2025

Reading Time: 4 min

A door to Europe: how a Turkish couple turned a business dream into a new life in Greece

It started as just another investment," Elif would later say, sipping her morning tea on the balcony of their Athens apartment. "But somehow… it became the start of something much bigger.

Deniz and Elif,

Entrepreneurs from Türkiye

Clients’ names and photos have been changed

This case was provided by our expert

Anna Semenyuk

Citizenship by Investment Programs Advisor

A door to Europe: how a Turkish couple turned a business dream into a new life in Greece

Longing for something more

Deniz and Elif had built a good life in Türkiye. In their late 30s, they were seasoned entrepreneurs in the hospitality industry, managing a small empire of vacation apartments scattered across Antalya, Bodrum, and Istanbul. Business was steady, yet something tugged at them, quietly at first, then louder with each passing season.

"We kept hearing stories," Deniz recalls. "Friends expanding into Europe. Investors are buying up beach homes in Spain, vineyards in Italy. And Greece — Greece was right there, just across the sea. Familiar, yet full of untapped possibilities."

The idea of owning a property in Greece began as a business experiment, a chance to expand their rental portfolio into a thriving tourist market. But beneath that was a more personal pull: the promise of Europe. Stability. A new horizon for their future.

Surprising discovery

One rainy evening in Istanbul, while scrolling through listings of sunlit villas and seaside apartments, Elif stumbled upon an article about the Greece Golden Visa.

It almost sounded too good to be true: invest in Greek property, and in return, gain the right to live and travel freely within Europe.

They had heard of such Visas in Portugal and Spain, but Greece? It was unexpected. Yet the more they read, the more intrigued they became.

That’s how they found Immigrant Invest.

Guide through unfamiliar waters

From their very first consultation with Immigrant Invest, Deniz and Elif felt something they hadn’t expected — relief.

"The legal part… it felt like walking into a maze blindfolded," Elif admits. "We didn’t want to risk our money or our peace of mind."

The investment programs expert listened carefully, not just to their business goals but also to their unspoken hopes: a smoother path to Europe, a way to build security without uprooting everything they had worked for.

Over coffee in their Istanbul home, they spoke openly about their fears. “What if it’s too complicated?” Elif asked. “What if we can’t meet the requirements?”

But Immigrant Invest walked them through every detail, methodically but warmly.

Investment options Deniz and Elif had

Option

Minimum amount

Real estate in high-demand areas

€800,000

Real estate in other regions

€400,000

Renovation projects

€250,000

Other options — funds, bank deposit

€350,000+

The investment programs expert flagged something many overlook: location and type of property greatly impact both profit and visa eligibility.

However, obtaining the Greece Golden Visa wasn’t just about picking a sunny spot with sea views. To qualify, Deniz needed to meet a few key conditions: have a clean criminal record, and prove that his income came from legal sources. Better still, if Deniz applied as the main applicant, Elif could be included too.

Individual cost calculation for residence by investment in Greece

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Perfectly tailored solution

Immigrant Invest’s real estate team offered Deniz and Elif an elegant solution: a serviced apartment in a professionally managed hotel complex just outside Athens. It ticked every box.

The complex had Mediterranean charm: rooftop gardens, airy communal lounges, and a reception desk humming with quiet efficiency. "I could almost smell the sea through the photos," Elif later joked.

Within two weeks, they had selected the apartment remotely, guided by detailed videos, legal reports, and revenue forecasts prepared by Immigrant Invest.

Seamless process, every step of the way

What followed felt, in Elif’s words, “surprisingly effortless.” Here’s how their journey unfolded.

November 18th, 2024

Preliminary Due Diligence

Immigrant Invest conducts the preliminary Due Diligence step before signing a service agreement with an investor. It helps identify potential issues and reduce the risk of refusal to just 1%.

During the preliminary Due Diligence, the Anti-Money Laundering Department verified Deniz's and Elif’s backgrounds. The check was successful, and Immigrant Invest signed an agreement with Deniz.

Immigrant Invest conducts the preliminary Due Diligence step before signing a service agreement with an investor. It helps identify potential issues and reduce the risk of refusal to just 1%.

During the preliminary Due Diligence, the Anti-Money Laundering Department verified Deniz's and Elif’s backgrounds. The check was successful, and Immigrant Invest signed an agreement with Deniz.

+ 2 weeks

Property selection

Immigrant Invest presented Deniz and Elif with several real estate options suitable for their situation. The couple selected an apartment remotely, using photos and videos provided.

+ 10 days

Documents preparation

Deniz and Elif received a checklist of required documents, including:

valid passports;
marriage certificate;
police clearance certificates;
confirmation of sources of funds;
health insurance in Greece;
recent passport-sized photos;
power of attorney authorising an Immigrant Invest representative to act on Deniz’s behalf.

Immigrant Invest’s lawyers completed the official forms, then notarised and apostilled the documents provided by the investors.

Deniz and Elif received a checklist of required documents, including:

valid passports;
marriage certificate;
police clearance certificates;
confirmation of sources of funds;
health insurance in Greece;
recent passport-sized photos;
power of attorney authorising an Immigrant Invest representative to act on Deniz’s behalf.

Immigrant Invest’s lawyers completed the official forms, then notarised and apostilled the documents provided by the investors.

+ 3 days

Obtaining the Greek tax ID

The Greek tax identification number, or AFM, is required for any property transaction.

The Immigrant Invest legal team submitted an application to the Greek tax authorities on Deniz’s behalf and obtained the number.

The Greek tax identification number, or AFM, is required for any property transaction.

The Immigrant Invest legal team submitted an application to the Greek tax authorities on Deniz’s behalf and obtained the number.

+ 1.5 months, €284,850

Real estate purchase

After investors selected a suitable apartment, the lawyers verified both the property and its owners.

Deniz signed a preliminary sales agreement and transferred a 10% deposit. Then, the final contract was signed by an Immigrant Invest lawyer.

The transaction was recorded in the Land Registry and Cadastre, followed by the issuance of the registration certificate.

After investors selected a suitable apartment, the lawyers verified both the property and its owners.

Deniz signed a preliminary sales agreement and transferred a 10% deposit. Then, the final contract was signed by an Immigrant Invest lawyer.

The transaction was recorded in the Land Registry and Cadastre, followed by the issuance of the registration certificate.

+ 1 day, €2,150

Residency application

Immigrant Invest submitted the residence permit application online via the official migration portal. At this stage, they also booked a biometrics appointment in Greece for Deniz and Elif.

Deniz received a confirmation certificate, allowing him and Elif to reside in Greece for up to 1 year while the application was under review.

Upon submission, Deniz paid a fee of €2,000 for himself and €150 for Elif.

Immigrant Invest submitted the residence permit application online via the official migration portal. At this stage, they also booked a biometrics appointment in Greece for Deniz and Elif.

Deniz received a confirmation certificate, allowing him and Elif to reside in Greece for up to 1 year while the application was under review.

Upon submission, Deniz paid a fee of €2,000 for himself and €150 for Elif.

+ 1 week

Biometrics appointment

After receiving the confirmation certificate, Deniz and Elif travelled to Greece to submit their biometric data.

On the scheduled date, they visited the designated migration office.

After receiving the confirmation certificate, Deniz and Elif travelled to Greece to submit their biometric data.

On the scheduled date, they visited the designated migration office.

June 12th, 2025

Residence permits issued

Once the application was approved, the Greek authorities issued residence permit cards. Deniz and Elif collected them in person.

Throughout the process, Immigrant Invest’s legal team acted on their behalf via power of attorney, filling out forms, translating documents, and liaising with Greek authorities.

"They were our shield, ” Deniz says. “We didn’t have to navigate bureaucracy — we just followed their lead."

The couple flew to Athens only once, briefly, for their biometric appointment.

Seven months after their first call with Immigrant Invest, they were Greek residents.

New chapter begins

The first time Deniz and Elif held their sleek Greek residence permits, it felt surreal.

Soon after, they signed a long-term lease with the property management company. Within three weeks, their apartment was rented out for €760 per month.

“We sat down and did the math, ” Deniz says. “With the property valued at €270,000 and bringing in €760 a month, or €9,120 a year, that works out to a yield of about 3.3%. For us, that’s a solid return.”

But for Deniz and Elif, it wasn’t just about the monthly income. They were also thinking long term. With property prices in Greece rising — up 8.7% in 2024, according to the Bank of Greece — they see their apartment as more than just a rental. It’s a growing asset with real potential for the future.

What is more, Greek permits unlocked something truly priceless: freedom of movement. The days of stressful Schengen visa applications are over. Previously, Deniz and Elif spent up to 3—4 weeks each year preparing documents and waiting for visas. Now, with no delays whatsoever, they can plan business trips and holidays spontaneously.

This autumn, Deniz and Elif plan to take a month-long trip through Southern France, Northern Italy, and back to Greece, scouting new locations for their growing hospitality business along the way.

Visa-free countries for Greek residents

Looking back, and looking ahead

Reflecting on their journey, Deniz smiles.

“We thought we were just buying another property, ” he says, gazing toward the Aegean Sea. “But we ended up buying a door to Europe, to new adventures, to a different kind of life.”

Elif nods, her eyes bright. “It’s funny how one decision can change everything.”

And behind that decision stood a company that turned an intimidating process into something effortless and empowering, quietly, expertly, in the background.

You can follow in Deniz and Elif’s footsteps by obtaining the Greece Golden Visa through the purchase of a property for rent and enjoy all the benefits Greek residency has to offer:

right to live in Greece with family;
visa-free access to the Schengen Area;
rental income potential;
access to healthcare, education, and business opportunities in the EU.

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