In Greece, real-estate investments and construction projects are usually carried out by major local companies mostly affiliated with banks or construction companies.

Following the successful staging of the Olympic Games in 2004, combined with one of the highest growth rates in the euro zone, there has been an upsurge in interest in the Greek real-estate market from international investors and developers.

Although the market is showing maturity and liquidity over the course of time, there are continuing opportunities for generating comparatively high earnings. The fact that in addition to a relatively high consumption quota, Greece has a small amount of shopping centre space compared with other European countries, leads most investors to focus on the retail market.

Currently most investment is taking place in Athens. A new infrastructure was created for the Olympic Games, which in turn offers new construction space. There are also a number of projects in progress in Thessaloniki, Greece’s second-largest city.

Imminent legal and fiscal reforms and an extensive privatization programme could stimulate investment projects by international investors further over the next few years.

As the only specialist provider of real-estate finance in Greece, Eurohypo occupies a leading position in the local market and enables foreign investors to realize their projects in the Greek market.