The Golden Visa in Greece allows you to establish, invest in and direct a business in Greece. It does not confer upon the holder the right to be an employee of the business for the purpose of conducting the day-to-day operations of that business. Your friend is correct in stating that a person legally able to work in Greece must be employed to physically operate the business.

 

The broader point is this: Greece welcomes those who want to contribute to its economy by investing and ing local employment. Hiring Greeks, spending money locally, and helping reduce unemployment are the motivations behind—and the spirit of—the Golden Visa program, which gives people the opportunity to live here in return for some benefit to Greece. It is not beneficial to Greece or Greeks if someone wants to come and start a business that competes with Greek businesses for customers and does not employ any Greeks.