One investment. One application. Up to three generations of European residency.
This is consistently one of the most misunderstood aspects of the Greek Golden Visa — and one of its most significant advantages over comparable European programs. Most investors focus on the investment threshold and the property. Far fewer ask the question that changes the entire calculus of the program: who else does this cover?
The answer, in Greece’s case, is broader than almost anywhere else in Europe.
The Full Family Eligibility List
Under a single qualifying investment — whether €250,000, €400,000, or €800,000 depending on your property zone — the following family members can be included in the same application:
Your spouse or registered partner Included without restriction on age or nationality. Greece’s updated legislation now also includes same-sex spouses and partners in a registered civil union, provided the union is legally recognized in Greece.
Your children Unmarried children up to age 21 are included under the main application with no additional conditions. There is an important extension: children who turn 21 and remain unmarried and enrolled full-time in a tertiary education institution — in Greece or abroad — can have their permit renewed up to age 24. After 24, they must transition to an independent immigration status.
Your parents — and your spouse’s parents This is where Greece stands apart. Both sets of parents — yours and your spouse’s — can be included in the same application, with no age limit and, critically, no requirement to prove financial dependency. Most European residency programs either exclude parents entirely or require demonstrable financial dependence. Greece requires neither.
Your spouse’s children Included if you hold legal custody and they meet the age conditions above.
What Doesn’t Change With More Family Members
The minimum qualifying investment amount does not increase based on the number of family members included. Whether you are applying alone or bringing an extended family spanning three generations, the investment threshold remains the same.
The only additional costs per adult dependent are minor government fees (€150 per person) and annual health insurance premiums — not additional investment capital.
Each family member receives their own individual 5-year renewable residence permit, tied to the main applicant’s investment. All permits expire at the same time and are renewed together.
No Stay Requirement — For Anyone
None of the included family members are required to spend any minimum number of days in Greece to keep their permits active. Parents included on the application are not required to reside in Greece — they receive the same 5-year renewable permit and can use it for Schengen travel access without relocating.
This is particularly relevant for investors whose parents are included as a long-term optionality play rather than an immediate relocation decision.
Why This Matters for Multi-Generational Investors
For investors from the Gulf, MENA, and Asia — where multi-generational family planning is central to investment decisions — the Greek program’s structure is precisely why it consistently ranks ahead of Portugal and Spain among residency options.
A single €400,000 investment in regional Greece can, in practice, secure EU residency and Schengen access for an investor, their spouse, their children, both sets of parents, and potentially their children’s future families through subsequent applications. No other program in Europe currently offers this combination at this price point with this degree of flexibility.
The 2026 Documentation Change You Need to Know
Under the updated rules introduced in 2026, all family member documentation must be submitted complete at the initial application stage. This is a meaningful change from prior practice, where certain supporting documents for dependents could be submitted later in the process.
What this means practically: certified proof of family relationships (apostilled birth certificates, marriage certificates, guardianship documents), updated financial declarations, and health insurance coverage for each included family member must all be ready before the application is filed.
Incomplete files now face a significantly higher rejection rate than before 2026. The documentation burden is manageable — but it needs to be planned for, not assembled under pressure after the property purchase has closed.
What It Doesn’t Give Your Family
Residency is not a work permit. Family members included under the Golden Visa do not automatically have the right to work as employees in Greece. They can, however, be founders, shareholders, or board members of Greek companies.
Residency is also not citizenship. For any family member wishing to eventually pursue Greek naturalization, the requirement is the same: seven years of continuous legal residence with a minimum of 183 days physically in Greece per year, Greek language proficiency at B1 level, and passing integration examinations. The Golden Visa permit counts toward that timeline — but only if the stay requirement is actually met.
The Bottom Line
The Greek Golden Visa’s family inclusion rules are among the most generous of any residency-by-investment program in Europe — three generations, both sets of parents, no dependency proof, no additional investment, no stay requirement for anyone.
For investors evaluating this program as a long-term family strategy rather than a personal travel document, those details are the program. Understanding them precisely before committing to a structure is exactly the kind of work that should happen before a property is selected, not after.
At OSEOS, this is part of every initial client conversation — not because we provide immigration advice, but because the investment structure and the family strategy have to align from day one.
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Family eligibility rules are governed by Greek immigration law, including Law 5100/2024 and Law 5275/2026, and are subject to change. Prospective applicants should seek independent qualified legal counsel before making any investment decision.