Golden Visa
Potentially attractive when the property itself is part of the residence strategy. Thresholds and eligible property categories need current legal confirmation.
Greece for Americans
Move to Greece from the US, without confusing island romance with execution.
Greece can be extraordinary: islands, Athens, relative value, Mediterranean rhythm and a residence-by-investment corridor. The risk is treating it as simple because the lifestyle is compelling. Residence, property diligence, banking, tax and seasonal access need one owner.
The 90-day wall
How long can an American stay in Greece?
Greece is part of Schengen, so the standard visa-free stay is 90 days in any rolling 180-day period. That works for scouting Athens, the Cyclades, Crete, the Peloponnese or the Ionian islands. A settled life needs a residence route, and the right route depends on whether the project is lifestyle-led, income-led or investment-led.
The residence wall
Greece is one of the few corridors where investment can matter, but the file is technical.
Greece offers an investor residence corridor commonly known as the Golden Visa, and a separate financially independent route for people supporting themselves without local work. The investor route is not just "buy property, get residence." The Greek Ministry of Migration's investor page points to passport, health insurance, notarial certificates, land registry or cadastre proof and formal payment documentation.
Income-led
Relevant for retirees and financially independent families who do not plan to work locally.
Second home
If the plan is under 90/180, residence may not be needed, but property, tax, insurance and management still need structure.
The property wall
The property risk in Greece is rarely the view. It is the paperwork.
Americans can generally buy property in Greece, but the practical file needs discipline: AFM tax number, Greek bank path, lawyer, notary, engineer, land registry or cadastre, urban-planning status and source-of-funds documentation.
- Engineer review is central: illegal additions, zoning issues and building status can change the investment case.
- Island logistics matter: ferry access, airport seasonality, property management and contractor depth affect livability.
- Cadastre and title: registration status and encumbrances should be read before the emotional commitment.
- Golden Visa planning: where and what you buy can matter for eligibility, so residence and property sourcing cannot be separate tracks.
The tax and banking wall
Greece has attractive planning angles, but timing decides the result.
US citizens remain connected to the IRS, and Greece has its own tax-residency framework. Greece also has special regimes that can be relevant for some new residents, including high-net-worth profiles, pensioners or foreign-income cases. The point is not to chase a headline; it is to model the date, income type, assets and property plan together.
EPO coordinates the Greek immigration lawyer, tax specialist, notary, engineer, bank and property team so the client understands the whole file before selecting an island or wiring a deposit.
How the office runs a Greece move
Three steps, one accountable lead.
01The European Home Blueprint, $7,500Route selection, property brief, tax coordination, bank path, partner map, diligence checklist and timeline.
02Your decisionYou know whether Greece fits as residence, investment, second home or seasonal base before the property search takes over.
03Execution mandateIf you move forward, the office coordinates the Greek file on the ground, and the full $7,500 is credited toward the mandate.
Private consultation
Start with one focused conversation about Greece.
30 minutes, no obligation. Bring the island, budget and timeline; leave knowing what must be verified before you sign.
Book a 30-minute private callNot sure Greece is the one? Take the two-minute assessment