How a UK Investor Secured EU Residency in Piraeus

Astons Case Study: In late summer 2024, a UK investor purchased a brand-new apartment in Piraeus for €250,000. By early 2025, he and his family received their Greek Golden Visas.

 

For many UK nationals, securing EU residency post-Brexit has become more than a lifestyle move — it’s a strategic decision for mobility, asset protection, and long-term planning.

In 2024, a London-based entrepreneur approached Astons with a clear request:

 

Find a modern, visa-eligible property in Greece that would allow him to include his family in one streamlined Golden Visa application — and generate a stable rental yield.

Astons recommended Piraeus — a coastal district of Athens with rising demand, strong rental fundamentals, and, crucially at the time, a lower Golden Visa investment threshold.

We sourced a brand-new, fully furnished apartment just steps from Zea Marina — ideal for long-term income and lifestyle flexibility. The purchase was finalised by the end of summer 2024, and the family’s Golden Visa application was submitted immediately.

As a result, Piraeus became a magnet for savvy investors, driving up demand and accelerating price growth across the district. This momentum also led to a wave of high-quality new developments, making Piraeus one of the most dynamic and fast-evolving real estate zones on the Athens Riviera.

The investor secured one of the last qualifying brand-new units before the rules changed again.

The updated Golden Visa regulations have raised the bar:

• €800,000 is now the minimum for new-builds across all of Attica, including Piraeus.
• However, reconstructed properties — i.e. former commercial buildings converted into residential units — still qualify under the original €250,000 threshold.

These projects are fully renovated to modern standards and remain a smart entry point for investors looking to combine EU residency with long-term rental potential.

• Location: Piraeus (Athens Riviera), near Zea Marina
• Type: Newly built 1-bedroom apartment
• Condition: Fully furnished, turnkey ready
• Investment Amount: €250,000
• Projected Yield: Approx. 3.5% gross per year

Additional Costs:

• Transfer Tax (3.09%): €7,725
• Notary & Legal Fees: ~€4,000
• Immigration Fees (family): €2,150
• Health Insurance: ~€300 per person/year

• Property sourcing & due diligence: 1 week
• Purchase & registration: 14 business days
• Residency application: Submitted immediately
• Golden Visa approved & cards issued: within 4.5 months

This UK investor secured one of the final €250,000 Golden Visa opportunities for a new-build in Piraeus — gaining full EU residency and a high-potential property in one of Athens’ most promising districts.

“Astons helped me move quickly and secure the last opportunity at €250,000. Everything was handled — from legal to logistics. Now we have an EU foothold for the whole family.”

Astons continues to offer access to Golden Visa–eligible reconstructed properties in Piraeus and central Athens — still qualifying under the €250,000 threshold.

And for clients seeking more exclusivity, we also offer off-market investment opportunities in Piraeus — available only through our private network.