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Among Greece's greatest charms is its wealth of islands. There are so many to discover, each one surrounded by the deep blue of the sea. What many people might not know, is that there are a few of them where cars are not allowed.

As UNESCO recently announced, Mount Olympus – also known as the Home of Ancient Greek Gods, or Greece’s highest mountain – has been added to the list of World Heritage Sites. Of course, Greece welcomed the news with a wave of euphoria, as Mount Olympus is widely recognized for its cultural and natural significance.

Crete ranks first among the preferred destinations of foreign holiday home buyers this year. According to data collected from our client base, during 2026, one-third of buyers chose Crete for the purchase of a holiday home. These buyers mainly come from Western European countries, such as the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, France and the United Kingdom. It is also noteworthy that 76.6% of prospective buyers plan to proceed with the purchase of a holiday home within the next 12 months, while half of that percentage, or 38.3% of the total, intend to move forward within the next six months.

A project shaped by motion rather than convention: the movement of the Greek sea, translated into architecture.


Its lines rise and fall like the waves that inspired them, forming a modern, high-quality construction where comfort, functionality, and outstanding performance meet without compromise. Just minutes from Chania and the sandy beaches along the coast of Northern Crete; close enough to feel the sea before you even see it. Three villas, each one extraordinary in its own right: a rare fusion of design, setting, and craftsmanship.

Moving your life to Crete is entirely achievable, and it's open to anyone in principle. What changes is the process: your nationality, how long you intend to stay, and your personal circumstances all play a part. Emigrating to Crete is possible, though it means navigating visa rules, residency permits, and legal obligations that differ significantly between EU and non-EU citizens. EU nationals benefit from freedom of movement, while non-EU citizens typically face more paperwork and longer processing times. Greece's Golden Visa programme offers one route to residence through property investment, though ownership on its own does not automatically grant the right to reside. 


Success generally comes down to proper planning: understanding Greek bureaucracy, budgeting for both one-off and ongoing costs, and getting the right professional advice, particularly on tax residency, before you make the move. EU citizens can move freely and establish residence in Greece. Non-EU nationals need to arrange the appropriate visa and residence permit before settling long-term. Either way, emigrating involves meeting certain legal requirements, gathering the right documentation, and keeping up with ongoing obligations such as tax registration and healthcare enrolment.

More and more buyers from the United States and Canada are looking to fulfill their own "Greek dream" by purchasing a holiday home in Greece. According to our data, demand from these two markets increased by 50% during the first half of this year, establishing an entirely new trend in Greece's holiday home market.

Greece remains one of Europe's most rewarding places to own a property and let it out, and the latest short-term rental rules do little to change that, as the new limits are targeted. More specifically, they focus on the busiest central districts of Athens and Thessaloniki, while the islands, the coast, and the wider market stay open.

Moving your life to a new country brings enough to think about, including the costs. For those settling permanently in Greece, there is some welcome news on that front. Bringing your household belongings and even your car can come with relief from customs duty, VAT and vehicle registration tax. The Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE) has recently set out clearer rules on how this works. It's important to clarify that this relief is not exactly new, but what has changed is a significant detail: a recent AADE circular (reference E.2027/2026) spells out the eligibility, the supporting documents and the procedure, with the aim of handling applications more consistently across customs offices.