Vardikos & Vardikos is an international law firm in Greece advising clients on a wide range of Greek legal matters including the Golden Visa program.
Invest in Greece
This article is part of our Special Report : “Invest in Greece 2024” which was first published on The Washington Times in February 2025. The special report was produced with Mercury Global Reports in partnership with Civitas Post. It covers the unique proposition the firm presents for US investors keen to invest in Greece.
The clients’ content has been reproduced below and can also be read on The Washington Times here: https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/feb/26/vardikos-vardikos-advising-global-investors-greece/
Advising global clients
With decades of expertise, Vardikos & Vardikos has been helping international investors navigate the financial opportunities that Greece offers. The Greek Golden Visa program stands out as a highly coveted residence-by-investment program in Europe, combining affordability, strategic investment, and lifestyle appeal. Real estate continues to be the most sought-after investment route for the Greek Golden Visa with demand surging from an array of international markets.
“Apart from the Chinese, Turkish, Egyptian, and Indian buyers have stood out as significant investors over the past twelve months,” shared Christos Vardikos, an Athens-based Attorney at Law, Member of the Athens Bar Association, accredited to the Supreme Court, and Managing Partner at Vardikos & Vardikos.
The Greek Golden Visa has gotten the attention of American and European markets where demand has soared. According to Vardikos, “high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) from these regions have had a considerable impact on the Greek luxury real estate market, purchasing properties along the Athens Riviera and across the Greek islands.” Ultra HNWIs often spread their investment risk by acquiring multiple properties across different regions in Greece. “Liquidity is crucial for these investors,” Vardikos noted, “so they frequently evaluate their financial goals, risk tolerance, and the long-term potential of their investments in Greece, often acquiring portfolios that exceed the minimum investment requirements for the Golden Visa program.”
The Golden Visa’s investment thresholds were recently changed, applicants must now invest EUR 800,000 minimum for properties in high-demand areas with over 3,100 inhabitants (including Athens, Thessaloniki, Mykonos, and Santorini) or EUR 400,000 for properties elsewhere provided they exceed 120 square meters. Investors focusing on restoring historically or culturally significant properties, or converting commercial properties into residential ones, can invest from EUR 250,000.
“Although the minimum thresholds have increased, the Greek Golden Visa remains a competitive residence-by-investment program in a country that offers an investor-friendly ecosystem,” added Vardikos.
The Greek Golden Visa program has diversified further with the introduction of a start-up investment route designed to attract international entrepreneurs. Vardikos explained, “the criteria include a minimum investment of EUR 250,000 in startups listed on the National Register of Startups, a maximum equity participation of 33%, the creation of two or more jobs within the first year, and maintaining the workforce for at least five years.”
Foreign investors are increasingly choosing to work with Vardikos & Vardikos, a boutique law firm with associated offices in Cyprus, Dominica, and Saint Lucia. The firm provides an accessible, diversified, and professionally managed pathway to participate in Greece’s thriving Golden Visa program. “We have no exclusive agreements with local promoters, ensuring we can act as independent advisers. This allows us to guide clients transparently, ensure they avoid projects with low capital appreciation prospects, and ultimately safeguard their interests,” emphasized Vardikos.
Vardikos & Vardikos’ comprehensive services include land registry searches, representation during acquisition contracts, tax advisory, and support throughout each step of the Golden Visa application process. Christos Vardikos, who leads the firm, is renowned for his expertise, he also serves as the Consul a.h. for the Commonwealth of Dominica in the Hellenic Republic and as Special Advisor to the Honorable Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Dominica for Maritime Affairs. Many HNWIs that are keen to diversify their portfolios opt to combine the Greek Golden Visa with Caribbean citizenship-by-investment solutions. “As an Authorized Government Agent in Dominica and St. Lucia, we have assisted clients who wish to pair a Caribbean second citizenship with a European residence-by-investment permit,” Vardikos highlighted.
In addition to the Golden Visa, Greece offers other incentives for ultra HNWIs, such as the Non-Dom regime and the Financially Independent or Retiree Program. The Greek Non-Dom regime imposes a flat tax of EUR 100,000 per annum on all foreign-sourced income for the main applicant and EUR 20,000 for any dependents, this tax regime has attracted over 8,000 applications since its inception. Interest in the program grew quite notably after Italy doubled its flat tax on foreign sourced income to EUR 200,000 and the UK abolished its Non-Dom regime. The Retiree Program, on the other hand, applies a uniform 7% tax on all foreign pensions, making it an appealing option for HNWIs that want to relocate to Greece to enjoy its socio-political stability, affordable cost-of-living, and high calibre of lifestyle.
Greece offers a compelling destination for international investors seeking both investment and quality of life benefits. To learn more about your options in Greece, visit www.vardikos.com or email va******@pr********.com.
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