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Updated: June 2026

Case study · Greece · Residence permit

How an Investor from the UAE Obtained Greek ResidencePermit Directly Through Investment

An investor from the UAE sought a Greek residence permit as a European asset and Schengen access. UAE passport with no restrictions - Golden Visa direct application. Here's how the premium direct route proceeded.

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 the UAE Obtained Greek Residence Permit Directly Through Investment
Contents

Case at a glance

Situation, solution and outcome in seven lines

Client
Investor from the UAE
Citizenship
UAE - no restrictions on Golden Visa
Objective
Greek Residence Permit through Investment
Unlike RF/Belarus
direct application, second passport not required
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 the UAE considered European residence permit for business, leisure, and Schengen access. For UAE citizens, the Greek program is fully accessible.

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 since 2022 based on their passports - we first arrange a second passport from an unrestricted country for them. UAE citizens do not need this: their passport has no restrictions, so the path is direct - without second citizenship or workarounds.

What BRIDGES had to solve

UAE passport has no restrictions, therefore the application is direct - without a second passport; transfers and bank accounts proceed normally.

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 premium-level real estate meeting program thresholds, and submitted the residence permit application.

I am from the UAE and wanted a Greek residence permit - an asset in Europe and Schengen access. BRIDGES guided me directly - UAE passport without restrictions, no second passport needed. They selected the real estate, submitted the application - I received the residence permit. Clean and professional.

Dmitry · Investor from the UAEThe 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 UAE citizens. The key was to avoid complications (they do not need a second passport) and execute the direct route cleanly: documents, accounts, real estate, application.

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

  1. 01That a second passport is not required - passport without restrictions;
  2. 02That the route is standard: Investment → Bank Accounts → Real Estate → Residence Permit;
  3. 03That UAE citizens have access to standard transfers and application procedures;
  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 the direct route. Verified that the UAE passport is unrestricted and the application proceeds directly.

  2. 02
    Stage 2

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

  3. 03
    Stage 3

    Noted: UAE citizens have access to standard fund transfers and direct application;

  4. 04
    Stage 4

    Selected real estate. Chose a property meeting program thresholds.

  5. 05
    Stage 5

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

Takeaway. Conclusion: UAE citizens have direct access to Greece Golden Visa (unlike RF/RB) - investment, accounts, real estate, submission; second passport not required.

How we solved the case

How we solved the case

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

  1. 01

    Stage 1

    Confirmed the direct route. Verified that the UAE passport is unrestricted and the application proceeds directly.

  2. 02

    Stage 2

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

  3. 03

    Stage 3

    Noted: UAE citizens have access to standard fund transfers and direct application;

  4. 04

    Stage 4

    Selected real estate. Chose a property meeting program thresholds.

  5. 05

    Stage 5

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

  6. 06

    Stage 6

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

Expert comment

For an Emirati investor, everything is straightforward: UAE passport is unsanctioned, transfers and accounts are standard. A second passport is not necessary. We managed a premium Golden Visa - property selection, submission. Client obtained European residence permit and Schengen access. Gulf citizens enter the program directly.

Sergey Evdokimov, Managing Partner, BRIDGESSergey EvdokimovManaging Partner, BRIDGES

Outcome

What the client received

Requirements
Implementation method · Result
Apply directly
UAE passport without restrictions · without second passport
Accounts and fund transfer
assisted with banks · funds deposited
Real estate
selection meeting thresholds · property formalized
Obtain residence permit
Golden Visa submission · Greek residence permit
Obtain residence permit
Golden Visa submission · Greek residence permit

Initial situation: investor from UAE wanted Greek residence permit through investment. Action taken: confirmed direct pathway; prepared documents and accounts; selected real estate; submitted for Golden Visa. Result obtained: Greek residence permit directly, without a second passport.

Practical takeaway

What matters in a similar situation

  • Conclusion: UAE citizens have direct access to Greece Golden Visa (unlike RF/RB) - investment, accounts, real estate, submission; second passport not required.
  • Client obtained Greek residence permit via direct pathway - because his passport is unrestricted, and we implemented standard Golden Visa procedures.

FAQ

Questions people ask in a similar situation

01Can a UAE citizen obtain Greek residence permit directly?

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

02Is a second passport required?

No. UAE nationals do not require it—a passport allows direct application for a Golden Visa. A second passport is necessary for Russian and Belarusian citizens.

03What about bank accounts and fund transfers?

UAE nationals have standard access to EU transfers and accounts; we assist with investment structuring and visa application submission.

04Which family members are included?

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

05Is this legal?

Yes: standard Golden Visa procedure for citizens of non-sanctioned countries, in accordance with Greek regulations.

06Are you a UAE national seeking Greek residence?

We will process your application through the direct Golden Visa route—without a second passport: document preparation, bank account setup and fund transfer, property selection within investment thresholds, and visa submission, so you obtain Greek residence 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.