Process Guide · 12 min read
Greece Golden Visa Application Process in 2026: Step by Step
From first consultation to residence card, and what changed in 2026
The 2026 Greece Golden Visa process runs from eligibility review and property selection, through legal due diligence and purchase, to biometrics and the residence card. Under Law 5275/2026 applications are auto-allocated to the migration office with the smallest backlog, which speeds up decisions; the five-year permit runs from the card issuance date. Most cases complete in around 3–6 months with complete documents.
1. Preparation and Property Selection
The process begins with an eligibility and goal review — budget, family, timeline and which tier fits. You then obtain a Greek tax number (AFM), open a local bank account, and select a property that meets the relevant threshold and compliance requirements.
For conversions, this is where the change-of-use pathway is confirmed; for ordinary purchases, the single-property and 120-square-metre requirements apply.
2. Due Diligence, Purchase and Submission
An independent lawyer runs title due diligence, then the purchase proceeds through a notarial deed with the transfer tax and registry steps completed. Funds should move through a regulated account. With the investment in place, the residence application is submitted with complete family documentation.
Law 5275/2026 emphasises that family documents should be complete at submission, so organised preparation up front avoids delays later.
3. Biometrics, Decision and the Card
After submission you provide biometrics, and the application is auto-allocated to the migration office with the smallest backlog for processing. The five-year residence permit is counted from the date the card is issued. Most cases complete in around 3–6 months depending on document readiness and authority workload.
OULANG INTERNATIONAL manages each step from its Athens base — AFM, banking, property, legal due diligence, submission and follow-up — and continues with renewals and settlement after approval.
Citations & Data Sources
Pillar page
Return to the full topic page
This article is a deep-dive support piece. Use the pillar page for the full policy context, service route, cost logic and next steps.
View Greece Golden Visa →Want to discuss your specific case?
OULANG INTERNATIONAL Athens-based team provides one-on-one consultation covering property, legal, tax, and education planning.