How Astons Secured Greece Residence for Three Generations of a Turkish Family

High-quality European education is one of the key priorities for many parents outside the EU. A diploma from an EU country provides strong career prospects worldwide. However, not every family is ready to send their child alone to a foreign country.

Astons found an optimal solution for our clients from Istanbul who wanted their son to study economics at a prestigious European university. We assisted the family in obtaining a Greek residence permit through real estate investment — including the older generation. The son moved to Athens together with his grandmother, while his parents now visit them freely every month. No visa is required, and the flight from Istanbul to Athens takes just an hour and a half.

Our clients, Osman and Elif, live in Istanbul. Osman owns a kitchen furniture manufacturing business that operates both domestically and for export to Europe. Elif helps manage the business, while their son Kerem is completing high school and dreams of studying at a European university before joining the family company.

For the family, it was important to provide Kerem with a solid education and a smooth transition into a new environment — with family support and minimal stress. They were looking for a country offering:

• Quality higher education with an EU-recognised diploma
• A friendly, familiar culture
• A climate similar to Turkey’s and proximity to Istanbul
• A residence permit option for Kerem’s grandmother, Meryem, who would accompany her grandson
• A path to future EU citizenship

After consulting with Astons, the family chose Greece, which allows residence permits for three generations through property investment.
Moving to Athens seemed ideal — just a 1.5-hour flight from Istanbul, a familiar culture, and a city they already knew well from previous visits.

We didn’t want to send our son alone. It’s a new culture, and at that age, he still needs support. Having his grandmother with him and being able to visit often gives us peace of mind — says Elif.

Astons expert in Athens, Tamara Ketkuti, presented several real estate options in Piraeus, a coastal district of the capital where one of Greece’s top universities offers degrees in economics. The area combines student-friendly infrastructure with comfort for older residents.

The family purchased a new 5-bedroom villa with a private pool in a gated community. Osman and Elif plan to visit frequently and enjoy their time together as a family.

There are no minimum stay requirements to maintain residency status.

• Villa in Piraeus — €810,000
• Property transfer tax (3.09%) — €25,029
• Land registry fee (0.6%) — €4,860
• Notarial fee (1.5%) — €12,150
• Immigration fees — €2,300 (€2,000 for main applicant + €150 × 2 adults)
• Residence card issuance — €64 (€16 × 4 people)
• Power of attorney preparation — €500
• Translation services — €150
• Family health insurance — €700
• Astons legal support services — calculated individually

Total (excluding Astons service fees and travel costs): €856,103

Kerem and his grandmother have already moved into their new home. Osman continues managing his business between the two countries, while Elif plans to spend one to two months in Athens regularly.

Astons also assisted Kerem in preparing his application to the University of Piraeus, one of Greece’s leading economics and business schools. His program will be taught in English.

• Minimum investment from €250,000
• Residence permit within 6 months
• No residency requirement
• 5-year renewable residence permit
• Includes the entire family — parents and in-laws
• Visa-free access across the Schengen Area
• Right to rent out property
• Eligibility for citizenship after meeting the legal requirements

Astons supports clients at every stage — from property selection to residency approval. We take into account every detail: educational opportunities, healthcare quality, architectural preferences, and logistics for senior family members.

With a dedicated local team in Athens, we provide full bilingual support in Greek and English. In 2024–2025, our real estate division was recognised as

Best Real Estate Agency in Greece at the prestigious European Property Awards.

Book a consultation today — take the first step toward life in one of Europe’s most stable and welcoming destinations.