Foreign investment in property topped €1bn in the first half of 2026, rising by around 9.5% year on year, according to data from the Bank of Greece.
Despite waning foreign interest in the Golden Visa and Greek house prices converging with those elsewhere in Europe, investor interest in the Greek market remains strong.
Specifically, Bank of Greece data show that net foreign direct investment in property totalled €1.02bn, compared with €938.3m in the same period of 2025.
Investment also increased quarter on quarter. Foreign investment totalled €515.8m in the second quarter of 2026, compared with €511.6m in the first quarter.
Purchases of homes by foreign buyers are expected to rise further in the coming period as they seek to beat the increase in the transfer tax to 15% for buyers from third countries. The tax increase is scheduled to take effect from early July 2027, although there is some uncertainty over the exemptions the law will provide.
Golden Visa applications fall
New applications for Golden Visas have fallen sharply. According to data from the Ministry of Migration and Asylum, new applications fell by 44% in the first half of the year, to 2,551 from 4,553 in the same period of 2025.
Following changes to the programme’s investment thresholds, most new applications relate to investments of €250,000, involving properties converted into homes and listed buildings.
Applications relating to investments in the €400,000 category account for a considerably smaller share. Applications corresponding to the €800,000 threshold are also scarce. This threshold applies to Attica, Thessaloniki and the large islands with permanent populations of more than 3,150.