
Greece’s real estate sector continues to attract foreign interest, according to the most recent Bank of Greece (BoG) figures, either through the resilient “Golden Visa” program or residents of EU countries interested in retirement or semi-retirement in the country.
In 2022 alone and in the first nine months of 2023 foreign direct investment (FDI) in the real estate sector reached 2.9 billion euros, the BoG’s interim report on monetary policy revealed.
The figure for the Jan-Sep 2023 period, in fact, was higher by 28.7%, compared with the corresponding period of 2022. The figure in absolute terms for 2023 until September was 1.644 billion euros.
A report by Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices estimates that very high-income buyers of properties in Greece increased by 20% in 2023, with around 1,200 individuals comprising this category.
The Greek market is calculated at seventh, worldwide, in terms of popularity for purchasing luxury residences, having recently surpassed Portugal and Spain, which are in ninth and 14th place, respectively.
Another noteworthy conclusion from the private company’s survey regarding Greece is the increase in American buyers, pegged at 15 to 20%, compared to 2022.
The latter are mostly interested in real estate along the so-called “Athenian Riviera”, the leafier northern districts of Athens and popular islands, such as Mykonos, Santorini, Paros, Crete, Corfu and Rhodes.
The Golden Visa
A significant factor in this year’s continued surge was last-minute interest in the Golden Visa scheme, as the an extension of a deadline for applying with the 250,000-euro price tag in order to receive a residency visa expired on the last day of July 2023. As of Aug. 1, 2023 the “Golden Visa” minimum purchase doubled to 500K.
The current year is been characterized by a higher demand from buyers within the EU looking for holiday homes on various islands and resort areas, with market analysts optimistic that the year may exceed the three-billion-euro mark for FDIs in the real estate sector.
Source: tovima.com


Latest News

Eurostat: Women and Youth Most Underpaid in Greece
In the EU 18.2% of women are low-paid compared to men, against 23% in Greece. A staggering 43% of young Greeks are low-paid—the second-worst rate in Europe.

Public Services in Greece to Go Under Review with New Rating Tool
Public services will receive their evaluation scores and feedback directly, fostering a system of accountability and continuous improvement.

Istanbul Earthquake – Greek Prof. Concerned Major Quake Yet to Strike
Responding to concerns over whether a potential major quake in Istanbul could affect Greece, Papazachos was reassuring: “The fault extends as far as Lemnos and the Northern Sporades, but it doesn’t rupture all at once. An earthquake in Istanbul doesn’t have the capacity to directly affect Greek territory.”

Greece 4th Most Popular Summer Destination for Europeans
Southern Europe remains the top choice for Europeans at 41%, though down 8% from last year, likely due to rising temperatures and climate concerns.

Easter Sales Performance and the Source of €4–5 Million in Losses
Easter retail sales were relatively weak this year, with the only "real winners" being the livestock farmers who had lambs to sell.

Hotel Foreclosures Continue to Plague Greece’s Islands
A surge in hotel foreclosures across Greece’s islands threatens small tourism businesses, despite booming visitor numbers and record-breaking travel in 2024.

Athens Launches Task Force to Safeguard Historic City Center
The new municipal unit will ensure compliance to zoning laws, curb noise, and address tourist rental issues starting from the Plaka district.

WTTC: Travel & Tourism to Create 4.5M New Jobs in EU by 2035
This year, international visitor spending is set to reach 573 billion euros, up by more than 11% year-on-year

IMF: US Tariffs Shake Global Economy, Outlook Downbeat
IMF slashes global growth forecast to 2.8% as U.S. tariffs create uncertainty and ‘negative supply shock

First Step Towards New Audiovisual Industry Hub in Drama
The project is set to contribute to the further development of Greece’s film industry and establish Drama as an audiovisual hub in the region