The government plans to introduce a scheme decoupling the Greek Golden Visa Program from real estate investments starting in 2025. The aim is to shift focus away from property investments towards fostering startup entrepreneurship.

The Greek government is trying to deal with the huge backlog of applications for residence permits for non-European Union citizens eligible for these after investing in at least 250,000 euros in Greek properties.

A total of 3.154 “golden visas” have been issued by the Greek state to third-country investors or buyers of real estate this year and up until August 31, 2018, according to the migration policy ministry.