Golden Visa and residency
How long does it take to get a Golden Visa in Greece?
Golden Visa timelines
The entire process from selecting a property to receiving the residence permit card typically takes about 3–6 months. This is a practical guideline that depends on document readiness, property due diligence, bank transfers, and the current workload of the migration office. It is important to remember that this is an estimate, not a government-guaranteed timeframe.
Process stages
1. Property selection and due diligence
Finding a property can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks. Once a property is selected, a lawyer conducts a check of title deeds, land registry extracts, and potential encumbrances. An engineer verifies permits, floor plans, and the legality of the premises.
- Standard property: Due diligence takes 1–3 weeks.
- Complex properties: Changing the purpose of use, restoring protected buildings, or new construction requires more time.
2. Preparation and transaction
At this stage, the buyer obtains a Greek tax number (AFM), confirms the source of funds, and coordinates the banking route. The stage concludes with the signing of the notary deed and registration of ownership.
With a complete set of documents, this stage takes 2–4 weeks. Delays are most often caused by additional bank requests or inaccuracies in documentation.
3. Application and biometrics
After the transaction is registered, the Golden Visa application is submitted electronically. The migration office then reviews the case and schedules an appointment for biometric data collection.
The official registry for certain Golden Visa categories indicates an estimated review period of 50–60 days after submitting a full package of documents, though actual waiting times may be longer.
Factors affecting speed
The process can be slowed down by the following factors:
- Errors in document translations.
- Discrepancies in personal identification documents.
- Incomplete document packages for family members.
- Issues with the legal status of the property.
- Difficulties in proving the source of funds.
To optimize timelines, it is recommended to prepare family documents in advance, carefully verify the banking route, and avoid making large deposits before the legal due diligence of the property is completed.
AILIT Group helps you find a suitable property, organize the transaction, and prepare the residence permit application route. More details:
Summary
With proper preparation, purchasing and obtaining a Golden Visa takes approximately 3–6 months. The key factor for speed remains having a complete and correctly prepared package of documents before submitting the application.