Greece’s Golden Visa program — officially known as the Permanent Investor Residence Permit (Type B.5) — offers non-EU citizens the right to live in Greece in exchange for a qualifying real estate investment. It is one of the most attractive residency-by-investment programs in Europe, offering visa-free travel across the Schengen Area, no minimum stay requirement, and the ability to include family members under the same permit. The Greek Golden Visa: Invest in Property for Residency program enables investors to secure residency while enjoying the benefits of property ownership.
The Dodecanese islands — including Rhodes, Kos, Halki, Kastellorizo, Tilos, Karpathos, and Nisyros — are among the most sought-after locations for Golden Visa property investment in Greece, combining natural beauty, strong rental yields, and a well-established international property market.
Minimum Investment Thresholds in the Dodecanese
Investing through the Greek Golden Visa: Invest in Property for Residency program not only provides residency but also opens doors to explore the rich culture and lifestyle of Greece.
The minimum investment amount for the Greek Golden Visa depends on the population of the island where the property is located, as determined by the most recent national census.
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€800,000 Minimum — Rhodes, Kos & Karpathos
Rhodes, Kos, and Karpathos have populations exceeding 3,100 residents and therefore fall under the higher investment threshold of €800,000.
This investment must be made in a single property. Where the property is a built structure or has a valid building permit, it must have a minimum floor area of 120 square metres of primary living space.
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€400,000 Minimum — Halki, Kastellorizo, Tilos & Nisyros
Halki, Kastellorizo (Megisti), Tilos, and Nisyros have populations below 3,100 residents and therefore qualify for the lower investment threshold of €400,000.
Renewing Your Golden Visa
Holders of a Permanent Investor Residence Permit (Type B.5) may renew their residence permit for an equivalent period each time, provided that the property remains in their ownership and possession at the time of renewal.
There is no requirement to reside in Greece for a minimum number of days per year in order to maintain or renew the permit.
Permitted Payment Methods
Greek law requires that the full purchase price or rental payment be made exclusively through the following methods:
- Bank cheque — a crossed cheque payable to a payment account held by the beneficiary at a credit institution operating in Greece
- Credit transfer — a direct bank transfer to a payment account of the beneficiary
- POS terminal — payment by the buyer’s bank credit or debit card through a POS device installed by a payment service provider operating in Greece, to a payment account of the beneficiary held with a payment service provider operating in Greece
Cash payments are not accepted for Golden Visa qualifying transactions. All payments must be fully traceable and processed through regulated financial channels in Greece.
Important Considerations for Borderland Areas
Some islands in the Dodecanese — due to their proximity to international borders — are classified as borderland areas, which may impose additional restrictions on property purchases by non-EU nationals. Our office has extensive experience navigating these regulations and will advise you on the specific requirements applicable to your chosen island.
How We Can Help
The Law Office of Theodosia Karalla has been assisting foreign investors with Golden Visa property transactions across Rhodes, Kos, Halki, Kastellorizo, Tilos, Karpathos, and Nisyros for over 25 years.
We provide end-to-end legal support for the entire process, including:
- Property due diligence and title searches
- Drafting and reviewing purchase contracts
- Coordinating with notaries, tax authorities, and the Land Registry
- Preparing and submitting the Golden Visa residence permit application
- Advising on payment compliance requirements
- Ongoing support for permit renewals