Head to head
United Arab Emirates Golden · AED 2M property vs Greece Golden Visa · €400k property
Two investor routes side by side: money, stay, family, fees and tax, from the official sources. The official authority decides every application.
Key differences
- MoneyUnited Arab Emirates Golden · AED 2M property asks for an investment of AED 2M+ ≈ $545k; Greece Golden Visa · €400k property for an investment of €400k+ ≈ $447k.
- First stayThe first stay is 10 yrs on United Arab Emirates Golden · AED 2M property and 5 yrs on Greece Golden Visa · €400k property.
- RenewalRenewable on both.
- FamilyUnited Arab Emirates Golden · AED 2M property: spouse needs a permit. Greece Golden Visa · €400k property: spouse can work.
- Government feesThe first government fee listed is AED 100 ≈ $27 for United Arab Emirates Golden · AED 2M property and €2,000 ≈ $2,230 for Greece Golden Visa · €400k property; the table lists every fee.
- Tax residenceUnited Arab Emirates: at least 183 days (12 consecutive months). Greece: more than 183 days (any 12-month period).
Side by side
United Arab Emirates Golden · AED 2M property | ||
|---|---|---|
| Country | 1Golden · AED 2M property | 2Golden Visa · €400k property |
| Type | 1Golden · AED 2M property Investing | 2Golden Visa · €400k property Investing |
| Money needed | 1Golden · AED 2M property Needs an investment of AED 2M+ ≈ $545k | 2Golden Visa · €400k property Needs an investment of €400k+ ≈ $447k |
| First stay | 1Golden · AED 2M property 10 yrs | 2Golden Visa · €400k property 5 yrs |
| Renewal | 1Golden · AED 2M property Renewable DetailsTen-year residence with automatic renewal and no sponsor needed. Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security | 2Golden Visa · €400k property Renewable DetailsThe first permit is valid 5 years and renews for equal periods while the investment continues; absences from Greece do not prevent renewal. |
| Spouse can work | 1Golden · AED 2M property Needs a permit | 2Golden Visa · €400k property Can work |
| Government fees | 1Golden · AED 2M property AED 100 ≈ $27 · AED 100 ≈ $27 · +1 more Details
| 2Golden Visa · €400k property €2,000 ≈ $2,230 Details
|
| Permanent residence | 1Golden · AED 2M property | 2Golden Visa · €400k property After 5 years of residence DetailsLong-term resident status needs 5 years of continuous legal residence and income at least the annual minimum wage (plus 10% for dependants); absences under 6 consecutive months and 10 months in total are allowed. |
| Citizenship | 1Golden · AED 2M property | 2Golden Visa · €400k property After 7 years of residence DetailsNaturalisation needs 7 years of legal residence for holders of investor permits (a listed title), plus Greek language and history tests and proof of economic integration. Ministry of Interior, National Registry of Administrative Public Services |
| Processing | 1Golden · AED 2M property | 2Golden Visa · €400k property 2 months DetailsThe permit is issued within 2 months of the complete file reaching the issuing authority (Art. 100(10)). |
| Where to apply | 1Golden · AED 2M property Abroad or in-country DetailsIf you are outside the UAE you receive a six-month multiple-entry entry visa, renewable once for six months, to complete the procedures. Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security | 2Golden Visa · €400k property Abroad or in-country DetailsApply online; a non-resident can apply before entering Greece through a power of attorney, or apply while legally in Greece. |
| Employer needed | 1Golden · AED 2M property No | 2Golden Visa · €400k property No |
| Tax residence test | 1Golden · AED 2M property At least 183 days (12 consecutive months) Details
| 2Golden Visa · €400k property More than 183 days (any 12-month period) |
| Foreign-source income | 1Golden · AED 2M property No personal income tax DetailsThe UAE levies no income tax on individuals; foreign-source salary, investment and rental income of an individual is outside Corporate Tax. | 2Golden Visa · €400k property Greek tax residents are taxed on worldwide income, including foreign-source income, at progressive rates from 9% to 44% (scale applied from tax year 2026); residence follows the main home, habitual abode or centre of vital interests, or presence over 183 days. |
| Tax note | 1Golden · AED 2M property | 2Golden Visa · €400k property |
| Official source | 1Golden · AED 2M property | 2Golden Visa · €400k property |
| Checked against official sources | 1Golden · AED 2M property First checked | 2Golden Visa · €400k property |
≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated.
Official sources
United Arab Emirates Golden · AED 2M property
- Golden Residency Guide · Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security · checked 2026-10-12
- Golden visa · UAE Government Portal (u.ae) · checked 2026-10-11
- Issuing Residency Permit (terms, fees and documents for each applicant category) · Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) · checked 2026-10-12
- Work permits · The UAE Government Portal (u.ae) · checked 2026-10-10
Greece Golden Visa · €400k property
- Law 5100/2024, art. 64, replacing art. 100 of the Migration Code (Government Gazette A 49/05.04.2024) · Ethniko Typografeio (Government Gazette) · checked 2026-10-11
- Increase of minimum real-estate investment for golden visa (art. 64 Law 5100/2024) · Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family - Housing Policy Portal · checked 2026-10-10
- Golden visa programme (investment in a listed real property) · National Registry of Administrative Public Services (mitos.gov.gr) · checked 2026-10-10
- Law 5038/2023, Migration Code (Government Gazette A 81/01.04.2023) · Ethniko Typografeio (Government Gazette) · checked 2026-10-11
- Migration Code, art. 100 (real-estate investment permit, type B.5), consolidated text · Taxheaven legal text repository (consolidated Migration Code, Law 5038/2023) · checked 2026-10-11
- Migration Code, art. 95 (duration of investor permits and family members), consolidated text · Taxheaven legal text repository (consolidated Migration Code, Law 5038/2023) · checked 2026-10-11
- Migration Code, art. 89 (rights and obligations of family members: access to dependent employment), consolidated text · Taxheaven (Law 5038/2023 consolidated text) · checked 2026-10-12
- Law 5275/2026, Government Gazette A 17 of 6 February 2026 (amendments to the Migration Code) · National Printing House (Ethniko Typografeio) · checked 2026-10-12
- Migration Code, art. 144 (long-term resident status: conditions), consolidated text · TaxHeaven (consolidated Law 5038/2023) · checked 2026-10-11
- Migration Code, art. 143 (long-term resident status: scope), consolidated text · TaxHeaven (consolidated Law 5038/2023) · checked 2026-10-11
- Naturalisation of non-ethnic-Greek aliens (Politografisi Allogenon Allodapon) · Ministry of Interior, National Registry of Administrative Public Services (mitos.gov.gr) · checked 2026-10-11
- Permanent golden visa (change of use) · National Registry of Administrative Public Services (mitos.gov.gr) · checked 2026-10-10