Before You Buy Property in Cyprus or Greece: 3 Lessons from More Than Two Decades and €1.5 Billion in Sales

By Yiannos Trisokkas, Founder & Group CEO, Velment · 5-minute read

I have spent more than two decades in the Cypriot and Greek property markets. The clients and real estate groups that have worked with me have recorded sales surpassing €1.5 billion since 2013. If you are thinking of buying, three lessons matter most: choose the relationship, not just the property; the work done before you sign is what protects you; and Cyprus and Greece are not the same market.

Real Estate Isn’t Really About Property

People think this business is about buildings. It isn’t. It’s about people making one of the biggest decisions of their lives. My job is to make sure they never make it alone.

What Does €1.5 Billion in Property Sales Really Mean?

It’s a big number, and I’m proud of it. But behind every transaction is a family, an investor, a story.

If I’ve done my job well, that client calls me again, or sends me someone they care about. That’s how you get to €1.5 billion. One relationship at a time.

Lesson 1: Choose the Relationship, Not Just the Property

A sale takes a few months. A relationship can last decades.

Before every deal, I ask myself one question: will this person still want to work with me in ten years? And I pick up the phone after the contract is signed, because that is when trust is really tested. Title deeds, residency permits, rental management: most of what matters to a client happens after the sale.

Lesson 2: The Work Done Before You Sign Is What Protects You

Markets change. Regulations change. Technology changes.

What doesn’t change is the value of someone who shows up prepared, follows through and does exactly what they said they would. In practice, that means unglamorous work that clients rarely see. It is what protects them. Because we select and develop our projects ourselves, that work is done before a property is ever offered to a client:

·       We choose each site and project carefully, and vet it before it carries our name

·       We make sure permits and approvals are in place before we sell

·       We put what is being built, what will be delivered, and when into clear written terms, including the payment schedule

·       We confirm the property fits the client’s residency route before they commit

·       We encourage every client to have their own independent lawyer review the contract

Lesson 3: Cyprus and Greece Are Not the Same Market

Cyprus and Greece are both beautiful markets, but they are not the same market. Each has its own rules, rhythm and opportunities.

Buying in Cyprus: Permanent Residency for Non-EU Investors

Cyprus offers permanent residency for non-EU investors who buy new property worth at least €300,000 plus VAT.

Buying in Greece: The Golden Visa

Greece offers the Golden Visa, with property thresholds from €250,000 to €800,000 depending on location and property type, and visa-free travel across the Schengen Area.

Thresholds last checked: October 2026.

One Team Across Cyprus, Greece, Dubai and Vietnam

Our clients come from all over the world. With teams in Cyprus, Greece, Dubai and Vietnam, we pair on-the-ground knowledge with trusted partners: lawyers, banks and property management teams. Many clients invest for residency as well as returns, so the property must be right for both the investment and their family’s future. That is what lets us give honest advice, not just a sales pitch.

Why I Built Velment: A Gap in the Market

I started in 2004 as Managing Director of MyProperty Cyprus. Later, I co-founded the Cyprus office of Henley & Partners, where I chaired the Real Estate Committee, and co-founded Casamont. In 2021, I saw a gap in the market. No real estate developer handled a sale in-house, from start to finish, the way a client actually needs.

That gap is why I created Velment: to build what I always wanted to offer as an investment migration expert and real estate developer, with boutique developments, carefully selected, and a team that treats every client as a long-term partner, not a transaction. I take my clients’ time and capital seriously, and I’m proud that Velment gives them a peace of mind they won’t find anywhere else.

My Advice to Professionals

Be the person people trust with their biggest decisions. Be reachable. Be honest, even when it costs you a deal.

Deals come back. A damaged reputation doesn’t.

Thinking About Property in Cyprus or Greece?

Speak with our team for honest, no-obligation advice.