Laoura Adami: The Golden Paradox: How Greece’s Visa Strategy is Reshaping the Global Real Estate Map


P.E.R.S.O.N.A.L.I.T.I.E.S. would like to  introduce you one more amazing personality, the female enterpreneuer Laoura Adami who is also the President of the BIZZ GROUP COMPANIES, which

 Laoura, thank you for taking the time to speak with me today. You’ve built a reputation as a dynamic entrepreneur, and now we hear you’re also qyute active for Greece’s Golden Visa program. Can you tell us what first attracted you to it?

Thank you, Lena. For me, the Golden Visa isn’t just about residency—it’s about opportunity. As someone who has lived and worked across different markets, I saw Greece’s program as a gateway: not only for myself, but also for other investors and entrepreneurs who want a foothold in Europe. Europe is a continent of multiculturism. 500 Europeans citizens lives in peace and are focusing in develpment and growth. Is not about only a culture exchange issue is more than that is how you can educate people to intergrate to your society with respect and option of a better life opportunity .

 Some people see the Golden Visa mainly as a financial tool. For you, it seems more personal.

Absolutely. I believe in building bridges. Greece isn’t only a beautiful country; it’s also a place with untapped potential for business, innovation, and lifestyle. The Golden Visa gives people the chance to live here, invest here, and become part of the culture. For me, it’s about community as much as it is about business.

What should know a potential investor in order to submit for a Golden Visa application?

5 main pilars as follows:

But at the same time, we often hear that life for third-country nationals in Greece can be complicated. From your experience, what are the main difficulties?

That’s very true. Greece offers incredible opportunities, but there are challenges. Bureaucracy is one of the biggest hurdles—long waiting times, paperwork that can feel overwhelming, and procedures that aren’t always clear. Access to services—like healthcare, banking, or even education for children—can also be tricky for newcomers who don’t speak Greek fluently. And then there’s integration: many people struggle to build a local network or to feel truly part of society. But we know the right people in aim to handle in the most efficient way all the obstacles.

And what solutions do you propose?

 I believe in three key things. First, simplification of processes—more digitalization, clearer guidelines, and faster approvals. Second, support networks—mentorship programs, business associations, and cultural integration initiatives that help newcomers find their footing. And third, language and education—we need more accessible Greek language programs and bilingual services so families can adapt more smoothly. These solutions don’t only help Golden Visa holders; they strengthen the country’s ability to attract and keep talent. Despite that according to the new changes for the Golden Visaz in 250 K  there is also another opportunity for passive income.

Conversion and Restoration Initiatives: Properties undergoing conversion from commercial to residential purposes, or those involved in the restoration of listed buildings, present unique opportunities at the preserved threshold of €250,000.
Geographic Diversity: The two-tier investment threshold encourages exploration of properties beyond high-demand areas. It potentially spotlights regions of Greece that offer significant cultural and economic value.

 Do you have a personal story that illustrates these challenges?

Yes, absolutely. I once helped a fellow entrepreneur from the Middle East who had just received her Golden Visa. She was eager to set up her design studio in Athens but found herself completely lost in the banking process. Documents weren’t clear, and every visit to the branch left her with more questions than answers. I accompanied her, translated where needed, and guided her step by step. Eventually, she got her business account open, but it took weeks. That experience showed me how much potential talent we risk losing simply because the system is too complicated. It inspired me to push for business concierge services—dedicated advisors who can guide newcomers through the first months. I think Greece would benefit greatly from such an initiative.

 Many readers might be wondering—why Greece? Portugal and Bulgaria, Malta                         also have Golden Visa programs that are well-known in Europe. How do they compare?

The future of real estate development in Europe

 That’s a great question. Portugal and Spain have both attracted significant foreign investment through their programs, but their rules are becoming more restrictive. Portugal, for example, has tightened real estate options and shifted the focus to investment funds, which not everyone is comfortable with. Spain is facing similar debates, and political discussions might affect the future of its program.

Greece, on the other hand, still offers competitive entry thresholds—especially in certain regions outside Athens and Thessaloniki—and a clear pathway to European residency. Add to that the lower cost of living compared to Portugal or Spain, the strategic location bridging Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, and, of course, the unique quality of life Greece offers: Mediterranean climate, safety, culture, and hospitality. From an investment perspective, Greece also has strong potential for growth in real estate and tourism-related projects. So while Portugal and Spain are established, I believe Greece currently offers the best balance of affordability, lifestyle, and long-term opportunity.

 Speaking of real estate, I can’t help but ask you about Airbnb. It has become a hot topic in Greece—especially in Athens—because of rising rents and neighborhood changes. What is your perspective on the situation today?

Airbnb has been both a blessing and a challenge. On one hand, it has opened up new income streams for property owners and boosted tourism by offering more flexible options for travelers. On the other hand, it has undeniably contributed to housing shortages for locals, especially young Greeks and families, and pushed rents upward in central areas. I believe the solution lies in balanced regulation. Instead of banning or discouraging short-term rentals, Greece should introduce smart policies—like limiting the number of units one owner can list, encouraging sustainable tourism, and incentivizing investors to also create long-term housing. The Golden Visa, too, can play a role: by guiding investment not only into central Athens apartments but also into regional areas where housing needs and development opportunities are equally important. That way, we create growth without undermining social balance.

Let’s turn to your entrepreneurial side. You’re known for being bold, creative, and very people-oriented. How has that shaped the way you approach opportunities like this?

I’ve always been someone who looks at the bigger picture. I love challenges—they fuel me. Whether it’s starting a business or exploring new markets, I’m motivated by the idea of creating something that has meaning. I’d say my personality—open, curious, and resilient—makes me both a risk-taker and a connector. That’s why the Golden Visa resonates with me. It’s not just paperwork; it’s a vision for how we can open doors for the next generation.

You’ve mentioned before that you see women as powerful change-makers in business. How does that connect with your advocacy for the Golden Visa?

Women entrepreneurs often bring empathy, adaptability, and strong networks to the table. The Golden Visa can give them the flexibility to grow their businesses across borders. I see it as a tool for empowerment—helping women expand their reach, attract global partnerships, and balance professional and family life in a safe, inspiring environment like Greece.

​The Greek Golden Visa program has seen continuous adjustments to investment thresholds and geographical restrictions, clearly aimed at steering foreign capital and mitigating local housing pressure. To what extent do you believe these calibrated regulatory changes can genuinely achieve the dual objectives of maximizing capital inflow while simultaneously preventing the commodification of residential real estate and the socio-economic displacement of local residents in highly desirable urban and island centres?
​The regulatory changes represent a necessary, though inherently imperfect, attempt to resolve a fundamental socio-economic dilemma. In short, the policy is achieving its capital inflow objective with great success but is only partially and indirectly mitigating the negative socio-economic effects in the most saturated areas.
​Maximizing Capital Inflow (Success)
​The program’s core goal—attracting foreign direct investment (FDI)—remains a clear success, particularly following the increases to the investment threshold (e.g., to €800,000 in prime areas like Central and South Athens, Thessaloniki, Mykonos, and Santorini).
​Increased Investment Volume: Paradoxically, raising the minimum investment has often resulted in an increase in the total value of capital inflow per application, as investors with higher budgets are drawn to the perceived stability and higher-value property segment. The urgency created by the looming threshold hikes also historically spurred record-breaking application volumes.
​Market Maturation: The shift encourages high-net-worth investors to focus on more significant projects, such as the conversion of commercial buildings into residential use (which often retain a lower threshold of €250,000), thereby revitalizing urban blight and adding to the housing stock in a constructive, capital-intensive manner.
​Preventing Commodification and Displacement (Partial Success/Ongoing Challenge)
​The government’s primary tools for mitigation—higher thresholds and the ban on short-term rentals (like Airbnb) for Golden Visa properties in high-demand areas—are directional but not definitive solutions.
​Steering Capital: The differentiated price tiers are effective in steering low-to-mid-tier capital away from the most stressed central residential markets (Athens, Thessaloniki) and toward less-saturated or development-focused regions (e.g., peripheral municipalities or conversion projects). This helps distribute the investment geographically.
​Mitigating Commodification: The prohibition of short-term rental use for Golden Visa properties in key zones is the most direct and crucial measure to combat real estate commodification. It forces these high-value properties into the long-term rental market, theoretically increasing supply for local residents and tempering rental price spikes. This is a powerful, targeted intervention.
​The Persistent ‘Gentrification Halo’: The challenge lies in the ‘gentrification halo’ effect. While the Golden Visa may not be the sole cause of rising costs, the influx of high-value foreign transactions sets new price benchmarks, creating a psychological floor for the entire local real estate market. This inevitably makes surrounding, non-Golden Visa properties more expensive for local buyers and renters, contributing to displacement. The policy is mitigating the rate of this effect, but it cannot entirely stop the trend of premiumization driven by global capital.
​In conclusion, the calibrated changes are a sophisticated balancing act. They have successfully optimized the economic benefit while demonstrating a genuine, policy-driven effort to protect the social fabric through targeted rental restrictions. The ultimate success will depend on continuous monitoring and the introduction of complementary policies, such as social housing initiatives and zoning regulations, which fall outside the scope of the Golden Visa program itself.

 Finally, what advice would you give to entrepreneurs—especially women—thinking about Greece and the Golden Visa?

Be bold. Don’t just think about investment in terms of property or numbers—think about the life you want to build, the collaborations you want to create, the legacy you want to leave. Greece has the heart, the culture, and the strategic position. The Golden Visa is just the beginning.

 Thank you, Laoura. Your passion is contagious. where can somebody find you?

Thank you, Lena.  Under my personal Mobile: +30 6934530930 nis the best way .It’s always a pleasure to share my vision especially with journalist like you who are so passionate with high quality investigative journalism.


As we finished our conversation, it struck me that Laoura Adami is not only an entrepreneur but also a bridge-builder. She talks about investment with the same warmth that she talks about community, blending pragmatism with vision. Her perspective on the Golden Visa is refreshingly human: beyond property values and paperwork, she sees it as a tool to weave people, ideas, and cultures together. In a world where mobility often feels transactional, Laoura reminds us that opportunity, when matched with openness, can become transformation.