Introduction: Including Parents in a Golden Visa Application
Greece’s Golden Visa program is unique among EU residency-by-investment schemes because it allows not only the investor’s spouse and children but also parents and parents-in-law to be included in the application. This offers a significant advantage for families who want to secure residence in Europe for multiple generations.
Understanding the eligibility, required documentation, and procedural steps is essential. This guide provides clear, practical instructions for including family in your Golden Visa application in 2025, outlining rights, responsibilities, and best practices to ensure a smooth process.
1. Who Qualifies — Which Family Members Can Be Included
Eligibility for family inclusion under the Golden Visa is broader than typical dependent visas. Specifically:
- Investor (primary applicant)
- Spouse of the investor
- Children:
- Under 21 years old (or under 24 if financially dependent)
- Parents and parents-in-law of the investor and spouse (no age limit)
This means both sets of parents can benefit from residency, even if they are retired or elderly. Including parents provides them access to Schengen travel and healthcare benefits, enhancing the overall appeal of the program.
2. Why Greece’s Golden Visa Stands Out for Family Inclusion
Greece’s Golden Visa is distinct from most EU investment visas due to its extensive family coverage:
- Elderly parents can obtain residence permits, unlike many countries that limit dependents to children
- Access to Schengen travel for included family members
- Eligibility for public services such as healthcare, and potentially education
- Flexibility in timing — parents can be included either at the initial application or later
Compared with standard dependent-based visas, this inclusivity makes Greece especially attractive for multi-generational planning.
3. Required Documents & Legal Proofs for Parents’ Inclusion
Accurate and complete documentation is critical. Typically required documents include:
- Valid passports
- Birth certificates for both investor and parents
- Marriage certificates (if including parents-in-law)
- Proof of family relationship (translated and officially certified)
- Residence permit application forms
- Health insurance coverage
- Notarial deeds or other legal proof of family ties
All documents must meet translation and certification requirements as stipulated by the Υπουργείο Μετανάστευσης και Ασύλου.
4. Step-by-Step Application Process — Including Elderly Parents
The application process generally follows these steps:
- Purchase qualifying real estate / make the required investment
- Prepare all necessary documentation for investor and family
- Submit the main investor application
- Include parents either simultaneously or in a subsequent submission
- Receive residence permits for all included family members
It’s important to note that parents’ applications can be filed at the same time as the main application or afterward, depending on timing and readiness of documents.
5. What Parents Getting Golden Visa Means — Rights & Conditions
Once included, parents receive a residence permit granting:
- Right to live in Greece
- Schengen travel freedom
- Access to public healthcare, and potentially education
- No minimum stay requirement
- No automatic right to work (requires separate work permit if desired)
This ensures that parents can enjoy security and mobility while the investor retains control over the property and overall investment.
6. Common Challenges & How to Avoid Them
Potential challenges when including parents:
- Missing or incomplete documentation (birth/marriage certificates, proof of relationship)
- Translation and apostille requirements not met
- Misunderstanding of who qualifies as a dependent or family member
- Renewal requirements not properly understood
- Investment holding obligations (must maintain property for renewal)
Best practices to avoid issues:
- Verify documents early
- Use certified translations and notarial services
- Consult legal experts for complex family structures
7. Practical Tips & Best Practices for Applicants
To streamline the process:
- Start collecting documents early, especially from jurisdictions with slow processing
- Keep both digital and hard copies of all paperwork
- Ensure all names match exactly across documents (spelling and transliteration)
- Include both sets of parents if eligible
- Plan ahead for renewals
- Maintain property ownership and compliance with visa obligations
- Consider tax and residency implications if parents move permanently
Following these practices reduces delays and ensures a smoother application process.
FAQs
Do parents need to prove financial dependency?
No. Greece allows parents to be included regardless of financial dependency, though children over 21 may need to show dependency for inclusion.
Can parents apply later or only at the same time as the main applicant?
Parents can be included either during the initial application or added afterward, as long as all documentation is submitted and meets requirements.
Do parents get the same residence validity as the investor?
Yes. Parents receive residence permits with the same duration as the primary investor’s permit, subject to renewal requirements and property maintenance.