Processing Timelines & Government Bottlenecks

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While Greece’s Golden Visa has traditionally been viewed as efficient, surges in demand—especially post-COVID and after the 2023 threshold change—have introduced new bottlenecks.

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Standard Timeline

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• Document gathering: 2–4 weeks
  
• Legal review and preparation: 1–2 weeks
  
• Submission to Migration Authority: Immediate upon investment proof
  
• Biometrics appointment: 1–2 months
  
• Approval and residence card issuance: 3–6 months post-submission
  
  

The pre-approval model allows investors to apply and submit biometrics after arriving in Greece, during a 12-month visa-free period post-deposit or title deed.

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Known Bottlenecks

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• Athens and Thessaloniki offices experience delays of up to 6–9 months due to application volume
  
• Staffing shortages in municipal migration offices
  
• Manual verification of property ownership at land registries can introduce weeks of delay
  
  

No fast-track or premium processing options currently exist, though 2025 proposals suggest introducing e-residency issuance within three days for verified investors.

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