An individual paying around £330 million in UK taxes annually is preparing to relocate his tax residency to Greece.
Recently, the latest move of British billionaire and prominent hedge fund manager Chris Rokos has attracted widespread public attention.
Public reports show that Chris Rokos plans to transfer his tax residency from the UK to Greece and is preparing to set up an office in Athens. Previously, he ranked third on The Sunday Times Tax List in the UK, paying approximately £330 million in tax in a single year alone.
WorldWay Immigration notes that this decision has once again turned external attention to Greece.
Greece is gradually transitioning from a traditional travel and vacation destination into the spotlight of global high-net-worth individuals, investors, and financial professionals.
I. Why Does Greece Attract High-Net-Worth Individuals?
The news of Chris Rokos moving to Greece has drawn particular attention largely due to a special tax regime introduced by Greece specifically for high-net-worth individuals.
Simply put, if qualifying individuals transfer their tax residence to Greece, they can pay a flat annual tax of €100,000 on foreign-sourced income, regardless of the actual amount of foreign earnings, for up to 15 years.
Eligible family members can also be included under this regime by paying an additional €20,000 per person annually.
It should be noted that this policy is not unconditionally applicable; applicants must meet corresponding tax residency and investment requirements. Income generated within Greece remains subject to local tax rules.
For high-net-worth families with overseas businesses, investments, and cross-border income, this relatively clear tax arrangement has become one of the key reasons Greece attracts international wealth.
II. From a Vacation Destination
To a New Landing Spot for Capital and Talent
Rokos is not the only heavy-hitter in the financial industry turning his attention to Athens recently.
According to Greek local media reports, Millennium Management, a major global hedge fund, is also preparing to open an office in Athens. An increasing number of international financial institutions and professionals are paying attention to Greece, reflecting not just personal wealth migration, but the influx of capital and business activity.
Meanwhile, the Greek economy continues to maintain relatively steady growth.
In May this year, the European Commission forecast that Greece's GDP is expected to grow by about 1.8% in 2026, higher than the overall EU growth forecast of 1.1% for the same period; the continuous inflow of EU funds also continues to support local investment.
Tourism performance is equally impressive. Data from the Bank of Greece shows that in the first half of 2026, Greek tourism revenue grew by 14.8% year-on-year, and inbound tourist numbers increased by 15.4%. In 2025, Greece's full-year tourism revenue had already reached approximately €23.6 billion.
For a country already renowned for tourism, vacationing, shipping, and service industries, the continuous increase in human flow and international capital further drives demand for residential, hotel, commercial, and related services.
III. Property Prices Continue to Rise
Property Purchase Costs Are Also Set to Change
As international capital focuses on Greece, real estate remains an unavoidable component.
Latest data from the Bank of Greece shows that in the first quarter of 2026, apartment prices nationwide rose by 5.7% year-on-year; among them, Athens rose by 5.2% and Thessaloniki rose by 6.4%. In 2025, residential property prices in Greece rose by an average of about 8.1% for the full year.
While property prices overall maintain an upward trend, purchase costs for overseas buyers are also about to undergo new changes.
Recently, the Greek government announced that for eligible non-EU third-country buyers purchasing residential properties, the property transfer tax will be increased from the current 3% to 15%. The new tax rate is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2027.
This means that for Chinese families planning to buy property in Greece while considering the Golden Visa, future property tax costs may increase significantly.
If you already have a clear plan for Greek residency and property acquisition, rather than waiting until costs rise, it would be wiser to take advantage of the current tax rate window to finalize project selection, funds allocation, and transaction scheduling in advance.
IV. From Real Estate to Residency: Secure Your Greek Footprint Starting at €250,000
For Chinese families, the true appeal of Greece also lies in the ability to combine property investment with European residency planning. Greece is an EU member state, a Eurozone country, and a Schengen member state. Currently, the Greece Golden Visa continues to offer residency status to eligible third-country investors through real estate investment and other routes.
Under current regulations, for qualifying projects that convert commercial property into residential use, the minimum investment threshold still starts from €250,000.
It is worth noting that as market demand increases, prime "commercial-to-residential conversion" properties on the market that meet the policy requirements of the Greece Golden Residence Permit program and can complete title transfer quickly are relatively limited. Coupled with the upcoming property transfer tax increase, for families who have clearly decided on residency planning through Greece, selecting property and advancing the transaction early also means allowing ample time for the entire application process.
As one of Asia's Top 500 Brands with over 20 years of expertise in immigration, WorldWay Group started in Hong Kong in 1998, rooted in Hong Kong for over two decades, with professional companies established in both Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland. We closely monitor changes in Greek immigration policies and the real estate market, continuously providing Greek project services for families seeking European residency planning.
Recently, several more WorldWay investors successfully obtained their Greek permanent resident cards. From preliminary solution planning and project selection to property purchase transactions, document preparation, and subsequent applications, WorldWay has accumulated extensive service experience with Greek projects, supporting investors in advancing their residency planning more smoothly.
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