Chicago Family Secures Greek Residency with a €1.12 M Investment and Begins a New Life in Greece

Program

Greece

Timeline

6 months

Investment

€1,120,000

Family Size

6 people

Names and photos changed for client privacy

Recent political uncertainty in the U.S. made me realise it was time to secure a stable future for my family in Europe — without compromising our lifestyle or business flexibility.

Mark

IT professional , USA

PROFILE

IT professional & Family

Main applicant 42 y.o.
Spouse 39 y.o.
Two Children 8, 12 y.o.
Spouse’s Parents 67, 70 y.o.

goals

Client Requirements

  • Political stability in the EU.
  • Residency for the entire extended family.
  • International education & premium healthcare.
  • Seaside living with strong investment potential.

The Situation

Several months ago, Mark reached out to Astons. He and his wife, Jennifer, had made the decision to move to Europe. Given their ability to work remotely, they were seeking a safe and politically stable country with a pleasant climate and a high standard of living.

A key requirement for their relocation was the ability to bring their entire family: Mark and Jennifer’s two children, as well as Jennifer’s parents. It was essential for them to have access to international schools and high-quality healthcare services.

The Solution

Greece quickly emerged as the ideal solution, one of the rare EU nations offering a residency-by-investment programme that permits the relocation of extended family members, including parents. With a minimum property investment of €250,000, applicants can secure a renewable five-year residence permit in as little as three to six months.

The programme covers spouses, children under 21, and parents of either applicant, making it uniquely suited for multi-generational families like Mark and Jennifer’s.

Astons’ curated property portfolio features everything from sleek urban apartments to prime seafront villas. For Mark and Jennifer, the most difficult decision was selecting where to settle. While Greece’s enchanting islands, with their turquoise waters and tranquil pace were alluring, the family’s lifestyle leaned towards the vibrancy and conveniences of city living.

Following in-depth consultations with the head of Astons’ Greece office, the couple ultimately chose Piraeus, a prestigious port city just 30 minutes from central Athens. The area offers a rare blend of urban sophistication and seaside charm, along with international schools, private healthcare, pristine beaches, and swift access to Athens International Airport.

Mark and Jennifer selected spacious apartments in a newly developed residential complex with sea views for themselves and their children, while Jennifer’s parents purchased a cozy apartment in a nearby district.

Current Investment Thresholds | Global Comparison of RBI Programs

Program Investment Threshold Processing Time Schengen Access Physical Presence Requirement

Greece Greece

Residency

from €250,000 4 months None None

Cyprus Cyprus

Residency

from €300,000 8 months None None

Hungary Hungary

Residency

from €250,000 4 months None None

Malta Malta

Residency

from €169,000 9 months None None

Portugal Portugal

Residency

from €500,000 18 months None None

Investment Summary

Primary family residence

€700,000

Secondary apartment for parents

€420,000

Property transfer tax 3.09% of property value
Cadastre registry fee 0.6%
Notary fees ~1.5%
Immigration application €2,000 (main applicant) + €150 per family member
Residence card fee €16 per person
Additional Costs:
Certified translation €300
Private health insurance €150 per person
Astons legal advisory bespoke quotation
Optional transport & logistics provided upon request
Total Investment: €1,120,000

Personalised Cost Breakdown for Program Participation

Get your investment estimate

Similar Success Stories

Indian Investor and Family Obtain Greek Golden Visa via Piraeus Property Investment The Greek Golden Visa program allows non-EU nationals to secure EU residency through real estate investment. Investors can include their spouse, children under 2, and parents, obtaining a renewable 5-year residence permit without the need for physical presence or tax residency in Greece. How the Greece Golden Visa Became a Gateway to Europe for an Egyptian Property Developer Ahmed has spent more than two decades in Egypt’s construction industry, successfully delivering large-scale residential projects across Cairo and Alexandria. As his company prepared to enter the European market, he required consistent, secure access to the EU and the ability to attend high-level negotiations without delays or visa constraints. How Astons Secured Greece Residence for Three Generations of a Turkish Family High-quality European education is one of the key priorities for many parents outside the EU. A diploma from an EU country provides strong career prospects worldwide. However, not every family is ready to send their child alone to a foreign country.

The Outcome

The entire family has now secured their Greek residency cards. Mark and Jennifer’s seaside apartment will be completed within weeks, while Jennifer’s parents are already preparing to move into their fully finished home nearby.

Our experts are currently assisting Mark and Jennifer in selecting the right school for their children.

Benefits of Greece’s Golden Visa programme

Greece’s Golden Visa remains the most accessible and family-friendly residency-by-investment programme in the European Union.

The five-year residence permit is renewable indefinitely, provided the qualifying investment is maintained. Investment thresholds vary by region:

  • €800,000: in Attica, Thessaloniki, Crete, Rhodes, Mykonos, Santorini, and other Greek islands with a population of over 3,100 residents.
  • €400,000: in all other regions of the country.
  • €250,000: for commercial properties converted into residential use, regardless of their location. The same threshold applies to historically significant buildings under state protection, provided they are fully restored or renovated.

Key advantages of the programme include no mandatory residency requirements, fast-track application processing, the potential to apply for citizenship after seven years (subject to language and cultural knowledge tests), and unrestricted access to the EU’s banking, healthcare, and education systems, as well as visa-free travel within the Schengen Area countries.

Why Partner with Astons?

Astons was honoured as the Best Real Estate Agency in Greece at the European Property Awards 2024-2025. We work exclusively with trusted developers ensuring every property meets the highest standards and complies fully with Greece’s Golden Visa requirements.

Our portfolio includes off-market investment opportunities not available to the public, offering clients discreet, high-value options tailored to their unique preferences.

Start Your New Life in Greece Today

Connect with an Astons expert to receive a personalised consultation, a tailored relocation roadmap, and a full investment breakdown.

Let us help you turn your vision of Mediterranean living into reality – with ease, expertise, and elegance.

Register for Our Upcoming Events

Ultimate Guide for a Greek Golden Visa

Discover how to secure EU residency through Greece's €250,000 Golden Visa programme at our expert-led webinar. Get all the crucial details about investment options and benefits.

Upcoming webinar

Ultimate Guide for a Greek Golden Visa

Discover how to secure EU residency through Greece's €250,000 Golden Visa programme at our expert-led webinar. Get all the crucial details about investment options and benefits.

Sunday, December 2nd — Wednesday, December 2nd from 6:00pm to 6:00pm

Speakers

Aleksandr Kosovsky

Investment Citizenship Expert

Igor Nemtsov

Head of UAE Office

Explore Our Calendar of Events

Gain unrestricted access to +125 countries, including the world's leading financial centres

View All Events

Residency by Investment

Greece Greece

Residency

from €250,000

~4 months

Processing time

  • Real estate purchase
  • Eligibility for citizenship after 7 years
  • Most accessible and fastest program

Cyprus Cyprus

Residency

from €300,000

~8 months

Processing time

  • Purchase of new property
  • Eligibility for citizenship after 8 years
  • Non-Dom tax regime

Hungary Hungary

Residency

from €250,000

~4 months

Processing time

  • Investment in a fund / non-refundable donation
  • Visa-free access to Schengen countries
  • Eligibility for citizenship after 8 years

Italy Italy

Residency

from €500,000

~3 months

Processing time

  • Investment in shares or bonds / non-refundable contribution
  • Eligibility for citizenship after 10 years
  • Visa-free access to Schengen countries

Malta Malta

Residency

from €169,000

~9 months

Processing time

  • Rental or property purchase
  • No residency requirements
  • Visa-free access to Schengen countries

Portugal Portugal

Residency

from €500,000

~18 months

Processing time

  • Investment in a fund
  • Eligibility for citizenship after 7–10 years
  • Visa-free access to Schengen countries

Turkey Turkey

Residency

from $200,000

~2 months

Processing time

  • Real estate purchase
  • Visa-free access to 115+ countries
  • Eligibility for citizenship after 5 years

USA USA

Residency

from $800,000

~12 months

Processing time

  • Investment in a regional fund
  • Returnable investment
  • Eligibility for citizenship after 5 years

UAE UAE

Residency

from $204,000

~2 weeks

Processing time

  • Real estate purchase
  • Rental income ~7% per year
  • Possible domestic staff inclusion

let’s talk

Receive a Personalised Investment Immigration Solution

It’s time to take control of your future. Start your residency journey today with a personalised consultation.

Schedule a Consultation
Tamara Chetcuti

Tamara Chetcuti

Real Estate Expert, Head of Greek Office

Similar Success Stories

×