Business news from Ukraine

Business news from Ukraine

Foreigners have stepped up their real estate purchases in Greece

According to the Bank of Greece (BoG), foreign investment in Greek real estate rose to €2.75 billion in 2024, coming mainly from EU countries, while maintaining high growth rates.

Quarterly data also confirms high interest, especially in tourist regions and large cities. In the first six months of 2024, real estate purchases accounted for 54.2% of all foreign direct investment (FDI) in the Greek economy — an absolute record.

Top 10 countries investing in Greek real estate (approximate data)

Unfortunately, BoG’s public data does not yet reveal the exact figures for each country, but some trends are clearly visible:

  1. Cyprus — approximately €320 million in real estate investments (+126% compared to the previous year).
  2. Turkey — Greek real estate attracted investors from Turkey for an amount that increased 2.7 times compared to 2022.
  3. 3–10. The rest of the list probably includes Germany, the UK, France, Russia, the US, China, Switzerland, and other countries, given the overall structure of FDI as a whole. For example, the largest investors in shares (FDI) in the Greek economy are: Luxembourg (17.5% of shares), Cyprus (11%), the Netherlands (10%), and Switzerland (6.7%) — which suggests similar positions in the real estate segment.

Ukrainians and Russians are represented, but their share is not among the top three countries investing in real estate. Their contribution is comparable to other investments from Eastern Europe — most likely within the 3-5th echelon, depending on regional preferences.

The main buyers are concentrated in Athens, Attica, Thessaloniki, Chalkidiki, as well as on popular islands such as the Cyclades and Ionian Islands. The apartment segment remains the leader — about 64% of investments, followed by villas and townhouses (~19%).

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Greek residential real estate market 2025: analysis and forecast for 2026 by Relocation

The Greek residential real estate market 2025 continues to show steady growth despite global economic challenges. Demand for housing remains high among both local residents and foreign investors, which contributes to higher prices and the development of new projects.

Current market situation

  • Price growth: According to The Luxury Playbook, the average cost of residential real estate in Greece in 2024 was $292,700, and it is expected to reach $364,500 by 2029. This indicates a steady increase in housing prices.
  • Foreign investment: The Golden Visa program continues to attract foreign investors. In 2024, more than 11,870 visas were issued, bringing in more than €2.9 billion in foreign direct investment in the real estate sector.
  • Tourism and leasing: Growth in tourism is driving demand for short-term rentals, especially in popular tourist destinations such as Athens, Thessaloniki, and the islands. However, the government is introducing restrictions on new short-term rental licenses in central Athens to balance the interests of locals and tourists.

Forecast for 2026

  • Stabilization of price growth: House price growth is expected to slow but remain positive. Annual growth is projected at 3.2% to 3.7% until 2029.
  • Infrastructure development: Large projects, such as Ellinikon on the Athens Riviera, continue to attract investment and contribute to infrastructure development, making the region more attractive to buyers.
  • Impact of interest rates: Rising interest rates may affect the availability of mortgage financing, especially for local buyers. This could lead to a decrease in demand for housing in some market segments.

Recommendations for investors

  • Consider investing in developing areas: Areas with developing infrastructure and high potential for price growth may offer attractive investment opportunities.
  • Consider changes in legislation: Keep up to date with new regulations and restrictions, especially those related to short-term rentals, to avoid unexpected obstacles.
  • Assess risks: Consider the opportunities for real estate investment. However, it is important to carefully analyze the market and consider all possible risks when making investment decisions.

Source: http://relocation.com.ua/rynok-zhytlovoi-nerukhomosti-hretsii-2025-roku-analiz-i-prohnoz-na-2026-rik-vid-relocation/

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Aliyev accuses France, India and Greece of arming Armenia

France, India and Greece are openly arming Armenia, and Baku will take serious measures if the situation poses a threat to Azerbaijan, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has said.

“We cannot just sit and wait. We have clearly communicated our position to the Armenian government and the parties that are trying to take care of Armenia today. If we see a serious threat to ourselves, we will have to take serious measures,” Aliyev said on Tuesday at a meeting in Baku with participants of the international forum “COP29 and Green Vision for Azerbaijan” organized at the ADA University.

The President noted: “France, India and Greece are openly arming Armenia and are trying to prove something to Azerbaijan in this way.
Earlier, the Experts Club think tank created a video analysis of the post-war situation in the Caucasus – https://youtu.be/reyUMjFBFhU?si=qpqLleFVqZJ30GuV

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Greece insists on return of Parthenon sculptures from UK

Greek Foreign Minister Yorgos Gerapetritis said on Wednesday that the return of the Parthenon sculptures by the United Kingdom is a matter of justice and ecumenical cultural values, EFE news agency reports.

“I have to say that the return of the Parthenon sculptures is a demand based not only on history, not only on justice, but also on the principles of preserving cultural values,” Gerapetritis said upon arrival at a meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Brussels.

The issue of Greek sculptures stored in the UK has recently caused a sharp deterioration in relations between Athens and London.

The day before, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak canceled a meeting with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who was visiting London. The Guardian, citing sources, reports that “the meeting became impossible” after Mitsotakis called for the sculptures to be returned to Athens.

“I would like to express my irritation that the British Prime Minister canceled our planned meeting a few hours before it was to take place,” Mitsotakis said.

On Sunday, Mitsotakis gave an interview to the BBC, in which he reiterated his long-standing call for the return of ancient cultural monuments from the Parthenon to Greece, which are currently in the British Museum.

Sunak has repeatedly emphasized that he would not support a change in the law adopted in 1963, which prohibits the British Museum from “parting” with exhibits from its collection.

For many years now, Greece has been demanding that London return dozens of marble sculptures from the Parthenon, which were taken out of Greece in the early 19th century by British diplomat Lord Elgin when it was part of the Ottoman Empire.

In 1816, the British Museum acquired the ancient Greek art.

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Greece offers to establish railroad connections with Bulgaria, Moldova and Romania to connect with Ukraine

Greek Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Christos Staikouras has initiated the launch of a railway connection between Greece, Bulgaria, Moldova and Romania to connect with Ukraine, Noi.md reports.

According to the report, the Greek minister proposed to launch the train during a summit in Varna (Bulgaria) on October 9 to diversify trade ties between Mediterranean ports and Ukraine.

The Greek government proposes that trains should run to the Greek ports of Alexandroupolis and Thessaloniki from the ports of Ruse in Bulgaria and Constanta in Romania, and then connections could be established with Moldova and Ukraine. This project can become an alternative option in trade relations between the two countries, strengthening transport links and international freight transportation, Greece believes.

The Greek Minister of Transport sent a letter of intent to European Commissioner for Transport Adina Valean, Bulgarian Minister of Finance Assen Vasilev, Bulgarian Minister of Transport and Communications Georgi Gvozdeykov, and Romanian Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Sorin Grindian.

As reported, the European Union is exploring alternative routes for Ukrainian grain through Italy and Greece.

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Greece offers to use Aegean ports to transport Ukrainian grain

Greece proposes to use its ports in the Aegean Sea as a corridor for the export of Ukrainian grain, the Greek newspaper Kathimerini reports.

According to the report, the Greek government has already discussed its proposals with partners in the EU to transport Ukrainian grain through the ports of Thessaloniki and Alexandropoulos. The grain could be transported to the ports by rail through Romania and Bulgaria, and then loaded onto Greek commercial vessels.

The problem in this regard is the limited capacity of the railroad network in northern Greece, which is located on the border with Bulgaria and Turkey and escaped destruction during the recent floods.

A “green light” for Ukrainian exports via Greece could also be an impetus for the development and modernization of railways in northern Greece, particularly on the line from Alexandropoulos to Ormenio, a station on the border with Bulgaria.

During his visit to Kyiv, Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis informed his EU colleagues that Greece is ready to contribute to solving the problem and focused on the “huge consequences” of the collapse of the agreement with Russia, especially for the countries of the Global South.

Athens is confident that such a proposal could be beneficial for both Ukraine and Greece, the newspaper writes.

As you know, Lithuania and Croatia have already offered their ports to help Ukraine with agricultural exports.

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