Golden visa applications fall 44% in Greece
New applications for Greece’s Golden Visa program fell 44% in the first half of 2026, with 2,551 applications submitted compared with 4,553 during the same period last year.
Authorities issued 4,919 new residence permits, up 21% year-on-year, as they continued processing applications filed during the 2024-25 surge.
Investors shift under new rules
Most new applications involve investments of €250,000, while demand for the €400,000 and €800,000 categories remains lower.
The revised rules have also banned Golden Visa properties from being used for short-term rentals, reducing their appeal to some investors while aiming to ease pressure on Greece’s housing market.
Active permits rise
Greece had 32,702 active Golden Visa permits at the end of June, up 48.6% from 22,001 a year earlier.
A new housing policy proposal could allow investors to obtain residence permits by purchasing multiple properties and placing them exclusively on the long-term rental market, potentially directing more foreign investment toward housing supply.
