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Updated: June 2026

Case study · Greece · Residence permit

How a Daughter-Student from London WasIncluded in Greece's Golden Visa

When a child is already studying abroad and living independently, it may seem to parents that including them in the family status is complicated - after all, they are "on their own." Our family was processing Greece's Golden Visa and wanted to include their daughter, a student in London. In reality, everything is manageable: she remains a dependent child. This is a straightforward case about family unity. We explain how we included the daughter in the application.

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 Daughter-Student from London Was Included in Greece's Golden Visa
Contents

Case at a glance

Situation, solution and outcome in seven lines

Client
Family with a daughter-student in London
Objective
Greece's Golden Visa for the entire family
Program
Greece, Golden Visa (residence permit through real estate investment, pathway to permanent residency and EU citizenship)
Key Considerations
inclusion of a daughter studying abroad
Requirement
dependent child status until age 21
Solution
confirmation of age and dependent status + inclusion
Result
Greek residence permit for all, including the daughter

Client story

Client's Story

Where they started

The family chose Greece's Golden Visa as their European foundation: a residence permit through real estate, access to the Schengen area, without the requirement to reside permanently in the country. The goal was unified - status for everyone, including their daughter, who had already moved to study in London.

Why the standard route did not work

It was precisely the daughter that caused the parents doubt. She was studying abroad, living independently, and it seemed to them that since the child was already "self-sufficient" and in another country, including her in the family application would be difficult or impossible.

What BRIDGES had to solve

In reality, everything was simpler than they feared. The Greek program includes children under 21 as dependents regardless of where they study. The daughter's studies in London did not make her self-sufficient under the program terms - she remained a dependent child by age, and could be included equally with the rest of the family.

Why a standard answer would not do

The family came to BRIDGES to handle this properly: to confirm the daughter's age and dependent status and include her in the application, without leaving her out because she studies in another country.

Our daughter moved to study in London, and we worried that we could no longer include her in the Greek residence permit - after all, she lives separately, in another country. Anna explained that we were worrying unnecessarily: until age 21, she remains a dependent child, wherever she studies. We confirmed her age and status, and included her smoothly. As a result, we all received the residence permit, including our daughter. Studying abroad turned out to be no obstacle at all.

Dmitry · Parents of the StudentThe name and certain identifying details have been changed to protect confidentiality.

What Was Important to Consider

What Was Important to Consider

There was no actual risk here - it was a false fear that a child studying abroad would fall out of the family application. The program includes children under 21 as dependents regardless of place of study. The main thing requiring attention was confirming the daughter's age and dependent status, rather than allowing the thought "she is already self-sufficient" to exclude her from the application.

that children under 21 are included as dependents regardless of place of study;

  1. 01that studying abroad does not make a child self-sufficient under program terms;
  2. 02confirmation of the daughter's age and dependent status;
  3. 03inclusion of the daughter in the application on equal terms with other family members;
  4. 04that Golden Visa does not require permanent family residence.

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

    Dispelled parental doubts. First, we explained the key point to the family: the daughter's studies abroad do not prevent her inclusion in the application. Until age 21, she remains a dependent child, regardless of where she studies. This eliminated their primary concern.

  2. 02
    Stage 2

    Confirmed the daughter's age and dependent status. We gathered documents confirming that the daughter is under 21 years of age and qualifies as a dependent. It is age, not place of study, that determines her eligibility for inclusion.

  3. 03
    Stage 3

    Accounted for studies in London without loss of status. We demonstrated that separate residence and studying abroad do not make the daughter independent under the program terms. Her dependent status was preserved, and studies did not present an obstacle.

  4. 04
    Stage 4

    Executed real estate investment under the Golden Visa. The basis of the status was the family's real estate investment under the program. We completed the investment and prepared the application, which included the daughter on equal terms with other family members.

  5. 05
    Stage 5

    Included the daughter in the application. We added the daughter to the family application as a dependent child, attaching confirmations of her age and status. Her studies in London did not interfere with inclusion in any way.

Takeaway. Conclusion: children under 21 are included in the Greek Golden Visa as dependents regardless of where they study. Studying abroad and separate residence do not deprive a child of dependent status.

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

    Dispelled parental doubts. First, we explained the key point to the family: the daughter's studies abroad do not prevent her inclusion in the application. Until age 21, she remains a dependent child, regardless of where she studies. This eliminated their primary concern.

  2. 02

    Stage 2

    Confirmed the daughter's age and dependent status. We gathered documents confirming that the daughter is under 21 years of age and qualifies as a dependent. It is age, not place of study, that determines her eligibility for inclusion.

  3. 03

    Stage 3

    Accounted for studies in London without loss of status. We demonstrated that separate residence and studying abroad do not make the daughter independent under the program terms. Her dependent status was preserved, and studies did not present an obstacle.

  4. 04

    Stage 4

    Executed real estate investment under the Golden Visa. The basis of the status was the family's real estate investment under the program. We completed the investment and prepared the application, which included the daughter on equal terms with other family members.

  5. 05

    Stage 5

    Included the daughter in the application. We added the daughter to the family application as a dependent child, attaching confirmations of her age and status. Her studies in London did not interfere with inclusion in any way.

  6. 06

    Stage 6

    Completed the process to issuance of residence permit for the entire family. The parents and daughter received Greek residence permits. The daughter studying abroad remained part of the family status, and the program did not require permanent residence.

Expert comment

Parents of students who have moved abroad to study often come with the same doubt: the child already lives separately, in another country - surely they cannot be included in the family residence permit. And I am pleased to reassure them. The Greek program includes children under 21 as dependents regardless of where they study. Studies in London, separate housing - all of this does not make the daughter independent under the program terms. By age, she remains a dependent child and is included on equal terms with younger children. The key here is not to succumb to the feeling that "she is already grown up and independent" and not to deprive the child of a place in the application. We confirmed the daughter's age and status and included her without hesitation. The entire family received residence permits. Studying abroad is wonderful and presents no obstacle to European status for the child.

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

Outcome

What the client received

What was required
How we did it · Result
include daughter from London
dependent child status under 21 · studies are not an obstacle
confirm eligibility
age and dependent status · basis for inclusion
status foundation
real estate investment · program compliance
family status
application submitted for all · Greek residence permits for all
family status
application submitted for all · Greek residence permits for all

What we had: a family applying for the Greek Golden Visa and uncertain whether they could include their daughter, who studies in London and lives separately. What we did: dispelled parental doubts; confirmed the daughter's age and dependent status; accounted for studies in London without loss of status; executed the investment; included the daughter in the application; completed the process to issuance of residence permits. What the family received: Greek residence permits for all, including the daughter.

Practical takeaway

What matters in a similar situation

  • Conclusion: children under 21 are included in the Greek Golden Visa as dependents regardless of where they study. Studying abroad and separate residence do not deprive a child of dependent status.
  • The student daughter remained part of the family status - because we confirmed her age and dependent status and included her in the application on equal terms with other family members, despite her studies in London.

FAQ

Questions people ask in a similar situation

01Can a child who studies abroad be included?

Yes. Children under 21 are included in the Greek Golden Visa as dependents regardless of where they study. Studying abroad does not deprive a child of dependent status.

02Does studying abroad make a child independent?

Not under the program terms. Until age 21, a child remains an age-dependent, even if they study and live separately in another country. They are included on equal terms with other family members.

03Until what age is a child considered a dependent?

Until age 21. Children of this age, including those studying abroad, are included in the investor parent's application as dependent children.

04What confirms the status of the daughter as a student?

Documents confirming her age (under 21) and dependent child status. Age, not place of study, determines eligibility for inclusion.

05Does the daughter need to reside in Greece?

No, the Golden Visa does not require permanent residence. The daughter may continue her studies in London while remaining part of the family status.

06Your child studies abroad and you want to include them in the residence permit?

We will confirm your child's age and dependent status and include them in Greece's Golden Visa on equal terms with other family members—studies in London or any other country will not prevent inclusion.

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.