According to a recently published report by Deutsche Bank, the highest increase in rents for three-room apartments in European city centers between 2020 and 2025 was recorded in Southern and Eastern Europe, reaching 206%. These figures are from a study covering 67 cities worldwide, including 28 in Europe.
According to Eurostat, housing prices in the EU rose by 27.3% quarter-on-quarter (from Q1 2020 to Q1 2025), while rents rose by 12.5% between June 2020 and June 2025. However, growth exceeded the average in central city areas.
The most expensive and cheapest cities in 2025:
The highest rental growth (2020–2025):
Overall, the findings show that Southern and Eastern Europe have lost their relative affordability in terms of housing rentals, while the major financial and political centers of Western and Northern Europe remain the most expensive, but affordability in Eastern Europe is declining rapidly.
The Athens residential real estate market continued to show steady growth in the first half of 2025 amid a recovery in tourism, investment, and economic stability in Greece, according to a market review.The National Bank of Greece recorded a 6.8% year-on-year increase in residential property prices in urban areas in the first quarter of 2025. The price index in nominal terms rose by 8.0% for new apartments and 6.0% for properties over five years old. Growth was 5.5% in Athens, 10% in Thessaloniki, and around 7.3% in other cities.
According to Spitogatos, average asking prices in Athens reached €2,317/m² in the center, €3,222/m² in the north, and €4,000/m² in the south of the city, corresponding to an increase of 7-9% compared to the first quarter of 2024.
Key market drivers:
• Domestic and foreign demand, including thanks to the Golden Visa program
• Infrastructure transformations, including the Ellinikon project on the Athens coast
• Limited supply of quality properties and a shortage of premium housing
Investment in residential and commercial real estate in Greece exceeded €5.9 billion in 2024, of which more than €3 billion was in the residential segment. In the first quarter of 2025, FDI inflows into the real estate sector amounted to approximately €520 million (43% of total investment inflows into the country).
Experts predict that during 2025, price increases will slow to around 4-6%, especially in Athens, and the market will move to more moderate price growth rates after the turbulent dynamics of 2022-2023.
Forecast for August-September 2025
Analysts expect prices to continue rising in central Athens despite seasonality and a possible slowdown in demand, as favorable factors remain in place: the tourist season, foreign investor activity, a construction shortage, and the Golden Visa program.
In August, demand remains strong, especially for apartments ranging from 60 to 80 square meters. In September, there may be moderate stagnation or a slight correction amid expectations of ECB decisions and a seasonal slowdown in activity, but overall the market will remain stable, with potential for growth by the end of the year.
Source: http://relocation.com.ua/athens-residential-real-estate-market-analysis-by-relocation/
Natural fires in Greece on Thursday reached the outskirts of the capital, reports Associated Press.
As noted, in particular, the fire in the area of the capital’s suburb of Kifissia spread rapidly due to increased wind. However, several helicopters and fire brigades were deployed to extinguish this fire. It was eventually extinguished.
Meanwhile, in the central part of Greece, near the city of Volos, the spread of forest fires has not yet stopped. Because of them closed part of one of the busiest highways. The movement of rail transport is carried out with interruptions.
Firefighters in Rhodes are fighting the raging fires for the 10th day. New fires are also reported in the forests on the island of Euboea.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Thursday said more action is needed to combat climate change.
“Climate change may be a reality, but it cannot be an excuse. Our country needs to take more measures to be prepared to mitigate, as much as possible, the effects of this reality, which we are already beginning to feel and which could have dramatic effects on many aspects of our economic and social life,” he said.
Ukraine International Airlines (UIA) plans to resume regular flights to Athens (Greece) from June 18, 2021.
As the press service of the company said, the flights will be operated on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
Departure from Kyiv is planned at 10:35, arrival – at 13:10. In the opposite direction, departure is scheduled at 14:05, arrival at 16:40.
Direct flights from Kyiv to Athens during this period will also be operated by Wizz Air and Ryanair.
Ukrainian airline Jonika (Kyiv) from July 21, 2019 will start flying from Lviv (the Lviv international airport) to Athens (Greece, the Eleftherios Venizelos airport).
The press service of the Lviv airport said on its Facebook page that the flights will be performed on Sundays every week. The departure from Lviv is at 16:10, and arrival in Athens – at 19:00. The departure from Athens is at 13:00 and arrival in Lviv – at 15:30 (Kyiv time).
According to the booking system on the airline’s website, the cost of the one-way ticket starts from UAH 4,000. The flights will be serviced until September 15.
The company’s fleet consists of two Boeing 737 aircraft. The airline already operates regular flights from Kyiv (Zhuliany) airport to Greece and charter flights to Turkey, Montenegro, Albania and Bulgaria.
Jonika Airline was registered in 2016.
