For globally minded entrepreneurs, Greece just added a compelling new residency pathway that shifts the conversation away from real estate and toward innovation, job creation, and scalable businesses. The Greece Start-Up Visa introduces a modern take on Europe’s golden visa model, rewarding founders and investors who want more than property ownership in exchange for residency.
Instead of buying an apartment or restoring a historic building, non-EU nationals can now invest directly into Greece’s start-up ecosystem. In return, they gain a renewable residence permit in one of Europe’s most culturally rich and strategically positioned countries.
Accordingly, this move reflects a broader trend across Europe and the Asia-Pacific region: governments increasingly favor productive investment over passive capital placement. Greece’s decision signals both economic pragmatism and long-term planning.
Let’s break down how the Greece Start-Up Visa works, who it suits best, and how it compares to traditional golden visa structures.
What Is the Greece Start-Up Visa?
The Greece Start-Up Visa allows non-European Union citizens to obtain Greek residency by investing a minimum of €250,000 into an eligible Greek start-up. Authorities formally introduced the program under Law 5187/2024 and incorporated it into Greece’s 2025 fiscal framework. The program officially launched in November 2025.
Rather than investing in any private business, applicants must place capital into a start-up listed on Elevate Greece, the country’s national registry for innovative companies. These businesses operate across sectors such as:
- Travel and tourism technology
- Financial technology (fintech)
- Real estate platforms and proptech
- Defense and security technology
- Digital services and software
As a result, Greece channels foreign capital directly into growth-oriented companies rather than speculative property markets.
Residency Terms and Structure
Successful applicants receive a five-year residence permit, issued in stages. Initially, authorities grant the visa for one year. Investors can then renew it every two years, provided they continue meeting the program’s requirements.
Importantly, the Greece Start-Up Visa does not operate as a “set it and forget it” residency. Instead, it ties residency rights to active economic contribution.
Key conditions include:
- Investors may not own more than 33% of shares or voting rights in the start-up
- The business must create at least two new jobs within the first year
- The company must maintain those positions for a minimum of five years
Consequently, Greece ensures that investors support employment and long-term economic stability rather than short-term capital inflows.
From Residency to Citizenship: The Long Game
While the Greece Start-Up Visa itself does not grant citizenship, it opens the door to it.
After seven years of continuous legal residence, investors may apply for Greek citizenship, assuming they meet language, integration, and presence requirements. Some applicants may extend or transition their residence through other legal pathways once the initial five-year period ends.
Therefore, for entrepreneurs who want a European base with eventual passport potential, Greece offers a realistic long-term strategy rather than a fast-track shortcut.
Why Greece Is Shifting Away From Real Estate
To understand the significance of the Greece Start-Up Visa, it helps to look at the political and economic context.
For years, Greece’s golden visa program revolved around real estate investment. Investors could qualify by purchasing property valued between €250,000 and €800,000, depending on location. While popular, the program attracted criticism from both domestic groups and EU policymakers.
Specifically, critics argued that real estate-based golden visas:
- Contributed to rising housing prices in Athens and major islands
- Reduced housing availability for locals
- Encouraged speculative investment rather than productive growth
Meanwhile, the European Union raised concerns about transparency, security risks, and money-laundering exposure tied to property-based residency programs.
As a result, Greece sought an alternative model. The start-up visa directly addresses those criticisms by steering capital into job-creating businesses rather than housing stock.
How the Greece Start-Up Visa Compares to the Traditional Golden Visa
Despite sharing the same €250,000 minimum investment threshold, the Greece Start-Up Visa differs significantly from the traditional real estate route.
Real Estate Golden Visa
- Passive investment
- No job creation requirement
- Focus on property ownership
- Increasingly restricted in major cities
Start-Up Visa
- Active economic participation
- Mandatory job creation
- Equity limits to prevent control
- Focus on innovation and scalability
Therefore, the start-up route appeals to investors who want involvement, upside potential, and alignment with Greece’s economic priorities.
Who Is the Ideal Candidate?
The Greece Start-Up Visa does not suit everyone. However, it aligns perfectly with certain profiles:
- Entrepreneurs seeking a European base
- Investors with experience in venture capital or private equity
- Founders looking to expand operations into the EU
- Americans seeking lifestyle diversification and Schengen access
In addition, Greece offers an attractive quality-of-life package: favorable climate, strong international connectivity, relatively low cost of living, and access to the entire Schengen Area.
Accordingly, investors who value mobility and optionality often see Greece as more than a residency destination—it becomes a strategic foothold.
Application Process and Practical Considerations
Applicants must submit their Greece Start-Up Visa application in person at a Greek consulate. While online appointment booking is available, authorities currently require physical presence for submission.
Given that the program remains relatively new, processing practices may evolve. Early applicants should prepare for enhanced due diligence, particularly around source of funds, business viability, and compliance with shareholding limits.
This complexity explains why many investors work with experienced advisors who understand both Greek immigration law and investment migration strategy. Firms such as Apex Capital Partners often emphasize planning, compliance, and long-term positioning rather than transactional applications, which matters in newer regulatory environments.
Greece in the Global Investor Visa Landscape
Greece does not operate in isolation. Around the world, governments increasingly design investor visas that prioritize business creation.
For example, other countries have introduced investor passes aimed at:
- Senior decision-makers in strategic sectors
- Founders building locally registered companies
- Investors committing capital directly to operating businesses
However, Greece stands out for combining:
- A relatively low entry threshold
- Access to the EU and Schengen
- A clear path to long-term residence
As a result, the Greece Start-Up Visa positions the country competitively without triggering the political backlash often associated with luxury real estate programs.
Risks and Realities Investors Should Understand
Despite its appeal, the Greece Start-Up Visa carries responsibilities.
First, investors assume business risk. Unlike real estate, start-ups do not guarantee capital preservation. Second, authorities actively monitor compliance, including job creation and ownership thresholds. Third, the program remains young, meaning procedural clarity will improve over time but may feel less predictable in its early stages.
Nevertheless, for investors comfortable with calculated risk, Greece offers both residency and upside potential rather than a static asset.
Why This Program Matters Now
Timing matters in investment migration. Programs tend to tighten after gaining popularity, not before. Early adopters often benefit from clearer access and fewer restrictions.
Greece’s move reflects a broader recalibration across Europe. Governments increasingly ask not just how much investors bring, but what they contribute. The Greece Start-Up Visa answers that question directly.
Furthermore, as remote work, entrepreneurship, and global mobility continue reshaping how people live and operate, Greece positions itself as a country that welcomes builders, not just buyers.\
A Smarter Path to European Residency
The Greece Start-Up Visa represents a meaningful evolution in residency-by-investment strategy. It rewards engagement, innovation, and economic participation while preserving access to one of Europe’s most desirable regions.
For entrepreneurs and investors who want flexibility, lifestyle benefits, and long-term optionality, Greece no longer requires buying property to belong. Instead, it invites you to help build the future of its economy.
In an era where smart investors go where they are treated best, Greece has made its intentions clear.
