Step 1: the procedure for the Greek Golden Visa issuance starts with the finding of the ideal property for the client.
At Gate, we care beyond the Golden Visa issuance, because our clients invest a respectful amount of money, that is 250.000 Euros minimum, and our goal is to ensure a worthy investment for their family.
So, the question arises:
Luckily, with the help of technology and computerized as well as mobile systems, we try to make this as transparent and real as possible for the client. We try to bring the Property at the Client’s home anywhere in the world.
Firstly, we talk to the client and understand his/her needs and requirements. We ask questions, we talk to the client aiming to collect information i.e. and we follow up with suitable properties.
After we narrow down the options, we send to the client presentations of the suitable properties. We try to send 3-5 different properties so that the client can compare. Our presentation includes:
And most importantly, We
When client finally decides which property s/he wants to purchase, we email the ‘Reservation and Sales Agreement’.
Client will sign and email it to GATE, and upon the settlement of the Reservation Deposit (usually 10% of the agreed sales contract price), GATE will sign the agreement, scan and email it back.
Before we go to the next step, we should mention that if the client wishes to talk with the Greek Lawyer, we can set up live conference call, and/or client can directly consult his/her lawyer at any time before signing the agreement.
Step 2: Greek Lawyer will arrange the Signing of the Power of Attorney (POA); basically the Client will authorize the Greek Lawyer to do the following actions so that we move on with the whole procedure of title deed transferring and golden visa issuance:
All the above five procedures will be executed by the Greek Lawyer, and this is the purpose of the POA.
The POA is written in Greek. The Lawyer will call the Greek Embassy and will email the POA, too. The Lawyer will schedule an appointment for the client for the signing of the poa; and during the appt, a translator will be with the client at the Greek Embassy.
During normal times, the poa is signed at a public notary office in the Greek language, in Greece, with a translator who can translate the poa at the mother tongue of the client.
Step 3: Client starts paying for the property. Bank transfers can be made either direct to Property Developer/ Owner, or to the Greek bank of the client, and then from his/her account the Lawyer will transfer them to the Property Developer / Owner.
Note, the client shall transfer all the contract expenses including the golden visa fees to his/her own Greek account.
Step 4: Signing of Final Contract and Transfer of Title Deed A) Appointed Greek Lawyer finalises the procedure of signing the Final Contract in Notary Office and transfers the Title Deed to Client(s). The settlement of the contract amount is required as well as all taxes involved with the transaction. We must note that in normal times, client can also visit Greece and sign himself/herself the final contract with the presence of his/her Lawyer. The Final Contract is signed, by the Greek law practice, in the Public Notary Office. Congratulations, Client has now purchased the property. At this point, I find it important to note that all property buyers in Greece, both Greeks and foreigners, have the right of property ownership. The real estate in Greece is inherited by the legal heirs.
The Lawyer will bring the next day, the signed final contract, at the Land Registry where the property is located, in order to register the deed.
Step 5: Commencement of the Golden Visa (Permanent Residence Permit) issuance.
First thing is, the Collection of all necessary documents (from Lawyer) for the issuance of the Residence Permit:
Step 6: Submission of all Documents at the ‘Decentralised Administration’.
The application for the issuance of residence permits is filed at the ‘Decentralised Administration’. The submission of application shall be signed by the Applicant (or from the appointed Lawyer) on the day of submission and provided that all the documents are valid, a certificate (‘Blue Card’) of filing the application is given on the same day. The residence permit is granted within 90 days under normal circumstances. So, the Lawyer will schedule this appointment and shall receive the Blue Card, congratulations, the Residence Permit is granted. The Lawyer shall post the blue card to the Client, so that s/he can travel to Greece (without any other visa). It is worth noting, that nowadays, due to covid-19 many Greek Embassies are closed, however, for those people who hold a blue card, which it’s in essence their residence permit of Greece, the embassy will accept them to give them a travel visa for Greece (in case there is no direct flight and client has to fly i.e. through Dubai; as the blue card is written in Greek, an extra travel visa will be given to the client).
Few other important details:
Necessary documents for family members:
Step7: Client will travel to Greece to do the Biometrics; with the issuance of the Blue Card, the Greek government gives 12 months’ time, for the client to visit Greece and finish the actual ID (residence permit). The Lawyer will schedule an appointment for the Biometrics, when the client has flights for Greece. Client will go with the Lawyer for the fingertips and the actual ID Golden Visa is usually given within 2-4 weeks from the date of the biometrics appointment.