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Updated: June 2026

Case study · Greece · Residence permit

How an Investor from Ukraine Obtained Greek Residence Permit Directly Through Investment

An investor from Ukraine sought a residence permit in the EU through Greek Golden Visa. Good news: Ukrainian citizens have direct access to Golden Visa - passport without restrictions, no secondary passport required. Here's how the 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 Ukraine Obtained Greek Residence Permit Directly Through Investment
Contents

Case at a glance

Situation, solution and outcome in seven lines

Client
Investor from Ukraine
Citizenship
Ukraine - no restrictions for Golden Visa
Objective
Greek Residence Permit through Investment
Unlike RF/RB
Direct application, secondary passport not required
Family Composition
Spouse
Process
Investment → Bank Accounts → Real Estate → Residence Permit
Result
Greek Residence Permit Obtained Directly

Client story

Client Background

Where they started

The client - an investor from Ukraine - sought a European residence permit for himself and his spouse, closer to the EU and with European rights. Many Ukrainians are currently considering relocation, and Greece is a convenient option through investment.

Why the standard route did not work

Here it is important to show the contrast we discussed in other case studies of this series. Russian and Belarusian citizens have had no access to Greek Golden Visa since 2022 based on their passports - we first arrange a secondary passport from an unrestricted country. Ukrainian citizens do not need this: their passport is not under restrictions, so the route is direct - without secondary citizenship and workarounds.

What BRIDGES had to solve

For a Ukrainian it is simpler than for a Russian: Ukrainian passport is not under restrictions, fund transfers to European banks proceed standardly, so the route is direct - without secondary citizenship.

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 submitted the residence permit application. Real estate was registered according to program thresholds.

I did not know where to start. Elena calmly explained everything and booked me with an expert. A few months later I had Greek residence.

Alexander · Investor from UkraineThe name and certain identifying details have been changed to protect confidentiality.

Potential Risks

Potential Risks

There was no risk as such - the route is open for Ukrainian citizens. The key was not to overcomplicate matters (they do not need a secondary passport) and to execute the direct route cleanly: documents, accounts, real estate, application.

That Greek Golden Visa is directly accessible to Ukrainian citizens (unlike RF/RB);

  1. 01That secondary passport is not required - passport without restrictions;
  2. 02That the standard route applies: Investment → Bank Accounts → Real Estate → Residence Permit;
  3. 03That fund transfers for Ukrainian citizens to EU banks proceed standardly;
  4. 04That family composition (spouse) is included in 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 path. Verified that the Ukrainian passport has no restrictions 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

    Noted: fund transfers from Ukrainian citizens to EU banks proceed on a standard basis.

  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: Ukrainian citizens have direct access to Greek Golden Visa (unlike RF/RB)—investment, accounts, real estate, application; second passport not required.

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

    Confirmed the direct path

    Verified that the Ukrainian passport has no restrictions and the application proceeds directly.

  2. 02

    Prepared documents and accounts

    Assisted with bank accounts and fund transfers for the investment.

  3. 03

    Stage 3

    Noted: fund transfers from Ukrainian citizens to EU banks proceed on a standard basis.

  4. 04

    Selected real estate

    Chose a property meeting program thresholds.

  5. 05

    Applied for Golden Visa

    Submitted Greek residence permit application for the entire family.

  6. 06

    Obtained residence permit

    Client obtained Greek residence status via direct route without a second passport.

How the work went

From first contact to the result

  1. 01Confirmed the direct path
  2. 02Prepared documents and accounts
  3. 03Stage 3
  4. 04Selected real estate
  5. 05Applied for Golden Visa
  6. 06Obtained 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

It is straightforward here: the Ukrainian passport is not subject to sanctions-related restrictions, therefore a person enters the Greek program directly—without second citizenship, which we obtain for Russian citizens. Fund transfers to EU banks for Ukrainians proceed normally. We simply facilitated a standard Golden Visa: accounts, real estate, application. The residence permit was obtained quickly. When a passport has no restrictions, everything is much simpler.

Sergey Evdokimov, Managing Partner, BRIDGESSergey EvdokimovManaging Partner, BRIDGES

Outcome

What the client received

What was required
How we implemented · Result
Direct application
Ukrainian passport with no restrictions · without second passport
Accounts and transfers
assisted with banks · funds deposited
Real estate
selection per program thresholds · property secured
Obtain residence permit
Golden Visa application · Greek residence permit
Obtain residence permit
Golden Visa application · Greek residence permit

What was needed: an investor from Ukraine wanted Greek residence permit through investment. What we did: confirmed direct route; prepared documents and accounts; selected real estate; applied for Golden Visa. What was obtained: Greek residence permit directly, without second passport.

Practical takeaway

What matters in a similar situation

  • Conclusion: Ukrainian citizens have direct access to Greek Golden Visa (unlike RF/RB)—investment, accounts, real estate, application; second passport not required.
  • Client obtained Greek residence permit via direct route because his passport has no restrictions and we facilitated a standard Golden Visa process.
  • For Ukrainian citizens the Greek Golden Visa is obtained without any workarounds. We will look at your case.

FAQ

Questions people ask in a similar situation

01Can a Ukrainian citizen obtain Greek residence permit directly?

Yes: the Ukrainian passport has no restrictions, therefore Golden Visa application proceeds directly, without second passport—unlike RF/RB citizens whose new applications have been suspended since 2022 based on their passports.

02Is a second passport required?

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

03What about bank accounts and fund transfers?

Ukrainian citizens' fund transfers to European banks proceed standardly; we assist in opening accounts and correctly establishing the investment.

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: a standard Golden Visa procedure for citizens of a sanctioned country, according to Greek regulations.

06Which documents were key in this case?

Confirmed the direct path. Verified that the Ukrainian passport has no restrictions and the application proceeds directly. Prepared documents and accounts. Assisted with bank accounts and fund transfers for the investment.

07Why did the standard route not suit the client?

Here it is important to show the contrast we discussed in other case studies of this series. Russian and Belarusian citizens have had no access to Greek Golden Visa since 2022 based on their passports - we first arrange a secondary passport from an unrestricted country. Ukrainian citizens do not need this: their passport is not under restrictions, so the route is direct - without secondary citizenship and workarounds.

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.