Can You Live in France with Greek Golden Visa?

France, with its rich culture, art, and stunning landscapes, is a dream destination for many expats whether for business, leisure, or residency.

But if you hold a Greek Golden Visa, can you live in France?

Short answer: not permanently. The Greek Golden Visa allows visa-free travel within the Schengen Zone, including France—but only for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. It does not grant the right to settle or live full-time in France.

To legally stay longer or move permanently, you’ll need to apply separately for a French long-stay visa or residency permit, even if you already have Greek residency.

So while the Greek Golden Visa is incredibly useful for short stays and freedom of movement, it doesn’t replace country-specific residency rights.

However, many expats still see it as a smart “Plan B”—a flexible and affordable foothold in Europe with plenty of lifestyle perks.

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Let’s take a closer look at what the Greek Golden Visa offers and how it affects your ability to stay in France.

What Is the Greek Golden Visa and Why Is It So Popular?

Greek Golden Visa Program

Introduced in 2013, the Greek Golden Visa is a popular residency-by-investment program that offers non-EU citizens a pathway to residency in Greece. By investing as little as €250,000 in Greek real estate, you can qualify for a renewable five-year residence permit.

One of the key advantages of this program is that it extends to your immediate family members, making it ideal for those looking to relocate together.

While it does not grant EU-wide residency, the Greek Golden Visa does allow you to live in Greece and travel freely across the Schengen Zone without needing additional visas.

Most applicants choose to buy residential or commercial property, but there are other routes too. You can also:

• Sign a long-term lease for hotel accommodation or tourist units,
• Invest in land for future development,
• Or, though less common, contribute capital to Greek businesses or invest in local financial instruments.

Real estate remains the most popular among most investors due to its simplicity and potential for rental income.

Beyond the investment itself, what really draws expats to this program are the lifestyle advantages and flexibility it offers.

For a deeper dive into the benefits of the Greek Golden Visa, including how it compares to other residency options, check out this complete guide.

Travel vs. Residency: Understanding Schengen Rules

One of the biggest misconceptions among Golden Visa holders is assuming that residency in one Schengen country automatically means the right to live anywhere else in the EU. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way.

There’s a clear difference between travel rights and residency rights within the Schengen Area, and understanding this distinction is crucial—especially if you’re holding a Greek residence permit and thinking about spending extended time in countries like France.

Greek Golden Visa travel to France: What’s legal?

If you have a valid Greek residence permit, you can visit France for up to 90 days within any 180-day period—without needing a separate visa. This means you can enjoy short holidays, business trips, or family visits in France without hassle.

However, you cannot settle down or take up residence in France using your Greek Golden Visa.

If your goal is to move to France full-time, you’ll need to apply for a French long-stay visa or residency permit, even if you’re already a legal resident of Greece.

France offers several visa options for retirees, remote workers, entrepreneurs, and investors—each with its own requirements like proof of income, accommodation, and health insurance.

It’s also worth noting that immigration officers may ask for proof of accommodation, return flights, and financial means during your visit—so always carry your documents, even if you’re just traveling as a tourist.

Schengen Rule 90/180

This is one of the most important rules to keep in mind when traveling around Europe with a Greek Golden Visa.

The 90/180 rule means you can stay in other Schengen countries (like France) for up to 90 days within any 180-day period.

This isn’t just per country—it’s a combined limit across the entire Schengen Zone.

So, for example, if you spend 30 days in France, 30 in Italy, and 30 in Spain, you’ve hit your 90-day limit and must leave the Schengen Area or return to Greece until the next eligible window opens.

What Happens If You Overstay in France?

Overstaying your 90-day limit in France—or anywhere in the Schengen Area—can lead to serious consequences, even if your Greek residency is still valid.

Some of the risks of overstaying include:

• Fines or administrative penalties
• Being flagged in the Schengen Information System (SIS), which can affect future travel
• Possible entry bans to France or other EU countries
• Complications with renewing your Greek residence permit
• Trouble applying for future long-stay visas or EU residencies

French authorities take immigration compliance seriously, and border checks or random ID inspections can happen, especially in airports or transportation hubs.

Want to Move to France? Here Are Your Legal Options

Long-stay visa France requirements

To stay in France for more than 90 days, you’ll need to apply for a long-stay visa. The requirements for a long-stay visa vary based on the purpose of your stay, but here are the most common documentation requirements:

Valid Passport: Your passport must be valid for at least three months beyond your planned stay in France.

1 Long stay visa application form dully filled in capital letters, dated and signed by the applicant

Proof of Accommodation: You’ll need to provide evidence of where you’ll be staying, whether it’s through a rental contract, a hotel reservation, or a letter of invitation from a host in France.

1 recent passport size photo: Taken in less than 6 months, sized at 3.5 x 4.5 cm

Proof of Financial Means: You’ll need to show that you have sufficient financial resources to support yourself. This can include bank statements, income proof, or evidence of pension income.

Health Insurance: Comprehensive health insurance covering your stay in France is required. This ensures that you are covered for medical expenses while living in the country.

Additional Documents: Depending on your reason for staying—whether you’re working, studying, or retiring—specific documents will be required to support your application.

Each visa type has its own set of requirements, so be sure to consult the French consulate for the most up-to-date information based on your situation.

Long-stay visa France processing time

Once you’ve submitted your application for a long-stay visa, you can expect the processing time to range from 2 to 8 weeks.

The exact time can vary depending on factors like the time of year, the number of applications being processed, and whether additional documentation is requested.

Here are a few tips to ensure a smoother and quicker processing experience:

• Apply early—ideally at least 3 months in advance of your intended move.
• Ensure your documentation is complete and free from errors to avoid unnecessary delays.
• Be ready for an interview or to provide biometric data, as this is often part of the visa application process.

Once your visa is approved, it will be valid for up to one year, and you’ll need to validate it once you arrive in France.

Final Thoughts: Is the Greek Golden Visa worth it for expats?

Whether or not the Greek Golden Visa is worth it really depends on your goals as an expat.

But for many, the answer is a solid yes—especially if you’re looking for affordable EU residency, freedom to travel within the Schengen Zone, and a relatively low-hassle process.

The Greek Golden Visa is ideal for expats who want to:

• Secure a plan B or second residency without uprooting their entire life.
• Spend extended time in Europe, especially in Greece, while maintaining flexibility to return home.
• Invest in property in a growing real estate market with tourism potential.
• Include their family in a single application, from spouses to dependent children and parents.

Because Greece doesn’t require you to live there full-time, it’s especially appealing to remote workers, retirees, and frequent travelers who want a European base—without having to meet strict physical presence rules.

But It’s Not for Everyone

If your main goal is to live in another EU country like France, Germany, or Spain, the Greek Golden Visa will not give you automatic residency rights there.

It allows for short stays in other Schengen countries, but not long-term relocation. In that case, you will still need to apply separately for a long-stay visa in your preferred country.

So, is it worth it? If you are looking for easy EU access, lifestyle flexibility, and property investment potential, the Greek Golden Visa is hard to beat.

But if you have your heart set on living in another EU country full-time, you may need to consider other routes —or use the Greek residency as a strategic stepping stone.

Interested in applying for the Greek Golden Visa? Check our guide here on how to apply for the Greek Golden Visa program.

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Adam is an internationally recognised author on financial matters with over 830million answer views on Quora, a widely sold book on Amazon, and a contributor on Forbes.