Greece Golden Visa vs Malta Residency – Full Comparison 2025

Greece and Malta offer two fundamentally different pathways to EU residency. The Greece Golden Visa is one of the most affordable, fast, and flexible investment residency programs in Europe, starting from €250,000 with no physical stay requirements.

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Malta Residency

Malta, on the other hand, provides a premium residency route through the Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP), which grants lifetime EU residency and stronger benefits — but at a significantly higher total cost (starting from €150,000+ in contributions, fees, and requirements).

Quick Comparison Snapshot

Minimum Investment

€250,000

€150,000–€300,000+ (fees + property)

Residency Type

Temporary (5-year renewable)

Permanent from day 1

Investment Type

Real estate

Property + government contribution

Processing Time

6+ months

6–8 months

Residency Requirement

None

Path to Citizenship

After 7 years (with residency)

Not guaranteed; separate process

Travel Rights

Schengen (29 countries)

Work Rights

Requires separate work permit

Minimum Investment Requirements

Greece Golden Visa 🇬🇷

€250,000 real estate investment

€500,000 minimum in certain premium areas

Business investment options

Lowest-cost EU residency program that includes real estate

Malta MPRP 🇲🇹

Malta requires a mixed investment model, including:

€30,000+ government contribution (higher if renting property)

€375,000+ property purchase or €14,000+ annual rent (depending on region)

€70,000+ in processing fees

Mandatory donation to a Maltese NGO

Total cost typically reaches €150,000–€300,000+.

Processing Time

Greece 🇬🇷

Very fast: 6+ months

Residency permit issued shortly after property purchase

Straightforward due diligence and documentation

Malta 🇲🇹

6–8 months

More rigorous due diligence

Permanent residency status granted upon approval

Residency Requirements

Greece 🇬🇷

No minimum stay

Flexible — maintain property, renew every 5 years

Ideal for non-EU residents seeking mobility without relocation

Malta 🇲🇹

No minimum stay

Must maintain qualifying property long-term

Permanent residency allows long-term settlement in Malta

Path to Citizenship

Minimum Time

7 years

No direct path via MPRP

Physical Stay Required

Yes

Yes (for separate citizenship route)

Language/Integration

Greek A2

Separate requirements (long-term)

Passport Strength

180+ visa-free

190+ countries

EU Mobility

Full mobility after citizenship

Only via separate naturalisation

Not sure whether Greece or Malta is the right choice?

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Travel & Mobility Benefits

Greece 🇬🇷

Visa-free access to all 29 Schengen countries

90/180 rule for other Schengen states

Passport after naturalisation provides full EU mobility

Malta 🇲🇹

Same Schengen travel rights

No EU-wide work rights without work permit

Passport only via separate naturalization (not part of MPRP)

Family Inclusion

Both programs allow the inclusion of: spouse, children (students included), parents (if dependent). Malta offers eligibility for grandparents as well.

Tax Benefits

Greece 🇬🇷

Optional Flat Tax Program (€100,000 annually)

No tax on foreign-sourced income for non-domiciled residents

Very attractive for global investors

Malta 🇲🇹

Remittance-based taxation: only income remitted to Malta is taxed

No tax on worldwide income if not brought to Malta

Attractive for high-net-worth non-domiciled residents

Real Estate Options

Greece 🇬🇷

✔ Real estate allowed for €250,000+

✔ Strong rental demand in Athens

✔ Tangible investment with appreciation potential

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Malta 🇲🇹

✔ Choice of renting or purchasing

✔ Higher-quality, smaller market

❌ Real estate alone is not sufficient — combined with contributions & fees

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Pros & Cons

Greece – Pros

Lowest investment threshold in the EU

Fast processing

No stay requirement

Real estate-centric

Easy family inclusion

Malta – Pros

Permanent residency from day one

High credibility and strong due diligence

Attractive tax regime for non-domiciled investors

Premium living environment, English-speaking country

Greece – Cons

Citizenship requires actual residence

Temporary residency (renewable)

Malta – Cons

Higher total cost

Does not provide a direct path to citizenship

Multi-layer investment structure

Which Program Is Better for You?

Lowest investment

✔️ Yes

❌ No

Fastest approval

✔️ Yes

✔️ (slightly slower)

Permanent residency

❌ (renewable)

✔️ Yes

Tangible investment

✔️ Real estate

✔️ Real estate (higher cost)

“Plan B” mobility without relocation

✔️ Yes

✔️ Incentives

Long-term EU citizenship

✔️ (7 years with residency)

❌ (not via MPRP)

Best tax optimisation

✔️ Flat Tax

✔️ Remittance basis

Real Estate in Greece for Obtaining Residency

Furnished Apartments with Pool in Neo Irakleio

from €260 ,000

Handover: Q1 2027

Athens, Neo Irakleio | 1BR | 37-44 m²

Fully Furnished Apartments in Tavros

from €250,000

Handover: Q1 2028

Athens | 1-2BR | 48-71 m²

Stylish Apartments with Spacious Terraces

from €282,000

Handover: Q2 2026

Kallithea, Greece | 1 BR | 41-83 m²

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FAQ – Greece vs Malta Residency

Greece (€250,000). Malta typically costs €150,000–€300,000+.