One of these routes is closed. Spain ended its golden visa in April 2025, so there is no live Spanish option to apply for. Greece still runs a property based golden visa. Here is the honest comparison.
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 operates a residence by investment programme administered by the Ministry of Migration and Asylum, with a real estate route repriced into regional tiers under recent law.
The Spanish golden visa, once based on a property investment of at least 500,000 euro, was abolished on 3 April 2025. Applications filed before that date are still being processed, and existing holders may renew, but no new applications are accepted.
Greece sets the real estate entry at 800,000 euro in high demand areas such as Attica, Thessaloniki, Mykonos and Thira, and at 400,000 euro in most other regions. A 250,000 euro tier applies only to specific conversion or restoration projects. Higher tier properties must generally meet a minimum living area. Confirm current figures and conditions with the Ministry of Migration and Asylum.
Spain no longer has a cost, because the route is closed. For reference, it previously required at least 500,000 euro in property. That option cannot be used today.
Greece processes golden visa applications through its migration authority. Times vary with demand, so confirm the current expectation before you plan. The permit is renewable while the qualifying investment is held.
Spain has no current timeline to quote. Only applications already in the system before the closure date continue to be handled.
Both countries are European Union and Schengen members, so residence brings broadly similar travel access within Europe. A Greek golden visa is residence, not a passport, and Greek citizenship would require years of lawful residence and meeting the language and other rules.
Spain offered a comparable lifestyle, but with the golden visa gone, residence there now requires a different visa category entirely, such as routes based on work, passive income or other grounds.
Greece suits investors who still want a European Union real estate linked residence and can meet the higher regional thresholds.
Spain suits no one as a golden visa today, since the route is closed. People set on Spain should look at its other residence visas and take licensed advice.
| Item | Greece Golden Visa | Spain, legacy golden visa |
|---|---|---|
| Status | Open | Closed since 3 April 2025 |
| Real estate minimum | Tiered at 400,000 or 800,000 euro by area, 250,000 euro for set projects | Was 500,000 euro in property, now unavailable |
| Authority | Ministry of Migration and Asylum | Programme abolished, no longer offered |
| New applications | Accepted | Not accepted |
Figures are indicative and current as of June 2026. Ministry of Migration and Asylum (Greece) publishes the binding detail. Verify before you act.
No. Spain abolished the golden visa on 3 April 2025 and does not accept new applications. Only files submitted before that date continue to be processed.
Yes, as of the date on this page. Greece runs a property based route with regional price tiers, administered by the Ministry of Migration and Asylum. Confirm current rules before applying.
Nothing equivalent. Spain still offers other residence visas based on work, study, passive income and similar grounds, but none grant residence simply for buying property.
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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