Investors from Turkey, Israel, China, Iran and the United States dominated approvals under Greece’s Golden Visa residency-by-investment programme in 2025, as demand surged amid economic pressure, conflict and security concerns abroad.
Greek authorities approved 8,879 new residence permits last year, marking a 95% increase from the 4,535 approved in 2024. Most permits went to nationals from the five countries that showed the strongest interest in securing residency through the programme.
Market sources said the nationalities of applicants highlighted how investment migration programmes often served as safe-haven options. They said many investors pursued residency in Greece to protect personal wealth, respond to political uncertainty and improve security for themselves and their families.
Interest from Turkey rose sharply, continuing a trend that had built since 2023 and intensified in 2024. Market sources linked the increase to surging inflation in Turkey, which pushed higher-income investors to seek alternatives abroad to limit losses in the value of their capital. They said Greek real estate appealed to Turkish buyers because it offered rental returns and potential long-term gains.
Residence permits issued to Turkish investors rose 160% in 2025 to 3,291, representing 15.9% of the total and making them the second-largest group in the programme. Political considerations and visa-free travel within the Schengen area also contributed to the rise.
Approvals for Israeli investors increased 91.5% to 636 in 2025. Market sources attributed the rise to the war in Gaza and the desire of many families to relocate to a safer country. They said Greece’s proximity to Israel, an established Israeli presence in the property market and shared cultural elements supported the trend.
Chinese investors remained the largest group. They held 47.9% of all permits with 9,926 approvals, up 53.7% from 2024, although their share declined from previous peaks above 70%.
Iranian permits rose 52.5% to 816 in 2025, with market sources pointing to unrest and ongoing tensions as key drivers.
Stay updated with the latest news from Greece and around the world on greekcitytimes.com.
Contact our newsroom to share your updates, stories, photos, or videos. Follow GCT on Google News and Apple News.
