The first quarter of 2026 ended with a 43.4% year-on-year increase in foreign direct investment in the real estate market, although during the same period, applications for a residence permit through the “Golden Visa” program fell by 52.2%.
This demonstrates that the Greek real estate market continues to attract international buying interest, even without the additional incentive of securing a residence permit.
Essentially, foreigners who are now investing their capital are not doing so because of the prospect of a “Golden Visa,” but because they truly want to acquire a property in Greece.
According to data from the Bank of Greece, capital flows from abroad during the first three months of the year amounted to €511.6 million, or 43.4% higher than the €356.8 million in the same period of 2025.
Meanwhile, requests for a “Golden Visa” (which requires the purchase of real estate) were limited to 1,677, compared to 3,507 in the same period of 2025.
