Immigration to Greece for Ukrainians

Golden visa to Greece for Ukrainians

According to a new joint ministerial decision, third-country nationals who invest at least 400 thousand euros in the Greek economy are eligible for a five-year residence permit.

Who can get a Greek golden visa?

Any person over the age of 18 who has no criminal record can become an investor.

Also, a person who has inherited real estate worth more than €250,000 or received it as a gift can also obtain a Greek golden visa. They need to pass a background check, collect the necessary documents and apply for a residence permit.

What are the benefits of a Greek golden visa for investors?

• It is not necessary to live in the country for 183 days
  
• You can include your spouse, parents, and unmarried children under 21 in the application
  
• You can apply for a residence permit not in person but through an authorized representative. However, the investor needs to visit Greece within six months to provide biometric data
  
• As an investment, you can buy profitable real estate and receive rental income
  
• An investor can become a tax resident of Greece and pay income tax for 15 years at a fixed preferential rate of €100,000 per year.

What are the disadvantages of an investment visa?

An investor and his family members who receive a residence permit for investment will not be able to find a job in the country.

How much do I need to invest to get a Greek golden visa?

To obtain a residence permit in Greece, you can choose one of the following options

• invest money in securities
  
• open a deposit in a Greek bank
  
• rent or buy an apartment.

The amount of investment depends on the option chosen and the number of family members in the application. Real estate investments require from €250,000, other options - from €400,000.

How to get a residence permit in Greece for investment?

To obtain a residence permit, you can open a bank deposit or purchase securities.

What are the stages of obtaining a residence permit?

1. Collect the necessary documents to apply for a residence permit.
   
2. Obtain a visa.
   
3. A tourist visa is sufficient when buying real estate.
   
4. Arrive in Greece.
   
5. Pay the application fee.
   
6. Submit a residence permit application.
   
7. Submit biometric data.
   
8. Receive a residence permit card.

How can a holder of a Greek golden visa obtain citizenship?

An investor does not have to reside in the country permanently to keep a residence permit. However, to obtain citizenship, you need to live in Greece for at least 7 years.

First, the investor obtains a 5-year golden visa for Greece and moves to the country. After 5 years, he or she extends the residence permit or obtains permanent residence in Greece. Permanent residence is granted to those investors who have spent no more than 10 months outside Greece in the last 5 years.

After another 2 years, the investor applies for a Greek golden passport. The application fee is 700 €.

In order to obtain Greek citizenship, you need to pass an exam on the knowledge of the Greek language and the history of the country, as well as take an oath. In addition, the investor confirms that he or she does not pose any social risks, i.e. does not pose a threat to the life and health of citizens, and has a stable income and does not claim unemployment benefits.

The investor's minor children automatically acquire Greek citizenship together with him or her, provided that they live in Greece.

How to obtain Greek citizenship?

Naturalization allows a foreign national to obtain Greek citizenship. The procedure differs from case to case.

What is naturalization?

Naturalization is the last step in the process of integrating into the Greek way of life. It gives you the right to vote and run for office.

Since Greece recognizes dual citizenship, applicants for a Greek passport do not risk losing their original citizenship, provided that their country of origin also allows dual citizenship.

What are the requirements for a Ukrainian citizen to obtain Greek citizenship by naturalization?

• Be of legal age at the time of submitting the declaration of naturalization (at least 18 years of age on the day of application)
  
• Not to have criminal obstacles, i.e. not to have been irrevocably convicted of a crime committed (not negligently) within the last decade before applying for naturalization
  
• Not to be expelled from Greece. It is also not possible to obtain Greek citizenship by naturalization for a foreigner who does not have the right to reside legally in Greece or whose residence status is uncertain
  
• Confirm the required period of legal residence in Greece
  
• Hold one of the following residence permits:
  
• Long-term residence permit
  
• Certificate or other residence permit issued to citizens of EU member states or EFTA countries
  
• Residence permit issued to family members of a Greek citizen or a citizen of an EU member state or to parents of a minor
  
• A certificate of recognized refugee status or subsidiary protection status or a family member of the cardholder
  
• Travel documents or other documents that can prove your identity.

What documents do I need to provide for my naturalization application?

• A true and certified copy of the naturalization application
  
• A copy of the social security number (AMKA - a single registration number for work and social security)
  
• A true and certified copy of your passport or other travel document proving your identity
  
• Copy of a valid residence permit
  
• The applicant's birth certificate or a birth certificate issued by the Greek authorities or another equivalent certificate provided for by the legislation of the first country of citizenship
  
• A copy of the income statement or tax return for the last financial year.

How much does it cost to apply for naturalization?

The fee to be paid to the Greek authorities is 700 euros for third-country nationals, up to 100 euros for expatriates or citizens of EU member states or for recognized political refugees and stateless persons. If the application is rejected and the foreigner wishes to re-apply, the amount for third-country nationals is €200, and for the rest €100.

What are the additional requirements?

According to Article 5A (1) and (2) of the Greek Citizenship Code, the essential requirements that applicants must fulfill are

• knowledge of the Greek language in order to fulfill the obligations arising from the status of a Greek citizen
  
• be able to actively and effectively participate in the political life of the country
  
• have a smooth integration into the economic and social life of the country.
  

In order to complete the naturalization process and to assess the applicant's personality as a whole, there is a legal obligation (Article 7(3)(b) of the Code of Administrative Procedure) to conduct an interview with the applicant.

How long does the procedure take?

The period for deciding on a naturalization application is approximately three (3) years, and the decision is issued by the Ministry of the Interior and published in the Government Gazette.