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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.

 GR flagGreece

Europe

ES flagSpain

Europe

CY flagCyprus

Europe

OverviewGreece 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.Spain offers structured EU residency routes for individuals, families, and entrepreneurs, including the digital nomad visa introduced under the Startups Law. Bordercase coordinates with licensed Spanish partners for filings.Cyprus is an EU member state with established routes for residency, company setup, and family relocation. Bordercase coordinates with regulated Cypriot lawyers and corporate-services providers for filings and ongoing compliance.
Best for
  • Families
  • Remote workers
  • EU access
  • Coastal living
  • Families
  • Remote workers
  • EU access
  • Cost of living
  • Founders
  • Holding structures
  • EU access
  • English admin
CurrencyEUREUREUR
LanguageGreekSpanishGreek / English
Time zoneUTC+2UTC+1UTC+2
EU memberYesYesYes
SchengenYesYesNo
Residency

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.

Spanish residency routes:

  • Non-Lucrative Visa - passive income, no employment in Spain
  • Digital Nomad Visa - remote workers and self-employed (Startups Law)
  • Self-Employed Visa
  • Entrepreneur Visa
  • EU citizen-derivative routes

The Golden Visa has been phased out for real estate purchases.

Cyprus residency routes:

  • Permanent residency by investment (Cat F / Cat 6.2)
  • Digital Nomad Visa
  • Employment routes (including the international headquartering route)
  • Family reunification

The investor citizenship programme is closed.

Company setup

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.

SL (Sociedad Limitada) is the standard private company. Registration involves NIE / NIF, notary, mercantile registry, and tax registration. Spanish tax residency triggers worldwide income reporting; the Beckham Law (special tax regime) may apply to eligible relocated workers.

Cyprus Limited companies are widely used by international groups for IP, holding, and trading structures. Substance, local director, and accounting requirements have tightened in recent years and must be planned at setup.

Banking

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

Personal banking for residents is straightforward; corporate banking depends on activity and structure. Bordercase coordinates introductions for non-standard cases.

Cypriot banks have strict KYC and source-of-funds processes following past compliance episodes. EMIs are widely used as supplements. Personal and corporate banking introductions go through vetted partners.

Family

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

Family reunification is supported on most residency routes after a qualifying period. Schools (public, private, international) are widely available; the public system is generally accessible to legal residents.

Family reunification is available on most routes. English-language schools (public and private) and healthcare options are widely accessible to legal residents.

Risks

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

Risks Bordercase watches for in Spain:

  • Tax residency triggers - 183 days + centre of interests
  • Beckham Law (special regime) eligibility
  • Autonomous-community tax variation
  • Hacienda audits when planning is unclear
  • Past Schengen overstays must be disclosed

Common pitfalls in Cyprus cases:

  • Post-reform substance requirements underestimated
  • Banking timelines longer than expected
  • Permanent residency confused with citizenship (different programmes)
  • Some sectors face additional KYC scrutiny
Documents

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.

Typical Spanish residency documents:

  • Passport
  • NIE (foreigner identification number)
  • Criminal record certificate with apostille
  • Proof of income / assets
  • Health insurance with full cover in Spain
  • Accommodation evidence
  • Marriage / birth certificates for family routes

Typical document pack for Cyprus residency:

  • Passport
  • Criminal record certificate (apostilled)
  • Proof of income / investment
  • Health insurance valid in Cyprus
  • Accommodation evidence
  • Education certificates (for relevant routes)
  • Marriage / birth certificates for family routes

For company formation: business plan, ownership-chain documents, and KYC for all ultimate beneficial owners.

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