Pursuant to article 3 par. 3 cases e and f of the Greek Immigration Code, the Code does not apply to beneficiaries of international protection (except for those applying for highly qualified employment, long-term resident status, or a residence card on the basis of marriage to a Greek citizen or a citizen of another EU Member State) as well as to beneficiaries of subsidiary protection.
One of the issues that has arisen in relation to the permanent investor residence permit (golden visa) based on the acquisition of real estate in Greece (pursuant to article 100 of the Greek Immigration Code), is whether this residence permit may also be granted to beneficiaries of international protection or subsidiary protection.
Circular No. 1/2026 of the Directorate of Migration Policy of the Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum clarifies that the above-mentioned provisions excluding recognized beneficiaries of international or subsidiary protection from the scope of the Greek Immigration Code apply exclusively to persons who have been granted such protection status by the competent Greek authorities, in accordance with the provisions of Law 4939/2022.
It follows from the above that beneficiaries of international protection (refugee status or subsidiary protection) whose protection status has been granted by another EU Member State or by a third country fall within the scope of Law 5038/2023 and are therefore eligible to obtain a permanent investor residence permit (golden visa) on the basis of the acquisition of real estate in Greece. Accordingly, they are treated in the same manner as all other third-country nationals, provided that they satisfy the applicable entry and residence requirements.
With regard to the documents required for the issuance of the relevant national entry visa and/or the relevant residence permit under Law 5038/2023, it is noted that the applicant shall submit a) with respect to the travel document the travel document for refugees (TDV) or other travel document issued by the country that granted the applicant international protection status and b) with respect to the criminal record certificate (where the application concerns the issuance of a national entry visa), a criminal record certificate issued by the country that granted the applicant international protection status or a criminal record certificate issued by the applicant's country of habitual residence, where this differs from the country that granted the protection status or taking into account the applicant's status as a beneficiary of international protection and the practical limitations arising therefrom, any documentation that the applicant is reasonably able to provide, such as a certificate issued pursuant to Article 25 of the Geneva Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees.
For further information regarding the permanent investor residence permit related to real estate investment, you may also read our articles here:
If you are a beneficiary of international or subsidiary protection and you are interested in investing in real estate and obtaining a Golden Visa residence permit, you can contact our office by telephone at +30 210 3319753 or by email at info@georgallis-law.com. Our law office and associates, with their expertise and experience in Golden Visa residence permit matters, will guide you step by step and assist you in completing the relevant procedure promptly, securely and effectively.
Pursuant to article 3 par. 3 cases e and f of the Greek Immigration Code, the Code does not apply to beneficiaries of international protection (except for those applying for highly qualified employment, long-term resident status, or a residence card on the basis of marriage to a Greek citizen or a citizen of another EU Member State) as well as to beneficiaries of subsidiary protection.
One of the issues that has arisen in relation to the permanent investor residence permit (golden visa) based on the acquisition of real estate in Greece (pursuant to article 100 of the Greek Immigration Code), is whether this residence permit may also be granted to beneficiaries of international protection or subsidiary protection.
Circular No. 1/2026 of the Directorate of Migration Policy of the Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum clarifies that the above-mentioned provisions excluding recognized beneficiaries of international or subsidiary protection from the scope of the Greek Immigration Code apply exclusively to persons who have been granted such protection status by the competent Greek authorities, in accordance with the provisions of Law 4939/2022.
It follows from the above that beneficiaries of international protection (refugee status or subsidiary protection) whose protection status has been granted by another EU Member State or by a third country fall within the scope of Law 5038/2023 and are therefore eligible to obtain a permanent investor residence permit (golden visa) on the basis of the acquisition of real estate in Greece. Accordingly, they are treated in the same manner as all other third-country nationals, provided that they satisfy the applicable entry and residence requirements.
With regard to the documents required for the issuance of the relevant national entry visa and/or the relevant residence permit under Law 5038/2023, it is noted that the applicant shall submit a) with respect to the travel document the travel document for refugees (TDV) or other travel document issued by the country that granted the applicant international protection status and b) with respect to the criminal record certificate (where the application concerns the issuance of a national entry visa), a criminal record certificate issued by the country that granted the applicant international protection status or a criminal record certificate issued by the applicant's country of habitual residence, where this differs from the country that granted the protection status or taking into account the applicant's status as a beneficiary of international protection and the practical limitations arising therefrom, any documentation that the applicant is reasonably able to provide, such as a certificate issued pursuant to Article 25 of the Geneva Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees.
For further information regarding the permanent investor residence permit related to real estate investment, you may also read our articles here:
If you are a beneficiary of international or subsidiary protection and you are interested in investing in real estate and obtaining a Golden Visa residence permit, you can contact our office by telephone at +30 210 3319753 or by email at info@georgallis-law.com. Our law office and associates, with their expertise and experience in Golden Visa residence permit matters, will guide you step by step and assist you in completing the relevant procedure promptly, securely and effectively.