A growing number of British expatriates are relocating to Greece, drawn by the country’s improving economic prospects and investment opportunities, according to financial and real estate professionals in Athens.

Thanassis Drogossis, a senior figure at Athens-based Pantelakis Securities, noted a recent increase in interest from London-based hedge fund managers, spurred in part by the high-profile move of financier Chris Rokos. Drogossis highlighted a recent conference in Athens attended by institutional investors, many from London, who expressed enthusiasm about Rokos’s decision and discussed following suit. He pointed to Greece’s seven-year economic recovery as a key factor, noting the tenfold increase in daily stock market trading and the revitalization of formerly stagnant banks now possessing substantial funds for investment.

Greek officials emphasize that attracting foreign investors is intended to generate high-quality employment opportunities and retain talented graduates within the country. Vassilis Karatzas, senior adviser to Finance Minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis, stated that the focus is on creating sustainable jobs rather than courting ultra-wealthy individuals for appearances. Karatzas stressed that Greece aims to reassure investors by maintaining a stable macroeconomic environment marked by clarity and predictability.

The transformation is particularly visible in Athens’s coastal areas. The Flisvos Marina, located on the southern Athenian Riviera, now hosts around 300 superyachts valued collectively at approximately £2.5 billion. This marks a significant change from a decade ago when many berths were empty due to economic uncertainty. Yacht broker Dimitris Angelakos, from a prominent Greek shipping family, reported increased British client interest, now accounting for 20 to 30 percent of his business. Angelakos has diversified from merchant shipping into luxury yachts and real estate, reflecting Greece’s evolving economic landscape.

Angelakos and others point to Greece’s unique appeal, combining high levels of service and efficiency with proximity to numerous islands, which can be reached within hours. On the real estate front, developments like the Ellinikon project—a £9 billion waterside urban renewal on the former Athens airport site—are attracting wealthy buyers. The development includes Greece’s tallest building, the Riviera Tower, where Angelakos has acquired a penthouse. This project will ultimately feature around 10,000 residential units priced between £500,000 and £70 million.

Interest also extends to quieter northern suburbs of Athens such as Ekali, valued for prestigious schools including St Catherine’s British International School and a more temperate climate. Real estate agents report growing demand for spacious villas equipped with modern amenities, although metropolitan traffic congestion remains an ongoing concern.

Administrative simplicity has also contributed to Greece’s appeal. Marios Rafail, southern Europe expert at Henley & Partners, noted that flexible residency options and straightforward paperwork encourage expatriates seeking second homes. One investor, an unnamed former London-based banker now residing in Singapore, remarked on Greece’s ease of residency processing compared to other European countries.

This influx underscores a shift in attitudes both abroad and within Greece, where economic and social reforms have altered expectations about state roles and personal enterprise. According to observers, the country is positioning itself as a viable destination for skilled professionals and investors seeking stability, opportunity, and quality of life in the Mediterranean region.