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Comparison · GREECE ↔ SPAIN
Head-to-head dossier
Greece vs SpainGolden Visa, side by side — 2026
The short verdict
Greece. Greece edges Spain on the headline metrics most applicants weight first (entry price, speed, path to citizenship and physical presence).
The full picture is below — by the numbers, then category by category.
By the numbers
Headline metrics
| Metric | 🇬🇷 Greece | 🇪🇸 Spain |
|---|---|---|
| Status | Active | Closed |
| Headline minimum | €250,000 | €500,000 |
| Processing time | 2–6 months | 20 days |
| Path to citizenship | 7 years | 10 years |
| Physical presence | 0 days required | 1 day/year |
| Tax overlay | Non-dom flat tax €100k/year | Beckham Law (24% flat for 6 years) |
| Best for | Investors who want a Mediterranean base, a tangible asset, and a Schengen card without relocation pressure. | If you already hold the visa, this is your renewal guide. If you're new — read the Digital Nomad and Non-Lucrative sections. |
Category by category
- 01
Lower entry price
Edge: GreeceGreece starts at €250,000, Spain at €500,000.
- 02
Faster path to citizenship
Edge: GreeceGreece: 7 years. Spain: 10 years.
Who each one is for
🇬🇷 Greece — best for
Investors who want a Mediterranean base, a tangible asset, and a Schengen card without relocation pressure.
- +Zero physical presence required
- +Fastest EU Golden Visa to process
- +Real estate route still fully open
- +Schengen access from day one
🇪🇸 Spain — best for
If you already hold the visa, this is your renewal guide. If you're new — read the Digital Nomad and Non-Lucrative sections.
- +Existing holders keep their residency and renewals
- +Digital Nomad Visa fills much of the gap for active professionals
- +Beckham Law tax regime still available
The honest tradeoffs
🇬🇷 Greece — working against you
- − Tier 1 zones jumped from €500k to €800k in Sept 2024
- − Citizenship requires 7 years + Greek language B1
- − Property cannot be short-term let (Airbnb) since 2024
🇪🇸 Spain — working against you
- − Program permanently closed to new investors
- − Citizenship still requires 10 years (2 for Latin Americans)
- − Bureaucracy heavier than Portugal or Greece
Read the full dossier