Greece's Flat Tax Regime for Foreign HNW Residents: Full Breakdown
A retired investor and his spouse spend three months a year on a Greek island and pay tax on their global portfolio in a high-tax northern country they no longer feel tied to. Their advisor runs a quick comparison and lands on something they had assumed was only for Monaco types: relocate to Greece, park half a million in property they were half-considering anyway, and cap the tax on the entire portfolio at a fixed 100,000 euros a year. The villa becomes the qualification.
The regime: Article 5A in plain terms
Greece introduced its non-dom regime for high net worth individuals under Article 5A of the income tax code. A qualifying newcomer pays a single flat 100,000 euros per year that discharges the Greek tax on all foreign-source income, whatever its size or type: foreign dividends, interest, capital gains, rents, business profits. There is no obligation even to declare the detail of that foreign income in Greece, and no Greek inheritance or gift tax applies to foreign assets during the regime.
The 500,000 euro investment
Greece, unlike Italy, asks for an investment in exchange for the flat rate. You must invest at least 500,000 euros in Greece within three years of applying, in real estate, a business, or transferable securities or shares in Greek entities. The investment may be made by you, a close relative, or a company you control. If you already hold Greek residency through the Golden Visa investment route, the separate 500,000 euro requirement is treated as satisfied.
| Feature | Greece Article 5A (2026) |
|---|---|
| Charge on all foreign income | 100,000 euros per year, fixed |
| Family members | 20,000 euros each per year |
| Investment required | 500,000 euros in Greece within 3 years |
| Duration | Up to 15 years |
| Greek-source income | Ordinary progressive rates up to 44% |
| Eligibility | Not Greek tax resident for 7 of prior 8 years |
Who qualifies
Two tests plus the money. You must move your tax residency to Greece, and you must not have been a Greek tax resident for at least seven of the eight years before applying. Then you make the 500,000 euro investment. The status is granted for up to 15 years and lapses if you miss the annual payment or fail to complete the investment in time.
The family option
Each additional family member is brought under the regime for a flat 20,000 euros per year, covering all of that person's foreign income too, with no separate investment for them. For a couple living off a shared portfolio, adding a spouse for 20,000 euros rather than exposing their share to Greek progressive rates is usually the easiest decision in the plan.
Greece or Italy for your portfolio?
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- Greek-source income: a Greek salary, Greek business profit or Greek rent is taxed under ordinary progressive rates, which reach 44% in 2026.
- The investment itself: 500,000 euros must genuinely be committed and held; it is not a fee you pay and recover.
- Your former country: the regime solves Greek tax only. If you have not properly ceased residency where you are leaving, or you are a US citizen taxed on worldwide income, Greece does not fix that.
The practical sequence
- Confirm the seven-of-eight-years clean record against Greek residency.
- Line up the qualifying investment so it can be completed inside the three-year window; property is the common route.
- Move and trigger Greek tax residency cleanly in the intended year.
- Exit your current tax residency properly, settling any exit or departure tax.
- File the 5A application, pay the 100,000 euros (plus any family add-ons) each year, and diary the 15-year horizon.
Frequently asked questions
How much is Greece's flat tax for foreign residents?
Under the Article 5A non-dom regime, a qualifying new resident pays a flat 100,000 euros per year to cover all foreign-source income, regardless of how much that income is. Each family member can be added for a flat 20,000 euros per year. The status lasts up to 15 years.
What investment does the Greek flat tax require?
You must invest at least 500,000 euros in Greece, in real estate, a business or transferable securities, within three years of applying. The investment can be made by you, a relative, or a legal entity in which you hold the majority. This requirement is waived if you already hold Greek residency through the Golden Visa investment route.
Who qualifies for Greece's non-dom flat tax?
You must transfer your tax residency to Greece and must not have been a Greek tax resident for at least seven of the eight years before applying, in addition to making the 500,000 euro investment. Greek-source income falls outside the flat tax and is taxed at ordinary progressive rates reaching 44%.
When does Greece's flat tax beat Italy's?
Greece charges 100,000 euros a year against Italy's 300,000, but requires a 500,000 euro investment that Italy does not. For foreign income roughly between one and three million euros a year, Greece is often cheaper on the annual charge. For very large foreign income, the fixed nature of Italy's higher charge can still win. It depends on the income level and how you value the locked-up investment.
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Italy's flat tax for new residents: the real math for HNW individuals Cyprus non-dom status: how to pay 0% on dividends legally Best 0% tax countries in 2026, ranked by more than the tax rateThis content is informational and educational. It is not legal or tax advice. Verify current law and consult a specialist about your case before making decisions.