The real estate market in Greece in 2026.

Below we present answers to questions from journalists about the real estate market in Greece in 2026, with a special focus on the experiences of buyers and owners from Serbia. The text is designed as a response to 6 questions and will give you an overview of the situation and trends, which can help you if you are considering investing in real estate in Greece.

If you are thinking of buying, we recommend that you also read our detailed guide through the whole process: Buying real estate in Greece - complete guide.

1. Share of buyers from Serbia and the trend of increasing interest in real estate in Greece

In our case, the number of properties owned by Serbs is not large, we are talking about several dozen properties, because we only cooperate with owners who rent out their property legally, that is, who have properly registered the rental in accordance with Greek regulations. That is why this number is not huge, but it is noticeable that in recent years there has been a growing interest from citizens of Serbia in buying and renting properties in Greece. This increase in interest fits into the broader picture of the Greek real estate market. The Bank of Greece states that apartment prices continued to rise in 2025, albeit at a slower pace than in previous years: the average annual increase in prices of new apartments was 7.4%, and of older ones 8.1%, following an even stronger growth in 2024. In Thessaloniki and northern Greece, the growth was more pronounced than in Athens, which further enhances buyers’ interest in the northern part of the country. From our perspective, there are more and more people from Serbia who see buying property in Greece not only as a vacation issue, but also as a way for the property to generate income for part of the year, and to serve the owners and their families for the other part of the year. We advise and assist such owners to enter the rental market in a legal and safer way, with a clearer understanding of the rules, obligations, and property management methods. If you are just entering this process, it is important to know who the key experts are when buying property and what their role is.

2. How much is the real profit from renting out and is the investment worthwhile

There is no one universal answer to this question, as the profit depends mostly on the location, distance from the sea, quality and equipment of the property, length of the season, management method, and costs incurred by the owner. In practice, a well-positioned and well-managed property can be a profitable investment, but only if the owner realistically calculates all the costs: taxes, fees, accountant, maintenance, cleaning, guest reception, any commission to an agency or property manager, as well as periods when the accommodation is not fully booked. It is important to emphasize that short-term rentals in Greece have been increasingly regulated and controlled in recent years. Owners who want to rent out legally must register the property in the official short-term rental register and report stays through the tax system. Since autumn 2025, stricter security and operational conditions have been introduced for short-term rentals, with penalties for those not in compliance with the rules. This means that profits can be good, but it is no longer realistic to expect significant income without complying with the regulations and without additional operating costs. Therefore, I would say that investing is still profitable, but mainly for those who have a good location, realistic expectations, and are willing to manage the property as a serious business, rather than as passive income without obligations.

3. Which types of properties and locations are best rented out?

Family apartments and smaller apartments or maisonettes in attractive seaside locations are still the best to rent out, especially those relatively close to the sea and suitable for families with children. This is what we see in practice: guests mostly look for functional accommodation, good location, parking if possible, a terrace, air conditioning, and necessary conditions for an easy holiday organization. Among buyers from Serbia, northern Greece, Halkidiki, Thassos, the Olympus region, and other places easily accessible by car are particularly interesting. These are not necessarily locations with the highest property prices in the country, but are very appealing to people who want a combination of personal use and seasonal renting.

• More on the most sought-after regions and how to choose the right location can be found in the article where is the best to buy property in Greece.

From specific locations, our buyers mostly purchase properties in Nea Kalikratia, Nea Moudania, Paralia, Olympic Beach, mainly because more affordable properties can be found in these areas, and Nikiti in Sithonia is very popular and in high demand among those looking for a more attractive location and a more valuable property. For those particularly interested in the northern part of the country, we also highlight a guide on buying property near Thessaloniki, with specific advice.

Properties that cater to a “family guest profile” are well rented out in practice: not too large or luxurious, but neat, close to the beach, and easy to maintain. On the other hand, properties further from the sea or requiring more complex logistics usually require a lower price or more investment in marketing to be equally competitive, and from what we have noticed, they are very rarely purchased as an investment.

4. Trends in property prices in Greece in recent years

Yes, property prices in Greece have significantly increased in recent years, and this growth has been continuous. According to data from the Bank of Greece, the rise in apartment prices continued in 2025 and in the first half of 2026. It is particularly important that northern Greece, including Thessaloniki and other cities, experienced a significant increase in prices, which is crucial for buyers from Serbia. I would not say that prices have risen “dramatically” in every segment and at the same pace in every location, but it is clear that the market is on an upward trend. This is influenced by both domestic and foreign demand, tourism, limited supply in certain areas, and the interest of foreign buyers and those purchasing properties for the Golden Visa.

• More about this option and its conditions can be found in the article Greek Golden Visa.

Due to unrest in the Middle East, Israeli buyers are currently among the most active foreign buyers.

5. Property management: independently or with agency support

This varies a lot in practice. Some owners want to handle almost everything themselves: communication with guests, reservations, cleaning, guest registration, and shift organization. This is more common when the owner spends the season in Greece or near the property. Others choose to delegate most of the work to a real estate agency, a local property management agency, or a trusted person on the ground. In practice, this means that someone on the ground must welcome the guest, hand over the keys, check the accommodation, organize cleaning, respond if problems arise, and communicate with services as needed. This is why owners who do not reside in Greece usually cannot successfully rent out the property without local support. In places where there are several Serbian owners, it often happens that several of them hire the same trusted person or the same small local maintenance team for upkeep, guest shifts, and interventions. From our experience, we see that owners appreciate receiving clear information on how to operate legally and organized, alongside promotion and advertising, because for many, the biggest challenge is not finding a guest, but ensuring that the entire rental system functions without stress and risk. A detailed overview of all costs can be seen in the article costs of buying and additional expenses in Greece, taxes, fees, and additional expenses, while we recommend familiarizing yourself with the topic of 10 most common mistakes when buying property, to avoid incorrect assessments and unrealistic expectations.

6. Most common challenges and problems in renting out properties in Greece

The biggest problems are usually of organizational and legal nature. The first challenge is to find a reliable person on the ground who can take care of the property, welcome guests, and resolve any issues. The second major challenge is administrative and tax obligations: legal renting requires registration, income reporting, compliance with procedures, and regular operating costs, for which an accountant is necessary. All of this reduces net earnings, but on the other hand, it is essential if the owner wants to operate without risk. The third challenge is that some owners still enter this field expecting renting out to be easy and spontaneous, when in reality it requires a lot of coordination, especially if the owner is not present in Greece. In addition, in recent years, Greek authorities have shown increasing determination to control short-term rentals and suppress unregistered rentals, so operating “under the table” carries increasing risks. Therefore, our advice to owners is to plan a legal business model from the start, with good local support and a clear calculation. It is more demanding, but in the long run, it is safer and more sustainable for both the owner and the guest.

If you want to see how this process looks in practice, we recommend reading experiences of property buyers in Greece, with specific examples and first-hand advice.

The real estate market in Greece still offers good opportunities, but more than before, it requires realistic expectations, good planning, and compliance with legal frameworks. Those who approach buying informed and are ready to view the property as a long-term investment, rather than a quick profit, have the greatest advantage.