What is the Difference Between Citizenship and Residency?

The world has never been more global, and the desire to live or invest abroad has never been stronger. People want to create opportunities and are prepared to do so elsewhere, for a better life, in a new market, or the next Mediterranean utopia. 

Two primary legal avenues for achieving international mobility are Residency and Citizenship. Though often viewed as interchangeable, it is essential to make clear distinctions between Residency and Citizenship, since they are, in the instance of investment in continuum, both concepts, e.g., Greece.

In its ancient riches, stunning landscape, and geographical positioning, Greece has created attractive Residency and (eventually) citizenship through investment programs. Residency and Citizenship by investment programs also offer access to the European Union and a set of incentives for individual tastes and economic interests. 

At iLand, we focus on helping an individual or family through the Greek Residency and citizenship programs. Our experts provide you with access to a seamless experience while moving to Greece.
Unsure which route is ideal for your goals? Keep reading to learn about the main differences between Residency and Citizenship, and how to take advantage of Greece's investment programs as your first step toward Europe.

Additionally, if you would like to learn more about investing in Greece real estate, read our other content.

What is the difference between Citizenship and Residency?

If you plan to move overseas to invest, retire, or simply live in a foreign nation, you must know the differences between Residency and Citizenship. While the terms are commonly used interchangeably, you would have different rights, obligations, and long-term consequences.

Residency refers to being legally permitted to reside in a country and is not considered Citizenship. For example, in Greece, you can gain Residency by virtue of a visa or residence permit in most instances by virtue of a popular Golden Visa residency scheme that enables an individual who is not an EU citizen to reside in Greece legally, and with relatively low presence. Residents have some access to services such as national healthcare and national education. However, non-citizen residents are forbidden from voting during general elections.

Citizenship, on the other hand, is legally more stable and grants individuals the right to reside and work in a state, but also political rights (and duties), such as the right to vote and run for public office. Greek citizenship is typically obtained after several years of having legally resided in Greece and having linguistically and socially assimilated.

Essentially, Residency versus Citizenship is about how "in" you want to be with the country. Residency is best for those wanting flexibility, such as investors or seasonal residents. Citizenship is for people who want to invest in national civic and cultural life.

Suppose you're interested in the difference between Residency and Citizenship specific to your situation. In that case, the iLand team can help you identify your options and select the best path for your long-term goals.

Difference between citizenship and residency table

Additionally, purchasing a house can also lead to obtaining residency. To learn more about How to Buy Property in Greece, click here.

Pros and Cons of Residency

For numerous foreign citizens, Residency in Greece can be very attractive, especially for those aspiring to enjoy the Mediterranean way of life, looking for opportunities to invest in real estate, or working towards Citizenship in the long run. However, like any legal status, Residency has certain advantages and restrictions.

Quicker and Easier

Getting a residence card or permit, especially through initiatives like the Golden Visa, is much simpler and usually shorter than obtaining full-on Citizenship. You often receive your residence permit in a matter of months.

Keep Your Citizenship

Residency allows you to keep your USA citizenship or other nationality. You don't have to renounce anything to enjoy the right to live in Greece.

Live and Enjoy Greece

As a resident, you are allowed to legally live in Greece and enjoy its culture, lovely food, magnificent landscapes, and live for a reasonable cost.

Add Family Members

Most residence permits will allow you to include your immediate family, including your spouse and dependent children, with your application.

Pathway to Citizenship

While a residence permit isn't a citizenship application, if you have maintained legal Residency for several years and have been accepted and engaged with Greek society, you may be eligible to apply for naturalization after several years.

Investment Opportunity

Getting residency with a property purchase (i.e., Golden Visa) gives you the right to live and a prime investment opportunity to grow your financial assets in a rising market.

Disadvantages of Residency

No Voting Rights

There are no political rights with Residency. You cannot vote or participate in local, national, or EU Parliament (or European elections).

Not Permanent

Residence permits issued to you for two to five years can be revoked and need to be renewed. This means you will face the hassle of paperwork and must meet renewal criteria.

Limited Mobility (in the EU)

Unlike holding Citizenship, which allows you to live and work in any country in the EU, your Residency is only valid in Greece, unless you apply for a specific long-term EU permit.

May Have Work Restrictions

Depending upon your residence status, you may not be authorized to work in Greece without first applying for a work authorization permit.

Limited Access to Social Benefits

Residents may have access to many public services, but may not be entitled to all social benefits, pensions, or support programs available to citizens.

Pros and Cons of Citizenship

Full EU Citizenship Rights

As a Greek citizen, you are automatically a citizen of the European Union, meaning you can live, work, and travel in all 27 EU countries (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, etc).

Greek Passport Access

In addition to the full EU citizenship status, the Greek passport allows visa-free or visa on arrival travel to more than 185 countries, making traveling internationally incredibly easy.

Right to Vote and Run for Political Office

As a citizen, you have the full right to vote (both in national and local elections, and elections to the EU) and the right to stand for public office, which is not available under Residency.

Access to Full Range of Social Benefits

As a citizen, you can use the full range of national health care, public education, pensions, and social services, usually at a reduced or no cost.

No Renewal

Citizenship does not have to be renewed; unlike residency, which requires renewal every few years, once you are granted citizenship, it cannot be revoked without damage to society.

Transferable to Children

You can pass your Citizenship to your children, allowing them to live and work anywhere across the EU. This only increases their opportunities for future generations.

Disadvantages of Citizenship

Longer, More Complicated Process

Becoming a Greek citizen is more complicated than residence, because it requires the first years of legal residence, a show of integration, and, most of the time, the ability to pass language and civics tests.

Legal and Bureaucratic Requirements

The application process will include legal documents, interviews, multiple criminal background checks, and in many cases, a renunciation of other Citizenship (both the U.S. and Greece permit dual Citizenship).

Taxes

As a result, citizens may be liable to pay Greek taxes on worldwide income, depending on their residency classification. This will need to be studied with a tax adviser.

Expectations for Integration

Greek authorities expect applicants to show they have a genuine and meaningful existence in Greece, speech and language, identity and culture, local life participation, and this is hard to show for the purpose of short-term or remote residents.

Residency vs Citizenship for Investment Program

Greece offers both Residency and Citizenship options through investment programs when making a strategic life move, whether for lifestyle, financial growth, or global mobility. While both paths can begin with real estate or financial investment, they differ significantly in process, benefits, and long-term impact.

Residency by Investment in Greece

Greece Golden Visa Program is one of Europe's easiest and most appealing residency-by-investment programs. Here's how it works:

• Minimum investment: As of 2024, by acquiring real estate starting at a value of €250,000 (varies by location) or €500,000 (in prestige locations such as central Athens, Mykonos, or Santorini).

• No residency requirement: You do not have to live in Greece – you can hold Residency and still live abroad.

• Fast processing: Residency is normally granted within 2 to 4 months.

• Applicable Family: Residency for the spouse, children under 21 years old, and even dependent parents.
  Renewable indefinitely every 5 years: As long as the investment is held constant, the Residency can be renewed indefinitely.

• No work rights by default: Golden Visa holders cannot work as employees in Greece, but are permitted to run businesses.
  This program is great for any investor, digital nomad, or retiree looking to have the power of flexibility and access to the EU without burdensome full citizenship

Commitments. Citizenship by Investment: Is it Possible in Greece?

Although Greece does not have a citizenship-by-investment program in the typical sense that many countries do, there is an opportunity to gain Citizenship after following a pathway, once you have gained Residency. An example of a pathway may be the following:

1. You obtain your Residency using investment (for example, a Golden Visa).

2. You have lived in Greece for 7 years.

3. You evidence your integration: you can show that you can speak the language, show knowledge of Greek culture, and are a part of Greek society.

4. You can apply for naturalization.

5. You have a clear and attainable pathway to full Citizenship through Residency, albeit not an "immediate passport." Greece is a good option for individuals looking to commit to long-term Residency.

Additionally, if you would like to know about the conditions of Residence Permit in Greece, you can contact us to obtain more information.

Which option is right for you?

Select Residency if you want a quicker way to move to Europe, with low-bureaucratic red tape, and flexible assurances. Residency is probably best for investors, second-home owners, or frequent travelers.

Select Citizenship if you want to live in Greece as a citizen, enjoy all rights as an EU citizen, and visit, live, work, and vote in every EU country indefinitely, as much as you want beyond Greece.

How iLand Helps You?

At iLand, we specialize in helping U.S. and international clients navigate Residency and long-term citizenship planning. From choosing the right property, handling legal paperwork, connecting with vetted lawyers, managing renewals, or preparing for naturalization, we're with you at every step.

Your journey to living or investing in Greece starts with the right advice and a partner you can trust.
Ready to explore your Greek future? Contact us now to start your Residency or citizenship journey with expert guidance and tailored service.

Conclusion

Whether you are contemplating greater mobility worldwide, a European home base for your family, or to enhance your new sunny residence life in general, opting for residence permits instead of Citizenship is definitely worth considering. Residence will be less restrictive, quicker, and less of a nuisance, especially a residence like Greece's Golden Visa. Citizenship, by contrast, allows you to engage in Greek and EU society, with the opportunity for every generation to be legitimized in perhaps one of the most open jurisdictions on the planet forever.

Both residence permit vs Citizenship both have their advantages to themselves based on your situation. What is best is your choice -- if you are retiring, investing, migrating, or would like to ensure your children's future.

At iLand, we are not merely selling you property; we are selling you the potential for a new life, from your request for residual statuses to charting the course of your future through long-term citizenship goals. Our expert team will guide you seamlessly, effortlessly, legally, and openly to Greece.
Let us bring your dreams of a life in Greece to reality, step by step.
Call us today, and let's begin.