Residency in Greece: Receive Golden Visa in ThessalonikiHistoric port city living withEU mobility and culture

Residence and Citizenship in Thessaloniki

Why people seek residence and citizenship in Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki, Greece’s second-largest city and historic port on the Thermaic Gulf, draws individuals pursuing a residence permit in Thessaloniki for its blend of strategic location, vibrant culture, and EU membership benefits. Founded in 315 BC, the city boasts UNESCO-listed Byzantine monuments—Rotunda, Arch of Galerius, and city walls—alongside Ottoman aqueducts and Roman forums. Today, it serves as a gateway to the Balkans, the Aegean Islands, and wider Europe via the E75 highway, comprehensive rail network, and Thessaloniki International Airport (SKG). Residents—families, retirees, digital nomads, and investors—benefit from modern healthcare, international schools, thriving universities (Aristotle University), and a burgeoning startup ecosystem in Technopolis. Greece’s Golden Visa program, introduced in 2013, grants five-year residency to non-EU nationals investing at least €250,000 in local real estate—sea-view apartments in Ladadika, restored neoclassical residences in Ano Poli, or commercial units near the port. Meanwhile, the D7 passive income visa accommodates retirees and remote professionals demonstrating monthly foreign income ≥ €2,000 (plus €500 per dependent) and health insurance. Both routes require minimal physical presence—just one day per year for Golden Visa, zero specific days for D7—while granting Schengen visa-free travel, access to national healthcare (EOPYY), and public education. After five years of uninterrupted legal residence, holders may apply for permanent residence; after seven years, for Greek citizenship, subject to A2-level Greek proficiency, clean criminal record, and civic interview—culminating in Greek passports and full EU rights. Thessaloniki’s unique combination of historic charm, investment potential, and EU mobility cements its appeal for global citizens seeking residence and citizenship in Greece.

Types of residence permits and citizenship programs

Greece’s immigration framework offers multiple tailored pathways:

• Golden Visa: Five-year residency for real estate investments ≥ €250,000—or €400,000 in government bonds, shares, or bank deposits. Renewals every five years with minimal stay obligations (one day/year).
• D7 Passive Income Visa: Two-year renewable permit for applicants ≥ 18, demonstrating stable monthly foreign income ≥ €2,000 (plus €500/dependent), valid health insurance, and local accommodation proof.
• D4 Student Visa: Annual renewable permits for non-EU students enrolled at Aristotle University or other accredited institutions, requiring enrollment letters and proof of funds.
• D2 Self-Employment / D3 Employment Visas: Permits for entrepreneurs launching businesses (tourism, tech, shipping) or skilled professionals employed by Greek companies; require business plans or employment contracts with social security registration.
• Family Reunification: Spouses, minor children, and dependent parents receive matching residency rights under simplified procedures.
• Permanent Residence: After five years of continuous legal residence under any qualifying permit; grants indefinite stay, unrestricted work rights, and broader social benefits.
• Citizenship by Naturalization: After seven years of legal residence, A2-level Greek proficiency, clean criminal record, and civic interview; results in Greek passports and full EU citizenship rights.

Requirements and application process

Applicants compile core documents—valid passport (≥ 6 months), two passport-style photos, proof of accommodation (rental agreement or title deed in Thessaloniki), health insurance (EOPYY or private), apostilled criminal record certificates, and financial proof (bank statements, pension slips). Additional criteria by category:

• Golden Visa: Real estate purchase contracts/title deeds or investment statements; NIF registration; AML-compliant fund transfer receipts.
• D7 Visa: Detailed bank or pension statements demonstrating income; sworn residence intent declaration; updated health insurance.
• D4 Student Visa: University enrollment letters; tuition payment or scholarship proof; adequate living expense documentation.
• D2/D3 Visas: Business registration, comprehensive business plan, or signed employment contract; social security enrollment confirmation.

Applications submit at Greek consulates abroad or the regional Aliens & Immigration Department (Αλλοδαπών) in Thessaloniki. Processing times: Golden Visa and D7—2–3 months; student and work visas—1–2 months. Upon tentative approval, applicants secure national D-type visas for entry, finalize residence cards (blue booklets) after biometric enrollment at the Thessaloniki immigration office, and renew permits at least one month before expiration with updated proofs. Permanent residence and naturalization dossiers require continuous residence evidence, tax filings, and integration documentation; processing spans 6–18 months depending on caseload.

Legal framework and government policies

Thessaloniki’s residency schemes operate under:

• Law 4251/2014: Implements EU Directive 2011/98/EC on single permits and long-term residents.
• Presidential Decree 106/2007: Regulates entry and stay of third-country nationals.
• Law 4605/2019: Establishes the Golden Visa investment framework.
• AML/CTF Regulations: Enforced by HFIU, mandating source-of-fund verifications.

Administered by the Ministry of Migration & Asylum and Hellenic Police’s Immigration Departments, digital platforms (e-Kepis, ARIS) facilitate online application tracking, document uploads, and appointment scheduling, enhancing transparency for Thessaloniki residents. Recent updates expanded eligible Golden Visa investments to include energy efficiency upgrades and maritime assets, and revised passive income thresholds for D7 applicants.

Lifestyle, mobility, and long-term benefits

Living in Thessaloniki merges urban vibrancy with coastal allure:

• Cultural Scene: Byzantine walls, the White Tower, Rotunda, Archaeological Museum, and annual events—International Film Festival, Dimitria Festival, Reworks Music Festival—offer year-round cultural immersion.
• Gastronomy: Traditional tavernas in Ladadika, waterfront fish markets in the port area, modern bistros, and local markets—Modiano and Kapani—showcase Macedonian cuisine.
• Education & Research: Aristotle University, International Hellenic University, and research centers drive a youth-centric, innovative atmosphere, complemented by international schools (International School of Thessaloniki).
• Healthcare: Public hospitals—AHEPA, Papageorgiou—and private clinics—Mediterraneo, Hippocration—provide comprehensive care under EOPYY and international standards.
• Transport & Connectivity: Metro Lines 1 & 2, suburban rail, KTEL buses, and Thessaloniki Airport link residents to domestic and international destinations; ferry routes connect to nearby Chalkidiki and Aegean islands.

Residents enjoy Schengen visa-free travel (90 days/180-day period), access to national healthcare and education, and eligibility for social security benefits after qualifying contributions. After permanent residence or citizenship, they gain full EU mobility—work, study, live, and vote—in all member states. Real estate in trending districts—Ladadika, Ano Poli, Kalamaria—has shown consistent value growth, driven by tourism and urban renewal. Tax planning under Greece’s NHR regime—flat 7 % tax on foreign pensions—adds financial efficiency for retirees and professionals, making Thessaloniki a compelling choice for families, entrepreneurs, retirees, and digital nomads.

How VelesClub Int. helps

VelesClub International delivers tailored, end-to-end services for clients seeking residence and citizenship in Thessaloniki:

• Eligibility Assessment: Aligning client profiles—investment capacity, income sources, family needs—with optimal visa routes (Golden Visa, D7, D4, D2/D3).
• Document Management: Coordinating translations, apostilles, bank statements, criminal clearances, health insurance enrollment, and accommodation verification.
• Investment Advisory: Identifying prime Thessaloniki properties—boutique apartments in Ladadika, investment units near the port—conducting due diligence, and managing capital transfers under AML protocols.
• Application Coordination: Filing permit applications via ARIS or in person, scheduling biometric appointments, and monitoring progress to residence card issuance.
• Renewal & Integration: Preparing renewal dossiers, organizing Greek language courses, and facilitating cultural integration workshops.
• Permanent Residence & Citizenship: Compiling proof of continuous residence, tax filings, integration evidence, and guiding clients through naturalization interviews and oath ceremonies.

With deep local expertise, strategic governmental contacts, and a proven success record, VelesClub International ensures a seamless, efficient, and customized journey to secure residence and citizenship in Thessaloniki—empowering clients to embrace the city’s rich heritage, dynamic economy, and expansive European opportunities.