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

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.

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 Royal Immigration.

From their very first consultation with Royal Immigration, 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 Royal Immigration walked them through every detail, methodically but warmly.

Deniz and Elif’s consultant 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.

Royal Immigration’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 Royal Immigration.

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 8.6% 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.

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.