MM2H vs Other Countries
MM2H vs Greece Golden Visa: Tax Treatment Compared
Compare MM2H tax exemptions with Greece Golden Visa where staying 183+ days allows a flat EUR 100,000 annual tax or 7% rate on foreign pensions for 15 years.
Quick summary
Quick answer
Best for
Risk level
Buyer action
| Best for | People weighing MM2H against another country's residency-by-investment program and trying to work out which actually fits their budget and goals. |
|---|---|
| Risk level | Medium |
| Buyer action | MM2H's property purchase requirement means qualifying is also a real estate decision — ask Lewis which current Penang projects clear your tier's minimum value and make sense as a long-term hold. |
MM2H's Tax Treatment
MM2H holders are only taxed as Malaysian residents if they spend 182+ days in Malaysia in a calendar year; even then, foreign-sourced income remitted into Malaysia is exempt from tax through 31 December 2036 provided it was already taxed at source and is properly declared, and interest on the mandatory fixed deposit itself is tax-exempt. Greece Golden Visa's treatment sits in contrast: Untaxed unless 183+ days/yr; EUR 100,000/yr non-dom or 7% flat on pensions (15 yrs).
Greece Golden Visa's Tax Treatment
Greece's Golden Visa doesn't trigger Greek tax residency unless the holder spends 183+ days a year there, and even then offers a flat EUR 100,000/year non-dom regime or a 7% flat rate on foreign pensions for 15 years — options MM2H doesn't have, though MM2H's exemption applies without needing a separate flat-tax election.
Side by Side, Numbers Only
MM2H's trigger is 182 days a year; Greece Golden Visa's is 183 days. Below that threshold, MM2H's exemption runs through 31 December 2036; Greece Golden Visa's treatment is: Untaxed unless 183+ days/yr; EUR 100,000/yr non-dom or 7% flat on pensions (15 yrs).
Side by Side, Numbers Only
Dimension
MM2H
Greece Golden Visa
Dimension
MM2H
Greece Golden Visa
| Dimension | MM2H | Greece Golden Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Residency trigger | 182 days/yr | 183 days/yr |
| Foreign income tax treatment | FSI exempt if remitted, taxed at source & declared (to 2036) | Untaxed unless 183+ days/yr; EUR 100,000/yr non-dom or 7% flat on pensions (15 yrs) |
Buyer checklist
Greece's Golden Visa doesn't trigger Greek tax residency unless the holder spends 183+ days a year there, and even then offers a flat EUR 100,000/year non-dom regime or a 7% flat rate on foreign pensions for 15 years — options MM2H doesn't have, though MM2H's exemption applies without needing a separate flat-tax election.
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| 1 | Confirm the exact residency-trigger day count for each program |
|---|---|
| 2 | Check whether the exemption requires proof of tax paid at source |
| 3 | Check if declaration/reporting is required to claim an exemption |
| 4 | Confirm current exemption expiry dates |
| 5 | Get personal confirmation from a licensed tax professional |
Common questions
Which is more tax-friendly, MM2H or Greece Golden Visa?
It depends on your specific income sources and how many days you'll actually spend in each country — general comparisons are a starting point, not a substitute for personal tax advice.
Is this tax advice?
No — this is general information for comparison purposes. Always confirm your specific situation with a licensed tax professional in the relevant jurisdiction(s).
Lewis Chong
REN 69566 · IQI GlobalProperty advisor helping KL, JB, and Penang buyers make data-backed property decisions.
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Lewis Conclusion
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Confirm the exact residency-trigger day count for each program
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Check whether the exemption requires proof of tax paid at source
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Check if declaration/reporting is required to claim an exemption
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Confirm current exemption expiry dates