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Compare jurisdictions, side by side.

Pick up to 4 countries and see residency, company, banking, family, and risk notes line up. No prices, no marketing packages - just the working notes.

 AM flagArmenia

Europe

GR flagGreece

Europe

EE flagEstonia

Europe

OverviewArmenia has become an accessible relocation and operational base since 2022, with a maturing IT sector, simple residency routes, and a competitive tax framework. Bordercase coordinates with licensed Armenian partners for filings.Greece offers structured EU residency routes including the Golden Visa investor route, the Digital Nomad Visa, and the Financially Independent Person (FIP) route. Bordercase coordinates with licensed Greek partners for filings and ongoing compliance.Estonia is a strong choice for digital-first founders and consultants because of e-Residency, transparent company administration, and English-friendly digital processes. Bordercase coordinates entity setup and banking readiness for cross-border operators.
Best for
  • Founders
  • IT professionals
  • Tax simplification
  • Banking diversification
  • Regional hub
  • Families
  • Remote workers
  • EU access
  • Coastal living
  • Founders
  • Digital nomads
  • EU access
  • e-Residency
CurrencyAMDEUREUR
LanguageArmenianGreekEstonian / English
Time zoneUTC+4UTC+2UTC+2
EU memberNoYesYes
SchengenNoYesYes
Residency

Common Armenian residency routes:

  • Temporary residence - issued for 1 year, renewable; granted for work, study, business, family, or Armenian ancestry
  • Permanent residence - typically 5 years renewable; available after qualifying temporary stay or other qualifying ground
  • Special residence - 10-year status for individuals of Armenian descent or those of significant value to Armenia
  • Family reunification - spouse, children, dependant parents

Many nationalities can enter visa-free or with a simple e-visa for up to 180 days, which is often used to plan the right route.

Greek residency routes:

  • Golden Visa - property investment (thresholds vary by region, recently raised)
  • Digital Nomad Visa - remote workers
  • Financially Independent Person (FIP) - passive-income individuals
  • Employment routes

Each route has different residency-day and renewal requirements.

Estonian residency routes:

  • Start-up visa - for founders of qualifying start-ups
  • Digital nomad visa - for eligible remote workers
  • Work permit - employer-sponsored
  • Family routes - spouse / dependants

Note: e-Residency is NOT a residence permit - it is a digital identity for managing an Estonian company remotely.

Company setup

Standard Armenian entities and tax treatment:

  • LLC (Sahmanapak Pataskhanatvutyamb Enkerutyun) - the default private entity; fast online formation
  • Individual Entrepreneur (IE) - simple setup; Turnover Tax regime at 5% (or category-specific rates) for qualifying small businesses
  • IT Sector incentives - certified IT companies have historically benefited from reduced corporate tax and payroll incentives (programmes are revised periodically)
  • Standard CIT is 18%; dividend withholding is 5% for residents

Bordercase coordinates structure choice to match real activity and current incentive frameworks.

IKE (Private Company), EPE (LLC), and AE (Joint Stock Company) are common structures. Greek tax residency triggers worldwide income reporting; the non-dom regime may apply to eligible high-net-worth relocators.

OÜ (private limited) is the standard structure, formed online via e-Residency or in person. Reporting obligations are real but proportionate; accounting partners are widely available.

Banking

Personal and corporate banking is broadly accessible through Ameriabank, ACBA Bank, Ardshinbank, and others - typically with USD, EUR, RUB, and AMD accounts. Onboarding is straightforward for clean cases; expect source-of-funds questions for larger flows. Bordercase coordinates introductions where useful.

Personal banking for residents is well established; corporate banking depends on activity. Bordercase coordinates introductions for non-standard structures.

Estonian banks have tightened KYC for non-resident e-residents; many international founders rely on EMIs (Wise, Revolut Business, Payoneer, etc.) for day-to-day banking. Local bank accounts typically require strong substance evidence.

Family

Family reunification is supported across most routes. English-language international schools are available in Yerevan. Healthcare is a mix of public and private; private cover is recommended for relocating families.

Family reunification is supported on most routes. Schools (public, private, international, English-language) are available in major cities.

Family relocation is supported on the work and start-up visa routes; schooling and healthcare access follow the main applicant's residency.

Risks

Risks Bordercase watches for in Armenia:

  • Tax residency triggers - 183 days makes you tax-resident under Armenian rules
  • IT certification scope - incentives apply only to certified, qualifying activities
  • Russia/EAEU exposure - Armenia is part of EAEU; some structures benefit from this, others raise sanctions/banking flags
  • Source-of-funds scrutiny for non-standard transfer corridors
  • Permit renewals - documentation continuity matters across cycles

Risks Bordercase watches for in Greece:

  • Property due diligence - especially older buildings
  • Tax residency triggers
  • Non-dom regime conditions
  • Registration timing across municipalities
  • Some routes do not permit employment in Greece without additional permits

Common pitfalls Bordercase watches for:

  • Confusing e-Residency with physical residency
  • Banking-only setups without substance - likely flagged
  • Crypto, gambling, and other regulated industries face additional friction
  • Tax residence triggered by 183 days even without a residence permit
Documents

Typical Armenian residency documents:

  • Passport (6+ months valid)
  • Proof of basis (employment, business, study, ancestry, family)
  • Proof of accommodation
  • Health insurance
  • Bank statements / proof of income
  • Criminal record certificate (apostilled, where required)
  • Marriage / birth certificates for family routes

Apostille and certified translation into Armenian where required.

Typical Greek residency documents:

  • Passport
  • Criminal record certificate
  • Proof of income / assets
  • Health insurance valid in Greece
  • Accommodation evidence (deed, lease)
  • AFM (tax number)

Apostille and certified Greek translation where required.

For e-Residency:

  • Passport
  • Application form
  • Biometric collection at the chosen Estonian embassy or pickup point

For physical residency:

  • Passport
  • Criminal record certificate
  • Proof of income
  • Accommodation evidence
  • Health insurance
  • Business plan (start-up visa)

Country pages stay the authoritative source. This view is a side-by-side; nothing here promises a particular outcome.