Greek Residence Permit for an Entrepreneur from Bangalore

Vikram Rao is an entrepreneur from Bangalore, India, and the founder of a fintech startup specializing in digital payment solutions for small and medium-sized businesses across the Indian subcontinent and the Middle East. After achieving steady growth in his home market—including securing USD 3 million in seed funding and expanding operations into the UAE—Vikram reached a strategic conclusion: further business scaling required a solid base within the European Union.

Establishing a European presence was viewed not only as a business decision but also as a long-term family strategy—providing access to the EU market, international talent, and Europe’s education and healthcare systems. As the most suitable instrument to achieve these goals, he selected the Greek Golden Visa program.

Client Objectives

Vikram’s key objectives included:

• Obtaining long-term residence in an EU country for himself, his spouse, and his children.

• Establishing an operational base for his startup in Europe with unrestricted access to EU markets.

• Securing access for his family to international education, high-quality healthcare, and mobility within the Schengen Area.

• Diversifying personal and corporate risks by establishing a presence in a stable European jurisdiction.

Why Greece and Why the Golden Visa Program?

By 2026, Greece’s Golden Visa program has undergone significant changes, yet it remains a highly sought-after solution for investors from non-EU countries.

Key reasons for choosing Greece include:

Investment Accessibility Within a Regulated Framework

Despite higher minimum investment thresholds in prime locations, Greece continues to offer a comparatively lower entry point than many other EU residency programs. In 2026, investments in approved commercial-to-residential property conversion projects remain a lawful and structurally sound option, provided strict compliance criteria are met.

Program Maturity and Stability

Following peak demand in 2023–2024, Greek authorities strengthened oversight and standardized procedures, resulting in greater predictability and legal transparency for investors focused on long-term planning.

Geographic and Business Positioning

Greece remains a strategic hub connecting Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa—regions closely aligned with Vikram’s current and future business markets.

Mobility and Flexibility

The program does not require mandatory permanent residence in Greece while granting visa-free travel throughout the Schengen Area, a critical advantage for an international entrepreneur.

Preparation and Application Process

After selecting Greece as his gateway to Europe, Vikram began working with immigration consultants GARANT.in, specialists in EU investment-based residency programs.

During the strategic assessment phase, a decision was made to pursue investment in a commercial-to-residential property conversion project in Athens, fully compliant with the updated 2025–2026 regulatory requirements. This approach allowed the investment component to be combined with the property’s potential business functionality.

The preparation process included:

• Signing a purchase agreement for commercial property in Athens within an approved conversion project, with a total investment of €500,000, meeting the requirements of the selected category.

• Providing proof of lawful source of funds, including bank transfers from India and the UAE.

• Submitting financial and corporate documentation for Vikram’s operating companies.

• Obtaining health insurance and police clearance certificates for all family members.

• Providing documentation confirming plans for the children’s education at international schools.

The application was submitted in accordance with the updated procedure for third-country nationals. Thanks to comprehensive pre-screening and a well-structured application file, the review process proceeded without requests for additional information. While processing times in 2026 remain longer than during the program’s early years, Vikram has already received a positive decision and is awaiting issuance of his residence permit cards.

Relocation and Achieved Benefits

Upon completion of the process, Vikram’s family plans a phased relocation to Athens. The company is establishing a European representative office focused on partnerships, compliance functions, and integration into the EU fintech ecosystem.

Key outcomes of the strategy include:

• An investment in a regulated EU real estate market with long-term capital preservation potential.

• Visa-free travel throughout the Schengen Area for the entire family.

• The ability for Vikram’s spouse to continue her professional activities in an international environment.

• Enrollment of the children in an international school in Athens, with future access to the European higher education system.

• Establishment of a stable “second base” for both family and business in Europe.

Relevance of the Case for Indian Entrepreneurs

For entrepreneurs from India and the MENA region, Greece’s Golden Visa program in 2026 remains:

• a tool for long-term geographic and legal diversification;

• a structured and lawful entry point into the EU ecosystem;

• a family-oriented solution offering access to education and healthcare;

• an alternative to more expensive or increasingly restrictive residency programs elsewhere in Europe.

Despite tighter requirements, Greece continues to hold a strong position among EU investment residency programs for entrepreneurs pursuing a strategic relocation.

Client Testimonial

“Greece’s Golden Visa program has allowed us to build a long-term foothold in Europe without compromising the operational flexibility of our business. We plan to grow our company from Athens while building a future for our family. The GARANT.in team supported us at every stage—from strategy to application submission. It was a professional and well-structured process.”
— Vikram Rao