Israelis emerging as serious property investors

In recent months, the number of new real estate management companies owned by Israeli individuals or firms and registered with Greece’s General Commercial Registry has grown sharply.

Wide Investment Scope: From City Apartments to Seaside Villas

Israeli buyers are active across several real estate segments in Greece, including:

• Apartments in central Athens
• Luxury homes in seaside areas such as Voula and Vouliagmeni
• Hotel properties in Athens and the Aegean islands
• Fully managed serviced apartments aimed at both local and international tenants

This diversified strategy shows that Israeli capital is not only flowing into residential housing but also expanding into commercial properties and tourism assets.

Golden Visa Applications on the Rise

At the same time, demand for Greece Golden Visa program is rising quickly. A consultant told Kathimerini Daily: “Chinese investors once accounted for 90% of all Golden Visas issued. But once the backlog of about 15,000 applications from the past 18 months is cleared, China’s share is expected to drop to around 50%. Israeli applicants are projected to jump from 10th place to 2nd, potentially surpassing Turkish investors.”

Official data confirms this trend. According to the Ministry of Migration and Asylum, by the end of July 2025 Greece had received 29,220 initial Golden Visa applications, with 11,887 still pending.

Industry experts note that wealthy individuals from the Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean — particularly Israel, Turkey, Lebanon, and Egypt — are accelerating their entry into the Greek market.

Consultants expect Greece to become one of the top destinations for Israeli and Middle Eastern investors over the next year. While China’s share may decline, it will likely remain around half of all applications, maintaining a crucial role.

Israeli investors are not limiting themselves to buying single homes. Many acquire entire buildings, convert them into serviced apartments, and resell them — often to other Israeli buyers.

Estimates suggest that Israeli individual investors are already spending over €500 million annually in Greece, with the figure expected to double to €1 billion in the short term. Voula–Vouliagmeni mayor Grigoris Konstantelos noted: “Beyond the significant number of property purchases, Israeli investors are also buying office space to relocate businesses here.”