In short
Greece joined the European Union in 1981, uses the euro since 2001 and has been part of the Schengen area since 2000. A Greek residence permit gives your family a legal home in the EU, with short-stay travel across Schengen. It does not let you settle in another EU country, and the investor permit does not include the right to work as an employee.
The European Union and Schengen
With a Greek residence card you can live in Greece and travel to the other Schengen countries for up to 90 days in any 180, without a visa for those trips. To live, study long-term or work in another EU country, you would need that country’s own permit. Many families use Greece as their European base and travel from there.
Healthcare
Greece has a public health system and a large private sector, with hospitals in every major city. Every Golden Visa applicant must hold health insurance that meets the legal minimum cover; most investors use private insurance. Whether and how a permit holder can use the public system depends on their situation, for example social-insurance contributions; ask before you rely on it.
Schools and universities
Children living in Greece can attend Greek public schools, taught in Greek; private and international schools are concentrated in Athens and Thessaloniki. Greek universities are public, and Patras is home to one of the largest. If schooling in English matters, check the options in the city you are considering before you choose a home.
Climate
Most of Greece has a Mediterranean climate: hot, dry summers and mild, wetter winters. In Patras, for example, the long-term average is about 10 °C in January and 27 °C in August. Mountains are rarely far away, so winter sport is possible within a couple of hours of many coastal cities.
Getting around and getting home
Athens International Airport connects Greece with most of the world, and regional airports serve the islands and major cities, many of them seasonally. Ferries link the mainland with the islands and with Italy. Within the mainland, motorways have shortened most journeys: Patras to central Athens is about 215 km by road.
Daily life
Greek cities are lived in all year: cafés, markets, neighbourhood life and late evenings. English is widely spoken in cities, in business and among younger people, but learning some Greek makes everyday life, and dealing with offices, much easier.
The honest limits
No right to employment
The investor permit does not let you work as an employee. If you plan to work in Greece, you need advice on a different permit.
Paperwork takes time
Greek administration has improved and moved online, but timelines can be long. A good local lawyer saves months.
Tax residence is separate
Living in Greece for more than 183 days a year can make you tax-resident there. Get tax advice before you move.
Not a passport
Citizenship comes only by naturalisation, after years of real residence and integration. There is no citizenship by investment.
Sources
- European Union: Greece (EU member since 1981, euro since 2001, Schengen since 2000) (accessed October 13, 2026)
- European Commission: the Schengen area and short stays (90 days in any 180) (accessed October 13, 2026)
- Joint Ministerial Decision 133692/2024: minimum health insurance for residence permits (accessed October 13, 2026)
- Hellenic National Meteorological Service: climate normals for Patras (1971–2000) (accessed October 13, 2026)
- mitos.gov.gr: naturalisation of foreign nationals (updated 1 October 2026) (accessed October 13, 2026)