Greece extends current Immigration Code and transitional measure for Golden Visa applicants

Greece has extended the validity of the current Immigration Code until 31 March 2024. It has also extended the deadline for qualifying Golden Visa applicants to benefit from an older, more lenient eligibility criterion. Law 5079/2023, published in the Government Gazette dated 22 December 2023, introduces the following amendments to the immigration rules in Greece: (i) the current Immigration Code will remain valid until 30 March 2024, and the new code, which was initially expected to be implemented on 1 January 2024, will now go into effect on 31 March 2024; and (ii) individuals who applied for a Golden Visa based on the purchase of property valued at EUR 250,000 or more, and paid at least 10% of the purchase price to the current owner by 31 July 2023, may now complete the remainder of the payment by 30 April 2024 (instead of 31 December 2023, as previously).

A Tax Alert prepared by EY's People Advisory Services group, and attached below, provides additional details.

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