---
title: "Greece Business investor permit 2026: investment €500k+ needed"
url: https://settleanywhere.com/countries/greece/business-investment-b2/
lang: en
updated: 2026-10-12
---

Greece · Business / Startup

# Greece Business investor permit

**Investment needed:** €500k+ ≈ $559k

Residence permit for business investment: set up and run a company (type B.2)

Checked against official sources on 12 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/)

- **Investment needed:** €500k+ ≈ $559k (An investment of at least EUR 500,000 (≈ $559,000) · Minimum investment in a business seated in Greece that has positive effects on national development and the economy; if the investor is a foreign legal entity, up to 3 third-country nationals (board members, holders of at least 33% of the Greek company, managers or legal representatives acting without pay) can receive permits. A fee of EUR 2,000 (≈ $2,230) · Residence permit fee (EUR 16 extra for the card).)
- **First stay:** 5 yrs (Initial permit valid 5 years and renewable for equal periods while the investment continues or operates; absences from Greece do not prevent renewal.)
- **Who can apply:** Most passports (Third-country nationals (citizens of non-EU states).)
- **Spouse work:** Can work (Spouse or partner under a cohabitation pact, unmarried common children under 21, the investor's or spouse's custody children under 21, the spouses' direct ascendants and adult children without legal capacity who live with and are supported by the investor can obtain family permits that expire with the investor permit; children turning 21 get an independent 3-year permit. Your spouse or partner may work in Greece without a separate permit.)

## Key facts

Business investor permit is a business / startup route for Greece. Applicants need an investment of €500k+ ≈ $559k. You can stay 5 yrs, renewable. Checked 2026-10-12 against the official source.

- **Money needed:** €500k+ ≈ $559k
- **Government fees:** €2,000 ≈ $2,230
- **First stay:** 5 yrs

## Cost, time and long term

To apply: government fee €2,000 ≈ $2,230; investment €500k+ ≈ $559k. No lawyer or agent fee is included.

**Government fees: €2,000 ≈ $2,230**

- EUR 2,000 (≈ $2,230) Residence permit fee (EUR 16 (≈ $18) extra for the card).

**Invested and held: €500k+ ≈ $559k**

- EUR 500,000 (≈ $559,000) Minimum investment in a business seated in Greece that has positive effects on national development and the economy; if the investor is a foreign legal entity, up to 3 third-country nationals (board members, holders of at least 33% of the Greek company, managers or legal representatives acting without pay) can receive permits.

**Renewal: Renewable**

The first permit is valid 5 years and renews for equal periods while the investment continues; absences from Greece do not prevent renewal.

[Taxheaven legal text repository](https://www.taxheaven.gr/law/5038/2023/arthro/95) [Ethniko Typografeio](https://ia37rg02wpsa01.blob.core.windows.net/fek/01/2023/20230100081.pdf)

**Permanent residence: After 5 years of residence**

Long-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.

[TaxHeaven](https://www.taxheaven.gr/law/5038/2023/arthro/144)

**Citizenship: After 7 years of residence**

Naturalisation 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](https://mitos.gov.gr/index.php/%CE%94%CE%94:%CE%A0%CE%BF%CE%BB%CE%B9%CF%84%CE%BF%CE%B3%CF%81%CE%AC%CF%86%CE%B7%CF%83%CE%B7_%CE%91%CE%BB%CE%BB%CE%BF%CE%B3%CE%B5%CE%BD%CF%8E%CE%BD_%CE%91%CE%BB%CE%BB%CE%BF%CE%B4%CE%B1%CF%80%CF%8E%CE%BD)

**Presence rules: Absence limits**

Absences from Greece are not an obstacle to renewing an investor permit.

[Taxheaven legal text repository](https://www.taxheaven.gr/law/5038/2023/arthro/95)

## Why this route may not fit

Check this before you apply.

- Not open to EU, EEA or Swiss passports

### What you'll need

#### Who can apply

- The applicant is a third-country national.
- The investment has positive effects on national development and the economy.
- If the investor is a foreign legal entity, up to 3 third-country nationals can receive permits.
- They are board members, holders of at least 33% of the Greek company, managers or unpaid legal representatives.

#### What you must show

- A business investment of at least EUR 500,000 (≈ $559,000) in a business seated in Greece.
- Residence permit fee: EUR 2,000, (≈ $2,230) plus EUR 16 (≈ $18) for the card.

#### Steps

1. A decision of the Minister of Migration and Asylum, on a proposal of the Directorate of Direct Foreign Investments, characterises the investment and confirms a permit is expedient.
2. Up to 10 third-country executives of the investment bodies can enter on E.1, E.2 or E.4 permits, depending on the size of the investment.

## What happens at day 183

How Greece decides tax residence and treats foreign-source income, from its tax records.

- **Stay on this route:** **5 years at first, renewable**
- **Tax residence:** - **More than 183 days in any 12-month period** Presence in Greece for more than 183 days in total makes a person tax resident from the first day of presence.
- **Foreign-source income:** 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.

[All tax rules for Greece](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/greece/tax/) Tax records checked 12 Oct 2026

**Full official text**

Third-country nationals who set up and run a Greece-seated business with an investment of at least EUR 500,000 (≈ $559,000) can receive a 5-year renewable permit by ministerial decision. (sources 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

#### What you must show and pay

- An investment of at least EUR 500,000 (≈ $559,000) · Minimum investment in a business seated in Greece that has positive effects on national development and the economy; if the investor is a foreign legal entity, up to 3 third-country nationals (board members, holders of at least 33% of the Greek company, managers or legal representatives acting without pay) can receive permits. (source 1)
- A fee of EUR 2,000 (≈ $2,230) · Residence permit fee (EUR 16 (≈ $18) extra for the card). (sources 1, 2)

#### Requirements

- The applicant is a third-country national. (sources 1, 2)
- The investment has positive effects on national development and the economy. (sources 1, 2)
- If the investor is a foreign legal entity, up to 3 third-country nationals can receive permits. (sources 1, 2)
- They are board members, holders of at least 33% of the Greek company, managers or unpaid legal representatives. (sources 1, 2)
- A business investment of at least EUR 500,000 (≈ $559,000) in a business seated in Greece. (sources 1, 2)
- Residence permit fee: EUR 2,000, (≈ $2,230) plus EUR 16 (≈ $18) for the card. (sources 1, 2)
- A decision of the Minister of Migration and Asylum, on a proposal of the Directorate of Direct Foreign Investments, characterises the investment and confirms a permit is expedient. (source 1)
- Up to 10 third-country executives of the investment bodies can enter on E.1, E.2 or E.4 permits, depending on the size of the investment. (source 1)

#### Stay

- Initial permit valid 5 years and renewable for equal periods while the investment continues or operates; absences from Greece do not prevent renewal.
- Initial permitted stay: 60 months.
- Renewable, subject to the conditions in force at renewal.

#### Nationality

Third-country nationals (citizens of non-EU states). Not open to: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Cyprus, Czechia, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Spain, Finland, France, Greece, Croatia, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Slovenia, Slovakia.

#### Work

The permit states the holder's professional capacity.

#### Family

Spouse or partner under a cohabitation pact, unmarried common children under 21, the investor's or spouse's custody children under 21, the spouses' direct ascendants and adult children without legal capacity who live with and are supported by the investor can obtain family permits that expire with the investor permit; children turning 21 get an independent 3-year permit. Your spouse or partner may work in Greece without a separate permit.

Checked 2026-10-12

## Official sources

1. [Law 5038/2023, Migration Code (Government Gazette A 81/01.04.2023)](https://ia37rg02wpsa01.blob.core.windows.net/fek/01/2023/20230100081.pdf) · Ethniko Typografeio (Government Gazette) · checked 2026-10-11 · published 2023-04-01
2. [Golden visa programme (investment in a listed real property)](https://en.mitos.gov.gr/index.php/%CE%94%CE%94:Golden_visa_programme_(investment_in_a_listed_real_property)_%E2%80%93_Initial_issuance) · National Registry of Administrative Public Services (mitos.gov.gr) · checked 2026-10-10
3. [Migration Code, art. 95 (duration of investor permits and family members), consolidated text](https://www.taxheaven.gr/law/5038/2023/arthro/95) · Taxheaven legal text repository (consolidated Migration Code, Law 5038/2023) · checked 2026-10-11 · published 2026-02-06
4. [Migration Code, art. 89 (rights and obligations of family members: access to dependent employment), consolidated text](https://www.taxheaven.gr/law/5038/2023/arthro/89) · Taxheaven (Law 5038/2023 consolidated text) · checked 2026-10-12
5. [Law 5275/2026, Government Gazette A 17 of 6 February 2026 (amendments to the Migration Code)](https://ia37rg02wpsa01.blob.core.windows.net/fek/01/2026/20260100017.pdf) · National Printing House (Ethniko Typografeio) · checked 2026-10-12
6. [Migration Code, art. 144 (long-term resident status: conditions), consolidated text](https://www.taxheaven.gr/law/5038/2023/arthro/144) · TaxHeaven (consolidated Law 5038/2023) · checked 2026-10-11
7. [Migration Code, art. 143 (long-term resident status: scope), consolidated text](https://www.taxheaven.gr/law/5038/2023/arthro/143) · TaxHeaven (consolidated Law 5038/2023) · checked 2026-10-11
8. [Naturalisation of non-ethnic-Greek aliens (Politografisi Allogenon Allodapon)](https://mitos.gov.gr/index.php/%CE%94%CE%94:%CE%A0%CE%BF%CE%BB%CE%B9%CF%84%CE%BF%CE%B3%CF%81%CE%AC%CF%86%CE%B7%CF%83%CE%B7_%CE%91%CE%BB%CE%BB%CE%BF%CE%B3%CE%B5%CE%BD%CF%8E%CE%BD_%CE%91%CE%BB%CE%BB%CE%BF%CE%B4%CE%B1%CF%80%CF%8E%CE%BD) · Ministry of Interior, National Registry of Administrative Public Services (mitos.gov.gr) · checked 2026-10-11

## Business investor permit and its alternatives

| Route | Money needed | Stay | Work |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Business investor permit | Needs an investment of €500k+ ≈ $559k | 5 yr, renewable | – |
| [Startup Visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/startup-visa-89-4/) Portugal | Needs savings of €6,446+ ≈ $7,200 | 2 yr, renewable | – |
| [Entrepreneur visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/spain/entrepreneur-visa/) Spain | – | 3 yr, renewable | – |
| [Startup Visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/italy/startup-visa/) Italy | Needs savings of €50k+ ≈ $56k | 1 yr, renewable | – |
| [Freelancer permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/germany/freelance-21-5/) Germany | – | – | – |

## Questions people ask

### How much money do I need for the Business investor permit?

An investment of at least EUR 500,000 (≈ $559,000). Minimum investment in a business seated in Greece that has positive effects on national development and the economy; if the investor is a foreign legal entity, up to 3 third-country nationals (board members, holders of at least 33% of the Greek company, managers or legal representatives acting without pay) can receive permits. A fee of EUR 2,000 (≈ $2,230). Residence permit fee (EUR 16 (≈ $18) extra for the card).

### How long can I stay on the Business investor permit?

Initial permit valid 5 years and renewable for equal periods while the investment continues or operates; absences from Greece do not prevent renewal.

### Can I work on the Business investor permit?

The permit states the holder's professional capacity.

### Can I bring my family on the Business investor permit?

Spouse or partner under a cohabitation pact, unmarried common children under 21, the investor's or spouse's custody children under 21, the spouses' direct ascendants and adult children without legal capacity who live with and are supported by the investor can obtain family permits that expire with the investor permit; children turning 21 get an independent 3-year permit.

### Who can apply for the Business investor permit?

Third-country nationals (citizens of non-EU states). Not open to: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Cyprus, Czechia, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Spain, Finland, France, Greece, Croatia, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Slovenia, Slovakia.

### Does the Business investor permit lead to permanent residence in Greece?

Time on the Business investor permit counts toward permanent residence in Greece, which the rules allow after 5 years of residence. Time on the Business investor permit counts toward citizenship, which the rules allow after 7 years of residence.

### How are Business investor permit holders taxed in Greece?

No special regime in our records is tied to the Business investor permit. The standard rules apply: 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.

## More in Greece

[Working Holiday · Australia](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/greece/working-holiday-australia/) [Working Holiday · Canada](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/greece/working-holiday-canada/) [Digital nomad visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/greece/digital-nomad-visa-i8/) [Golden Visa · €350k mutual fund](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/greece/fin-mutual-fund/) [Golden Visa · €350k alt. fund](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/greece/fin-alternative-fund/) [Golden Visa · €500k REIC](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/greece/fin-reic/) [Golden Visa · €500k VC fund](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/greece/fin-venture-fund/) [Golden Visa · €500k gov bonds](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/greece/fin-govbonds/)

## Business / startup visas elsewhere

[🇫🇷 Entrepreneur / freelancer](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/france/entrepreneur-liberal/) [🇬🇧 Innovator Founder](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-kingdom/innovator-founder/) [🇳🇱 DAFT self-employed](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/netherlands/daft-self-employed/) [🇨🇾 Startup visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/cyprus/startup-visa/) [🇦🇱 Self-employed permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/albania/self-employed/) [🇲🇪 Company owner permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/montenegro/entrepreneur-owner/)

≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated.

## How this was checked

**Checked on 2026-10-12 against 8 official sources.** Status: verified against the official sources.

Every figure on this page comes from the official source it links to. The record was researched against these sources, then reviewed separately, with special attention to effective dates and amendments. Where a source does not state something, the page leaves it out.

1. [Law 5038/2023, Migration Code (Government Gazette A 81/01.04.2023)](https://ia37rg02wpsa01.blob.core.windows.net/fek/01/2023/20230100081.pdf) · Ethniko Typografeio (Government Gazette) · checked 2026-10-11
2. [Golden visa programme (investment in a listed real property)](https://en.mitos.gov.gr/index.php/%CE%94%CE%94:Golden_visa_programme_(investment_in_a_listed_real_property)_%E2%80%93_Initial_issuance) · National Registry of Administrative Public Services (mitos.gov.gr) · checked 2026-10-10
3. [Migration Code, art. 95 (duration of investor permits and family members), consolidated text](https://www.taxheaven.gr/law/5038/2023/arthro/95) · Taxheaven legal text repository (consolidated Migration Code, Law 5038/2023) · checked 2026-10-11
4. [Migration Code, art. 89 (rights and obligations of family members: access to dependent employment), consolidated text](https://www.taxheaven.gr/law/5038/2023/arthro/89) · Taxheaven (Law 5038/2023 consolidated text) · checked 2026-10-12
5. [Law 5275/2026, Government Gazette A 17 of 6 February 2026 (amendments to the Migration Code)](https://ia37rg02wpsa01.blob.core.windows.net/fek/01/2026/20260100017.pdf) · National Printing House (Ethniko Typografeio) · checked 2026-10-12
6. [Migration Code, art. 144 (long-term resident status: conditions), consolidated text](https://www.taxheaven.gr/law/5038/2023/arthro/144) · TaxHeaven (consolidated Law 5038/2023) · checked 2026-10-11
7. [Migration Code, art. 143 (long-term resident status: scope), consolidated text](https://www.taxheaven.gr/law/5038/2023/arthro/143) · TaxHeaven (consolidated Law 5038/2023) · checked 2026-10-11
8. [Naturalisation of non-ethnic-Greek aliens (Politografisi Allogenon Allodapon)](https://mitos.gov.gr/index.php/%CE%94%CE%94:%CE%A0%CE%BF%CE%BB%CE%B9%CF%84%CE%BF%CE%B3%CF%81%CE%AC%CF%86%CE%B7%CF%83%CE%B7_%CE%91%CE%BB%CE%BB%CE%BF%CE%B3%CE%B5%CE%BD%CF%8E%CE%BD_%CE%91%CE%BB%CE%BB%CE%BF%CE%B4%CE%B1%CF%80%CF%8E%CE%BD) · Ministry of Interior, National Registry of Administrative Public Services (mitos.gov.gr) · checked 2026-10-11

Tracked since 2026-10-10. Rule changes and corrections are listed on the [changes page](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/), and the [methodology page](https://settleanywhere.com/methodology/) explains how facts are checked. Found something out of date? Email [contact@stayglobe.app](mailto:contact@stayglobe.app?subject=Correction) with a link to the official source.