Press release: New Trends Emerging in the Holiday Home Market in 2026

“Already since the end of 2025, we have been noting increased demand for small-sized holiday homes, either as a more affordable solution or for investment purposes”, says Mr. Giorgos Gavriilidis, CEO of Elxis. This translates into interest in newly built homes of 60–70 sq.m. with two bedrooms, or even 35–45 sq.m. with one bedroom, with the latter category in particular, being intended exclusively for investment use through short-term rental platforms.


This assessment is based on the strong response received by the Sunny Days 5 residential complex, whose promotion has been undertaken by the company. Located in Asomatos, Crete (Rethymno), and with prices starting at €140,000 for a 37 sq.m. property, it has already secured buyers for 4 of the 19 available homes in just two weeks, despite the fact that the current period is not one of high demand. In fact, more than 100 information requests were submitted during the first week of January alone, demonstrating the significant appeal that properties of these sizes are beginning to attract.


Beyond smaller and more affordable holiday homes, another trend that became evident—especially during the second half of 2025—is expected to continue with even greater momentum this year: the steadily growing purchasing interest in luxury properties. “In 2025, we saw that 1 in 4 properties was sold at prices exceeding €600,000, a percentage three times higher than in previous years. This means there is a significant category of buyers opting for more expensive and higher-quality constructions,” explains Mr. Gavriilidis.


According to our data, in 2025 the average sale value of newly built holiday homes reached €450,000, or 37.3% higher than in 2024, due to buyers’ increased willingness to spend more money to acquire properties with higher specifications. For example that buyers from countries such as the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, and the United States chose properties that were 32% to 43% more expensive compared to 2024.

Another trend expected to stand out in 2026 is the strong purchasing interest in areas such as Kalamata, as well as the city of Thessaloniki, which is anticipated to evolve into a dynamic alternative destination for high-specification (premium) residential properties. The reason lies in more affordable prices compared to Attica, making Thessaloniki an increasingly attractive option for a growing number of foreign buyers. At the same time, high demand is expected to be maintained for Crete and the Ionian Islands, with particular emphasis on Corfu.


Regarding countries of interest, German and French buyers stand out as those who choose Greece primarily for owner-occupation. On the other hand, buyers from the Netherlands and Israel are usually geared towards more investment-driven motives, seeking both immediate returns through property letting and long-term gains in order to secure profits from a future resale.