France Long-Stay Visitor Visa (VLS-TS Visiteur) vs Greece Financial Independence Visa (Type D)
A factual side-by-side comparison of two residency programmes. All figures are drawn from the canonical program pages — follow either link in the table header for sources and the full profile.
Key Differences at a Glance
- ›Faster to citizenship: France Long-Stay Visitor Visa (VLS-TS Visiteur) at ~5 years, vs 7 for Greece Financial Independence Visa (Type D).
- ›Lower income bar: France Long-Stay Visitor Visa (VLS-TS Visiteur) requires $1,640/mo; Greece Financial Independence Visa (Type D) requires $2,200/mo.
France Long-Stay Visitor Visa (VLS-TS Visiteur) France · passive income | Greece Financial Independence Visa (Type D) Greece · retirement | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | France | Greece |
| Category | Passive Income | Retirement |
| Application Fee | $99 | $165 |
| Minimum Income | $1,640 /mo | $2,200 /mo |
| Minimum Investment | — | — |
| Processing Time | 3 months | 3 months |
| Family Included | Accompanying family members must each apply for their own VLS-TS Visiteur permit and demonstrate sufficient resources | An additional 20% of the base income requirement applies per dependent spouse or child |
| Path to PR | Yes — 5 years | Yes — 5 years |
| Path to Citizenship | Yes — 5 years | Yes — 7 years |
| Physical Presence | Holder must reside primarily in France; the visa is a long-stay visa (visa long séjour valant titre de séjour) valid for 1 year, renewable annually. Must validate the visa within 3 months of arrival via ANEF portal. | Must reside primarily in Greece; the permit is initially issued for 2 years and renewable in 3-year increments. Must not be absent from Greece for more than 6 consecutive months, or 10 months cumulatively, in any permit period. |
| Dual Citizenship | Allowed | Allowed |
| Tax Impact | Holders residing in France become French tax residents subject to income tax on worldwide income. Work of any kind — including remote work for foreign employers — is strictly prohibited under this visa category. | Retirees who transfer their tax residency to Greece may benefit from Greece's flat 7% tax rate on all foreign-sourced pension income for up to 15 years, available to those who were not Greek tax residents in 5 of the preceding 6 years. No work is permitted on this visa. |
| Tax Residency Trigger | 183 days/yr | 183 days/yr |
| Worldwide Taxation | Yes | Yes |
| Renewal Cost | $245 | $165 |
About France Long-Stay Visitor Visa (VLS-TS Visiteur)
The France Long-Stay Visitor Visa (VLS-TS Visiteur) is a one-year renewable permit for financially independent individuals who wish to reside in France without engaging in any professional activity. Applicants must demonstrate stable and sufficient income from passive sources such as pensions, investment income, or rental income, and may not work remotely or otherwise. After five years of continuous legal residence, holders may apply for a long-term resident card and eventually French citizenship.
Full France Long-Stay Visitor Visa (VLS-TS Visiteur) profile →About Greece Financial Independence Visa (Type D)
Greece's Financial Independence Visa (Type D) allows non-EU nationals with sufficient passive income from foreign sources to reside in Greece without engaging in local employment. Holders may benefit from Greece's exceptional 7% flat tax regime on all foreign pension income, making it one of the most tax-efficient retirement destinations in the EU. After five years of legal residence, holders may apply for permanent residency, and Greek citizenship is accessible after seven years.
Full Greece Financial Independence Visa (Type D) profile →Gotchas to Watch For
France Long-Stay Visitor Visa (VLS-TS Visiteur)
- ⚠Explicitly prohibits professional activity — remote-work-for-foreign-clients grey zone occasionally enforced against "digital nomads"
- ⚠Must pay French income tax on worldwide income once tax-resident (usually after 183 days)
- ⚠Does NOT qualify for PUMA healthcare until 3 months of stable residence
Greece Financial Independence Visa (Type D)
- ⚠Greek citizenship requires 7 years residence + B1 Greek + civic test — significant barrier vs Portugal A2 requirement
- ⚠Pensioner tax regime only applies to foreign pension income
- ⚠Schengen 90/180 rule does not apply to Greek residents — Greek permit grants full residency rights
Neutral reference — we don't recommend one programme over another. Programmes change: always verify each detail against the official source linked on the individual program pages.