For many hoping to immigrate to Greece through the Golden Visa program, whether their entire family can obtain residency permits is a crucial factor in deciding whether to apply. Fortunately, Greece’s Golden Visa program allows the main applicant to apply with eligible family members, enabling the family to jointly enjoy residency rights, live in Greece, and even travel within the Schengen Area. However, this is not “automatically applicable to all relatives,” but rather has clearly defined legal definitions of “family members” and “eligibility conditions.” Understanding these conditions is crucial for assessing whether it is appropriate to apply with a spouse, children, or parents, and how to prepare the necessary documents. This article will guide you through understanding who qualifies as a “family member,” the conditions they must meet, and the application process and restrictions.
Who qualifies as a “family member”?
– Spouse or Registered Partner – The main applicant’s legally married spouse, or a partner who has legally signed a cohabitation agreement (civilunion/cohabitation agreement) in Greece, can also be considered a family member.
– Children – The main applicant’s or their spouse’s/partner’s unmarried children can apply for residency permits as family members. Generally, this applies to children who are unmarried and under the maximum age limit.
– Parents / Both Parents (Immediate Ascending Relatives) – In most cases, the principal applicant’s own parents, as well as the parents of their spouse/partner, can also be included in the category of dependents.
– Independent Application vs. Subsequent Addition – It is not necessarily required that all dependents apply at the same time as the principal applicant. Dependents can apply for their own residence permits separately after the principal applicant has obtained their visa.
Therefore, “dependents” has a broad scope: not only spouses and minors/children, but may also include parents/parents-in-law/spouse’s parents, suitable for those who wish to migrate with three or more generations.
What are the specific “eligibility/restrictions” for dependents?
Applying with dependents is not without restrictions. The following are the main conditions/restrictions:
Children’s Age and Marital Status – Children must be “unmarried”; in most cases, they must be under a certain age limit (commonly under 21) at the time of application to be considered dependents.
Adult Children and Dependency – Children over the age limit are generally not automatically eligible unless they can demonstrate financial dependence on the main applicant or have special circumstances (e.g., disability).
Legality of Spousal/Partnership – A legal marriage or a legally valid cohabitation agreement in Greece (if applicable) is required. “De facto cohabitation” alone is usually not recognized.
Parents/Elders as Dependents – Dependent/Cohabitation Requirements – For ascending lineal relatives such as parents or parents-in-law, it may be necessary to demonstrate that they will live with the main applicant/spouse or be financially dependent on the main applicant.
Nature and Restrictions of Residence Permit – Dependents receive a “derivative” residence permit (residence permit for family reunification/family inclusion) – its validity period is the same as the main applicant’s permit.
Potential Restrictions on Employment Rights – According to some sources, the residence permit obtained by a dependent may not automatically grant the “right to work in Greece,” especially when applying as an investor.
Therefore, it’s not simply a matter of “filling out a list.” It’s crucial to carefully verify that each listed dependent meets the requirements—especially the children’s age/marital status and the dependence or cohabitation status of parents/spouse’s parents.
What documents/forms are required?
When you decide to apply with dependents, you will need to prepare and submit additional documents and forms, including but not limited to:
– For spouse: Marriage certificate or legal partnership agreement (if it’s a de facto agreement) or civilunion agreement. If in a partnership, a legal de facto agreement is required.
– For children: Birth certificate (or legal adoption certificate, if applicable), proof that the child is unmarried (if applicable, proof of single status or financial dependence may also be required for adult children).
– For parents/spouse’s parents (if the application includes them): Birth certificate, proof of kinship, and proof that they will live together or be supported/financially supported by the principal applicant.
– Health insurance/medical insurance proof—According to the application rules, all applicants (including dependents) typically need to have medical insurance or be able to prove they have medical coverage.
– Biometric Information (Fingerprints, Signatures, etc.) – Family members typically also need to submit biometric information such as fingerprints as part of their residence permit application.
– Investment/Property Ownership Certificates with the Main Applicant – Family members’ residence permits are based on the main applicant’s investment or eligibility; therefore, the main applicant’s investment (such as property ownership) must remain valid and compliant.
Furthermore, the application process can choose “main applicant applies first,” with family members applying separately afterward. They do not need to be present at the same time as the main applicant, but ultimately, family members still need to obtain their residence permits through legal procedures.
What are the Precautions/Restrictions?
While applying with family members is a major advantage of the Golden Visa, there are some restrictions and risks/precautions:
Employment Restrictions – In some cases, the residence permit obtained by family members may not include the right to work in Greece (i.e., employment may be restricted/not automatically granted), which may limit those who want to bring their spouses to work.
– Age Restrictions and Independence Issues for Children – Once children exceed the prescribed age/marry, they may no longer automatically enjoy family residency rights; if adult children wish to continue residing, they may need to convert to independent residence permits or meet additional conditions.
– Parental/Elderly Support and Living Conditions – If applying for parents or spouse’s parents, proof of their financial support or cohabitation may be required; otherwise, the application may be rejected. In reality, “blood relation alone” is not always sufficient.
– High Legal and Documentary Compliance Requirements – All relationship documents, including birth/marriage/support/cohabitation documents, often require originals plus official authentication (e.g., apostille or Greek-approved notarization + translation). Incomplete or improperly formatted documents may cause delays or rejection.
– Continuously Meeting Investment Eligibility Requirements – Any changes in the main applicant’s investment conditions, property ownership, or eligibility (transfer, rental, change of use, etc.) could lead to the loss of Golden Visa eligibility, thus affecting the residency status of all family members.
Therefore, bringing family members is not a “one-time application solution”; it requires thorough planning for the family structure, property ownership, legal compliance, and visa renewal requirements over the next few years.
The Greek Golden Visa offers very family-friendly reunification policies, allowing the main applicant to apply together with their spouse and minor children, and also providing the possibility for parents and parents-in-law to accompany them, providing a clearer and more stable path for those wishing to immigrate to Europe as a family unit. However, this system is essentially still a “dependent” residency system: the validity period, renewal conditions, and legal status of family members’ permits are strictly dependent on the main applicant’s investment and residency qualifications. Therefore, planning must be done in advance, taking into account family structure, children’s age changes in the coming years, parents’ living arrangements, and the stability of property ownership. Only with complete documentation, clear proof of relationship, and continuous compliant investment can the whole family maintain legal residency in Greece long-term, rather than encountering risks due to details during visa renewal.
If you plan to gain a deeper understanding of the latest policy interpretations, application methods for different family combinations, or to compare investment immigration pathways in Greece with those in other countries, I recommend attending the 2026 Wise Shanghai Overseas Property, Immigration and Study Abroad Exhibition (March 29-31, 2026). The event will feature local Greek law firms, project representatives, and global immigration consultants, offering face-to-face Q&A sessions to clarify whether your family structure qualifies and to obtain more suitable immigration pathway plans. These kinds of exhibitions often help you transform policy “theoretical understanding” into “practical solutions,” laying a more solid foundation for your family’s relocation plans.
