Greece Vs. Portugal Golden Visa Face-Off: Tax, Investment, and Lifestyle Compared
Residency by Investment programs provide a straight path to residency in Europe, and even extend to citizenship. This offers investors life-changing opportunities, such as long-term protection of wealth and global mobility. Perfect way for foreign investors to live in the European Union legally.
Portugal Golden Visa and Greece Golden Visa are one of the most popular investment plans. Both provide a variety of investment alternatives that are deemed the most attractive to investors.
Let’s break them both down and understand what sets them apart from each other.
What is the Golden Visa program?
In today’s world, global mobility and financial security are one of the most critical factors in life. European Golden Visa programs have become valuable assets for securing a stable future and gaining residency and citizenship through investments.
These residency by investment programs provide a pathway to European Residency, and even attain citizenship. Investors are very excited by the sheer number of opportunities it offers in expanding their global access. It also provides protection to the investment as well.
The Portuguese and Greek Golden Visa programs are standout options for investors that are looking to expand their residency or citizenship opportunities. Each program offers different benefits, making it very attractive for someone who wants to secure a significant presence in Europe’s beautiful landscape.
Greece Vs Portugal Golden Visa Comparison:
Portugal Golden Visa
- Established in 2012
- Requires investment in businesses, bank deposits, job creation, scientific research, heritage donation to qualify.
- 7 day stay needed over the year to maintain visa status
- Includes spouse, children and parents in the application.
- Visa free access to Schengen countries
- Offers high quality lifestyle
- Not required to work
Greece Golden Visa
- Established In 2013
- Property Investment requirement starting from €250,000
- Visa valid for 5 years initially
- Covers spouses and children who are under 21.
- Visa-free access to Schengen countries
Greece VS Portugal Golden Visa Benefits
If you’re interested in enjoying the benefits of life in Europe and the opportunity for long term European residency, you may want to consider these two programs.
Here are the benefits:
Portugal Golden Visa:
- Only required to stay 7 days per year
- Get Citizenship after 5 years
- Tax benefits through the NHR program
- High-quality life, education, and employment opportunities
- More options than just real estate investment
Greece Golden Visa:
- Minimum investment plan
- Application Processed in just 2-3 months
- Not required to stay
- Broader Family inclusion( parents of both applicant and spouse)
- Very Fast Processing time range of just 2-4 months
Portugal Vs Greece Golden Visa: Comparison of Investment Options
| Type Of Investment | Greece | Portugal |
| Real Estate | Minimum €250,000 to purchase a real estate property in Greece. | Not available any longer |
| Business Development | Unavailable | €500,000 with addition of 10 jobs |
| Government Bonds | €500,000 in Greek government bonds | Unavailable |
| Fund Investment Option | Unavailable | €500,000 |
| Donation | Unavailable | €250,000 or €500,000 |
| Shares and Bonds | EUR 800,000 or more for the purchase of shares, corporate bonds | Unavailable |
Portugal Vs Greece Golden Visa Comparison Of Requirements
Once you fulfill the country’s citizen eligibility requirements, you gain a straightforward path to permanent residency or citizenship.
Here are the requirements that need to be fulfilled in both countries:
Requirements For Greece:
- Investment Options: Real estate investment that starts from €250,000, or other government investment routes
- Minimum Age: 18 or older
- Criminal record: Should be clean
- Health Insurance: Required
- Financial status: Has to cover personal and family expenses in Greece
- Medical: No serious illness
Requirements For Portugal
- Investment options: Job creation, donation, business, and scientific research
- Minimum age: 18 or older
- Criminal record: Should be clean
- Health Insurance: Required
- Financial status: Should be stable enough to support self and family
- Residency status: Must be legal
- Medical condition: No serious illness
Greece Vs Portugal Golden Visa: Tax Implications Compared:
Tax in Portugal Golden Visa
- No automatic tax residency: Holding a Golden Visa does not make one a tax resident unless staying in Portugal for 183+ days per year.
- NHR (Non-Habitual Resident) program: Offers 10 years of tax benefits for new residents, including:
- 0% tax on most foreign income (like dividends, interest, pensions).
- 20% flat tax on certain local income (e.g. high-value professions).
- 0% tax on most foreign income (like dividends, interest, pensions).
- Wealth and inheritance tax: Not applicable in Portugal.
- Real estate owners may pay rental income tax and property taxes if earning from the property.
Tax in Greece Golden Visa
- No automatic tax residency: Just like Portugal, Golden Visa holders are not taxed unless residing in Greece for 183+ days in a year.
- No special tax program like Portugal’s NHR.
- Global income is not taxed unless considered a tax resident.
- Rental income from Greek property is taxed in Greece (from 15% to 45% depending on income).
- The annual property tax (ENFIA) applies to real estate holdings.
Summary:
- Portugal is more tax-friendly for foreigners through the NHR scheme.
- Greece has no special tax regime, but also doesn’t tax global income unless the investor becomes a tax resident.
- In both countries, staying under 183 days/year means no personal income tax liability unless earning income locally.
Conclusion: Which Golden Visa Is Better?
Both of the Golden visa programs offer unique benefits and advantages, but have slightly different strengths.
Portugal allows less restrictions, maximum working rights, and a quicker path to citizenship. Meanwhile, Greece is limited when it comes to working rights, offers lower costs, no minimum stay, and quicker processing.
Portugal’s Golden visa is better for those individuals who are aiming for citizenship, and free access to Schengen areas, while Greece suits more for individuals seeking long term residency, with low levels of commitment.
Disclaimer: The information provided is accurate and up to date. However, immigration policies and Golden Visa regulations can change at any time based on new decisions by their governments or the European Union.
