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Iranian Family Secures Greek Residency to Safeguard Mobility and Prepare Their Children for European Education

Iranian Family Secures Greek Residency to Safeguard Mobility and Prepare Their Children for European Education

12 minutes
2026
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Program

Greece

Timeline

6 months

Investment

€855,479

Family Size

5 person

Names and photos changed for client privacy

Case provided by Astons expert

Susanna Uzakova

Senior Citizenship & Residency Advisor

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With Greek residency, we have permanent access to Europe and freedom to travel, invest, and educate our children here – all while staying close as a family.

Ali R.

Entrepreneur , Iran

PROFILE

Entrepreneur

Main applicant	45 y.o.
Spouse	41 y.o.
Children	13, 9 y.o.
Grandmother (maternal)	66 y.o.

goals

Client Requirements

Secure EU residency for the entire family
Enable European schooling for the children
Ensure the grandmother can accompany and support the children

Situation

Amid regional uncertainty and tightening travel restrictions for Iranian citizens, the family sought a durable solution that would provide stability, mobility, and educational access. With two children approaching key academic milestones, the parents wanted the flexibility to enrol them in leading European schools within two years.

As active entrepreneurs with frequent travel, they also needed trusted family support on the ground. The children’s grandmother, already central to daily family life, agreed to relocate to supervise routines and care for the children when the parents were away.

Solution

Astons recommended the Greek Golden Visa as a fast, family-friendly route delivering visa-free Schengen mobility and access to EU systems (education, healthcare, banking).

The family selected a €810,000 apartment in Pallini (Athens), a well-connected residential area combining lifestyle appeal with rental demand. In Attica, the standard minimum investment is €800,000 for a single property over 120 sq.m. Alternatively, investors may qualify from €250,000 by purchasing restored commercial buildings converted into modern residences; developers deliver fully renovated units, offering a lower entry threshold without project management burden.

“For us, real estate wasn’t just a way to qualify for residency – it was a smart investment. Even if our personal plans change, the property gives us asset diversification. It’s in a great location, can easily be rented out, and the value is already going up,” says Ali.

The location provides convenient access to top international schools, including Campion School Athens (British curriculum). Within six months, all residence permits were approved, enabling the family to live, travel, and plan their children’s education in Europe with confidence.

Step-by-Step: How the Family Secured Greek Residency

1. Initial Consultation with Astons
The family articulated three priorities: EU residency, a clear education pathway, and inclusion of the grandmother as caregiver. Astons advised that the investment could not be transferred directly from Iran, and recommended compliant channels in Dubai and Türkiye for fund transfers.

2. Property Selection & Legal Preparation
Astons’ Athens team presented pre-vetted properties aligned with lifestyle and yield targets. Legal due diligence commenced in parallel.

3. Visit to Athens
On arrival, the family met an Astons coordinator, legal counsel, and a Persian-speaking translator. They completed viewings, assessed neighbourhoods, and consulted local school advisers.

4. Power of Attorney
Key formalities, including issuance of Power of Attorney, were completed during the visit to streamline execution.

5. Real Estate Transaction Finalised
The family chose a modern apartment in a family-friendly district. Payment was made via their Dubai account. Astons handled contract execution, legal checks, and property registration.

6. Golden Visa Application Submitted
Applications for all five members were submitted remotely by the legal team from Astons’ Athens office.

7. White Paper Issued
Temporary residence documentation (“white paper”) was issued promptly, enabling the family to remain in Greece and travel within the Schengen Area.

8. Biometric & Residence Permits Granted
On their return trip, the family completed biometric enrolment. Five-year residence cards were issued shortly thereafter, with indefinite renewals available while the investment is maintained.

Comparison of Residency-by-Investment Programmes in Europe

Program	Investment Threshold	Processing Time	Schengen Access	Physical Presence Requirement
Cyprus Residency	from €300,000	8 months	None	None
Greece Residency	from €250,000	4 months	None	None
Hungary Residency	from €250,000	4 months	None	None
Malta Residency	from €169,000	9 months	None	None
Portugal Residency	from €500,000	18 months	None	None

Investment Summary: Golden Visa Entry Property

Apartment in Athens

€810,000

Property Transfer Tax (3.09%)	€25,029
Land Registry Fee (0.6%)	€4,860
Notary Fees (~1.5%)	€12,150
Immigration Fee (3 adult family members)	€1,560
Residence Cards (€16 x 5)	€80
Translation Services	€300
Private Health Insurance	€1,500
Additional Costs:
Astons legal and service fees	determined on a case-by-case basis
Total Investment:	€855,479

Personalised Cost Breakdown for Program Participation

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Result

All five family members received residence permits within six months of starting the process.

The children have begun preparatory courses in Europe, supported day-to-day by their grandmother, creating stability while parents travel for business.

The Athens apartment has already appreciated in value, and the family is considering a second property to diversify their Greek portfolio. With residency, they benefit from visa-free EU travel, a euro-based financial anchor, and full access to European healthcare, education, and banking. Their children’s educational pathway is now secure, and the family remains united, mobile, and protected.

Why Greece?

Residency by investment from €250,000
Fast processing (3–6 months)
No obligation to reside in the country
Visa-free Schengen access
Company registration, VAT, euro bank account
Income-generating real estate opportunities
Potential route to EU citizenship
Non-dom tax regime: €100,000 per year on global income
Access to EU banking, healthcare, and education systems

Greece’s Golden Visa remains one of the most cost-effective pathways to EU residency. The residence permit is valid for five years and can be renewed indefinitely without a minimum stay requirement.

Why Astons?

Best Real Estate Agency in Greece 2024–2025 | European Property Awards
35+ years advising global investors
On-the-ground, multilingual legal teams
Thoroughly pre-screened investment properties
End-to-end processing, including compliance and documentation
Relocation and education support for families
Tailored strategies for migration and wealth planning

Speak to Astons in confidence. We’ll assess your family’s goals, structure the most efficient Greek residency strategy, curate pre-vetted properties, and manage the process from due diligence to residence cards, discreetly and end-to-end.

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Residency by Investment

Cyprus Cyprus

Residency

from €300,000

~8 months

Processing time

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

Explore Program

Greece Greece

Residency

from €250,000

~4 months

Processing time

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

Explore Program

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

Explore Program

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

Explore Program

Malta Malta

Residency

from €169,000

~9 months

Processing time

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

Explore Program

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

Explore Program

Turkey

Residency

from $200,000

~2 months

Processing time

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

Explore Program

UAE UAE

Residency

from $204,000

~2 weeks

Processing time

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

Explore Program

USA USA

Residency

from $800,000

~12 months

Processing time

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

Explore Program

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Real Estate Expert, Head of Greek Office

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Iranian Family Secures Greek Residency to Safeguard Mobility and Prepare Their Children for European Education

Situation

Solution

Step-by-Step: How the Family Secured Greek Residency

Comparison of Residency-by-Investment Programmes in Europe

Investment Summary: Golden Visa Entry Property

Personalised Cost Breakdown for Program Participation

Result

Why Greece?

Why Astons?

Events Calendar

Explore Our Calendar of Events

Residency by Investment

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