Greece Plans Golden Visa Changes to Fix Backdated Residence Permits

Greece is preparing legislative amendments to its Golden Visa program aimed at resolving long-standing issues related to backdated residence permits, a problem that has affected thousands of investors due to administrative delays. The proposed changes are expected to be introduced in early 2026 as part of a broader reform of Greece’s migration framework.

The announcement was made by Greece’s Minister of Migration and Asylum, who confirmed that the government is drafting new provisions to ensure greater fairness and clarity for Golden Visa applicants whose residence cards currently lose validity time before they are even issued.

The Issue: Backdated Golden Visa Permits

Under the existing system, Golden Visa residence permits are often backdated to the date of application submission rather than the date the permit card is physically issued. Because processing times can extend over many months, applicants frequently receive residence cards that are already partially expired.

As a result, investors may lose a significant portion of their five-year residence validity through no fault of their own, despite having completed all investment and compliance requirements on time.

Proposed Solution: Five-Year Validity from Issuance Date

To address this issue, the Greek government plans to amend the legislation so that the five-year validity period begins on the date the residence permit is issued, not the date the application was filed.

This change would ensure that Golden Visa holders receive the full residency duration promised by the program, regardless of administrative backlogs or processing delays within public authorities.

Context: Growing Application Backlog

The proposal comes amid a significant accumulation of pending Golden Visa applications, largely driven by regulatory changes in recent years that prompted a surge in demand. As authorities worked through the growing volume of files, delays became more common, intensifying concerns around permit backdating.

The government has acknowledged these challenges and indicated that correcting the permit validity calculation is a necessary step toward restoring confidence in the program’s administration.

What This Means for Investors

If implemented, the proposed amendment would significantly benefit both existing and future Golden Visa applicants by:

• Ensuring the full five-year residence validity is granted upon permit issuance
• Eliminating uncertainty caused by processing delays
• Improving transparency and predictability within the application process

However, the changes are not yet law, and investors are advised to closely monitor official announcements as the draft legislation moves forward.

Looking Ahead

Greece’s intention to resolve the backdating issue signals a recognition of the practical challenges facing Golden Visa applicants and a willingness to adjust policy accordingly. Once formally adopted, the reform could strengthen the program’s appeal while providing much-needed clarity on residence rights.

Further details are expected once the legislative proposal is formally submitted and debated.