Greece recorded an almost 50% increase in applications for long-term visas in early 2025

In the first quarter of 2025, the Golden visa program in Greece showed a sharp increase in popularity. According to official data from the Ministry of Migration, 2,913 applications were received from January to March, which is 48% higher than in the same period in 2024.

📌 Who most often applies for a Greek residence?



The largest number of applications traditionally comes from Chinese citizens — they make up almost half of all applications. This is followed by applicants from Turkey, whose share is 10.8%, and Lebanon closes the top three with a result of 4.9%. These figures include both first-time applications and extensions of previously issued residence permits.

📈 Why has interest in the program increased?

One of the key factors was the withdrawal from the market of a similar investment program in Spain, which shifted investors' attention to Greece. There was also a noticeable increase in interest among Americans: in March 2025 alone, 445 applications were received from US citizens, which is 14% more than in December last year.

Interest in the Greek "golden visa" is fueled by the fact that the program still allows investments in residential real estate, while in Portugal and Hungary such an opportunity is currently suspended.