Record surge: Turkish demand for Greece’s Golden Visa Program hits historic high
Greece’s investment-for-residency scheme, widely known as the “Golden Visa,” recorded a historic surge in applications from Turkish citizens in 2025, marking the highest annual figure since the program’s launch in 2013.
According to data reported by Kathimerini, the number of Turkish nationals granted residence permits under the scheme rose to 3,291 in 2025 — the highest level on record. Applications from Türkiye increased by 160 percent compared to the previous year, reflecting an unprecedented spike in demand.
Strategic Access to Europe
Introduced in 2013, Greece’s Golden Visa program grants residence permits to non-EU nationals in exchange for qualifying real estate investments. While rental income and capital appreciation remain attractive, experts say the primary motivation for Turkish investors is access to the Schengen Area’s visa-free travel zone.
For business leaders and high-net-worth individuals, European residency is increasingly viewed as a strategic asset, offering mobility, financial diversification, and long-term security.
Global Demand Nearly Doubles
The program’s popularity extends beyond Türkiye. In 2025, the total number of Golden Visas issued globally rose by 95 percent year-on-year. Chinese nationals topped the list with 9,926 approvals, followed by significant investor activity from Türkiye, Israel, Iran, and the United States.
Overall approvals climbed from approximately 4,500 in 2024 to nearly 9,000 in 2025 — underscoring growing global demand for European residency-by-investment schemes.
Property Market Momentum
Despite rising housing prices in Greece, strong rental yields and long-term appreciation potential continue to attract foreign buyers. Analysts note that the combination of real estate returns and Schengen mobility has positioned Turkish investors among the most prominent players in Greece’s property market.
The surge is also reshaping Athens’ broader economic planning, with Türkiye emerging as one of the most dynamic sources of foreign capital in the country’s real estate sector.
