Updated: June 2026

Case study · Greece · Residence permit

How a Middle Eastern Family Included ElderlyParents in Greece's Golden Visa

In many cultures, caring for elderly parents is not a matter of choice but a given, and families wish to obtain residency status together as an extended family. A Middle Eastern family was applying for Greece's Golden Visa and wanted to include both spouses' parents. Good news: the Greek program allows this. This is a straightforward case about three generations under a single status. We explain how we included the parents.

Anna KovalevskayaAnna KovalevskayaHead of Legal, BRIDGESReading time8 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 Middle Eastern Family Included Elderly Parents in Greece's Golden Visa
Contents

Case at a glance

Situation, solution and outcome in seven lines

Client
Middle Eastern family, three generations
Objective
Greece's Golden Visa for the entire extended family
Program
Greece, Golden Visa (residence permit through real estate investment, pathway to permanent residency and EU citizenship)
Key Considerations
inclusion of elderly parents of both spouses
Key Factor
dependent parents with no age limit
Solution
proof of dependency + comprehensive insurance coverage
Outcome
Greece's residence permit for three generations

Client story

Client's Story

Where they started

A Middle Eastern family sought European residency status not only for spouses and children, but also for elderly parents. In their culture, caring for the senior generation is a natural part of life, and leaving parents without status while obtaining it themselves was unthinkable for them.

Why the standard route did not work

Many programs restrict the inclusion of parents by age or do not allow it at all, and the family feared Greece would be the same. However, Greece's Golden Visa is generous here: it allows the inclusion of parents of both spouses as dependents, with no age limit.

What BRIDGES had to solve

The condition for such inclusion is clear: one must prove that the parents are financially dependent on the applicant and provide comprehensive health insurance and financial connection. In other words, the right is broad, but it is based on proven dependency of the parents on the family.

Why a standard answer would not do

The family came to BRIDGES to properly gather all documentation: to confirm the dependency of elderly parents of both spouses and include them in the application together with children, securing three-generation status immediately.

In our culture, it is not acceptable to obtain something for ourselves and leave our parents behind - they must be with us. I was afraid the program would not allow us to include elderly parents, as is often the case. Anna reassured us: the Greek visa allows the inclusion of parents of both spouses, with no age limit. The team confirmed their dependency, arranged insurance coverage. As a result, all three generations received residence permits - us, our children, and both our parents. For our family, this was the most important thing.

Anna · Family HeadThe name and certain identifying details have been changed to protect confidentiality.

Key Considerations

Key Considerations

There was no risk here - the task was to properly implement a broad right. Greece allows the inclusion of parents of both spouses with no age limit, but through proven dependency and comprehensive insurance coverage. If parental dependency cannot be demonstrated, they may not qualify as dependents. The key is to gather proof of dependency in advance and ensure insurance coverage.

that parents of both spouses are included, not just one;

  1. 01that there is no age limit for parents, but dependency is required;
  2. 02proof of financial dependency of parents on the family;
  3. 03comprehensive health insurance for all family members;
  4. 04simultaneous inclusion of children and parents in the application.

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.

BasisStage 1

We confirmed the broad scope of the Greek program. First, we reassured the family: Greece allows including parents of both spouses without age limit. This immediately removed their main concern - that the older generation would have to be left without status.

  • 01
    Stage 2

    We identified the conditions for including parents. We explained that the broad right is based on dependency: parents must be financially dependent on the family, with joint medical insurance. This clarified what exactly needed to be confirmed.

  • 02
    Stage 3

    We collected proof of dependency. We prepared documents demonstrating the financial dependency of elderly parents on the applicant - what makes them dependents under the program.

  • 03
    Stage 4

    We ensured joint medical insurance. To the proof of dependency, we added joint insurance coverage for all family members, including parents. This satisfied the second condition for their inclusion.

  • 04
    Stage 5

    We finalized the investment and included three generations. Based on the real estate investment, we prepared an application that included the spouses, children, and parents of both spouses. The older generation was included on equal terms with the rest.

Takeaway. Conclusion: Greece's Golden Visa includes parents of both spouses without age limit - status can be obtained for three generations. The right is based on proven dependency and joint medical insurance.

How we handled the case

How we handled the case

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

  1. 01

    Stage 1

    We confirmed the broad scope of the Greek program. First, we reassured the family: Greece allows including parents of both spouses without age limit. This immediately removed their main concern - that the older generation would have to be left without status.

  2. 02

    Stage 2

    We identified the conditions for including parents. We explained that the broad right is based on dependency: parents must be financially dependent on the family, with joint medical insurance. This clarified what exactly needed to be confirmed.

  3. 03

    Stage 3

    We collected proof of dependency. We prepared documents demonstrating the financial dependency of elderly parents on the applicant - what makes them dependents under the program.

  4. 04

    Stage 4

    We ensured joint medical insurance. To the proof of dependency, we added joint insurance coverage for all family members, including parents. This satisfied the second condition for their inclusion.

  5. 05

    Stage 5

    We finalized the investment and included three generations. Based on the real estate investment, we prepared an application that included the spouses, children, and parents of both spouses. The older generation was included on equal terms with the rest.

  6. 06

    Stage 6

    We completed the residence permit issuance for the entire extended family. Three generations - spouses, children, and both parents - received Greek residence permits. The family remained together under one status, and the program did not require permanent residence.

Expert comment

For many of my clients, especially from the Middle East, including elderly parents is not a preference but a principle: the family obtains status only as a whole, with the older generation. And often they come with anxiety because many programs either restrict parents by age or do not allow them at all. Greece in this sense is very generous: it allows including parents of both spouses as dependents, without age limit. I love telling clients this - it's literally a weight off their shoulders. But this right is based on a condition: dependency must be proven, and joint insurance is required. We collected evidence of the parents' financial dependency, arranged insurance coverage for everyone, and included three generations in the application at once. As a result, the entire extended family received residence permits. When a program respects such a family model, and we implement it correctly, that's the best outcome.

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

Outcome

What the client received

What was required
How we did it · Result
Include elderly parents
Without age limit, both spouses · Older generation in the application
Prove dependency
Financial dependency documents · Parents as dependents
Close the condition
Joint medical insurance · Coverage for all
Status for extended family
Application for three generations · Greek residence permit for all
Status for extended family
Application for three generations · Greek residence permit for all

What was the situation: a family from the Middle East wanted to include elderly parents of both spouses in Greece's Golden Visa on equal terms with themselves and their children. What we did: confirmed the broad scope of the program; identified conditions for including parents; collected proof of dependency; ensured joint insurance; finalized the investment and included three generations; completed the residence permit issuance. What the family received: Greek residence permits for three generations.

Practical takeaway

What matters in a similar situation

  • Conclusion: Greece's Golden Visa includes parents of both spouses without age limit - status can be obtained for three generations. The right is based on proven dependency and joint medical insurance.
  • The extended family remained together under one status - because we implemented the broad scope of the Greek program through proven parental dependency and joint insurance.

FAQ

Questions people ask in a similar situation

01Can parents be included in Greece's Golden Visa?

Yes. The Greek program allows including dependent parents of both spouses without age limit, subject to proven dependency and joint medical insurance.

02Is there an age restriction for parents?

There is no age limit for parents—unlike many other programs. The key requirement is confirmed financial dependence of parents on the family.

03Which parents can be included?

Parents of both spouses. This allows obtaining residence permits for three generations—spouses, children, and parents from both sides.

04What confirms parental dependence?

Documents demonstrating their financial dependence on the applicant and a joint family health insurance policy. Together, they provide grounds to include parents as dependents.

05Does the entire family need to reside in Greece?

No, Golden Visa does not require permanent residence. The extended family obtains status while maintaining freedom of movement and the ability to live in their home country.

06Want to include elderly parents in Greece's Golden Visa?

We will confirm the financial dependence of both spouses' parents and arrange joint health insurance—so that Greece residence permit is obtained by the entire extended family, all three generations, without age restrictions for senior members.

About the author

Anna Kovalevskaya

Author: Anna Kovalevskaya

Head of Legal, BRIDGES

I have worked with citizenship and residency matters in European countries for 12 years. Programme requirements and application practices change, so I assess each matter against the current rules, the applicant's immigration history, family composition and the documents supporting the legal basis for the application.

I lead matters from the preliminary assessment through to the grant of status. In complex situations, I identify the circumstances that may affect the review, establish the legal logic of the application and oversee the consistency of the supporting documents at every stage.

During the consultation, you will receive an assessment of the available legal grounds, a clear understanding of the chosen route and a list of issues that should be resolved before filing. Once the engagement begins, I oversee the application and the key decisions of the BRIDGES team.

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.