Vanuatu citizenship and Greece residence permit

Foreign nationals can get Vanuatu citizenship by investing at least $130,000 in the state fund. Alternatively, they can purchase real estate valued at €250,000 or more and apply for a residence permit in Greece valid for 5 years. This option offers a high degree of mobility, tax flexibility, and access to international markets. The combined program also enables applicants to bypass certain European restrictions that have recently complicated business, education, and travel for many. They can obtain a Greek residence permit to travel freely within the Schengen Area. The strategic location of the republic and its 15 international airports allow flights to Austria, Spain, and Germany in just 1.5 to 3 hours. Ferry trips to Italy are also available, taking from 8 hours.

One of the main advantages of the Vanuatu passport is how quickly it can be obtained—just two months. The review process for the Greek residence permit takes at least four months. Both documents can include spouses, children, and parents of the primary applicant. Holders of Greek residency who reside in the country for at least 183 days annually can apply for citizenship after seven years.

Benefits of a residency permit in Greece

Obtaining a Greek residency permit offers the following advantages:

Right to enter and reside

Residents may enter the country even if borders are closed to tourists and remain there without time limits. There are no mandatory presence requirements to maintain the status, although to qualify for permanent residency or citizenship, one must reside in the country for at least 183 days per year.

Family legalization

Relatives of citizens and residents can qualify through family reunification. Expats participating in the investment program can include their spouses, parents, and unmarried children under 24 years old in their application.

Income opportunities

Foreigners holding investment residency may not be employed but can earn income by renting out their houses in Greece. The average annual return on local real estate is 4.73%, and in some areas of Athens, such as Patision–Acharnon, it can exceed 8%. Investors may also earn dividends and interest, hold shares, or serve as managing directors of companies.

Return on investment

Residents who do not plan to renew their status can recover their investment after seven years. After that period, they may sell the asset and apply for citizenship through naturalization. Property prices in Greece continue to rise, with a 7.29% year-on-year increase in urban areas during Q3 2024. This growth allows expats to potentially earn a significant profit from resale.

Tax benefits

Investors pay a fixed annual tax of € 100,000 on their global income. Their family members may qualify for tax reductions down to €20,000 annually.

Benefits of Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment

The primary advantages of obtaining Citizenship for Investment in Vanuatu include:

Speed

Vanuatu offers the world's fastest citizenship program. The process takes two months, whereas Caribbean nations take 3–6 months, and European countries average around six months.

Remote processing

All formal procedures, including application submission, biometric data collection, and oath-taking, can be completed remotely.

No residence requirements

Applicants are not required to ever visit the country if they choose not to. The status cannot be revoked due to extended absence.

Advantages of the Combined Program

Acquiring both a Greek Residence Permit and Vanuatu Citizenship provides benefits that are unavailable when obtained separately:

Enhanced international mobility

European residency grants visa-free entry and stays in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Vanuatu citizenship enables simplified travel to countries such as Macau and the Maldives, where a visa on arrival is available, as well as electronic visas for the UAE, Bahrain, and Indonesia. This facilitates global movement, supports diverse business strategies, enables account openings in international banks, and minimizes tax exposure.

Access to European markets with tax optimization

Citizens of the Pacific nation can manage their taxes internationally, as Vanuatu does not tax worldwide income. Simultaneously, Greek residency provides a legal basis for long-term EU living, granting access to local markets and allowing flexible tax and asset management.

Lower costs and faster processing

This combination avoids the high cost of obtaining an EU passport while still offering long-term residency and business rights. Vanuatu citizenship can be secured in 1–2 months for $130,000, while Greek residency requires a €250,000 investment in property in Greece and grants the right to live in one of Europe’s most desirable locations.

Strategic protection and security

Having both statuses gives applicants strategic protection. If one status becomes invalid or the law changes, the other ensures continued ability to live and work abroad.

Flexibility in real estate and assets

The combined program allows investment in real estate, granting not only residency but also an asset that can be rented out or sold after 7 years. The second passport facilitates asset management in multiple jurisdictions, supporting tax planning and confidentiality.

Eligibility requirements

For obtaining a residence permit in Greece and Vanuatu citizenship, an applicant must be over 18, have no criminal record or serious illnesses, and provide proof that the funds used for investment were obtained legally.

Eligible family members under both programs

Application Process

Step 1: Prepare the initial set of documents for the Vanuatu program

This includes collecting passports and police clearance certificates for all adult applicants, along with the investor’s CV.

Step 2: Preliminary background check

A licensed agent submits the documents to the Financial Intelligence Unit of Vanuatu. The fee for this check is $5,000.

Step 3: Prepare and submit the second set of documents

Upon receiving initial approval, applicants must prepare a full set of documents tailored to their case. These are reviewed by the Screening Committee and the Citizenship Commission. The average review period is about two weeks.

Step 4: Fulfill the investment requirement

The applicant must make a non-refundable contribution of $130,000 to the state fund. If a spouse is included, the minimum rises to $150,000. For a spouse and one minor child, the requirement is $165,000; for a spouse and two minor children, it’s $180,000. This contribution must be completed within five days; however, in some cases, the deadline may be extended to 90 days.

Step 5: Passport issuance

Once the requirements are fulfilled, the commission sends the naturalization certificates of the investor and their family members to the passport office. Applicants may collect their documents after taking the oath of allegiance in any country.

Step 6: Purchase houses or apartments in Greece

Foreigners can obtain a residency permit by investing in property valued at €250,000 or more. In 2025, this minimum applies only to properties requiring renovation. Standard property values range from €400,000 to €800,000 depending on the region. The transaction may be completed in person or through a legal representative. To finalize the deal, one must obtain a taxpayer identification number, verify the property's legal status, and prepare the necessary paperwork with the assistance of a notary. The transaction is then registered with the Land Registry, after which the investor receives the ownership certificate and the full document package for the property.

Step 7: Prepare and submit residency documents

Applicants may begin preparing documents during the property purchase process. After adding the property title to the package, the documents are submitted to the Ministry of Immigration and Asylum. Biometric data must be submitted on the day of application (or later if using a proxy). The applicant then receives a certificate allowing them to reside in Greece for up to one year.

Step 8: Receive the residence permit in Greece

In most cases, applications are processed within two months, although delays of up to eight months may occur due to high demand. The residency card, valid for five years, can be collected by the investor or their legal representative.

Timelines and costs

The Vanuatu citizenship cost includes a non-refundable contribution of $130,000 for the main applicant. This amount increases by $20,000 for including a spouse and by $15,000 for each child or parent added to the application. Additional expenses include a due diligence fee of $5,000. If applicants choose to take the oath outside of Vanuatu, they must also cover the cost of an official’s travel to the selected consulate, which starts from $15,000.

Cost of residence permit in Greece

Other eligible investment options for the Greek residence permit include:

• A 10-year lease of a hotel or tourist residence valued at €400,000 or more.
• Timeshare agreement for tourist accommodation worth €400,000 or more.
• Inherited or gifted property worth €400,000 or more.
• Investment of €350,000 in mutual or alternative investment funds.
• Term deposit of €500,000 or more.
• Investment of €500,000 in a company registered in Greece.
• Investment of €500,000 in government bonds.
• €800,000 investment in government bonds and local company shares.

Required documents

Documents for Vanuatu citizenship:

• Birth certificates
• Medical certificates for all adult applicants
• Driver’s licenses
• Marriage/divorce certificates
• Name change documents (if applicable)
• National and international passports
• Receipts from educational institutions proving regular tuition payments (to confirm financial dependence of children)
• Employment certificate, financial statements, or other documents proving legal income
• Bank statements for the past 6 months with a minimum balance of $250,000
• Six 35×45 mm photos of each applicant

Documents to get a residence permit in Greece:

• Completed application form
• Notarized copy of passport or recognized travel document with valid visa
• Proof of payment of registration and residency card issuance fees
• Health insurance policy
• Four photos