Greece Golden Visa vs UAE Residency – Full Comparison 2025

The Greece Golden Visa and the UAE Residency (including UAE Golden Visa and standard long-term residence options) represent two fundamentally different pathways to global mobility and lifestyle benefits. Greece provides EU residency, Schengen mobility, and one of the most affordable investment thresholds in Europe from €250,000 — with no requirement to live in the country.

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About Comparison

The UAE offers a stable environment, zero income tax, world-class infrastructure, and a thriving business ecosystem — but no Schengen access and no path to citizenship for most residents. This comparison will help you understand the key differences in investment requirements, taxation, mobility, relocation benefits, and long-term opportunities in both destinations.

Quick Comparison Snapshot

Minimum Investment

€250,000 (real estate)

$205,000–$545,000 (property)

Residency Type

5-year renewable

2–10-year renewable

Path to Citizenship

After 7 years of residence

Extremely limited (rare exceptions)

Travel Rights

Schengen Area (29 countries)

No Schengen, mobility based on passport

Work Rights

No

Full work rights in UAE

Processing Time

6+ months

4+ weeks

Residency Requirement

None

Must visit every 6 months

Taxation

Optional Flat Tax (€100k)

0% income tax

Minimum Investment Requirements

Greece Golden Visa 🇬🇷

€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

UAE Residency / UAE Golden Visa 🇦🇪

Investment options vary depending on the emirate and visa category:

Real estate investor visa: $205,000+

UAE Golden Visa (10 years): starting from ~$545,000) in property

Business / employment / freelance visas available

UAE residency is highly flexible but generally more expensive than the Greek program.

Processing Time

Greece 🇬🇷

6+ months, among the fastest EU programs

Residency cards issued quickly after biometrics

UAE 🇦🇪

4+ weeks, depending on visa type

Easiest and fastest business setup/residency in the Middle East

Residency Requirements

Greece 🇬🇷

Zero stay requirement

Maintain property to keep residency

Ideal as a “backup residency” or mobility enhancement tool

UAE 🇦🇪

Must enter UAE at least once every 6 months to keep residency active

Must keep property, business license, or employment contract

Ideal for relocation and active business operations

Path to Citizenship

Minimum Timeline

7 years

No standard path

Physical Stay

Required

Required, but still no eligibility

Citizenship Chances

Available for residents

Extremely rare

Passport Strength

180+ countries

Depends on original passport

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Travel & Mobility Benefits

Greece Golden Visa 🇬🇷

Visa-free travel to 29 Schengen countries

90/180 rule applies

After naturalization → 180+ visa-free countries

UAE Residency 🇦🇪

No Schengen access

Mobility depends entirely on the applicant’s original passport

UAE does not grant visa-free access through residency status

Work & Business Rights

Greece 🇬🇷

No right to salaried work

Investors may own companies and earn passive income

Suitable for asset protection and EU family relocation

UAE 🇦🇪

Full right to work or run a business

World-leading environment for entrepreneurs, freelancers, and tech founders

0% income tax, dynamic banking ecosystem

Family Inclusion

Both programs cover: spouses, children, parents (varies by dependency rules). Greece: children up to 21 (or 24 if studying). UAE: dependent children up to 25; parents under certain requirements. Both are highly family-friendly.

Tax Benefits

Greece 🇬🇷

Optional Flat Tax Program (€100,000 per year)

No tax on foreign income for non-domiciled residents

Attractive for wealthy individuals who want EU residency

UAE 🇦🇪

0% income tax

No capital gains tax

No inheritance tax

Corporate tax applies only to certain entities

One of the world’s leading tax-free jurisdictions.

Real Estate Options

Greece 🇬🇷

✔ Entry from €250,000

✔ High liquidity in Athens

✔ Tangible assets in a growing EU market

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UAE 🇦🇪

✔ Premium real estate market (Dubai, Abu Dhabi)

✔ High rental yields (6–10%+)

✔ Strong capital appreciation

❌ Higher Golden visa entry price for a Golden visa

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Pros & Cons

Greece – Pros

Lowest EU investment threshold

Strong Schengen mobility

Zero stay requirement

Path to EU citizenship (with residency)

UAE – Pros

0% income tax

Full work rights

World-class infrastructure

Extremely fast, flexible residency

Safe and stable environment

Greece – Cons

No EU-wide work rights

Citizenship requires long-term residence

UAE – Cons

No Schengen access

No meaningful path to citizenship

2-year visa holders must visit UAE every 6 months

Which Program Is Better for You?

EU residency

✔️ Yes

❌ No

Schengen mobility

✔️ Yes

❌ No

Lowest investment

✔️ Yes

❌ No

Business-friendly environment

❌ No

✔️ Yes

Tax optimization

✔️ Flat Tax

✔️ 0% income tax

Real estate investment

✔️ (€250,000)

✔️ premium market

Path to citizenship

✔️ (with residency)

❌ No

Relocation

✔️Yes

✔️ (stronger option)

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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Find Property

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FAQ – Greece vs UAE Residency

Greece (€250,000). UAE AED 2M+ for Golden Visa (~$545,000).