Move to Greece in 2026
Islands, history, and the EU's most flexible Golden Visa.
Visas at a glance
The active long-stay and residency programmes for Greece today.
Cost of living snapshot
- 1-bed rent · Athens centre
- €600–900
- 1-bed rent · Thessaloniki centre
- €450–650
- Espresso freddo
- €2.50
- Monthly transit pass (Athens)
- €30
Indicative ranges for spring 2026 — local prices vary by neighbourhood and season.
Taxes in plain English
Greece offers a €100,000 annual flat tax for high-net-worth new tax residents (15-year cap), plus a 7% flat-rate pension regime for foreign retirees. Both require official application.
Always confirm with a local tax advisor before making decisions on residency timing.
Popular cities
- Athens
- Thessaloniki
- Crete
- Rhodes
- Corfu
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Greece: people also ask
What are the Greek Golden Visa thresholds in 2026?
€800,000 in Attica (Athens region), Thessaloniki, Mykonos, Santorini, and islands with population over 3,100. €400,000 elsewhere. €250,000 for conversion of commercial property to residential, or restoration of listed buildings — available nationwide.
Can I rent the property on Airbnb?
No. Short-term rental (Airbnb-style) of Golden Visa properties has been banned since 2024. Long-term rental remains allowed.
Do I need to live in Greece to keep the Golden Visa?
No minimum-stay requirement. You can keep the residency by maintaining the qualifying investment and renewing every 5 years.
When can I apply for Greek citizenship?
After 7 years of legal residency, with proven Greek language and integration. The Golden Visa itself is residency, not a fast-track to citizenship.
What's the minimum property size for a Greek Golden Visa?
120 m² for a single residential property — introduced in the 2024 reform. You can combine multiple smaller properties only under the €250k restoration route.
Can my family join me?
Yes — spouse, children under 21, and dependent parents of both spouses are included in the same application with no additional investment.