UK tourists forced to 'cancel' Spain holidays issued 'lifeline' by Greece
UK tourists who face having to "cancel" Spain holidays have been handed a "lifeline" by Greece. Spain has scrapped its golden visa amid growing unrest and demonstrations over UK tourists heading to the European Union holiday hotspot.
But now Greece says it is offering a golden visa at half-price. Data shows US Google search interest for the term “Residency by Investment” has climbed by 24.9% over the past month. Google search interest in ‘Spain Golden Visa’ has increased by 21.6%.
The lower house of the Spanish parliament - The Congress of Deputies - voted in favour of abolishing the Golden Visa programme in 2025. And now it has emerged Greece’s Golden Visa requirements are much more affordable than Spain’s with a minimum required investment of just €250,000.
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And search interest for ‘Greece Golden Visa’ has seen an even greater increase, of 50.4%, in just two months. “With Spain announcing the end to its Golden Visa the clock is now ticking and there’s been a surge in interest from US citizens who are looking for a Plan B destination in Europe, with this demand expected to remain until April 3 when the Spanish Golden Visa scheme closes,” points out Alena Lesina, a citizenship, residence permit, and real estate investment expert at Astons.
“However, it’s clear that Americans are already diverting their attention to Greece which is rapidly becoming the most in-demand Golden Visa destination in Europe,” she notes. “Greece is one of the most welcoming of Golden Visa nations, and its program is undoubtedly going to benefit from increased interest after Spain closes its door," she said.
"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,” Lesina says. She said: “The lifestyle benefits of Greece are envied around the world. Stunning weather with beautiful beaches and landscapes combine with a great education system, good policing, political stability, a liberal society, a strong economy and a property market packed with opportunities for investors.”