After the start of the Russian-Ukrainian war and the imposition of sanctions against citizens of the Russian Federation, in relation to the granting of a residence permit and the actual ban on the “golden visa”, a lot of scammers appeared who offer to solve this issue.
The editorial office was contacted by several people who told how unscrupulous lawyers and realtors sold them real estate, promising that in their case they would definitely be issued a “golden visa”, and then a residence permit and, in the future, Greek citizenship.
It was about a certain lady who put up an advertisement on the Russian segment of the Internet for the sale of a villa in Greece, where she assured potential buyers that she would issue a so-called buyer from the Russian Federation. “golden visa”, thanks to which he will receive a residence permit and in the future may apply for Greek citizenship. It is for this reason that the seller, they say, significantly overestimated the amount for her villa, for “additional services.”
The editors inform that on the basis of a ministerial decision, today for citizens of the Russian Federation new golden visas are not issuedhowever, back in April 2022, the decision of the Ministry of Migration was canceled announced on 28 February 2022 the suspension of consideration and decision making on pending applications for the extension of the validity of a residence permit in accordance with articles 16 and 20 B of Law 4251/2014, submitted by citizens of the Russian Federation and Belarus, including members of their families.
In addition, the submission of new applications for a residence permit, as well as applications for the extension of a residence permit by citizens of the Russian Federation and Belarus belonging to the category of “business owners” of Article 17 of Law 4251/2014, was suspended.
However, until recently, the suspension of filing and approval new statements for obtaining a residence permit under articles 16 and 20 B of Law 4251/2014 by citizens of the Russian Federation and Belarus, including members of their families, according to investment certificates.
With regard to the suspension of new applications, it is noted that exceptions apply:
- citizens of the Russian Federation or Belarus who are members of the family of investors of another nationality;
- citizens of the Russian Federation or Belarus who are family members of the investor, a citizen of the Russian Federation or Belarus who have already applied for an extension of their residence permit or have a valid residence permit.
It is noted that Greece until recently suspended issuance of residence permits for investment purposes for citizens of the Russian Federation and Belarus, before the formation of the corresponding position of the European Union. In this context, the European Commission issued its recommendation number C (2022) 2028 (28.03.2022), which was taken into account in the adoption of this decision (full text here).
Based on the above, obtaining a “golden visa” for citizens of the Russian Federation today is a practically impracticable operation. Thus, by purchasing real estate in Greece for a large amount (and 500 or more thousand euros is already solid money), you will not receive not only a residence permit and, moreover, citizenship, but you can most likely lose it, since you cannot pay taxes on it, which can lead to the confiscation of your property and its sale through an auction.
In Greece, the issues of issuing “golden visas” are decided at the level of a special commission under the Ministry of Migration, and given the rather tough position of the authorities towards Russia related to the war in Ukraine, the chance to get a positive decision is unrealistic, just as there are no bypass methods that promise you cunning lawyers and realtors.
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