At the centre of the scheme is a minimum investment of EUR 250,000 in a start-up registered on the Elevate Greece platform. The capital can be placed in shares or equity. Permit holders must ensure that at least two new jobs are created in the first year and maintained for five years. Failure to meet this condition leads to the loss of renewal rights.
How the investment structure works
Investors can channel funds through a Greek legal entity where they must hold full ownership, or through a foreign legal entity with up to three shareholders. Each shareholder must own at least 33%. The rules also state that a permit holder cannot control more than 33% of a company’s shares or voting rights.
Permit duration and renewal terms
The Start-up Golden Visa is issued for one year. It can then be renewed in two-year increments as long as the company keeps the required jobs and the investment remains intact. The investor must hold the shares for at least five years. If the shares are sold, reinvestment into another qualifying start-up or another eligible investment under Greece’s Immigration Code must be completed within two months to retain the permit. Periods spent outside Greece do not affect renewal eligibility.
Conditions tied to legal entities
A Greek legal entity qualifies if the investor owns 100% of its shares. For a foreign legal entity, up to three third-country nationals may apply, each holding at least 33% ownership. All funds must be transferred from abroad, and the permit does not provide work rights in Greece.
Job creation and compliance rules
The company must create two new jobs in the first year and sustain them for five years. If these conditions are not met, renewal will be denied. Regulatory provisions include fines of EUR 50,000 for both the investor and the company if the terms of the programme are breached.
The programme positions Greece’s start-up ecosystem as a formal entry point for residency-by-investment, adding a new category to its immigration framework.