Greece has a population of about 10.4 million and a nominal GDP of roughly US$240 billion. It is a member of the EU, the Eurozone, and the Schengen Area, and uses the euro. Its Golden Visa is one of the most active real-estate-linked residency routes in Europe.
The Global Residency Programs Report 2026 combines five weighted dimensions, each built from its own set of normalised metrics: Quality of Life (30%), Procedure (30%), Mobility (20%), Investment (10%) and Compliance & Credibility (10%). The index is a starting point for individuals, advisors and policymakers to compare 48 residency programs on a like-for-like basis, surface the routes whose strengths match a specific priority, and screen out those that fall short on credibility.
Greece is now the largest active real-estate-based residence programme in the European Union, operating under a tiered pricing model introduced in 2024. Prime locations carry the highest thresholds, while narrow lower-cost routes survive for conversions, heritage restorations, and start-up investment.
Programme: Golden Visa Legal basis: Article 100 of the Immigration Code (Law 5038/2023), as amended by Law 5100/2024 Indicative minimum: EUR 800,000 in prime zones and EUR 400,000 in other regions (real estate); a EUR 250,000 route remains only for commercial-to-residential conversions and heritage restorations, alongside a EUR 250,000 start-up route via Elevate Greece Estimated processing: 2 to 6 months
The 2026 Global Residency Programs Index 2026 makes one thing clear: there is no single best programme, only the best fit for a given set of priorities. A decade of reform has left the sector more transparent, more compliance-driven and more diverse in the routes it offers (from regulated funds and entrepreneurial ventures to lifestyle and long-stay options) so that residency has matured into a credible, durable planning tool rather than a shortcut. Whether the goal is mobility, tax efficiency, quality of life or an eventual second passport, the value of this 2026 GRP Index lies in matching the right route to the right objective, grounded in evidence rather than marketing.
