German-speaking house buyers boost Greek realty market

The German-speaking countries are developing into one of the most dynamic markets for the acquisition of houses - especially country homes - in Greece. Buyers from Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Luxembourg are today a very important factor for the Greek holiday home market.

"More than 50% of our customers come from German-speaking countries and are mainly looking for newly built houses," says Giorgos Gavriilidis, managing director of Elxis Greek Real Estate Services BV, to Kathimerini. Elxis is based in the Netherlands and specializes in the sale of holiday homes in Greece, with its clientele coming almost exclusively from abroad.

Of course, a percentage of the demand also concerns Greek expatriates who wish to acquire a residence in order to visit Greece in the summer months. "We estimate that among the buyers we have from German-speaking countries, around 20% are...