Two Mediterranean nations with golden visa programs. Greece's Golden Visa: €400K-€800K property (tiered by region since Aug 2024; €250K for conversions only). Cyprus counters with lower corporate tax rates and a more established offshore finance sector.

Disclaimer: Tax rates, investment rules, and visa programs change frequently. The data below is for informational purposes only — always verify with official sources and consult qualified professionals. Read full disclaimer

Investment Overview

Metric	🇬🇷 Greece	🇨🇾 Cyprus
Capital Gains Tax	15%	20%
Property Access	Foreigners OK	Foreigners OK
Investment Visa	None specific	None specific
Monthly Budget	from €1,400	—
Crypto Regulation	Evolving	Evolving

Capital Gains Tax

🇬🇷 Greece

15%

Capital Gains Tax

🇨🇾 Cyprus

20%

Capital Gains Tax

Cyprus has the tax advantage with 20% capital gains tax vs 15%. Your effective rate may differ based on holding periods, asset type, and treaty benefits.

Property Investment

🇬🇷 Greece

Foreigners OK

Freehold ownership

🇨🇾 Cyprus

Foreigners OK

Freehold ownership

Investment Visa Programs

🇬🇷 Greece

None specific

🇨🇾 Cyprus

None specific

Key Investment Insights

🇬🇷 Greece

Capital gains tax: 15% — relatively competitive compared to high-tax Western countries
Golden Visa (since Aug 2024): Tier 1 €800K (Athens/Thessaloniki/Mykonos/Santorini), Tier 2 €400K (rest of Greece), €250K (conversions/historic). Min 120sqm. Airbnb banned on GV properties.
Local stock exchange: Athens Exchange — access to domestic equities, bonds, and ETFs
Capital gains tax: 15%

Full investing guide

🇨🇾 Cyprus

Capital gains tax: 20% — relatively competitive compared to high-tax Western countries
Golden Visa / Investment Visa: minimum €300,000 property — Permanent residency
No major local stock exchange — international platforms are the primary route to equity investing
Capital gains tax: 20%

Full investing guide

Related Investing Comparisons

🇹🇷 Turkey vs 🇬🇷 Greece

Turkey vs Greece for expat investors. Compare golden visa programs ($400K vs €400K-€800K), capital gains tax, property markets, and residency options.

Compare investing

🇵🇹 Portugal vs 🇬🇷 Greece

Portugal vs Greece for expat investors. Compare golden visa programs, property markets, capital gains tax, and residency-by-investment pathways in Southern Europe.

Compare investing

🇪🇸 Spain vs 🇬🇷 Greece

Spain vs Greece for property investors. Compare rental yields, capital gains tax, and real estate markets. Spain's Golden Visa ended April 2025; Greece's tiered program (€400K-€800K) remains active.

Compare investing

Greece vs Cyprus Investing — FAQ

Which has lower capital gains tax — Greece or Cyprus?

Cyprus has lower capital gains tax at 20%, compared to 15% in Greece. Consider holding periods and treaty benefits that may further reduce your effective rate.

Can foreigners buy property in Greece and Cyprus?

In Greece, property access for foreigners is: Foreigners OK (Freehold ownership). In Cyprus: Foreigners OK (Freehold ownership). Always use a local lawyer for property transactions.

Does Greece or Cyprus have a golden visa program?

Greece: None specific. Cyprus: None specific. Golden visa programs can change frequently — verify current requirements before committing capital.

Which is cheaper for expats — Greece or Cyprus?

Both countries have similar monthly costs: Greece at from €1,400 and Cyprus at .

Which is better for crypto investors — Greece or Cyprus?

Crypto regulation in Greece: Evolving. In Cyprus: Evolving. Capital gains tax (which typically applies to crypto) is 15% in Greece and 20% in Cyprus. Crypto-specific rules are evolving rapidly in both jurisdictions.

Location Intelligence

Decided on a country? Now find the right street.

Use SpotFic to analyze any business location in Greece or Cyprus — get foot traffic, competitor maps, demographics, SWOT analysis, and a 90-day launch plan.

Analyze a Location Free Works anywhere on Google Maps

✨ AI Day Simulator

Live a day in Greece or Cyprus before you invest

Real cafes, actual costs, mapped routes — personalized to your lifestyle. Experience both countries before you commit.

Simulate Your Day

Not sure where to invest?

Take our free quiz — AI matches you with the best countries based on your budget, lifestyle, and investment goals.

Take the Free Quiz

Expat Investing Insights

Tax updates, property market trends, and investing strategies for expats — straight to your inbox.

🇬🇷 Greece Investing Guide 🇨🇾 Cyprus Investing Guide All comparisons