By Petros Stefanis

2025 is expected to be another year of sharp growth in the holiday homes market throughout Greece by European buyers, according to data from Elxis – At Home in Greece. In the first four months (January-April), sales continue the strong upward trend of 2024, with Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany, developing into particularly dynamic markets.

Explosive increase in purchases by the Dutch, Belgians, and Germans.

“Compared to the same period last year, sales to Dutch buyers rose by 91%, to Belgians by 103%, and to Germans by 64% (which also include Greek expatriates),” said George Gavriilidis, CEO of Elxis, a Greek company based in Utrecht, the Netherlands, that specializes in promoting holiday homes to buyers from abroad.

What is driving the Greek holiday home market

As Gavriilidis noted, “A few months ago, we estimated that the recovery in prices in the European real estate market would benefit the Greek holiday home market. This assessment is confirmed so far, based on the data we have from the sales we have made, as there is a significant increase in demand and new investments. The comparison of prices in Greece with those abroad is overwhelmingly in favor of our country,” he emphasized.

What foreign buyers are looking for

Based on Elxis’ analysis, most buyers are seeking holiday properties priced between €250,000 and €600,000, with the majority of transactions concentrated in the €350,000–€450,000 range. The most active investors are the Dutch and, secondarily, the Belgians. Approximately 50% of buyers from these countries have an investment orientation, opting to rent out the property when not using it. On the contrary, buyers from countries such as Germany and France are more oriented towards the same use, but some also aim for short-term rental.

The areas on the buyers’ radar

Buyers from Northwestern Europe (e.g., Dutch, Belgians, Germans, Swiss, and French) prefer to purchase a holiday home in Crete, the Ionian Islands, the Peloponnese and Rhodes. Some of them also choose some of the Cyclades islands, where they can find good investment opportunities.