Only one of these routes is open. Greece's Golden Visa continues with higher property thresholds, while Ireland's Immigrant Investor Programme closed to new applicants in February 2023.
Information, not advice. Figures are indicative and current as of June 2026. Always confirm the present rules with the official program authority and a licensed professional before you act.
Greece's Golden Visa, overseen by the Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum, remains open as a residency by investment route, mainly through real estate. The thresholds rose under recent reforms, so new applicants now face a tiered system. Ireland's Immigrant Investor Programme, run by Immigration Service Delivery within the Department of Justice, closed to new applications on 15 February 2023, so it is no longer a route you can start.
Ireland introduced the Immigrant Investor Programme in 2012 and closed it to new applications on 15 February 2023, citing changed economic conditions and concerns raised by European bodies about investment migration. Cases that were already approved or in the pipeline continue to be processed, but new proposals are not accepted. Confirm the position for any existing case with Immigration Service Delivery.
Greece's property route now uses a tiered minimum. Recent reforms set a threshold of EUR 800,000 in the highest demand areas and EUR 400,000 in other regions, with a EUR 250,000 level limited to certain conversion or restoration projects rather than standard purchases. Property bought on this route may not be used for short term letting, and a breach can carry penalties. Add government, tax and professional fees, and confirm the current thresholds with the authority. Ireland's former costs no longer apply because the route is closed.
Greece's processing time depends on the property transaction and the permit issuance, so confirm current timing with the authority. Ireland has no current application timeline because the programme is closed to new applicants. Any timeline quoted for it now refers to legacy cases only.
Both Greece and Ireland are European Union member states with strong passports. Greece's Golden Visa is residence, and Greek citizenship has generally required seven years of residence with further conditions. Ireland's route is closed, so it is not a path you can take today. Confirm the current naturalisation rules with the relevant authority.
If you want an open European residency by investment route, Greece is the live option here, provided the higher thresholds fit your budget and you do not rely on short term letting income. If you were considering Ireland, that programme is closed to new applicants, so look at other open routes and confirm the rules with a licensed professional.
| Item | Greece Golden Visa | Ireland Immigrant Investor Programme |
|---|---|---|
| Status for new applicants | Open | Closed since 15 February 2023 |
| Headline route | Real estate from EUR 400,000, or EUR 800,000 in high demand areas | Was a qualifying investment or endowment, now closed |
| Lower tier | EUR 250,000 only for certain conversion or restoration projects | Not applicable, route closed |
| Path to citizenship | Generally after seven years of residence, subject to conditions | Not applicable, route closed |
| Official authority | Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum | Ireland Immigration Service Delivery |
Figures are indicative and current as of June 2026. Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum and Ireland Immigration Service Delivery (programme closed) publishes the binding detail. Verify before you act.
No. It closed to new applications on 15 February 2023. Only cases already approved or in the pipeline continue. Confirm any existing case with Immigration Service Delivery.
Recent reforms set EUR 400,000 in most regions and EUR 800,000 in the highest demand areas, with EUR 250,000 limited to certain conversion or restoration projects. Confirm the current thresholds with the authority.
Reforms restrict short term letting of qualifying property, and a breach can carry penalties. Confirm the current rule before you plan rental income.
Information, not advice. Figures are indicative and current as of June 2026. Always confirm the present rules with the official program authority and a licensed professional before you act.
The rules for this route changed recently. Confirm the current position with current guidance before you act.
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