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A remarkable 50.4 percent increase in Google searches by US nationals for the Greece Golden Visa Program was observed between October and December 2024, signaling a sharp rise in interest within just two months.
This data was revealed by a recent study conducted by the London-based firm Astons. The surge in interest notably intensified in November, following the US presidential elections and Spain’s announcement of the forthcoming closure of its Golden Visa Program.
With Spain’s Golden Visa Program set to terminate on April 3, 2025, there has been a significant uptick in interest among US citizens seeking alternative destinations in Europe. This heightened demand is expected to persist until the program officially ends.
Commenting on the trend, Alena Lesina, an expert in citizenship, residence permits, and real estate investments at Astons, explained that Greece has become the leading Golden Visa destination in Europe. She told Kathimerini, “Americans’ interest in Greece’s Golden Visa Program has marked a notable increase, with the country becoming the most in-demand Golden Visa destination in Europe.” Lesina further emphasized that Greece is “undoubtedly” poised to benefit from the surge in demand following the termination of Spain’s Golden Visa Program.
Lesina added that Greece presents a unique investment opportunity, stating, “This makes it a particularly attractive place to invest early and ahead of the curve because as demand for Greek property increases, so too will values, delivering great benefit to existing investors.”
In 2023, Greece announced upcoming changes to its Golden Visa Program, which will take effect at the start of 2025. These revisions are aimed at attracting investors through more productive ventures, including a new startup option.
Meanwhile, US interest in Spain’s Golden Visa Program remains strong, with Astons reporting a 21.6 percent rise in Google searches for the term “Spain Golden Visa” in the past month. Additionally, searches for “Residency by Investment” increased by 24.9 percent.
Spain’s decision to terminate its Golden Visa Program by April 2025 was described by the government as a measure to address the country’s ongoing housing crisis. The proposal to end the program was approved by the Congress of Deputies on December 24, with 177 votes in favor and 170 against.
Similarly, Portugal, another prominent destination for Golden Visas, has modified its program to address housing concerns. While not eliminating the program entirely, Portugal has discontinued the real estate investment route as part of its measures to tackle the crisis.
The rising interest in Greece’s Golden Visa Program reflects a significant shift in global investment trends, particularly as countries like Spain and Portugal reconfigure their programs to meet domestic challenges.
By fLEXI tEAM
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