For many years, investment decisions were primarily driven by financial returns, portfolio diversification, and opportunity. Today, however, priorities are clearly shifting. The decision no longer starts only with “Where should I invest?” but increasingly broader life questions: “Where should my child study?” “Where can my family feel secure?” “What if my Plan B needs to become a Plan A one day?”
At Get Golden Visa, we are seeing a clear reflection of this shift on the ground. In Greece, 1 in every 5 real estate investments made through the Golden Visa program is no longer driven by rental yield expectations, but by broader lifestyle and education planning.
This clearly shows that education is no longer just a service, it has become a factor that shapes where people live and how they invest.
International Schools as a New Anchor for Residential Decisions
Through our local team in Greece, we remain closely connected with international schools in the region. Recent feedback from the field indicates that investment decisions are increasingly being structured around education.
For the September 2026 intake, some international schools are already reaching capacity. This is a strong signal that education decisions are no longer limited to school choice, but are part of a broader life strategy.
Greece’s Education Ecosystem Is Expanding
This shift in demand is matched by structural changes on the supply side. With regulatory changes introduced in 2024, the path has been cleared for foreign universities to establish a more formal and visible presence in Greece.
Under this new framework:
- International universities can operate through partnership structures
- English-taught programs are becoming more widespread
- A new layer of internationally accessible higher education is emerging
These developments position Greece not just as an alternative location, but as part of a broader and evolving education ecosystem.
This transformation is no longer limited to regulation, it is increasingly visible on the ground. As summarized by Get Golden Visa’s Greece Director, İdil Hamzadi:
“There is a very noticeable preparation phase underway in Greece’s education landscape. On the ground, we are hearing that universities such as Sorbonne and the University of Essex are accelerating their positioning efforts, with licensing processes for future operations being actively discussed.
At the same time, institutions based in Cyprus, particularly in medical education, are also exploring new expansions.
Looking at the broader picture, while many European countries are moving towards more restrictive international student policies, Greece appears to be developing a more open and integrated education model. This gives it the potential to evolve from a short-term alternative into a long-term education hub.”
Education Decisions Are Becoming Cross-Border
Families are no longer limiting themselves to a single curriculum or national system. Instead, they are exploring options that provide access to multiple education systems.
As a result, education decisions are increasingly moving beyond national boundaries.
The growth of international schools does not only mean more education choices, it also affects housing demand. Areas with strong international school networks are seeing increased residential demand, particularly across Southern Europe. We’re also seeing new concepts emerge, such as student residences developments specifically in the areas surrounding major universities. Alongside Spain and Portugal, Greece is becoming a more visible alternative due to its expanding international education offerings.
The Focus of Investment Decisions Is Changing
This shift is directly reflected in investment behavior. According to Get Golden Visa’s Greece Golden Visa applications data from the past 12 months:
- 1 in 5 real estate investments is now made for lifestyle and education purposes rather than rental yield
- In single-child families, applications structured around long-term planning for the child have increased by 35–40%
This indicates a fundamental shift in investment motivation.
Before: “Which investment delivers the best return?”
Today:
- Which education system can my child access?
- Which country offers a more predictable future?
- What kind of optionality does this investment create?
Investment is no longer just a financial instrument, it is increasingly a tool for long-term security and optionality, particularly for the next generation.
In many cases, single-child families are choosing now to make the child the main applicant, with the parents included under the child’s application. This helps protect the child’s residency status beyond dependency age.
A New “Second Base” for Globally Mobile Families
This trend is not limited to a single country. Many expat families based in Germany, Canada, and the United States are also evaluating Greece as an alternative.
The drivers behind this are not purely financial. Education options, lifestyle, and flexibility are playing an equally important role.
For many families, Greece is emerging not as a full relocation destination, but as a secondary base for living and education.
Silent but Structural Shift: Education is No Longer a Service, It’s a Location Driver
Greece’s momentum in education strengthens its potential to become a more accessible, secure, and English-language-friendly Mediterranean hub.
Today, investing is no longer just about buying property in Greece. It is a decision about lifestyle, education, and long-term planning.
The rise of international schools, the cross-border nature of education decisions, and the resulting shift in investment behavior all point to a deep structural transformation.
Investment decisions no longer begin with financial analysis, but with life planning, and investment often becomes the outcome of that plan.
At Get Golden Visa and our real estate advisory arm, Get Properties, we closely follow this transformation on the ground, supporting investors in building structures that align not only with financial goals, but also with their children’s education, lifestyle preferences, and long-term global mobility needs.
