Investment Activity
The national provisions provide for two categories of investment activity:
A. Investment activity which is beneficial to the national economy and development
In this case, up to ten persons may enter the country in order to carry it out. More specifically, these may be:
- high ranked executives, such as financial and legal advisors who can make all necessary steps to start the investment;
- experts and middle ranked executives to offer their services at the investment implementation;
- specialised members of the company’s staff during the investment activity.
B. “Strategic investment” activity
In case of a “strategic investment”, as characterised by the Inter-ministerial Committee on Strategic Investments, up to ten (10) persons deemed necessary may enter the country with a visa type “D”.
Property Owner
Non-EU citizens who have entered the country regularly or reside legally in the country, even if their residence permit does not allow change of scope, may apply for a residence permit provided they are owners of real estate property in the country worth at least € 250.000, or has a lease of 10 years at least for hotel accommodation facilities, or has concluded a time sharing agreement according to pertinent legislation on timeshare agreements.
Corporate members of boards of directors, managers and staff
This category of workers is constituted by:
- Non-EU citizens who are members of boards of directors, managers, legal representatives and senior executives (general managers, managers and deputy managers) of Greek companies and of subsidiaries and branches of foreign companies lawfully practicing commercial activities in Greece.
- Foreign employees and legal representatives employed solely by companies that have come under the provisions of legislation on development.
- Non-EU citizens who are corporate members of boards of directors, managers and staff employed in sea research, industries or hydrocarbon extraction.
- Non-EU citizens employed in companies under bilateral agreements or reports by competent Greek authorities.
- Non-EU citizens employed as technicians in industries or mines under specific conditions provided for in legislation.
Investment Activity | |
Where and how to apply | For the investment activity which is beneficial to the national economy category (A), applications to invest are submitted to the consular authority at the place of residence of the party interested in investing in Greece and are transmitted to the Ministry of Development and Competitiveness. The Ministry’s opinion on the investment is necessary for the issuance of visas. As a non-EU citizen who holds a visa for investment activity you will receive also a residence permit provided you produce the necessary supporting documents. For the “strategic investment” category (B), up to ten non-EU citizens may receive a visa type “D” for each investment, as these are deemed necessary for the implementation of investment characterized as “strategic” by the Inter-ministerial Committee of Strategic Investment. This permit is issued by the Ministry for Migration within five days. For both categories, applications for the issuance of a residence permit are submitted at the Ministry for Migration. |
Documents required | In case of strategic investments, applications for visas type “D” should be accompanied also by a report by the Secretary General of Strategic and Private Investments. |
Duration of validity of permits | This residence permit is of five year duration, renewable for five years each time. It is issued and renewed by the Ministry of Interior. In case of strategic investments, residence permits are of ten year duration, renewable for ten years also, provided that all preconditions are also met. |
Appeals | Appeals against reasoned decisions may be lodged to the administrative court, as well as to the administrative authority that issued the decision originally. |
Further information | Family members also receive residence permits, if they apply under the specifications for family reunification. In case of “strategic investments”, residence permits may be issued for the domestic personnel or personal assistants to members of family with disabilities. |
Property Owner | |
Residence permits are of five-year duration and are renewable for another five years provided the state of ownership remains the same; it is issued within two months after submission of all necessary documents and completion of the application. This residence permit is issued by the Decentralized Administration. | |
Corporate members of boards of directors, managers and staff | |
The residence permit is issued by the Ministry for Migration Policy. |
Investment Activity | |
Non-EU citizens legally residing in the country enjoy the following rights:
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Change of employment | The Ministry of Development notifies in writing the Ministry for Migration Policy on any change as well as on the progress in the implementation of the investment. |
Long-term residence | Long-term resident permit |
If you have resided in Greece lawfully and continuously for five years before submitting your application, you can apply for a long-term resident permit provided that:
You will still be able to apply for this status if you have been absent from Greece for less than six consecutive months and/or 10 months during this five-year period. You must submit your application to the authority that issued your last/previous residence permit, and meet all necessary conditions. The decision should be issued within six months, which can be delayed for an additional three month period. The long term-resident permit is valid for five years and is renewable for five years. A long-term resident enjoys the equal treatment with the Greek citizens in the following sectors:
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| Property Owner |
Real property owners have the right to rent this property. Family members also receive residence permits for the same duration as their sponsor’s. Periods of absence from Greece do not constitute reasons for non renewal. Time covered by such residence permit is not calculated towards long resident status, long resident permit or citizenship. It does not offer access to employment | |
Corporate members of boards of directors, managers and staff | |
Family members are granted residence permit on the grounds of family reunification of the same duration as the permit of the sponsor. Employer companies should notify the Ministry for Migration Policy on any change of employment of their non-EU citizen employees. |
No information available at the moment.