Growing foreign demand for Greek second homes

Mid‑2024 data showed a 50 % surge in U.S. and Canadian purchases of Greek holiday properties, with Crete emerging as the top island. Buyers favoured newly built homes at an average price of €448,000 and only a small fraction used the Golden‑Visa programme. Direct flights from the United States rose 28 %.

By mid‑2026 British families still ranked Crete, Rhodes and Corfu among their favourite European vacation spots, despite Crete’s higher daily cost (£221.57 per day on average). The islands’ organised infrastructure, beaches and hospitality continued to draw families, often pushing budgets beyond initial expectations.

Crete also remained the leading choice for foreign second‑home buyers. Roughly one‑third of overseas purchasers surveyed by real‑estate firm Elxis selected Crete, with buyers mainly from the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, France and the United Kingdom. About 77 % intend to buy within the next year; half plan to act within six months. Budget data show 36.5 % have up to €400 k to spend, another 22 % €400‑600 k, and 71 % prefer newly built villas offering sea views, private pools and coastal proximity. Prices for new villas stay at €3,800‑€4,500 per square metre, lower than comparable properties on the Ionian islands and the Cyclades.

Overall, the market for Greek holiday homes is expanding and diversifying, with Crete maintaining strong appeal across North‑American and European buyers.