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Jurisdiction profile ยท Southern Europe

Greece

Greece may suit you if you want a Mediterranean home and have foreign income that could qualify for a targeted tax regime. Its EU membership, cities and island communities offer different ways to build a life there. The attraction should be tested against investment commitments, administrative demands and the quality of infrastructure where you intend to live. A residence investment, a personal tax election and a business structure answer different questions, even when they form part of the same move.

What you can use Greece for

You can consider Greece for genuine personal relocation, an investment-linked residence route or retirement planning. Compare healthcare, daily services and business needs when choosing between the main cities and island communities.

Greece's targeted personal regimes are especially relevant when your income arises abroad. They do not mean that every company you own should move there. The standard corporate income tax rate is 22% (as of 2026; confirm current rules), so company location needs its own commercial and tax analysis.

The Non-Dom lump-sum regime

The Non-Dom regime provides a fixed annual tax of EUR 100,000 on foreign-source income (as of 2026; confirm current rules) for qualifying individuals who transfer tax residence to Greece. It may suit substantial foreign income. Because the charge is fixed, its suitability depends on your actual income pattern rather than a general promise of savings.

Eligibility includes not having been Greek tax resident for seven of the preceding eight years (as of 2026; confirm current rules). The investment condition calls for EUR 500,000 in qualifying Greek investments (as of 2026; confirm current rules), to be completed within three years (as of 2026; confirm current rules). Real estate, business interests or securities may be relevant, subject to the applicable requirements.

You should assess the investment on its commercial merits and ensure that the completion timetable is realistic. The annual charge and investment commitment are different obligations. Neither should be confused with an all-inclusive price for moving to Greece. The regime concerns foreign-source income, so it is not a blanket cap on every possible Greek tax liability.

The pension regime

A separate regime for qualifying foreign pension recipients offers a 7% rate (as of 2026; confirm current rules), with a duration of fifteen years (as of 2026; confirm current rules). Your transfer from the relevant treaty jurisdiction and the current eligibility conditions require review.

Do not assume that the pension label fully describes the income covered by the legislation. Have a specialist establish the scope of the election across your foreign income, including how pension receipts and other assets are treated. Compare your complete income position and treaty circumstances.

Advantages and limitations

  • You can explore targeted personal taxation alongside a genuine EU residence plan.
  • The Mediterranean climate and range of cities and communities give you distinct lifestyle options.
  • Greece permits dual nationality, although the rules of your existing nationality remain relevant.
  • Administrative delays and documentation demands can affect your implementation timetable.
  • Infrastructure outside the main cities may not meet every household or business requirement.
  • An investment condition ties up capital and needs assessment independently of the tax election.

Banking and residence timing

Greece has an established retail and business banking market, with international private-banking services available in Athens. Clarify whether you need ordinary household payments, business banking or broader wealth management.

Prepare a coherent record of your income, ownership and intended transfers. Coordinate your bank review with the tax application and any qualifying investment, allowing for additional document requests. A favourable tax assessment does not guarantee banking approval or make every transfer straightforward.

The Golden Visa is a separate investment residence programme. Property eligibility and thresholds need current, location-specific review before you commit. Do not treat a property listing or a preliminary discussion as confirmation that an investment qualifies. Equally, residence permission alone does not establish acceptance into a special tax regime.

Common misconceptions and personal fit

Greece's personal incentives are not a universal exemption for new residents. CRS, FATCA and EU reporting arrangements remain relevant, and you need consistent declarations and records. Eventual citizenship is also a separate process with residence and language requirements, rather than an automatic outcome of an investment.

You may fit Greece if you want to live there, can support the required commitments and have an income profile that benefits from an applicable regime. It may be unsuitable if you need rapid administration, cannot tolerate investment illiquidity or expect every business and personal receipt to share the same treatment.

Bring your residence history, foreign income breakdown, investment capacity and family priorities to the assessment. FNC considers your circumstances individually, coordinating tax, immigration and banking advice before recommending how a Greek move should fit your wider arrangements.

General information, not legal, tax or investment advice. Your qualified advisers must confirm the rules for your circumstances. No banking, residence, citizenship or tax outcome is guaranteed. US citizenship carries continuing tax and reporting obligations.