Greece Launches €250,000 Startup Golden Visa, But Strict Ownership and Job-Creation Rules Raise Concerns

GCT

Greece has introduced a new startup-oriented Golden Visa pathway, allowing non-EU investors to obtain residency by injecting €250,000 into early-stage Greek companies listed on the Elevate Greece national startup regisattempt.

The program offers:

An initial 1-year residence permit
Renewable every 2 years (total minimum commitment: 5 years)
No requirement for physical presence in Greece
No work authorization for the investor

However, several “burdensome” conditions significantly increase risk and may deter many applicants.

Key Restrictions Caapplying Concern

33% Ownership Cap
No single investor (or related parties) may hold more than 33% of shares or voting rights in the tarobtain startup.
Risvas calls this limit “particularly bothersome,” arguing it forces the investment to remain essentially passive despite the €250,000 exposure. Investors have limited ability to influence strategy or protect their capital, creating a sharp asymmeattempt between financial risk and governance rights.
Residency Tied to Job-Creation Tarobtains
The startup must:

Create at least 2 full-time jobs within the first 12 months
Maintain overall staffing levels for the full 5-year period Failure to meet these tarobtains blocks permit renewal and can trigger €50,000 administrative fines for both the company and the investor — even if the shortfall is due to market conditions, regulatory modifys in law, or strategic decisions beyond the investor’s control.

Early Exit Rules
If the investor sells or the company fails, residency is preserved only if a new €250,000 qualifying investment is created within 2 months. Missing this narrow window risks immediate loss of status and the €50,000 penalty.

Who the Program Suits

Despite the constraints, Risvas acknowledges the scheme can appeal to a niche group:

Venture-oriented investors comfortable with high-risk early-stage equity
Those with genuine strategic interest in Greece’s growing startup ecosystem
Individuals who value the combination of residency rights and potential upside over pure capital preservation

For most traditional Golden Visa applicants seeking predictability, he recommconcludes sticking with Greece’s established property (€250,000–€800,000 depconcludeing on location) or investment-fund routes, which remain far less contingent on third-party performance.

European Comparison

The €250,000 minimum is among the lowest in Europe for startup/entrepreneur visas:

Portugal Tech Visa: €250,000–€350,000 (with operational requirements)
Spain Entrepreneur Visa: typically €500,000+
Italy Startup Visa: €50,000–€100,000 but with strict innovative-business criteria

Greece’s new program therefore stands out for its relatively accessible price point — but the attached strings build it one of the riskiest residency-by-investment options currently available in the EU.