Greece's Golden Visa Now Accepts a €250,000 Startup Bet

Greece's residency-by-investment programs aren't new, they've been running for years, but the rules have quietly shifted in ways that matter. The Golden Visa now accepts startup investments at a €250,000 minimum under Law 5162/2024, sitting alongside the tiered real estate route (€400,000,€800,000 depending on region). The Non-Dom regime, turns out, is still one of Europe's blunter tax instruments , a flat €100,000 annual tax on all foreign income, plus €20,000 per family member, locking in for up to 15 years.

Neither program is cheap. But for high-net-worth individuals who earn heavily outside Greece, the Non-Dom flat tax can beat a progressive rate by a wide margin, honestly, sometimes by hundreds of thousands annually.

Law 5275/2026, in force since February 6, 2026, also reshapes the broader picture , it creates a Single Permit combining residence and work rights for third-country nationals and adds Tech/Talent visas valid 12 months with a path to the EU Blue Card.

Who This Affects

Tourists are untouched, 90-day Schengen rules apply as normal. Digital nomads face tighter conditions now , no converting a C visa to a D visa, you need the D visa first, full stop. Skilled workers and tech professionals gain the most from the new talent track. Investors and wealthy expats remain the Golden Visa's core audience.

What to Do

• Golden Visa: Apply online via migration.gov.gr with notarized investment proof, land registry docs and biometrics in Greece; processing runs 2-3 months, renewal costs €2,000
• Non-Dom: Apply through AADE (Greece's tax authority), prove €500,000 in Greek investment within 3 years, confirm non-residency for 7 of the prior 8 years; flat tax due by July 31 annually
• Single Permit / Tech Visa: Digital applications rolling out in spring 2026 through migration.gov.gr

The startup investment route is, frankly, the most interesting addition for mobile entrepreneurs who want EU residency without buying property, it won't suit everyone but it's a real option now. Keep an eye on visa updates as Greece's digital permit rollout continues through mid-2026.

Read our full Greece guide for the complete picture.