In 2024, Greece accepted a record 9289 applications for an investment type of residence permit. The program is very popular. In addition, many sought to apply before the cost of participation rose - from September 1, 2024, the terms of the Greek Golden Visa changed.
However, the country's authorities do not have time to consider incoming applications. By December last year, the number of unprocessed applications reached 49,301, which is 76% more than a year earlier.
The average review period is 18 months, but in Athens the waiting period can stretch up to 2 years or more due to particularly high demand.
Today, almost all applications submitted in 2022 have been processed, however, almost half of the 2023 applications and 82% of the 2024 applications are still pending.
Most of the holders of the "golden visa" of Greece are among Chinese citizens, their share is 56%. The share of Russians is 4%. Russian citizens can participate in the program today only if they have a second passport.
Source: IMI
