Building & Investing in Greece

For Israeli investors, families and entrepreneurs
ready to create something lasting in Greece.

Greece Is Open. Are You Ready to Build?

Greece is one of the most accessible destinations in Europe for foreign property investment
— and one of the most rewarding places in the world to build a home, a boutique hotel, or a lasting family retreat.

At THE ARDE STUDIO®, we work with Israeli clients, international investors, and families who have chosen Greece not just as a destination,
but as a place to put down roots — through architecture, investment, and the simple desire to build something beautiful.

We are a Greek architecture and interior design studio based in Thessaloniki, with projects across Greece.
We understand both the local building landscape and the needs of international clients navigating it for the first time.
We speak your language — literally and professionally.

Why Israelis Are Investing in Greece

Greece has become one of the most attractive destinations for Israeli investors and families for reasons that go beyond economics:

• Proximity — a 2.5-hour flight from Tel Aviv to Athens or Thessaloniki
• Culture and climate — Mediterranean lifestyle, warm summers, world-class cuisine
• Golden Visa Programme — one of Europe’s most accessible residency-by-investment pathways
• Property values — still significantly lower than Western Europe, with strong growth potential
• EU access — residency and eventual citizenship opens the entire European Union
• Growing Israeli community — established networks in Athens, Thessaloniki, Crete and the islands

Whether you are planning to relocate, invest, build a vacation property, or develop a hospitality project — Greece offers a clear and achievable path.

The Golden Visa — What You Need to Know

Greece’s Golden Visa programme grants residency to non-EU nationals who invest in Greek real estate above a defined threshold. Key facts:

• Minimum investment: €800,000 in prime areas (Athens, Thessaloniki, islands); €400,000 in other regions
• Residency: 5-year renewable residence permit for the investor and immediate family
• No minimum stay requirement: you do not need to live in Greece to maintain the visa
• Path to citizenship: after 7 years of legal residence
• Building qualifies: purchasing land and constructing a property counts toward the investment threshold

This last point is critical — and often overlooked.
Building a villa or boutique hotel in Greece can qualify as your Golden Visa investment, while also creating a long-term asset with rental income potential.

THE ARDE STUDIO® works with investors who choose to build rather than buy
— designing and delivering properties that serve both as Golden Visa qualifying investments and as architecturally significant assets.

What We Do for International Investors

We are not a real estate agency. We are architects and builders — and that distinction matters.

Where a real estate agent helps you find an existing property,
we help you create exactly what you want: a private villa designed to your brief, a boutique hotel conceived for a specific guest experience,
or a residential building developed for long-term investment return.

Our services for international investors include:

• Feasibility consultation — understanding your goals, budget, timeline and location preferences
• Land evaluation — advising on plot suitability for your intended project
• Architectural design — full architectural study from concept to construction documentation
• Interior design — material selection, lighting, spatial planning and finish specification
• Permit navigation — managing the Greek planning permission and licensing process
• Construction coordination — overseeing contractors and site progress on your behalf
• Project management — single point of contact from first meeting to final handover
• Ongoing support — post-completion guidance on property management and rental

We provide a complete, end-to-end service that removes the complexity of building in a foreign country
— so you can focus on the vision, while we handle the execution.

Villas, Hotels & Residences

Our work for international investors spans three primary typologies:

Private Villas

Designed for families, investors and relocators seeking a permanent or seasonal residence in Greece.
We design private villas across northern Greece, the Aegean islands, the Peloponnese and Crete
— each one conceived as a specific response to its landscape, client and way of life.

Boutique Hotels

Greece’s hospitality market continues to grow. For investors seeking income-generating assets,
a boutique hotel designed with architectural clarity and operational intelligence offers strong long-term returns.
We have delivered boutique hospitality projects across Greece and understand the specific requirements of this typology.

Residential Buildings

For investors interested in multi-unit residential development — apartment buildings, serviced residences or mixed-use projects
— we provide full architectural and interior design services from concept to completion.

Building in Greece — The Process

Building in Greece as a foreign investor is more straightforward than many assume — with the right local partner.

01 — Initial Consultation

We begin with a conversation about your goals, budget, timeline and preferred location.
No commitment required — we want to understand whether we are the right fit for your project.

02 — Site & Feasibility

If you have identified land, we evaluate it for your intended use.
If not, we can advise on locations that match your project type and investment goals.

03 — Design Development

We develop the architectural concept, spatial programme and material strategy
— producing drawings that reflect your vision and meet Greek planning requirements.

04 — Permits & Approvals

We manage the full Greek planning permission process, including liaison with local authorities, engineers and specialist consultants.

05 — Construction

We coordinate and supervise construction, working with trusted contractors to ensure design quality and schedule adherence throughout the build.

06 — Handover

The completed property is delivered fully documented, inspected and ready for occupation, rental or Golden Visa submission.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a construction project for the Greek Golden Visa?

Yes. Purchasing land and constructing a property qualifies as a Golden Visa investment, provided the total investment meets the required threshold.
We advise clients on structuring their project to meet Golden Visa requirements.

Do I need to be in Greece during construction?

No. We manage the process on your behalf and provide regular updates, site reports and documentation throughout the project.
Many of our international clients visit only at key milestones.

How long does it take to build a villa in Greece?

Typical timelines are 12–18 months from permit approval to completion for a private villa. Permitting itself takes 3–6 months depending on location and project complexity.

Do you work with Israeli clients specifically?

Yes. We have experience working with Israeli investors and families and understand the specific questions and concerns they bring to a Greek building project.

Can you help me find land in Greece?

We can advise on plot suitability and connect you with trusted land agents and legal advisors. We do not act as land agents ourselves, but we work closely with professionals who do.

What are the costs of building in Greece?

Construction costs in Greece vary by location, specification and project type.
As a general guide, high-quality residential construction ranges from €1,500–3,000/m² depending on finish level and complexity.
We provide detailed cost estimates during the feasibility phase.

Do you offer Hebrew-language communication?

Yes. We accommodate Hebrew-speaking clients and ensure clear communication throughout the project regardless of language.