गोल्डन व्हिसा उन्मादामुळे रिअल इस्टेट गोंधळ निर्माण होतो आणि तीव्र सार्वजनिक वादविवाद सुरू होतो, त्यामुळे ग्रीसला तुर्की गुंतवणुकीत अस्थिर वाढ होत आहे.

बुधवार, एप्रिल 16, 2025

गोल्डन व्हिसा कार्यक्रमाद्वारे ग्रीसमध्ये तुर्की गुंतवणुकीत वाढ होत आहे, ज्यामुळे रिअल इस्टेटच्या किमती, घरांची कमतरता आणि राष्ट्रीय सुरक्षेच्या चिंता वाढल्या आहेत.

Turkish Investment and Tourism Surge in Greece Amid Golden Visa Controversy and Cross-Border Easing

As diplomatic ties between Greece and Turkey enter a period of calm, Turkish nationals are increasingly looking westward—not only for leisure but also for long-term opportunities. Improved relations have sparked a surge in real estate purchases by Turkish citizens in Greece, driven largely by the appeal of the Golden Visa program, which offers five-year residency permits and access to EU travel benefits through the Schengen Zone.

Golden Visa Boom Fuels Housing Crisis

The Golden Visa scheme, originally designed to attract foreign capital, has proven so successful that it’s now contributing to a worsening housing shortage. Wealthy investors, including many from Turkey, have acquired multiple properties—often transforming them into short-term rentals through platforms like Airbnb. As a result, residential availability in many Greek neighborhoods has plummeted, driving up prices and pushing locals out of affordable housing.

To rein in the issue, the Greek government recently hiked the minimum property investment required for visa eligibility in high-demand areas. The threshold was raised from €250,000 to €800,000, with the aim of shifting foreign investment from residential real estate toward other sectors of the economy.

Visa-Free Travel Spurs Island Influx

Germany’s Deutsche Welle reported that many Turkish citizens are taking advantage of simplified visa-free travel arrangements to 10 eastern Aegean islands. The agreement, signed in 2023 by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has spurred a dramatic uptick in Turkish arrivals to Greek islands such as Leros, Lesbos, Samos, and Chios.

In 2024 alone, the number of ferry passengers traveling from Turkey to Greece surged to 1.5 million—almost double the 800,000 recorded in 2023. Quick routes, such as the one-hour ferry from Turgutreis near Bodrum to Leros, have made cross-border island travel even more attractive. Many Turkish nationals not only visit but also purchase homes on these islands, contributing to the local economy.

Controversy and National Security Scrutiny

While tourism and investment from Turkey are boosting the economies of Greece’s eastern islands, not everyone is celebrating. Critics argue that the New Democracy government’s warm approach to Turkey overlooks potential security risks and ignores the local impacts of aggressive real estate acquisition.

Particularly in sensitive regions such as Thrace, Chios, Lesbos, Lemnos, and the Dodecanese, there are growing calls for transparency regarding the scale and nature of foreign property ownership. Greece’s National Intelligence Service (EYP) is now reportedly investigating whether any irregular or illicit investments have occurred.

Investment Numbers Rise

Turkish investment in Greece reached €485 million in 2024, further underscoring the deepening economic ties between the two nations. While the détente continues to reshape cross-border relations, it also raises critical questions about long-term housing access, economic sovereignty, and national security.

As both countries continue to benefit from tourism and trade, Greece faces the challenge of balancing economic opportunity with protecting its social and geopolitical interests.