Amsterdam bans creation of new hotels
Another piece in the overall strategy to reduce tourist flows to the city
The government will also oblige property owners to only offer long-term rentals in a bid to ease housing crisis
Today, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis indicated that he is considering proposing changes to the investment thresholds for the country’s five-year residency programme, commonly known as Golden Visa. The statement was made during a Q&A session in the parliament, following questioning from the opposition.
Currently, foreign investors can purchase properties in the Mediterranean country priced minimum of 250,000 euros, which then grants them the option to apply for a Golden Visa. According to the prime minister, though, that barrier might be raised to 800,000 euros depending on the location of the property.
The reason is that most properties bought for residency permit purposes are actually not occupied by the buyers but are instead rented out and in many cases, they are converted into short-term rental accommodation for tourists as this can then provide a good return on the investment made.
The programme, which has been in existence for about a decade, is estimated to have brought more than 5 billion euros into the Greek economy. According to critics, this has, at least indirectly, also led to having a negative impact on the housing market in Greek cities, such as Athens and Thessaloniki.
That’s why, the newly raised limits would specifically apply to major cities and holiday islands in Greece whereas in rural areas the old threshold would still apply.
In addition, the government is considering obliging the investor owners to only lease their properties on the long-term rental market to increase the housing supply available to residents.
The Greek Golden Visa programme grabbed the attention of media and authorities after it was revealed that interest in it had drastically surged last year, with the number of applications more than doubling compared to the averages of preceding years.
Legislators and magnates have to await a preliminary ruling from the European Court of Justice
The building will then serve as the site for a new museum dedicated to Finnish-Russian relations
Another piece in the overall strategy to reduce tourist flows to the city
In addition, the federal government has launched the National Week of Action against Bicycle Theft to raise awareness of the issue and the new solution
The facility will replace the need to have water supplied by tankers from Valencia
Modern traffic lights do more than regulate the flow of vehicles at crossroads, they also collect enormous amounts of data
Experimenting with public transport provision in Germany is clearly in a state of creative fervour
Legislators and magnates have to await a preliminary ruling from the European Court of Justice
It also set the standards for a better European parking card for people with disabilities
The benefit will last until the Dutch parliament adopts the transgender law
Experimenting with public transport provision in Germany is clearly in a state of creative fervour
It also set the standards for a better European parking card for people with disabilities
Urban dwellers across the EU are having a say in making their surroundings friendlier to people and the environment.
Forests in the EU can help green the European construction industry and bolster a continent-wide push for architectural improvements.
Apply by 10 November and do your part for the transformation of European public spaces
Catch up with some recommendations for the 2024 European Capital of Culture programme from the mayor of Tartu
An interview with the ICLEI regional director for Europe аfter the close of COP28
An interview with a member of the No Hate Speech Network team