Greece treats Turkish, Bulgarian property purchases as security issue
Greek national security agencies have launched an investigation into a rise in property acquisitions by Bulgarian and Turkish nationals in northern Greece, redefining what had been viewed as market activity as a potential national security concern.
According to Greek City Times, citing Bulgarian National Radio, the investigation focuses on the Meriç (Evros) region and the port city of Dedeağaç (Alexandroupoli), which lie along Greece’s northeastern border with Türkiye.
Bulgarian nationals are reportedly purchasing abandoned homes in depopulated villages, while Turkish investors are said to be acquiring land, hotels and commercial properties either directly or through Bulgarian-registered companies in which they hold shares. Legal experts have noted that the transactions comply with European Union regulations governing capital movement.
According to turkiyetoday, Greek authorities have nevertheless warned that an expanding foreign economic footprint in strategically sensitive border areas could carry long-term implications, marking a shift in official tone toward closer security scrutiny.
Dedeağaç (Alexandroupoli) is the largest city in the Meriç (Evros) regional unit, which has faced sustained population decline. In late 2025, Greece expanded financial incentives aimed at encouraging permanent settlement in border municipalities, underscoring demographic pressures in the region.
While foreign tourism and investment have provided economic benefits, officials say property ownership patterns in border areas are increasingly being assessed through a security lens.
