments take effect across the market.
Despite the gradual tightening of regulations, the Greece Golden Visa remains one of Europe’s most attractive residency-by-investment programs. However, access to the favorable conditions that have contributed to its success may become increasingly limited in the years ahead, making timing an important factor for prospective investors.
5. Conclusion: The Greece Golden Visa Remains Highly Attractive Despite Policy Changes
The latest figures confirm that the Greece Golden Visa remains one of Europe’s most sought-after residency-by-investment programs. With more than 25,000 approved applications and nearly 13,000 still under review, demand continues to grow.
At the same time, rising investment thresholds and the potential end of the VAT exemption for new properties suggest that access to today’s favorable conditions may become more limited.
As investors increasingly seek mobility, wealth diversification, and long-term security, Greece continues to stand out as a leading destination for European residency through investment.
