1. 4 Basic Principles for Document Preparation

The Greek Migration Ministry has notably tightened scrutiny of application documents in recent years (especially after Law 5038/2023's 2024 implementation). Applicants should pay special attention to the following 4 fundamental principles:

• •Principle 1: Notarized Translation + Hague Apostille. All Chinese-issued documents (except passports) must undergo three steps: 1) domestic Chinese notarization; 2) Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (or provincial foreign affairs office) Hague Apostille; 3) translation to Greek by a Greek-government-recognized translation agency. All three steps are mandatory.
• •Principle 2: 6-Month Validity Period. Most documents — birth certificates, family relationship certificates, criminal records, bank deposit statements — must be issued within 6 months of submission to Greek Migration Ministry. We recommend initiating domestic document preparation in parallel with Greek attorney closing to avoid expiration.
• •Principle 3: All Persons Present for Biometrics. Biometric collection (fingerprints + facial recognition) requires all applicants to attend the Athens Greek Migration Ministry in person — no proxy possible. We recommend booking appointments early to avoid peak congestion.
• •Principle 4: Original + Notarized Copy Both Submitted. Greek Migration Ministry retains the notarized copy; original is displayed on-site. We recommend preparing two sets per document (notarized copy + personal record).

2. Principal Applicant — 12 Core Documents

• •1) Chinese passport original + copy: remaining validity ≥1 year, including principal applicant signature page and Greek Schengen entry stamp
• •2) Chinese criminal record clearance: issued by household registration public security bureau, valid 6 months
• •3) Health insurance certificate: Greek-recognized private or public insurance covering application period + residence period, ≥€30,000 coverage per person
• •4) AFM tax number certificate: Greek Tax Authority (AADE) issued AFM registration certificate (OULANG handles)
• •5) Greek bank account certificate: Greek local bank account opening certificate (OULANG assists)
• •6) Property purchase contract: Greek notary-notarized purchase contract (Συμβόλαιο Αγοράς), including property price, address, title certificate number
• •7) Property transfer tax payment receipt: 3.09% transfer tax or 24% VAT payment completion proof
• •8) Property title certificate (Cadastre registration): Greek Land Registry-issued title registration certificate
• •9) Biometric collection appointment confirmation: Greek Migration Ministry electronic appointment system confirmation
• •10) 4 recent 35×45mm white-background color photos: Greek standard passport photo specifications
• •11) Residence application form (Form M-Application Form): Greek Migration Ministry standard form (OULANG completes)
• •12) Residence card government fee payment proof: €2,000 per principal applicant (electronic payment)

3. Spouse — 8 Documents

Spouse, as dependent applicant, shares principal applicant's investment, no independent capital proof needed, but requires 8 documents:

• •1) Chinese passport original + copy: validity ≥1 year
• •2) Chinese criminal record clearance: valid 6 months
• •3) Health insurance: same requirements as principal applicant
• •4) Marriage certificate + notarized translation + Hague Apostille: proves marriage with principal applicant
• •5) Joint declaration by principal applicant + spouse: declaring spouse as dependent applicant, economically supported by principal applicant
• •6) 4 standard photos
• •7) Spouse residence application form
• •8) Residence card government fee: €150 per spouse

4. Unmarried Children Under 21 — 6 Documents

Greek Golden Visa unmarried children under 21 conditions: under 21 unmarried + economically dependent on principal applicant. Required documents:

• •1) Chinese passport (or birth certificate + household registration)
• •2) Chinese criminal record clearance: required for children 14+; under 14 exempt
• •3) Health insurance
• •4) Child birth certificate + notarized translation + Hague Apostille: proves parent-child relationship with principal applicant or spouse
• •5) 4 standard photos
• •6) Residence card government fee: €150 per child

Note: For children over 21 still in school, additional school enrollment certificate + economic dependency declaration required.

5. Parents (Both Sides) — 5 Documents

Greek Golden Visa supports parents of both principal applicant and spouse (up to 4 grandparents). Required documents are streamlined:

• •1) Chinese passport / birth certificate + household registration
• •2) Family relationship certificate with principal applicant or spouse + notarized translation + Hague Apostille
• •3) Health insurance: Greek-recognized private insurance (recommend OULANG partner senior-specific insurance, €100–300/month per parent)
• •4) Criminal record clearance: valid 6 months
• •5) Residence card government fee: €150 per parent

Parents face no age limit, no independent capital proof, no Greek language / education / employment requirements. Only three core certificates needed: family relationship + health insurance + criminal record.

6. Special Cases — Additional Documents

The following special cases require additional documents; OULANG evaluates case-by-case:

• •Divorced family with minor children: Both parents joint declaration consenting to children migrating to Greece with principal applicant (if other parent has custody)
• •Remarried with stepchildren: Step-parent-child relationship proof + biological parent consent letter
• •Overseas Chinese / HK-Macao-Taiwan / foreign nationality: That country's passport + nationality certificate + country-of-origin criminal record clearance
• •Holders of other countries' permanent residence: That permanent residence proof + Hague Apostille
• •Corporate principal applicant: If purchasing property in corporate name, corporate registration + legal representative authorization + corporate non-litigation certificate required

7. OULANG INTERNATIONAL Document Processing Service

OULANG INTERNATIONAL provides comprehensive document representation, covering:

• •Domestic side: Notary office selection assistance, Hague Apostille process, document checklist preparation, validity period tracking
• •Greek side: Greek-recognized translation agency engagement, AFM tax registration, bank account opening, health insurance arrangement, biometric appointment scheduling
• •Submission side: Greek Migration Ministry application form completion, fee payment, document notarized copy production, original display accompanying

Our clients average 3–4 months from initial consultation to permanent residence card, with document preparation occupying 30–45 days. We recommend initiating domestic document preparation immediately after property intent letter signing, in parallel with Greek attorney closing, for maximum efficiency.