Russian millionaires begin entering into sham same-sex marriages to obtain Greek residence permits

Russian millionaires have begun using sham same-sex marriages to obtain residence permits in Greece under the investment programme. Under the scheme, one Russian buys property in the country, while the other enters into a sham same-sex union with them, after which both apply for Greek residence permits.

The scheme allows participants to split the cost of the investment: when the property is worth €250,000, each of them effectively spends around €125,000. A Greek residence permit entitles holders to live in the country, travel freely within the Schengen Area and use banking services.

According to reports, at least one of the partners must hold a second citizenship to participate in the scheme. Following restrictions introduced in 2022, it became significantly more difficult for Russians without additional citizenship to obtain a Greek «golden visa».

To formalise their relationship in Greece, the parties can enter into a cohabitation agreement. Participants in the scheme use it as the legal basis for obtaining family-member status linked to the investor.

It is reported that wealthy Russians have started using this method of obtaining residence permits as a way to halve the cost of the investment programme.