In a recent interview with Marios Rafail, the head of the Geneva office at Henley & Partners, the reasons behind the sustained growth of the Greek Golden Visa program, despite the minimum investment increase to 500,000 euros, were discussed. Rafail also shed light on the ongoing property price rally in Greece, emphasizing why the program’s allure remains strong.
Marios Rafail highlighted several compelling factors that contribute to the continued appeal of the Greek Golden Visa program. Notably, this program stands out for not requiring physical presence, in contrast to the Portuguese equivalent, which necessitates a minimum of seven days spent in the country. According to Rafail, Greece’s well-established reputation as a top tourism destination makes it highly attractive compared to other Golden Visa programs. Moreover, the program’s efficiency in processing requests within four to five months is a significant draw. Lastly, Greece offers superior real estate opportunities compared to other countries with similar visa programs.
He also shared insights into the key characteristics of Greek Golden Visa investors:
- Approximately 70% of investors opt to rent out their properties, demonstrating their strategic approach to real estate investments.
- While China was the predominant source of investors in recent years, there has been a noticeable surge in applications from the United States and India, further diversifying the program’s investor base.
Source: Kathimerini
