Greece vs. Portugal Golden Visa 2024: Your Ultimate Comparison Guide

In the competitive landscape of European residency by investment, the Greece Golden Visa and Portugal Golden Visa stand out as top contenders.

Both programs offer a unique blend of lifestyle benefits and investment opportunities, along with a potential pathway to coveted EU citizenship.

This in-depth Greece vs Portugal Golden Visa comparison explores the nuances of each program, including the latest investment options, tax implications, and citizenship requirements.

Our goal is to provide the insights you need to make an informed choice aligned with your personal and financial goals.

Let’s dive in.

Porto, Portugal

Greece Golden Visa vs. Portugal Golden Visa: Program Highlights

Greece Golden Visa:

• Launched in 2013
  
  
• Minimum real estate investment of €250,000 to €800,000 depending on location (increased in 2023 and 2024)
  
  
• Immediate permanent residency for you and your family
  
  
• Visa-free travel in the Schengen Zone
  
  
• Citizenship is possible after 7 years of residency
  

Portugal Golden Visa:

• Launched in 2012
  
  
• Several investment options including funds, capital transfer, business, and research
  
  
• Residency granted for 1-2 years, renewable for 2-year periods
  
  
• Visa-free travel in the Schengen Zone
  
  
• Citizenship is possible after 5 years with minimal stay requirements – 5 weeks over 5 years
  

Comparing Investment Options and Minimums

One of the key differences between the Greek vs. Portugal Golden Visa is the investment landscape.

Greece emphasizes real estate but has recently increased investment minimums in high-demand areas:

• €800,000 minimum in Attica, Thessaloniki, Mykonos, Santorini, and islands with a population over 3,100 (expected as of March 2024)
  
  
• €500,000 minimum in specific municipalities of Athens, Thessaloniki, Mykonos, and Santorini (as of July 2023)
  
  
• €400,000 minimum in the “wider areas” of Greece (expected as of March 2024)
  
  
• €250,000 minimum for the rest of Greece
  

Despite these increases, Greek real estate remains one of the most affordable routes to European residency. Investors have significant location flexibility, with options across the mainland and islands.

In contrast, Portugal has removed its real estate investment options in 2023. The program now focuses on the following categories:

• Investment funds (minimum €500,000)
  
  
• Capital transfer (minimum €1.5 million)
  
  
• Business investment (minimum €500,000 and 10 jobs created)
  
  
• Scientific research investment (minimum €500,000)
  

While Portugal’s shift removes real estate as an accessible route, it aims to boost sustainability and innovation across the economy.

Athens, Greece

Lifestyle Benefits and Family Reunification

Both Greece and Portugal are renowned for their high quality of life, offering temperate climates, stunning coastlines, vibrant cultures, and delectable cuisines.

Either Golden Visa program makes it easy to include immediate family members like spouses and dependent children in the application. Portugal goes a step further, allowing you to add dependent parents as well.

When it comes to freedom of movement, both residency permits let you travel visa-free throughout the Schengen Zone, making European adventures a breeze.

But a key advantage of the Portugal Golden Visa is the low stay requirement.

You only need to spend 7 days in Portugal for the first year of residency, then 14 days every two years after that.

The Greece Golden Visa has no minimum stay requirement to maintain residency, but more time in the country can support a future citizenship application.

Greece vs Portugal Golden Visa: Citizenship Routes Compared

For many investors, a Golden Visa is the first step in a longer journey to securing an EU passport.

Both Greece and Portugal offer a path to citizenship, but the requirements differ significantly.

Portugal has one of the most achievable citizenship by investment routes in Europe.

After holding a Portugal Golden Visa for five years, you can apply for naturalization. The language requirement is attainable (A2 level Portuguese – supermarket chat level) and the stay requirement is just 35 days total over the 5 years!

Greece also offers a citizenship route, but it’s longer and more complex than Portugal’s.

You’ll need to hold your Greek Golden Visa for seven years before being eligible to apply.

You’ll also need to pass a more challenging language test, prove genuine ties to Greece, and have spent the majority of the 7 years actually living in the country.

Considering a Portugal Golden Visa? Contact us to explore a unique opportunity.

Azores, Portugal

Choosing Between The Greece and Portugal Golden Visa

So, how do you decide between the Portugal Golden Visa vs. Greece Golden Visa? It depends on your goals and priorities.

If you’re looking for an accessible real estate investment and a quick route to permanent residency in Europe, Greece’s Golden Visa may be the ideal choice.

While recent price increases have reduced some of the affordability advantages, Greek real estate is still an attractive investment for some.

But, if you’re aiming for a more seamless path to EU citizenship, Portugal’s Golden Visa should be a top contender.

The range of investment fund options, flexible stay requirements, and streamlined citizenship route make Portugal hard to beat if a second passport is your ultimate goal.

Whichever Golden Visa program you choose, you’ll be unlocking a new chapter of lifestyle and investment opportunities in Europe.

From Greece’s ancient wonders to Portugal’s stunning coastlines, a world of possibilities awaits.

Ready to start your journey to EU citizenship? Discover how the Pela Terra II: Regenerate investment fund can streamline your Portugal Golden Visa process. Explore this unique opportunity now →

Want to compare other European Golden Visa Programs? Check out our Spain vs. Portugal Golden Visa Guide