US and Canadian buyers boost demand for Greek second homes, Crete tops list

Data from Elxis – At Home in Greece shows a 50% jump in demand for Greek holiday homes from the United States and Canada during the first half of 2024. Seven out of ten North‑American buyers are opting for newly built properties, with an average spend of about €448,000 per buyer.

Around 30% of these purchasers are members of the Greek diaspora – second‑ or third‑generation emigrés – indicating a mix of investment and a “return to roots.” Only 11% have used the country’s “Golden Visa” residency programme, suggesting limited uptake of that incentive.

Crete remains the most popular island, followed by the Ionian islands, and the surge is supported by a rise in direct flights from major US hubs. Passenger traffic from the United States to Greece has risen 28% compared with 2024 levels and 12% year‑on‑year at Athens Airport, reinforcing the growing appeal of Greece as a second‑home destination.