Greece Golden Visa Renewal Guide 2026

To renew the Greece Golden Visa, the investor must continue to meet the program requirements — primarily by maintaining ownership of the qualifying investment. The renewal application should generally be submitted at least 2 months before the current residence permit expires and includes updated documents such as a valid passport, medical insurance, proof of investment retention and payment receipts for government fees. After submitting the application and completing biometrics in Greece, the investor and eligible family members receive new residence permits valid for another 5 years.

In this guide, we explain when and how to renew the Greece Golden Visa in 2026, which documents are required, how the process works for family members and what situations may create risks for maintaining residency status.

Renewal of the Greek Residency by Investment Permit: Overview

• The investor residence permit is issued for 5 years and may be renewed an unlimited number of times. The status is not temporary and does not require starting the application process from scratch.
• The key renewal requirement is maintaining the investment. The property or other qualifying asset used for obtaining residency must remain in the investor’s ownership. Selling the asset without replacing it with another qualifying investment leads to cancellation of the residence permit.
• There is no minimum stay requirement in Greece. Unlike many other residency programs, investors are not required to live in the country in order to renew their permit.
• Family members receive residence permits under the same conditions and without additional investments. Spouses, children and parents of both spouses may be included in the application and renew their status together with the main investor.
• It is important to consider risks associated with status changes. For example, selling the property, failing to complete a renovation project or children reaching the age limit may affect renewal eligibility.

When Should the Greece Golden Visa be Renewed?

According to the Greek Immigration Code, an investor residence permit is valid for 5 years and may be renewed for additional 5-year periods provided the investment is maintained. The number of renewals is unlimited.

The renewal application should be submitted in advance — no later than 2 months before the current residence permit expires. In exceptional cases, late submission is possible within 1 month after expiration, subject to a penalty fee.

Investor Requirements for Renewing the Greece Golden Visa

Maintaining the Investment is the Key Requirement

Renewal of the investor residence permit is only possible if the qualifying investment is maintained. In practice, this means the property must remain in the investor’s ownership or another qualifying asset must be retained. If the property is sold and not replaced with another eligible investment, the residence permit will not be renewed.

The Greek Golden Visa program currently includes several investment thresholds depending on the region and property type:

• €800,000 for the most in-demand locations, including Athens and the Attica region, Thessaloniki, Mykonos, Santorini and islands with populations exceeding 3,100 residents
• €400,000 for other regions of Greece, including areas such as Halkidiki and the Peloponnese
• €250,000 for properties converted from commercial to residential use or buildings of historical and cultural significance subject to mandatory restoration within 5 years

For the standard €400,000 and €800,000 thresholds, investors are generally required to purchase one property with a minimum area of 120 m². Under the €250,000 restoration route, the property may be located in any region of Greece and may have any size.

Additional Renewal Requirements

• Valid medical insurance for the applicant and all family members. The policy may be issued by either a Greek or international insurance company if it complies with legal requirements
• No violations or security concerns. The applicant must not pose a threat to public order or national security and should not have serious criminal convictions
• Valid documents. The applicant must hold a valid passport and properly updated personal documentation
• Proof of investment retention. Applicants must provide documents confirming ownership of the qualifying investment, such as a land registry extract or purchase agreement

Which Documents are Required for Renewal?

• Renewal application form
• 4 passport-sized color photographs
• Certified copy of a valid passport or identity document
• Copies of all passport pages covering the period of the current residence permit
• Receipt confirming payment of the government fee (€2,000)
• Receipt confirming payment of the residence card issuance fee (€16)
• Valid medical insurance
• Document confirming the investment is still maintained

The investment confirmation documents must prove that the qualifying asset still belongs to the investor. Depending on the situation, this may include a purchase agreement, land registry extract and other supporting documents required by immigration authorities.

Is Living in Greece Required for Renewal?

No. Living in Greece is not required in order to renew a residence permit obtained through investment. Unlike many other residency by investment programs, the Greek Golden Visa does not impose any minimum physical presence requirement. Renewal is not linked to the number of days spent in Greece.

Requirements for Investor’s Family Members

Who Can be Included in the Application?

• Spouse or officially recognized partner
• Unmarried children under 21
• Parents of both the investor and spouse

Renewal Conditions for Investor Family Members

• All family members receive residence permits under the same conditions and for the same duration as the main applicant, including the right to renew provided the investment is maintained
• Family members are not required to make separate investments and renew their permits together with the main investor
• If the marriage with the main applicant ends, the spouse’s residence permit as a dependent family member is generally not renewed
• If a child marries or reaches the maximum eligible age under the program, renewal eligibility may be reviewed or another type of residence permit may become necessary

What Happens if the Investor’s Child is Older than 21?

• After turning 21, a child loses dependent status but does not automatically lose residency. Greek law provides a transitional mechanism allowing the child to obtain an independent residence permit, usually valid for up to 3 years and renewable until the age of 24
• After the age of 24, this status is no longer automatically renewable. To remain legally in Greece, the applicant must switch to another immigration basis, such as study, work or their own investment residency

Step-By-Step Process for Renewing the Greece Golden Visa

Step 1. Submit the application

The renewal application is submitted to the Greek immigration authorities either online or through a lawyer. It is recommended to apply 2–3 months before the current permit expires.

After submission, applicants receive a temporary confirmation document known as the blue certificate, which allows legal stay in Greece until the new residence card is issued.

Step 2. Prepare the documents

The investor prepares the standard document package, including the application form, photographs, passport copy, proof of investment, medical insurance and payment receipts.

At this stage, it is important to ensure that all documents are current and comply with immigration requirements.

Step 3. Pay the government fees

Before the application is reviewed, government fees must be paid.

• €2,000 government fee for the main applicant
• €16 residence card issuance fee per applicant
• €150 government fee for each adult family member
• Children under 18 are exempt from the government fee

Step 4. Submit biometrics

After submission, applicants are scheduled for biometric data collection, including fingerprints and photographs. Personal presence in Greece is mandatory for this stage.

The procedure takes place at the regional immigration office automatically assigned based on the property location or application area.

Step 5. Receive the new residence cards

After document review and application processing, the investor and family members receive new residence permits valid for another 5 years. The status remains unchanged if all program conditions continue to be met.

Final Thoughts

The Greece Golden Visa is not a temporary status, but a long-term residency instrument that can be renewed indefinitely if the program requirements are maintained. This is why choosing the right investment strategy, selecting the optimal property and carefully evaluating all legal and financial aspects are essential.

Astons specialists support clients throughout the entire process — from property selection to obtaining residence cards for the whole family. Book a free consultation, and our experts will help you choose a solution tailored to your goals and budget.