Number of refugees from Ukraine in selected countries as of 31.01.2026
The Greek real estate market is gaining momentum again thanks to foreign capital, but no longer solely because of the “Golden Visa” program. In the first quarter of 2026, the inflow of foreign direct investment into Greek real estate rose by 43.4% year-over-year, reaching EUR511.6 million compared to EUR356.8 million during the same period last year, according to data from the Bank of Greece.
It is telling that this growth in investment coincided with a sharp decline in interest in residence permits for investment. The number of Golden Visa applications in the first quarter of 2026 fell by 52.2%—to 1,677, compared to 3,507 a year earlier. This means that some foreigners are no longer purchasing Greek real estate as a “ticket to Europe,” but rather as a standalone investment and lifestyle asset.
Foreign demand is currently concentrated in two segments. The first is premium real estate in Attica, on the Athens Riviera, and on popular islands. The second is new vacation homes priced at EUR400,000–600,000 in regions where there is still potential for price growth and rental yields. Higher thresholds now apply for the Golden Visa: EUR800,000 for Greater Athens, the municipality of Thessaloniki, and the major islands, as well as EUR400,000 for the rest of the country.
There has also been a noticeable increase in demand from North America. According to Elxis – At Home in Greece, demand from buyers in the U.S. and Canada rose by 50% in the first half of 2026. Only 11% of these buyers take advantage of the Golden Visa program; the average transaction value is EUR448,000; and 70% choose new homes, often still under construction. The top destinations for Americans are Crete and the Ionian Islands.
By nationality, publicly available statistics for 2026 are still incomplete: what is available consists mainly of individual market assessments and data on capital flows, rather than a comprehensive ranking of all buyers. In the premium segment, foreigners account for 60–85% of demand in top locations, with citizens of the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Switzerland, the United States, and Israel among the primary buyers.
According to data for 2025, the largest sources of foreign capital flowing into Greek real estate included Turkey (EUR 214 million), China, Hong Kong, and Singapore, as well as the UAE (EUR 67 million) and the United Kingdom (EUR 63 million).
Investors from Israel and the United States also remained significant groups, although their investments declined in 2025.
According to experts.news, housing prices in the European Union rose by 5.1% in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025, while rents increased by 3%, according to Eurostat data released on July 2, 2026. Compared to the fourth quarter of 2025, housing prices in the EU rose by 1.2%, and rents by 0.7%.
In the eurozone, the growth rate was slightly lower: the housing price index rose by 4.7% year-over-year and by 1% compared to the previous quarter. In the fourth quarter of 2025, growth stood at 5.1% in the eurozone and 5.4% in the EU, meaning the market remains on an upward trend, but the pace of annual price increases has slowed somewhat.
Among EU countries for which data is available, housing prices fell year-over-year only in Finland—by 2%. The highest price increases were recorded in Portugal (17.8%), Bulgaria (14.8%), and Slovakia (14.4%). Growth rates also remain high in Croatia (14.3%), Spain (12.8%), Lithuania (11.9%), Hungary (11.2%), and Latvia (10.9%).
On a quarterly basis, housing prices rose in 22 EU countries and fell in four. The largest increases compared to the fourth quarter of 2025 were recorded in Bulgaria (6.2%), Portugal (3.8%), and Slovakia (3.6%). Declines were recorded in Belgium and Finland—0.8% each—in France—0.6%—and in Hungary—0.5%.
Rents in the EU rose more slowly than purchase prices but remained positive in nearly all countries. When comparing the first quarter of 2026 to the 2025 average, rents increased in all EU countries except Slovenia, where they fell by 0.9%, and Finland, where the figure remained unchanged. The largest increases in rents during this period were recorded in Croatia (21.9%), Bulgaria (6.4%), and Greece (5%).
Eurostat data show that the most overheated part of the European housing market is now shifting toward the south and east of the EU. Portugal, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Croatia, and Spain are experiencing double-digit price growth, while some of the established markets in Western and Northern Europe are growing much more slowly or experiencing a correction. For example, in Germany, housing prices rose by only 1.4% year-over-year in the first quarter; in France, by 0.1%; and in Sweden, by 2.6%.
For Ukrainian homebuyers and real estate investors, these statistics are important from a practical standpoint. The fastest growth is observed precisely in countries that are actively being considered for relocation, vacation, rental businesses, or long-term investments—specifically Portugal, Bulgaria, Croatia, Spain, and Greece. At the same time, rapid price increases signify not only profit potential but also a higher risk of buying at the peak of the local cycle.
Eurostat also notes that the new housing and rent price indices have been recalibrated to a new 2025 base, while data from the previous 2015 base remain available in the agency’s database. For Greece, European aggregates use data from the Bank of Greece based on estimated values, as transaction data on housing prices are not available.
https://www.experts.news/posts/tsiny-na-zhytlo-v-yes-u-i-kvartali-zrosly-na-51-orenda-na-3
The Kids Team Fest charity festival took place at River Mall Park in Kyiv, bringing together more than 1,000 children and their families. The event was aimed at supporting children, developing corporate social initiatives, and creating a safe space for recreation and leisure.
The River Mall shopping and entertainment center served as the festival’s main partner, and River Mall Park served as the venue. Five hundred children, specially invited by the Darnytskyi District State Administration in Kyiv along with their families, participated in the event.
Among the guests were children from family-type orphanages, orphans, children deprived of parental care, children from families of internally displaced persons, children of Ukraine’s defenders, as well as children in foster care or living in families facing difficult life circumstances.
As part of the project’s charitable component, the River Mall team organized a lunch for 500 specially invited children. The “Yagotynske for Children” brand also joined the initiative, providing products for the festival’s young guests.
The entertainment program was prepared by the Kids Team children’s production center and the “Center of Goodness” Charitable Foundation. Participants enjoyed interactive games, performances by artists, festive activities, and a program tailored for children of all ages.
River Mall notes that participation in such initiatives is part of the shopping and entertainment center’s ongoing social activities. The mall regularly supports children’s projects and organizes spaces for leisure and creativity. In particular, free creative workshops are held every Saturday and Sunday at River Mall, attended by about 120 children.
The organizers of Kids Team Fest included River Mall, the Darnytskyi District State Administration in Kyiv, the “Yagotynske for Children” brand, the Kids Team production center, the “Center of Good” Charitable Foundation, artists, and volunteers.
River Mall is a shopping and entertainment center in Kyiv that uses its own infrastructure not only for commercial projects but also for social, charitable, and family events.
In January–May 2026, Express Insurance collected insurance premiums totaling 545.8 million UAH, an 18% increase compared to the same period in 2025, according to the insurer’s website.
It is also noted that the company collected the largest volume of insurance premiums under comprehensive auto insurance (CASCO) policies—348.9 million UAH—which is 11.3% higher than the figure for the same period last year.
Under compulsory motor third-party liability (OSAGO) policies, the company collected nearly 185 million UAH in insurance premiums, a 34% increase compared to January–May 2025.
Revenue from other types of insurance totaled nearly 12 million UAH (+8.1%).
The number of insurance policies issued in January–May 2026 increased by 36.7% compared to the same period last year. This indicates the expansion of the company’s customer base and continued strong interest in its insurance products.
The report notes that from January through May 2026, Express Insurance paid out 265.7 million UAH in insurance claims, which is 46% more than during the same period last year.
Express Insurance was founded in 2008. It is part of the UkrAVTO group of companies. It specializes in auto insurance.
The company has more than 300 insurance agents throughout Ukraine and is actively expanding its network of partner auto service centers.
PJSC “Zaporizhkox,” one of Ukraine’s largest producers of coke and coke-chemical products and a member of the “Metinvest” Group, increased its blast furnace coke production by 0.1% in January–June of this year compared to the same period last year, reaching 434.4 thousand metric tons.
According to the company, 74.9 thousand metric tons of coke were produced in June, compared to 77.7 thousand metric tons in the previous month.
As previously reported, in 2025, “Zaporizhkox” increased its output by 2.7% compared to 2024—to 898.3 thousand metric tons, while in 2024, output rose by 2.1% to 874,700 metric tons from 856,800 metric tons in 2023.
“Zaporizhkox” operates a full technological cycle for the processing of coke chemical products.
Metinvest is a vertically integrated mining and metallurgical group of companies. Its major shareholders are the SCM Group (71.24%) and Smart Holding (23.76%). Metinvest Holding LLC is the management company of the Metinvest Group.
blast-furnace coke, COKE, METINVEST, PRODUCTION, Zaporizhkox
