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Updated: June 2026

Case study · Greece · Residence permit

How an Investor from Lebanon Obtained Greek ResidencePermit Directly Through Investments

An investor from Lebanon sought to transfer part of his capital to the EU and obtain a European residence permit against the backdrop of domestic instability. Lebanese passport without restrictions - Golden Visa directly. Here's how it worked.

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 an Investor from Lebanon Obtained Greek Residence Permit Directly Through Investments
Contents

Case at a glance

Situation, solution and outcome in seven lines

Client
Investor from Lebanon
Citizenship
Lebanon - no restrictions for Golden Visa
Objective
Greek Residence Permit through investments
Unlike RF/Belarus
direct application, second passport not required
Family Composition
spouse
Route
investment → bank accounts → real estate → residence permit
Result
Greek Residence Permit obtained directly

Client story

Client's Story

Where they started

The client from Lebanon sought a reliable European haven for capital and a residence permit - a logical response to the instability of the domestic banking system. The Greek program is open to Lebanese citizens.

Why the standard route did not work

It is important to highlight the contrast we discussed in other cases in this series. Russian and Belarusian citizens cannot access Greece's Golden Visa program since 2022 based on their passports - we first obtain a second passport from a non-sanctioned country for them. Lebanese citizens do not need this: their passport is not subject to restrictions, so the path is direct - without second citizenship and workarounds.

What BRIDGES had to solve

Lebanese passport is not subject to sanctions restrictions, therefore the application is direct - without a second passport; capital transfer to the EU is structured standardly.

Why a standard answer would not do

At BRIDGES, we guided the client through the direct Golden Visa route: prepared documents, assisted with bank accounts and fund transfers, selected and registered real estate according to program thresholds, and filed for the residence permit. Capital transfer was structured correctly.

I am from Lebanon and wanted to transfer part of my capital to Europe and obtain a residence permit - there are difficulties with banks back home. BRIDGES took me through directly - Lebanese passport without restrictions, no second passport needed. They helped structure the transfer, selected real estate, filed the application - I received a Greek Residence Permit. Capital in a safe haven.

Elena · Investor from LebanonThe name and certain identifying details have been changed to protect confidentiality.

What Was at Risk

What Was at Risk

There was no actual risk - the path is open for Lebanese citizens. The important thing was not to complicate the process (they do not need a second passport) and execute the direct route cleanly: documents, accounts, real estate, application.

that Lebanese citizens have direct access to Greece's Golden Visa (unlike RF/Belarus);

  1. 01that a second passport is not required for them - their passport has no restrictions;
  2. 02that the route is standard: investment → bank accounts → real estate → residence permit;
  3. 03that capital transfer to the EU for a Lebanese citizen is structured standardly;
  4. 04that family composition (spouse) 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

    Confirmed direct pathway. Verified that the Lebanese passport is unrestricted and the application proceeds directly.

  2. 02
    Stage 2

    Prepared documents and accounts. Assisted with bank accounts and fund transfers for the investment.

  3. 03
    Stage 3

    Considered: capital withdrawal to the EU by a Lebanese national is structured in standard manner;

  4. 04
    Stage 4

    Selected real estate. Chose a property meeting program thresholds.

  5. 05
    Stage 5

    Applied for Golden Visa. Submitted Greek residence permit application for the entire family.

Takeaway. Conclusion: Lebanese nationals have direct access to Greek Golden Visa (unlike RF/RB) - investment, accounts, real estate, application; second passport not required.

How we solved the matter

How we solved the matter

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

  1. 01

    Stage 1

    Confirmed direct pathway. Verified that the Lebanese passport is unrestricted and the application proceeds directly.

  2. 02

    Stage 2

    Prepared documents and accounts. Assisted with bank accounts and fund transfers for the investment.

  3. 03

    Stage 3

    Considered: capital withdrawal to the EU by a Lebanese national is structured in standard manner;

  4. 04

    Stage 4

    Selected real estate. Chose a property meeting program thresholds.

  5. 05

    Stage 5

    Applied for Golden Visa. Submitted Greek residence permit application for the entire family.

  6. 06

    Stage 6

    Obtained residence permit. Client obtained Greek residence permit through direct pathway, without a second passport.

Expert comment

A Lebanese investor's objective - diversification and secure haven for capital amid domestic instability. Unrestricted passport, therefore direct application, second passport not needed. We assisted in correctly structuring capital transfer to the EU and executed Golden Visa - real estate, application. Client obtained both residence permit and European haven for funds.

Sergey Evdokimov, Managing Partner, BRIDGESSergey EvdokimovManaging Partner, BRIDGES

Outcome

What the client received

Requirements
How we proceeded · Outcome
Apply directly
Lebanese passport unrestricted · without second passport
Accounts and transfers
assisted with banks · funds established
Real estate
selection per thresholds · property registered
Obtain residence permit
Golden Visa application · Greek residence permit
Obtain residence permit
Golden Visa application · Greek residence permit

Initial situation: investor from Lebanon sought Greek residence permit through investment. Actions taken: confirmed direct pathway; prepared documents and accounts; selected real estate; applied for Golden Visa. Result obtained: Greek residence permit directly, without second passport.

Practical takeaway

What matters in a similar situation

  • Conclusion: Lebanese nationals have direct access to Greek Golden Visa (unlike RF/RB) - investment, accounts, real estate, application; second passport not required.
  • Client obtained Greek residence permit through direct pathway - because his passport is unrestricted and we executed standard Golden Visa procedure.

FAQ

Questions people ask in a similar situation

01Can a Lebanese national obtain Greek residence permit directly?

Yes: Lebanese passport is not subject to restrictions, therefore Golden Visa application proceeds directly, without a second passport - unlike RF/RB citizens whose applications under their passports have been suspended since 2022.

02Is a second passport required?

No. Lebanese nationals do not require it - the passport allows direct application for Golden Visa. A second passport is necessary for Russian and Belarusian citizens.

03What about banking accounts and fund transfers?

Lebanese passport is non-sanctioned; capital transfer to the EU is structured standardly; we assist with account opening and investment.

04Which family members are included?

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

05Is this legal?

Yes: standard Golden Visa procedure for a national of a non-sanctioned country, in accordance with Greek regulations.

06Are you a Lebanese national seeking Greek residence permit?

We will process you through the direct Golden Visa route - without a second passport: documentation, banking accounts and fund transfer, real estate selection meeting investment thresholds, and residence permit application, so you obtain Greek residence status quickly and straightforwardly.

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.