06.11.2024
The countdown has begun! After an extensive journey spanning almost two decades, Greece’s authorities have confirmed that Thessaloniki’s primary metro line will officially launch on November 30, 2024. Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Christos Staikouras, recently highlighted the milestone by noting, “Eighteen full years after the signing of the basic contract for the project on April 26, 2006, Thessaloniki will have a metro.”
Thessaloniki’s public transport will transition from a bus-only system to a comprehensive dual-network model, integrating both buses and the metro. This will reshape commuting patterns and reduce dependence on cars, alleviating heavy road traffic that has plagued the city for years. Equipped with 18 driverless trains (monitored by attendants for safety), the main metro line is capable of transporting 18,000 passengers per hour in each direction. With a projected total capacity of 254,000 passengers per day, this number is expected to grow to 350,000 with the addition of 15 more trains over time.
The metro’s construction unearthed a treasure trove of ancient artifacts, causing significant delays but also revealing an ancient city beneath the modern one. These discoveries include late Roman and early Byzantine infrastructure, such as remnants of the Decumanus road, an east–west thoroughfare, and numerous coins, pottery, and artifacts made from glass, iron, bronze, marble, and bone. To honor and preserve these findings, antiquities will be displayed at Venizelos Station, transforming this transit hub into a unique museum that bridges Thessaloniki’s ancient past with its present-day advancements.
Once fully operational, the Thessaloniki metro will extend 9.6 kilometers (6 miles) and serve 18 stations, 13 of which are already complete. This ambitious €3.5 billion project, funded by loans from the European Investment Bank (EIB), the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), and contributions from the Greek government, will connect major city points and provide quick, efficient transport for commuters.
Residents are eagerly awaiting the metro's arrival, which will mark a new era for Greece’s second-largest city. This transformative project, alongside urban redevelopment and traffic relief efforts, represents a significant investment in Thessaloniki’s sustainable future. As it moves closer to reality, Thessaloniki's metro is set to impact daily life and the city’s overall growth in a way that locals have been waiting for—18 years in the making.
The state-of-the-art project promises to transform urban transit with its innovative design, efficiency, and commitment to modern infrastructure, setting new standards for public transportation across the continent.
Stay tuned for the latest updates on Europe’s cutting-edge transit project: the Thessaloniki Metro.
07.08.2026
Greece is taking an important step in environmental protection, becoming the first country in the world to deploy a national satellite system for wildfire detection and monitoring. First launched in May and expected to become fully operational in September 2026, the new Hellenic Fire System brings advanced space technology to Greece's efforts against wildfires.
06.08.2026
If you own a home in the Peloponnese or have been quietly thinking about buying one, there is some news you should be aware of: At the end of June, a 40-year concession for Kalamata International Airport "Kapetan Vasilis Konstantakopoulos" was signed by a consortium led by Fraport, together with the Kopelouzos Group's Delta Airport Investments and the Konstantakopoulos Group's PILEAS. According to the National Development Fund, which retains a 10% stake in the new company, the initial concession payment is 45 million euros, and the planned investment programme is expected to exceed 125 million euros over time.
In short: Kalamata's airport is set to roughly double its traffic by 2030, with a new terminal three times the size of the current one. For anyone with a house in the region, or an eye on one, that matters.
03.08.2026
A new regulation regarding the calculation of ENFIA (Eniaios Phoros Idioktesias Akineton/annual property tax) was announced by the Greek Ministry of National Economy and Finance. The purpose of this regulation appears to be to address cases where property owners were previously taxed on more square meters than their property actually has. The new regulation, which is expected to take effect in the 2027 tax year, introduces the Electronic Building ID as a key factor in determining taxable floor area.
28.07.2026
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.
23.06.2026
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.
14.05.2026
For many people who own, or plan to buy, a home in Greece, the journey is part of the experience. Some fly directly to Athens, Thessaloniki, Heraklion, or Chania. Others prefer slower travel, combining trains, ferries, buses, and regional routes across Europe. Until now, however, planning a cross-border trip by train has often required patience, several booking platforms, and a healthy tolerance for uncertainty. A new proposal from the European Commission aims to make that process much simpler. The plan introduces a more unified system for booking cross-border journeys across Europe, especially train journeys involving more than one operator. The goal is clear: travellers should be able to search, compare, and book a complete journey through one platform, even when different transport companies are involved. For international buyers, second-home owners, and regular visitors to Greece, this could become an important step towards easier, more flexible travel across Europe.
07.05.2026
If you own property in specific areas of the Regional Unit of Rethymno in Crete, there is an important deadline to keep in mind. As of 30 April 2026, the posting of cadastral data begins for several areas in Rethymno, giving property owners the opportunity for the first time to review how their property has been recorded in the Hellenic Cadastre. This is an important stage in the cadastral process. It allows each owner to check the legal and technical details of their property before the records become final. In simple terms, this is the moment to confirm that your property has been correctly registered and, if something is wrong, to request a correction within the official deadline.
30.04.2026
Buying a home in Greece has always come with a long list of pleasures: sea views, sunny terraces, village squares, fresh fish by the water, and the small but serious joy of never being too far from a good bakery. Soon, for many destinations, there may be another reason to smile: better airports. Greece is preparing for a new wave of airport upgrades, with a major tender planned for 22 regional airports that are still under state management. The project is expected to mark the next chapter in the modernization of Greek aviation infrastructure, following the earlier upgrade of the 14 regional airports managed by Fraport Greece. For travellers, this means smoother journeys. For local communities, it means better connectivity. And for international property buyers, it could make certain areas of Greece even more attractive.
