Country holiday homes: Prices increased by 10.8% this year

Prices for country houses in Greece in the first four months of 2026 increased by 10.8%and new villas are becoming more active go to foreign buyers.

Prices for country houses in Greece continue to grow at double-digit rates: according to the study Elxis – At Home In Greecein January–April 2026, the average price of such objects across the country increased by 10.8% compared to the same period last year.

The average cost per square meter has reached 3.398 euros against 3.067 euros a year earlier. The main engine of growth is new houses and villaswhich are actively purchased by foreigners, primarily clients from Northern Europe And USA. In other words, the Greek dream of a house by the sea is increasingly being sold to those who do not come here with a Greek salary.

The growth is especially noticeable in the segment of properties that are being purchased “off the plan”that is, until construction is completed. In this category, the average amount of contracts signed increased by 12.5% and reached 507.427 euros. The average price per square meter increased by 12% – With 3.790 euros to 4.245 euros.

General manager Elxis Georgios Gavriilidis notes that the growth shows a steady interest in new homes, despite rising construction costs. According to him, buyers are looking for modern standards, high energy efficiency and the opportunity to use the property both for their own residence and as an investment asset.

Old houses are cheaper overall, but more expensive per meter

In the existing home market, the picture is more complex. The average total sales price for concluded transactions in the first four months of the year decreased by 13.3% – up to 251.667 euros against 290.167 euros a year earlier. However, the price per square meter increased by 8.9% – With 2.342 euros to 2.550 euros.

This means that buyers have begun to more often choose properties that are smaller in area or cheaper in overall cost, but the cost per square meter itself has not decreased. The market, as often happens, has found a way to look a little more affordable on paper and still remain expensive in reality. Economics loves tricks like this: it seems cheaper, but not really.

Stands out separately Cretewhich remains one of the most popular destinations for foreign buyers. According to real transactions, the average price of a house on the island in the first quarter of 2026 increased by 3.3% – up to 456.600 euros against 442.000 euros for the same period in 2025. Growth here is more moderate, but it confirms the strong demand for Cretan real estate.

New villas are becoming a commodity for wealthy buyers

According to Elxisthe average amount of spending per customer in 2025 increased by 37.3% and approached 450.000 euros. A few years ago, as noted Georgios Gavriilidisthe upper limit for the company’s clients was usually in the area 450.000–500.000 euroswith the majority of buyers focusing on objects costing around 300.000–350.000 euros.

Now demand is shifting higher: more and more buyers are interested in houses costing more than 500.000 eurosespecially when it comes to new villas with a private pool, spacious premises, garden and additional amenities.

According to the head Elxisnew villas cost 400.000–500.000 euros with a swimming pool, next to or overlooking the sea, difficult to find in other European countries. This is why Greece maintains a competitive advantage for foreign capital. Such properties can be used for rent for several months a year, and then count on an increase in value upon future sale.

This is good news for the market. For local residents it is much less joyful. The more active countryside real estate in Greece turns into an international investment product, the further the prospect of buying a house by the sea moves away from the average Greek buyer. As a result, the country receives an influx of money, but with it another round of price pressure on housing.

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