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How long can I stay in Greece after selling my home used for a Golden Visa?

About two years ago, I bought a home in Athens and got Golden Visas for my family. However, recently we were forced to sell it. We are in the process of doing so. We realize that this jeopardizes our legal residency in Greece. How long can we live in Greece without our home, however? At what point do the Greek authorities check up on our status? We would like to stay in Greece at least for the next few months in a rental property.


Answers
  • Stilianos Ch. Proestakis
    July 31, 2019

    As a tourist for up to 90 days in a 180-day period without a visa. Anyone staying in the Schengen Zone beyond the 90-day period may be subject to a fine at the time of departure and will be barred from entry into any other Schengen country for 90 days. In Greece, fines for overstaying the 90 days period run from 600 to 1,200 euros. Entry into Greece or any of the other European countries for short-term tourism, a business trip, or in transit to a non-Schengen destination requires that the passport be valid for at least three months beyond the intended date of departure. If the passport does not meet the Schengen requirements, the traveler may be refused boarding by the airline at the point of origin or while transferring planes. Try not to sell your property!

  • Right Target Estate
    August 01, 2019

    Theoretically, you can't . But in practice no one really checks this yet and as long as your permit is still valid you can stay. Nevertheless, since the law keeps on changing, I would check this info again a couple of months after you sell your property and every month or so until the expiry of your permit.

  • Papalois & Associates Legal
    July 31, 2019

    They may not learn sure but you are not also safe.

  • Penny Konitsioti
    August 02, 2019

    In case you are having Golden Visa certificate you may stay in Greece for as long as it is valid.

  • Synergia Technical and Consulting SA
    August 04, 2019

    According to the law, in cases when the real estate (property) is transferred, the third-country citizen, or the holder of Golden Visa residence title, loses the right to residency. In cases of resale of the property during the period of validity of the resident permit to another third-country citizen, the right to a resident permit is granted to the new buyer along with a simultaneous revocation of the seller’s resident permit. Additionally to the above provisions, a recent amendment to the law states the following obligation: In the case of a contract for sale of immovable property, if the seller is third-country citizen, he has to submit a certificate issued by the competent Foreigners and Immigration Service of the Decentralized Authority, whether the property in question has been used for Golden Visa purposes. Following the above, if you sell your property, you cannot keep your resident permit status but regarding the procedure and the available time to remain in the country without a legal residence title it’s better to advise a lawyer.