Greece Golden Visa vs Cyprus Permanent Residency – Full Comparison 2025
About Comparison
Quick Comparison Snapshot
Minimum Investment Requirements
€250,000 in converted and restored real estate
€800,000 in high demand areas, including Attica and Santorini
€400,000 in the rest of the regions
Minimum €300,000 property purchase (new-build only)
Additional requirements:
Bank deposit/proof of income outside Cyprus
Clean criminal record
Cyprus PR is tied exclusively to real estate investment — usually new developments.
Processing Time
Fast-track procedure: about 6 months
Straightforward legal process
Remote application allowed before final biometrics
Approval within 6+ months
Additional documentation required for “Secure Annual Income”
Strong due diligence but predictable timeline
Residency Requirements
No physical presence required
Residency card valid for 5 years
Ideal for investors who want flexibility or a “backup residency”
Must visit Cyprus once every two years to maintain PR
No requirement to live in the country full-time
Great for those planning partial or seasonal residence
Path to Citizenship
Travel & Mobility Benefits
Golden Visa holders enjoy:
Visa-free travel across 29 Schengen countries
90/180 rule applies
After citizenship → 180+ visa-free countries
No Schengen membership
Cyprus PR does not include EU-wide travel rights
Travel rights remain tied to the applicant’s original passport
After citizenship → strong passport (but the naturalisation process is long and residency-based)
Work & Business Rights
Residency does not permit employment
But investors can own companies, rent out property, or operate a business
Cyprus PR does not grant the right to work
Business ownership is allowed, without right to salaried employment
Must demonstrate stable income from outside Cyprus
Family Inclusion
Tax Benefits
Optional €100,000 Flat Tax Scheme
No tax on foreign-sourced income for non-domiciled residents
Attractive for high-net-worth individuals
Non-domicile regime:
No tax on dividends
No tax on passive income
60-day tax residency rule (for individuals relocating)
Strong incentive for digital nomads, executives, and entrepreneurs
Real Estate Options
✔ Wide property selection across mainland and islands
✔ Strong rental yields in Athens and coastal areas
✔ Cheapest EU real estate residency threshold
✔ Modern, high-quality new-build properties
✔ Strong lifestyle markets (Limassol, Larnaca, Paphos)
❌ Only new real estate qualifies
❌ Higher investment requirements
Pros & Cons
Lowest investment in EU (€250,000)
Fast processing
No stay requirement
Strong Schengen mobility
Flexible real estate options
Permanent residency from day one
English widely spoken
Stable, safe, high-quality lifestyle
Strong tax optimisation options
Citizenship requires actual residence
Temporary residency (renewable)
Higher total investment
No Schengen access
Employment not allowed
Citizenship requires full residence
Which Program Is Better for You?
Real Estate in Greece for Obtaining Residency
Cyprus: only one visit every 2 years to maintain status.