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Updated: June 2026

Case study · Greece · Residence permit

How a U.S. Citizen Obtained Greek ResidencePermit Without Double Taxation Risk

U.S. citizens pay American taxes worldwide regardless of where they reside—and when relocating, they face the fear of double taxation. Our client, a U.S. citizen, wanted a Greek residence permit but feared double taxation. Good news: a tax treaty exists between the countries, and the pitfalls can be avoided. This is a straightforward case about proper tax structuring. Here's how we addressed it.

Dmitry NagyDmitry NagyInternational Tax Consultant, 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 a U.S. Citizen Obtained Greek Residence Permit Without Double Taxation Risk
Contents

Case at a glance

Situation, solution and outcome in seven lines

Client
U.S. Citizen
Objective
Greek Residence Permit without Double Taxation
Program
Greece, Golden Visa (residence permit through real estate investment, pathway to permanent residency and EU citizenship)
Key Considerations
The U.S. taxes citizens on worldwide income
Tools
U.S.-Greece tax treaty, foreign tax credit
Solution
Structure designed with treaty compliance and U.S. reporting requirements
Outcome
Greek Residence Permit without Tax Pitfalls

Client story

Client's Story

Where they started

The client was a U.S. citizen—a unique tax status. Unlike most countries, the U.S. taxes its citizens on worldwide income regardless of country of residence. Wherever an American relocates, the obligation to file and pay taxes in the U.S. remains.

Why the standard route did not work

When he decided to obtain a Greek residence permit through real estate investment, his primary concern was double taxation: paying tax in both Greece and the U.S. on the same income. For Americans abroad, this is a real risk if tax implications are not considered in advance.

What BRIDGES had to solve

Here's what matters: a tax treaty on double taxation avoidance exists between the U.S. and Greece, and the American system provides mechanisms like foreign tax credits that allow crediting taxes paid abroad. Additionally, U.S. citizens have reporting obligations on foreign assets. All of this must be factored in to ensure the residence permit does not become a tax trap.

Why a standard answer would not do

At BRIDGES, the client came to obtain status with full awareness: to secure a Greek residence permit while pre-structuring it with consideration of the treaty, foreign tax credits, and U.S. reporting obligations—to avoid double taxation.

As a U.S. citizen, I pay American taxes wherever I live, and I was most afraid of paying twice—both in Greece and at home. Dmitry explained that a tax treaty exists between the countries and crediting mechanisms are available, and he helped account for everything in advance—both the Greek side and my U.S. reporting. As a result, I obtained a Greek residence permit and avoided double taxation. It's reassuring when someone understands both tax systems simultaneously, not just one.

Grazhdanin · U.S. CitizenThe name and certain identifying details have been changed to protect confidentiality.

What Was Critical to Consider

What Was Critical to Consider

The threat was real and specific to Americans: paying tax twice on the same income without considering tax implications in advance. The U.S. taxes citizens on worldwide income, and without proper structuring, a residence permit abroad can become a tax trap and cause reporting problems. This was solved not by taking risks, but by factoring in the treaty and crediting mechanisms from the start.

that the U.S. taxes citizens on worldwide income;

  1. 01the risk of double taxation on the same income;
  2. 02the tax treaty between the U.S. and Greece;
  3. 03mechanisms such as foreign tax credit;
  4. 04U.S. citizen reporting obligations regarding foreign assets.

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

    We considered the special status of a U.S. citizen. First, we established the key principle: the U.S. taxes citizens on worldwide income, and this obligation persists upon relocation. This determined that tax considerations needed to be factored in from the outset, not afterward.

  2. 02
    Stage 2

    We assessed the double taxation risk. We identified exactly where double taxation could arise—the same income subject to taxation in both Greece and the U.S.—to proactively close this gap rather than leave it unaddressed.

  3. 03
    Stage 3

    We engaged the U.S.-Greece tax treaty. We incorporated the double taxation avoidance agreement between the countries as the foundation of the structure: it determines how taxation is allocated and what credits apply.

  4. 04
    Stage 4

    We applied credit mechanisms. We leveraged tools such as the Foreign Tax Credit, which allows crediting taxes paid abroad against U.S. obligations, ensuring the same income is not taxed twice.

  5. 05
    Stage 5

    We accounted for U.S. reporting requirements. We considered the U.S. citizen's obligations regarding reporting of foreign assets to ensure that obtaining a residence permit and owning real estate in Greece would not result in reporting violations.

Takeaway. Conclusion: For a U.S. citizen, the risk of double taxation with a foreign residence permit is real but can be eliminated through early planning—using the tax treaty, credit mechanisms, and compliance with reporting requirements. Specific calculations are conducted by specialized tax professionals.

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 considered the special status of a U.S. citizen. First, we established the key principle: the U.S. taxes citizens on worldwide income, and this obligation persists upon relocation. This determined that tax considerations needed to be factored in from the outset, not afterward.

  2. 02

    Stage 2

    We assessed the double taxation risk. We identified exactly where double taxation could arise—the same income subject to taxation in both Greece and the U.S.—to proactively close this gap rather than leave it unaddressed.

  3. 03

    Stage 3

    We engaged the U.S.-Greece tax treaty. We incorporated the double taxation avoidance agreement between the countries as the foundation of the structure: it determines how taxation is allocated and what credits apply.

  4. 04

    Stage 4

    We applied credit mechanisms. We leveraged tools such as the Foreign Tax Credit, which allows crediting taxes paid abroad against U.S. obligations, ensuring the same income is not taxed twice.

  5. 05

    Stage 5

    We accounted for U.S. reporting requirements. We considered the U.S. citizen's obligations regarding reporting of foreign assets to ensure that obtaining a residence permit and owning real estate in Greece would not result in reporting violations.

  6. 06

    Stage 6

    We obtained the residence permit without tax pitfalls. With tax considerations properly addressed, we executed the real estate investment and obtained a Greek residence permit. The status was secured without the risk of double taxation, relying on the treaty and credit mechanisms.

Expert comment

U.S. citizens are a special case in any relocation, and I always start with taxes. The U.S. taxes its citizens on worldwide income: regardless of where an American relocates, they continue to file and pay in the U.S. Therefore, their primary and justified concern with a foreign residence permit is double taxation—when the same income is taxed both abroad and in the U.S. The good news is that a double taxation avoidance agreement exists between the U.S. and Greece, and the American system provides credit mechanisms such as the Foreign Tax Credit. Plus, one cannot overlook U.S. reporting requirements for foreign assets. I always structure arrangements with both systems in mind and in coordination with tax professionals—specific calculations are their domain. For this client, we addressed everything from the start, and they obtained the residence permit without tax complications. For an American abroad, the key is to think about taxes early, not after the fact.

Dmitry Nagy, International Tax Consultant, BRIDGESDmitry NagyInternational Tax Consultant, BRIDGES

Outcome

What the client received

What was required
How we did it · Result
Avoid double taxation
structure based on treaty provisions · single income not taxed twice
Credit paid amounts
Foreign Tax Credit · credit mechanism applied
Comply with U.S. reporting
accounting for foreign asset obligations · without violations
Obtain status
real estate investment · Greek residence permit without complications
Obtain status
real estate investment · Greek residence permit without complications

The issue: A U.S. citizen wanted a Greek residence permit but feared double taxation because the U.S. taxes citizens on worldwide income. What we did: considered the special status of a U.S. citizen; assessed the double taxation risk; engaged the U.S.-Greece tax treaty; applied credit mechanisms; accounted for U.S. reporting requirements; obtained the residence permit without tax pitfalls. What the client received: a Greek residence permit without the risk of double taxation.

Practical takeaway

What matters in a similar situation

  • Conclusion: For a U.S. citizen, the risk of double taxation with a foreign residence permit is real but can be eliminated through early planning—using the tax treaty, credit mechanisms, and compliance with reporting requirements. Specific calculations are conducted by specialized tax professionals.
  • The American obtained status without tax complications—because we accounted for both tax systems in advance and relied on the treaty and Foreign Tax Credit.

FAQ

Questions people ask in a similar situation

01Is double taxation a threat to a U.S. citizen with a Greek residence permit?

The risk is real since the U.S. taxes citizens on worldwide income. However, it can be mitigated through early planning: the U.S.-Greece tax treaty and credit mechanisms such as the Foreign Tax Credit.

02What is the U.S.-Greece tax treaty?

This is a double taxation avoidance agreement between countries. It determines how income taxation is distributed and what credits can be applied so that a single income is not taxed twice.

03Is a U.S. citizen required to report foreign assets?

Yes, U.S. citizens have reporting obligations for foreign assets. It is important to account for these to ensure that property ownership in Greece and a residence permit do not result in reporting violations.

04Who conducts specific tax calculations?

Specific calculations and tax returns are prepared by specialized tax professionals. Our task is to structure and arrange the residence permit while considering the tax implications of both countries.

05Can one obtain Greek residence without a tax trap?

Yes, if the tax aspects are considered in advance: the treaty, credit mechanisms, and U.S. reporting requirements. Then the status is issued without the risk of double taxation.

06Are you a U.S. citizen concerned about double taxation with a residence permit?

We will structure your Greek residence permit arrangement taking into account both tax systems—the U.S.-Greece treaty, foreign tax credits, and U.S. reporting requirements—in coordination with tax specialists, so you obtain your status without a tax trap.

About the author

Dmitry Nagy

Author: Dmitry Nagy

International Tax Consultant, BRIDGES

I lead the international tax practice at BRIDGES and work at the intersection of tax residence, cross-border reporting and banking compliance. I assess how citizenship, residence, relocation or a new ownership structure may affect the client's tax obligations, banking profile and capital.

My work covers tax residence, CRS and FATCA requirements, source of funds and the questions a bank may raise. These elements should be considered together, because inconsistencies between documents, declarations and the underlying circumstances can create risks after a status has been obtained or an account has been opened.

During the consultation, you will receive an assessment of the tax and banking implications of the proposed decision. Where further work is required, I determine the financial documentation and personally oversee the tax and compliance aspects of the BRIDGES project.

Prepared on the basis of BRIDGES practice and reviewed by a subject-matter expert.

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Dmitry NagyInternational Tax Consultant, BRIDGES
Dmitry Nagy, International Tax Consultant, 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.