The Bank of Greece has published real estate transaction statistics for the first quarter of 2026.
Vladlena Baranova, Head of Legal, compared the figures with those of previous years, taking into account the impact of the Golden Visa on demand.
Latest data
According to the Bank of Greece, foreigners invested €511.6 million in the country’s real estate in the first quarter of 2026[1]Source: Official real estate transaction statistics on the Bank of Greece website. This is 43.4% more than in the same period last year, when the amount totalled €356.8 million.
Over the whole of 2025, foreigners invested €2.06 billion in Greek real estate, compared with €2.75 billion in 2024.
What percentage of real estate transactions are made to obtain residence?
The Bank of Greece statistics do not separate transactions by purchase purpose. Therefore, they do not show the demand for investment property, which is assessed using data from the Ministry of Migration and Asylum.
In the first quarter of 2026, the number of applications for residency by investment fell by 57.5% year on year. The high figure in 2025 is associated with the transitional period for investors. Applicants rushed to complete real estate transactions under the previous conditions.
Who bought real estate in Greece most often?
In 2025, foreigners invested €2.06 billion in Greek real estate. The top 5 countries by real estate investment volume were:
- Türkiye — €214.4 million.
- Switzerland — €210.8 million.
- Cyprus — €210.2 million.
- Germany — €141.6 million.
- Hong Kong — €115.5 million.
Together, these countries accounted for €892.6 million, or 43.4% of all foreign investment in Greek real estate in 2025.
Vladlena Baranova,
Head of Legal & AML Compliance Department, CAMS, IMCM
Buyers from the European Union consider real estate in Greece as a holiday home or a place to live in retirement. Investors from the United States and Canada more often choose new-build properties and resort homes in Crete. Some of these buyers are of Greek origin or members of the diaspora.
How to obtain Greece residence through real estate investment
Purchasing a property for renovation worth at least $250,000 remains the most popular investment option for obtaining residence in Greece.
Other options include:
- €800,000 — for real estate in popular tourist regions;
- €400,000 — for properties in other areas of Greece.
Real estate can be rented out on a long-term basis, with yields reaching 5% per year.
Investors do not have to manage the property themselves. They can sign an agreement with the developer’s management company, which will take care of property maintenance and finding tenants.
Immigrant Invest lawyers help investors choose real estate from a verified database of developers and obtain residency in Greece for the whole family.
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