Crete tops foreign buyers' list for holiday homes, study finds

Data collected by the real‑estate services firm Elxis – At Home in Greece shows that by 2026 about one‑third of foreign investors looking for a second residence will choose the island of Crete. The buyers are mainly from Western European countries such as the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, France and the United Kingdom.

Seventy‑six point six percent of those interested intend to purchase within the next twelve months, with half of them planning to act in the following six months. Budget ranges show that 36.5 % have up to €400,000 to spend, while an additional 22 % are prepared to invest €400,000‑€600,000. Roughly 71 % prefer newly built properties, prioritising sea views, proximity to the coast and private pools.

Elxis CEO George Gavourilidis explains that Crete’s large area still offers ample land for new developments, especially near the sea, and its long tourist season and strong brand appeal promise attractive returns for owners. Property prices remain lower than on other Greek islands; a new villa with a pool starts at €3,800‑€4,500 per square metre, compared with €5,600 in Corfu and €5,500 in Lefkada.