Greece Golden Visa Program has provided Greek residency for more than 9,300 investors worldwide. Including their family members, the number reaches around 28,000. The program has been in effect since 2013.

According to the recent changes in the law, you can apply for the program completely remotely.

You can now go to the following sections to learn more about the program.

A Brief Outlook on Greece Golden Visa

The Greek Golden Visa Program offers a five-year residence permit that you can renew every five years. To obtain this right, you need to make a qualifying investment in Greece. The lowest required amount for this is a €250,000 investment in real estate.

Benefits of Holding a Greece Golden Visa

The advantages of getting a Greece Golden Visa are manifold.

You Can Live in Greece

The program allows you and your family to live in Greece. You can stay here as long as you want. Furthermore, the program doesn’t entail a minimum stay requirement either.

You can also benefit from public education and healthcare benefits in Greece.

Visa-Free Travel Across the Schengen Zone

You don’t need an additional visa while traveling between Schengen countries. So, you can travel to 26 European countries only by being a Golden Visa holder.

Family Reunification

Your spouse and children under the age of 21 can join in the program. In this way, they can also benefit from all the benefits of the Golden Visa program.

Greece also offers an extended family benefit as well. So, your parents and parents-in-law can also benefit from this program.

A Low Investment Threshold

Greece offers the lowest investment threshold compared to other Golden Visa programs in Europe. So, a minimum investment of €250,000 in Greek real estate can qualify you for a Golden Visa in Greece.

Double Taxation Treaty

Currently, Greece has double taxation treaties with about 60 countries. So, if your home country has a tax treaty with Greece, you don’t have to pay double taxes.

This means that income from abroad will not be subject to taxes in Greece.

There are also benefits for foreigners who live in Greece as tax residents. Different programs are available for digital nomads, retirees, and other expat groups.

Requirements to Apply for Greece Golden Visa

You need to fulfill the following requirements to qualify for a Greece Golden Visa:

• Being at least 18 years of age
• Being a non-EU/EEA country citizen
• Having a clean criminal record
• Having medical insurance for both yourself and your family
• Being of good character.

Investment Options

The investment options to qualify for a Greece Golden Visa include:

• Purchase of real estate in Greece at a minimum value of €250,000
• 10 years of a lease agreement: It can be signed for hotel accommodations or furnished tourist residences in integrated tourist resorts
• A minimum of €400,000 investment in:
  • Greek government bonds
  • Bonds or shares of real estate investment companies in Greece
  • Shares and bonds of venture fund and private equity that have headquarters in Greece

Steps to Getting Greece Golden Visa

• As a first step, you’ll select your preferred investment type, and/or property
• Then, you’ll get a Greek Non-Resident Tax number and open a bank account in Greece. Alternatively, you can use a power of attorney for this
• At this step, a lawyer executes Legal Due Diligence on your behalf. Then, you’ll get the promissory sale and purchase agreement, and the execution of a public deed
• Now, you’ll prepare all necessary documents regarding your Golden Visa application
• At this step, you’ll need to submit all the biometric data to the relevant authorities in Greece
• Now, the authorities will approve your Golden Visa application. Then, you’ll be issued a Golden Visa Residence Card
• From then on, you’ll need to renew your Golden Visa every five years.

The Required Documents for Greece Residency by Investment

You’ll need the following documents while applying for Golden Visa in Greece:

• Two copies of the application document
• Four passport-type photos: They must be recent and colored
• A certified copy of a valid passport or travel documents. It must be recognized by Greece
• A fee paid and obtained through the “e-Paravolo” platform
• A processing fee paid and obtained through the “e-Paravolo” platform
• Certification by an insurance agency for the cost of hospitalization and medical care.

Additional documentation requested by authorities may be necessary in some cases.

If you’ve been planning to get away this holiday season and celebrate in an exotic location, you may get a little sticker shock when searching for travel deals. If you’re considering taking a trip this year, it’s essential to know the costs you could be facing. From flights to hotels to rental cars, there are several reasons why your holiday travel may be more expensive than you originally anticipated. While it may seem daunting to deal with these increased prices, there are still ways you can keep your travel plans budget-friendly.

The factors affecting holiday travel costs

Inflation

Inflation is a term used in economics to measure the purchasing power of a country’s currency. It’s typically shown as a percentage based on the value of a dollar (or other currency) compared to the rise in prices for goods and services. The inflation rate increases every year, usually at a rate of around 1% – 3%, but 2021 has seen a sharp rise in inflation, currently at 6.2%. What this means for your travel budget is that the $300 trip you took in 2019 may cost significantly more than that because your $300 isn’t going to go as far as it did when the inflation rate was lower.

Increase in fuel costs

Fuel prices have surged over the past few months and reached a seven-year high thanks to the increase in demand and decrease in oil production from both the US and OPEC. As more people begin to leave their homes thanks to vaccinations and the easing of lockdown protocols, fuel prices have seen a drastic uptick to keep supply levels up to meet demand.

Labor shortage

Due to the Great Resignation happening now, many hospitality-based companies are seeing a decrease in their labor force as more people are quitting their jobs to search for better-paying careers. Consequently, businesses need to increase their prices to maintain profitability and ensure their locations stay open.

How to save money on your holiday travel

Use credit card rewards

Many credit cards offer travel points in exchange for making purchases with your card, and these points can be converted into airline miles or hotel points. However, you’ll need to be responsible with your spending and not overdo it just to get reward points. If you decide to utilize reward miles or points, you should have a solid plan for how to pay off debt every month so that you’re never carrying a balance and getting charged interest, which just raises the cost of all of your purchases.

Be flexible with your plans

If you’re able to have some wiggle room with either your travel dates or the time it takes to reach your destination, you may be able to save a significant amount of money. Many airlines and hotels will have inflated prices during peak travel times like weekends and the day before a holiday, so you could get much better pricing if you can travel on an “off” day.

 

Airlines will adjust pricing based on how many “segments” a person travels to reach their destination. If you’re willing to fly anything other than direct, you should be able to get a better deal. If you do add more segments to your itinerary, you’ll also get closer to qualifying for elite status with airlines faster since multiple flights are generally a requirement for achieving a status that gets you better seats and other perks.

The bottom line

While you may get hit with a higher price than expected for your holiday travel, that doesn’t mean you still can’t get a good deal. Keep this guide handy for when you’re ready to look for travel deals and get the best price possible.

Are you planning a weekend trip in nature? Maybe you want to stay even longer, e.g., for an entire week? Then you need to plan properly and bring everything you might need outside of civilization. During the fall season, no one wants to get in a situation where they’d have to use sticks and stones to light a fire or go into a full survivor mode and use a switchblade knife to catch a fish for lunch. But worry not! Here are some essential tips to follow to ensure a pleasant trip.

Find Your Perfect Spot 

The first thing you need to ask yourself is – what kind of a trip am I looking for? Think about whether you need a relaxing time after a long week at work, or if you’d prefer some fun and excitement with family and friends. In any case, you need to research the area where your trip is taking place. If it is a national park, they probably have a dedicated web page where you can explore the area and gather all information on the available activities (e.g., ranger walks, picnic spots, electric outlets, landmarks worth seeing, etc.). Finding your perfect place is essential for a trip to remember. It would be best if you investigated what the surrounding area has to offer, and whether or not you will have to bring a few extra things. You never know what type of surprise, pleasant or unpleasant, you may encounter. Preparation is the key.

Picking Up the Camping Essentials 

There are a few things that can get handy while you are on your trip. Bug sprays should be the first thing on your list because that’s how you will ensure a peaceful night of sleep (we all know how pesky those mosquitoes can get). Sunscreens will prevent sunburns, while nourishing creams help soothe and calm your skin if it gets irritated or if you experience an allergic reaction. A good quality switch blade knife can help you in many situations in the wild, like cutting a rope, opening a box, sharpening a piece of wood, and even opening a bottle of beer with its blunt side. While spending time in the wild, having a knife like that will get useful. Duct tape can get handy in many cases, such as mending your tent if it gets ripped. Layers of warm waterproof clothes will keep you warm. Pack essential medications like pain killers, pills for diarrhea, rubbing alcohol, sticking plaster, and a bandage.

Bring the Right Camping Gear

After you find the perfect place for your trip, make sure to bring the right camping gear to help you stay safe and sleep comfortably. Here’s an overview of what you need:

• A tent will replace the usual roof above your head, so make sure that it is waterproof and stable in strong wind or rain. The size should be big enough to accommodate the number of people that will sleep under it.
• When choosing a sleeping bag, pick a lightly weighted one, so it is not an additional problem to carry around. If you are a person that cares a lot about comfort, think about bringing an air mattress and your pillow from home to add more comfort to your night sleep.
• If the area where you are camping doesn’t have a small cafe nearby, consider bringing a gas stove with you. That way, you can enjoy a nice cup of coffee or tea in the morning.

Stocking Up Food and Drinks

An additional fun way to spend time with your friends in nature is to prepare a barbeque.  However, you have to prepare the meat the first day you arrive at your destination to stay fresh. Canned food or food prepared with hot water, fruits, vegetables, and nuts is perfect to bring along. Keeping yourself hydrated is very important, so make sure to pack enough liquid with you, such as bottled water and juices. Planning ahead can help you have a more pleasant trip. Follow our tips and create a simple checklist for an unforgettable time in nature!