Both are residency by investment routes inside the Schengen area, but they now work very differently after Portugal removed its property route.
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.
Both programmes grant residence in an EU and Schengen member state in return for a qualifying investment. Portugal removed real estate as a qualifying route in October 2023 and now centres on regulated funds and donations. Greece remains a property based route with thresholds that vary by location.
In Portugal the fund route requires a minimum of 500,000 euros in a fund regulated by the CMVM, while a cultural or artistic donation route starts from 200,000 euros. In Greece the real estate threshold is 800,000 euros in high demand areas, which include Attica, greater Thessaloniki, Mykonos, Santorini and islands above 3,100 residents, and 400,000 euros elsewhere, with a 250,000 euros option for properties converted from commercial to residential use or for restored listed property.
Government charges and professional fees apply in both countries. Confirm the current figures with each authority.
Each country issues a renewable residence permit. Portuguese applications are handled by AIMA and have faced processing backlogs, and Greek processing times vary with demand. Confirm current timelines before you plan around them.
Neither route grants an immediate passport. Both give residence in an EU and Schengen state, and naturalisation later follows each country's national law after qualifying residence and other conditions are met. Time held under the permit can count toward that, so confirm the current residence and language rules.
Portugal suits investors who prefer a fund based investment, low physical presence, and a recognised long term path toward citizenship. Greece suits those who want a tangible property asset and a lower entry point through the conversion or restoration option.
| Item | Portugal Golden Visa | Greece Golden Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum investment | Fund from 500,000 euros; cultural donation from 200,000 euros | Real estate 400,000 to 800,000 euros; 250,000 euros for conversion or restoration |
| Main route | Regulated funds, donations, job creation | Real estate |
| Real estate eligible | No, removed October 2023 | Yes |
| Permit | Renewable residence permit | Renewable five year permit |
| Official authority | AIMA | Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum |
Figures are indicative and current as of June 2026. AIMA (Portugal) and the Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum publishes the binding detail. Verify before you act.
No. Both grant residency first. Citizenship follows national law after qualifying residence and other conditions.
No. Real estate stopped qualifying when the rules changed in October 2023. The route now centres on funds and donations.
Portugal requires only a short average stay, and Greece has historically had no minimum stay to maintain the permit. Confirm the current rules with each authority.
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.
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