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Updated: June 2026

Case study · Greece · Residence permit

How a Long-Standing Client with Antigua and Barbuda Passport Obtained Greece Residence Permit

This client came to us for the second time. Several years ago, we processed Antigua and Barbuda citizenship through investment for him - at that time he needed a strong second passport. Now the family has a new objective - a residence permit in the EU, and he turned to us again. The advantage is that the foundation is already in place: the Caribbean passport is non-sanctioned, so Greece residence permit is processed directly, without new workarounds. We explain how we added a Golden Visa on top of the existing solution.

Sergey EvdokimovSergey EvdokimovManaging Partner, BRIDGESReading time9 min readVerificationReviewed by an expert

This case is based on a real matter. The name and certain identifying details have been changed to protect confidentiality.

BRIDGES client story - How a Long-Standing Client with Antigua and Barbuda Passport Obtained Greece Residence Permit
Contents

Case at a glance

Situation, solution and outcome in seven lines

Client
Nikolai, about 60, an entrepreneur from Moscow, a family with Antigua passports
Previous Solution
Antigua and Barbuda citizenship, processed previously
New Objective
Greece Residence Permit (Golden Visa), EU Access
Why It Was Straightforward
Caribbean passport is non-sanctioned - direct application
Composition
Spouses and Two Children
Next Step
Greece Golden Visa as Antigua and Barbuda Citizens
Result
Greece Residence Permit Added to Caribbean Passport

Client story

Client's Story

Where they started

The client is a long-standing acquaintance: several years ago we processed Antigua and Barbuda citizenship for him. The task was different then - to obtain a reliable second passport. Over time, plans expanded: the family needed a residence permit in the European Union, closer to Europe, with all the benefits of European residency. The client returned to us specifically because we already know his history and documents.

Why the standard route did not work

An important principle worked here: one of our solutions becomes the foundation for the next. Unlike Russians with Russian passports (for whom Greece Golden Visa is not directly accessible), this client already has a Caribbean passport from Antigua and Barbuda - a non-sanctioned country. This means he applies for Greece residence permit directly as an Antigua and Barbuda citizen, without any workarounds or a new second passport.

What BRIDGES had to solve

We only needed to add the European component: the family had already traveled on the Caribbean passport, and now wanted to establish themselves in the EU. Since the client was returning, we did not collect everything from scratch - many documents and background checks had already been completed during citizenship processing, which expedited the application.

Why a standard answer would not do

At BRIDGES, we handled the standard Golden Visa component: real estate investment according to Greece's thresholds and residence permit application on the Caribbean passport. As a result, to the strong Caribbean citizenship was added a European residence permit - a solution built on a solution, for a client who has trusted us for years.

We once obtained Antigua passports with BRIDGES, and now we wanted a home in Europe. Sofia explained that with a Caribbean passport we could apply to Greece directly, and the whole family received residence without extra steps.

Nikolai · entrepreneurThe name and certain identifying details have been changed to protect confidentiality.

What Was at Risk

What Was at Risk

There was no problem - on the contrary, the foundation was already there. The only risk was not to overcomplicate matters: with a Caribbean passport, no new workarounds are needed, the application for Greek GV is direct. The key was to properly utilize the existing citizenship and add the European component.

That the client already has a non-sanctioned Antigua and Barbuda passport - access to Golden Visa is open directly;

  1. 01That a new second passport is not needed - unlike the case with an RF/RB passport;
  2. 02That part of the documents and background checks had already been completed during citizenship processing;
  3. 03That the standard European component remains - investment and application;
  4. 04That family composition (spouses and two children) is included in the Golden Visa.

The logic of the solution

How the matter progressed: from checks to result

The chart is built from the facts of this matter and shows the logic of the work without decorative or unverified data.

  1. 01
    Stage 1

    We reviewed the client's history. We retrieved his previous case - Antigua and Barbuda citizenship, issued earlier - to rely on already collected documents.

  2. 02
    Stage 2

    We confirmed the direct pathway. We verified that the Caribbean passport is non-sanctioned and the Greek GV application proceeds directly, without a new second passport.

  3. 03
    Stage 3

    We determined the composition. We identified which family members (spouse and two children) are included in the Golden Visa.

  4. 04
    Stage 4

    We made an investment in Greece. We completed a real estate investment meeting the program thresholds.

  5. 05
    Stage 5

    We applied for Golden Visa. We submitted a Greek residence permit application as citizens of Antigua and Barbuda.

Takeaway. Conclusion: a Caribbean passport holder (Antigua and Barbuda) has direct access to Greek Golden Visa without a second passport; for a long-standing client this is a solution on top of a solution, based on prepared documents.

How we solved the task

How we solved the task

The work was split into verifiable stages so that every conclusion rested on documents.

  1. 01

    We reviewed the client's history

    We retrieved his previous case - Antigua and Barbuda citizenship, issued earlier - to rely on already collected documents.

  2. 02

    We confirmed the direct pathway

    We verified that the Caribbean passport is non-sanctioned and the Greek GV application proceeds directly, without a new second passport.

  3. 03

    We determined the composition

    We identified which family members (spouse and two children) are included in the Golden Visa.

  4. 04

    We made an investment in Greece

    We completed a real estate investment meeting the program thresholds.

  5. 05

    We applied for Golden Visa

    We submitted a Greek residence permit application as citizens of Antigua and Barbuda.

  6. 06

    We obtained the residence permit

    A European residence permit was added to the Caribbean passport - quickly, because the foundation was already in place.

How the work went

From first contact to the result

  1. 01We reviewed the client's history
  2. 02We confirmed the direct pathway
  3. 03We determined the composition
  4. 04We made an investment in Greece
  5. 05We applied for Golden Visa
  6. 06We obtained the residence permit

The sequence and timing reflect this specific case and depend on how complete the documents are and on the decisions of the competent authorities.

Expert comment

I love such cases - when a client returns. Several years ago we obtained a Caribbean passport of Antigua and Barbuda for him, and now he wanted an EU residence permit. And here everything is simpler than for a Russian starting from scratch: the Caribbean passport is non-sanctioned, therefore a person applies for Greek Golden Visa directly, no second passport is needed. We simply added the European component - investment and application - based on already completed checks. One of our solutions became the foundation for the next one. For a long-standing client this is both fast and smooth.

Sergey Evdokimov, Managing Partner, BRIDGESSergey EvdokimovManaging Partner, BRIDGES

Outcome

What the client received

What was required
How we did it · Result
Add EU residence permit
Direct application based on Antigua and Barbuda passport · Without a new passport
Accelerate
Reliance on previous case · Part of checks completed
Include family
Spouse and two children · In Golden Visa
Obtain residence permit
Investment + application · Greek residence permit
Obtain residence permit
Investment + application · Greek residence permit

The situation: a long-standing client with an Antigua and Barbuda passport wanted to add Greek residence permit. What we did: retrieved his previous case; confirmed direct application (non-sanctioned passport); determined family composition; made an investment; applied for Golden Visa. What he obtained: Greek residence permit on top of Caribbean passport.

Practical takeaway

What matters in a similar situation

  • Conclusion: a Caribbean passport holder (Antigua and Barbuda) has direct access to Greek Golden Visa without a second passport; for a long-standing client this is a solution on top of a solution, based on prepared documents.
  • The client added a European residence permit to a strong passport - because we laid the foundation earlier, and Caribbean citizenship opens Greece directly.
  • For clients who already hold a citizenship obtained with us, we add a Greek Golden Visa faster, building on the file already assembled. We will look at your situation.

FAQ

Questions people ask in a similar situation

01Can a Caribbean passport holder obtain Greek residence permit?

Yes, directly: Antigua and Barbuda and other Caribbean countries are non-sanctioned, therefore their citizens apply for Golden Visa without restrictions applicable to RF/RB passports.

02Is a second passport necessary if a Caribbean passport already exists?

No. A Caribbean passport by itself provides direct access to the Golden Visa - no additional second passport is required.

03Why is the process faster for an existing client?

Part of the documentation and background checks have already been completed during citizenship acquisition, so the European portion (investment and application) is processed faster.

04Which family members are included?

Spouse and children (and under certain conditions - parents) are included in the Golden Visa as family members. The exact composition is confirmed with the competent authority.

05Is this legal?

Yes: citizenship was obtained through an official program, and the Golden Visa application is submitted under Greek regulations as an application from a citizen of a non-sanctioned country.

06Which documents were key in this case?

We reviewed the client's history. We retrieved his previous case - Antigua and Barbuda citizenship, issued earlier - to rely on already collected documents. We confirmed the direct pathway. We verified that the Caribbean passport is non-sanctioned and the Greek GV application proceeds directly, without a new second passport.

07Why did the standard route not suit the client?

An important principle worked here: one of our solutions becomes the foundation for the next. Unlike Russians with Russian passports (for whom Greece Golden Visa is not directly accessible), this client already has a Caribbean passport from Antigua and Barbuda - a non-sanctioned country. This means he applies for Greece residence permit directly as an Antigua and Barbuda citizen, without any workarounds or a new second passport.

08What risk had to be closed before filing?

There was no problem - on the contrary, the foundation was already there. The only risk was not to overcomplicate matters: with a Caribbean passport, no new workarounds are needed, the application for Greek GV is direct. The key was to properly utilize the existing citizenship and add the European component. That the client already has a non-sanctioned Antigua and Barbuda passport - access to Golden Visa is open directly;

09How did BRIDGES check that the chosen solution would hold?

We applied for Golden Visa. We submitted a Greek residence permit application as citizens of Antigua and Barbuda. We obtained the residence permit. A European residence permit was added to the Caribbean passport - quickly, because the foundation was already in place.

10What confirmed the result in the end?

The situation: a long-standing client with an Antigua and Barbuda passport wanted to add Greek residence permit. What we did: retrieved his previous case; confirmed direct application (non-sanctioned passport); determined family composition; made an investment; applied for Golden Visa. What he obtained: Greek residence permit on top of Caribbean passport. What was required: How we did it · Result. Add EU residence permit: Direct application based on Antigua and Barbuda passport · Without a new passport. Accelerate: Reliance on previous case · Part of checks completed. Include family: Spouse and two children · In Golden Visa. Obtain residence permit: Investment + application · Greek residence permit. Obtain residence permit: Investment + application · Greek residence permit

About the author

Sergey Evdokimov

Author: Sergey Evdokimov

Managing Partner, BRIDGES

As Founder and Managing Partner of BRIDGES, I am responsible for the firm's strategy and personally lead its most complex client matters, including cases in which citizenship or residence decisions require a strategic view and consideration of capital.

I begin by defining the objective: the outcome the client needs, the facts that affect the choice, and the matters that require further review. I then establish the available directions, the sequence of work, and the key decision points.

Once the strategy has been agreed, I oversee the BRIDGES team's key decisions and remain involved at the stages that shape the course of the matter. The purpose is to give the client a clear rationale for the chosen direction and a precise understanding of the next steps.

Prepared on the basis of BRIDGES practice and reviewed by a subject-matter expert.

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Anna KovalevskayaHead of Legal, BRIDGES
Anna Kovalevskaya, Head of Legal, BRIDGES

Names and certain details have been changed to protect client confidentiality. The result described reflects one specific situation and is neither a public offer nor a guarantee of a similar outcome. Programme terms are stated as of 2026 and may change - please confirm current parameters with a BRIDGES consultant.