Interest from US citizens in Greece’s Golden Visa program is rising sharply. According to a study by Enness Global, the number of Golden Visas granted to American nationals reached 578 by December 2025, up from 388 a year earlier. This represents a 49% year-on-year increase, reflecting a steady — rather than temporary — strengthening of demand from the United States.
Over the same period, the total number of Golden Visa approvals across all nationalities increased by 60.4%, highlighting the strong overall international momentum of the program.
Why Americans are turning to Greece’s Golden Visa
Enness Global’s analysis, based on official data from Greece’s Ministry of Migration and Asylum, shows that American participation in the program has been growing at an average monthly rate of 3.4% over the past year. Cumulatively, approvals rose from 369 in October 2024 to 578 by the end of 2025.
According to the firm, this surge in demand is driven by a combination of factors: political and economic uncertainty in the United States, growing interest in alternative residency options within Europe, and Greece’s increasingly attractive investment profile.
Expansion of the Golden Visa to innovative business investments
A pivotal role is also expected to be played by a new investment pathway within the Golden Visa program, scheduled to come into effect in 2026. Under this framework, applicants will be able to secure residency permits through a minimum investment of €250,000 in innovative companies registered with the Elevate Greece platform, across sectors such as technology, financial services, real estate and defense.
This shift marks a strategic move away from an exclusively real estate–based investment model, broadening the program’s appeal to entrepreneurs, founders and growth-oriented investors.
At the same time, Greece’s broader economic upgrade strengthens the investment narrative. The country has regained investment-grade status and, according to estimates, attracted approximately 1,200 new millionaires in 2024 alone, repositioning itself among Europe’s leading destinations for private wealth.
“The data show that American interest in Greece’s Golden Visa is not short-lived but demonstrates consistent monthly growth,” said Enness Global CEO Islay Robinson, noting that Greece combines strong investment prospects, improving economic fundamentals and a high quality of life.
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