Golden Visa in Greece: Turks and Israelis Lead Investment Applications

Greece’s Golden Visa program continues to attract strong interest from foreign investors, with Turkish and Israeli nationals leading the way. According to official data from the Ministry of Migration and Asylum, initial residence permits granted up to July 2025 show impressive growth:

• Turkey: 2,449 permits, up from 970 in July 2024, marking a 152% increase.
• Israel: 510 permits, up from 260 last year, showing a 96% increase.

Since the program’s inception, a total of 23,221 investors have benefited from the Golden Visa. Including pending applications, the total is expected to reach 34,000–35,000 investors, representing investments of at least €8.5 billion in Greece.

Reasons for the Surge Among Turkish and Israeli Investors

For Turkish nationals, the increase is driven by two main factors:

1. The new requirement of a minimum €800,000 investment, prompting a rush to submit applications before the rule took effect.
2. Economic uncertainty in Turkey, motivating investors to seek secure havens for their capital.

For Israeli nationals, geopolitical developments, such as the conflict in Gaza, have accelerated investment interest, with central Athens being a prime target for purchasing and renovating older properties. Greek Golden Visa investments offer not only potential property value gains and immediate rental income, but also residence permits granting freedom of movement across Schengen countries.

Investment Trends by Country

• United States: 518 permits, up 52% year-on-year.
• United Kingdom: 706 permits, up 50.8%.
• China: 8,179 permits, up only 14.7%, causing their share to drop from 56% to 47.4% (from 65–70% two years ago).

This trend indicates a diversification of interest, with increased activity from the Middle East and the U.S., while Chinese investor participation is declining.

The Golden Visa’s Impact on Greece’s Real Estate Market

The program serves not only as a path to residence permits but also as a key driver of real estate investment, supporting:

• New and renovated properties.
• Properties generating immediate rental income.
• High-value real estate in central urban areas.

In effect, the Golden Visa program acts as a channel for secure foreign capital inflows, creating multiple economic and social benefits for Greece.

Source: pagenews.gr