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Greece continues to attract foreign buyers looking for second homes, summer properties, and long-term investments, with Turkish nationals now ranking among the most active groups in the market.
A nationwide annual study by RE/MAX Greece, based on completed transactions, shows a clear rise in foreign demand this year. The research covers buyer nationality, age profiles, visit patterns before purchase, long-term settlement intentions, and financing methods.
In Athens, Israeli buyers hold the largest share among foreign purchasers. They are followed by buyers from Türkiye and Lebanon, while investors from China and Ukraine also show notable interest.
The picture remains similar in Thessaloniki, where Israeli buyers again lead. They are followed by purchasers from Bulgaria, Germany, Türkiye, and Albania.
Outside Athens and Thessaloniki, German investors dominate foreign purchases. Bulgarian and French buyers maintain strong positions, while Israeli and Turkish buyers also hold a significant share across these regions.
The RE/MAX Greece data shows that foreign buyers tend to fall into a narrow age range.
Most foreign buyers take time before committing. According to the research, 68% visit Greece two or three times before completing a purchase. Another 16% make more than three visits. Only 16% finalize a deal after a single visit.
Long-term plans seem to vary, as around 57% of buyers leave open the possibility of permanent relocation to Greece. A smaller group, 18%, states a clear intention to settle permanently. One quarter of buyers say they do not plan to live in Greece on a permanent basis.
Financing patterns remain heavily cash-based. The study shows that 90% of foreign buyers use their own funds, while only 10% rely on loans or borrowing.
The growing presence of Turkish buyers also appears in Greece’s Golden Visa program, which entered a new phase in November after months of uncertainty.
A ministerial decision published on Nov. 11 ended a six-month freeze on property-linked residency permits and unlocked thousands of pending files. According to Greek media, 13,499 applications remain pending, with nearly 80% located in the Attica region.
Data from the Greek Migration and Asylum Ministry shows that Turkish nationals now hold 2,698 Golden Visa permits. This equals 14.7% of all permits issued. Authorities granted 1,067 permits to Turkish citizens last year, compared with 2,698 this year, marking a sharp annual increase.
Chinese citizens continue to lead the program overall with 8,792 permits, while Israeli buyers follow with 544 permits. Greek officials and market analysts link rising Turkish demand to economic uncertainty at home and a desire for secure mobility within the Schengen area.
The updated Golden Visa framework sets clear rules for investments in converted commercial buildings, listed properties, renovation projects, and land purchases. It also introduces detailed documentation requirements for renewals and confirms that properties used for short-term rentals do not qualify.
Despite strong interest from Türkiye and Israel, overall Golden Visa demand has slowed. Greece received 392 new applications in September 2025, down from 780 in the same month last year. Authorities raised minimum investment thresholds to €800,000 in Attica, Thessaloniki, and large islands, while keeping the €250,000 option limited to specific renovation-based projects.
Even with higher thresholds, Turkish buyers continue to reshape segments of Greece’s real estate market, particularly in Athens, Thessaloniki, and select regional areas where lower entry options remain available.
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