The European Dream Starts in Greece

A few years ago, it was mostly vacation photos and weekend trips. Today, something deeper is happening. More and more Turkish citizens are not just visiting Greece — they’re buying homes. And behind many of these purchases is one powerful reason: the Greek Golden Visa. So what’s driving this surge, how big is it really, and what should Turks interested in Greece actually know? Let’s break it down.

First Things First: What Is the Greek Golden Visa? The Greek Golden Visa is a residence permit offered to non-EU citizens who invest in Greece, most commonly by buying real estate.

In simple terms:

• Buy a property that meets the minimum investment requirement
• Get a 5-year renewable residence permit
• Travel freely across the Schengen Area
• Include your spouse and children
• No obligation to live permanently in Greece
• Compared to other European programs, Greece has long been seen as one of the most accessible and affordable Golden Visa options.

Why Turks Are Looking West — And Why Greece? Turkish interest in the Greek Golden Visa didn’t happen overnight. It’s the result of several forces coming together:

• 1. Schengen Access Without Constant Visa Stress: For many Turks, Schengen visas have become increasingly difficult, short-term, and unpredictable. A Greek residence permit removes that uncertainty and opens the door to Europe.
• 2. Economic Reality & Asset Protection: With inflation and currency volatility at home, buying property abroad feels like a safer way to preserve value — especially when that property also unlocks mobility.
• 3. Greece Is Close, Familiar, and Culturally Comfortable: Geography matters. So does food, lifestyle, and mentality. Greece doesn’t feel foreign in the way many other EU countries do — and that lowers the psychological barrier to investing.
• 4. Other Countries Closed Their Doors: Portugal, Ireland, and others have restricted or shut down their Golden Visa schemes. Greece stayed open — and demand rushed in.

The Numbers: How Big Is the Turkish Interest Really? Here’s where things get interesting:

• In 2024, Greece recorded 9,289 Golden Visa applications, the highest number ever.
• Around 1,350+ of those applications came from Turkish citizens, placing Turks among the top nationalities, second only to Chinese investors. 
• By 2025, the number of Turkish citizens who had actually obtained Greek Golden Visa residence permits rose to approximately 2,700 — a dramatic increase compared to previous years.

In other words Turkish participation didn’t just grow. It surged. What Kind of Properties Are Turks Buying? Contrary to popular belief, most Golden Visa properties are not luxury villas used once a year. Studies show that:

• About 94% of Golden Visa properties are put back into the rental market
• Many are small apartments in cities or tourist zones
• Buyers often focus on rental yield + visa, not personal use
• Athens, Thessaloniki, islands with easy access, and border-proximate regions attract the most interest.

But It’s Not All Smooth Sailing, The Golden Visa boom comes with realities that buyers need to understand:

⏳ Long Processing Times: The surge in applications has created serious backlogs. Some permits take much longer than expected.

⏳ Rising Property Prices: In popular areas, foreign demand has pushed prices up — making timing and location more important than ever.

 ⏳Changing Rules: Minimum investment thresholds have increased in certain zones, and regulations continue to evolve. What was true two years ago may  not be true today.

 ⏳Legal & Tax Complexity: Greek property law, taxes, and residency obligations require proper legal guidance — shortcuts can be expensive.

So… Is It Worth It? For many Turkish buyers, the answer is yes — but only if expectations are realistic.

The Greek Golden Visa is:

✅ A mobility solution

✅ A long-term strategy, not a quick win

✅ An investment that requires due diligence

It is not:

❌ A fast path to EU citizenship

❌ A guaranteed high-profit real-estate deal

❌ A “set it and forget it” process

Final Thought: More Than a Visa…For Turks buying property in Greece, this isn’t just about paperwork. It’s about:

• Freedom of movement
• Security
• A second option
• And sometimes, peace of mind
• The Golden Visa may start with a property purchase — but for many, it represents a wider horizon.