Why I’m Going to Istanbul and Athens

From September 28th to October 3rd, I will be traveling to Europe and the Middle East for an operational supply-chain trip, spending three days in Istanbul and three days in Athens.

At Globevisa, our primary responsibility to our clients is ensuring that every investment pathway we offer is thoroughly vetted, legal, and compliant. When market conditions change or local vendor standards fall short, sitting behind a desk is not enough. I prefer to meet partners on the ground, assess real estate developers and fund managers face-to-face, and ensure our local operations maintain the highest compliance standards.

Here is what I aim to accomplish during this upcoming trip to Turkey and Greece.

Istanbul: Raising the Compliance Bar for Real Estate and Funds

Turkey remains the largest Citizenship by Investment (CBI) market globally. Globevisa has built a very strong presence in the Turkish bank deposit program, maintaining solid relationships with major banking institutions. However, navigating the real estate and investment fund options has presented ongoing operational challenges.

Many real estate developers in the market do not meet our service standards, and a significant number of commercial funds currently active in Turkey have failed Globevisa's internal compliance checks. Because we refuse to channel clients into non-compliant or high-risk investments, we currently face a shortage of approved Turkish real estate and fund options despite high client demand.

During my three days in Istanbul, my primary objectives are:

● Vetting Real Estate Developers: Meeting directly with local property developers to identify legitimate, high-quality projects that meet strict legal and financial standards.

● Identifying Compliant Funds: Meeting with financial institutions and fund managers to locate investment vehicles that can successfully pass our compliance framework.

● Visiting Our Local Team: Spending time at Globevisa’s Istanbul office to review local operations and support our team on the ground.

Athens: Navigating Tax Adjustments and Expanding Pathways

Globevisa is currently a leading service provider for the Greek residency program across several major regions, including China, South Asia, Turkey, and Egypt. However, the regulatory environment in Greece is evolving.

Recent announcements from the Greek government indicate a potential increase in the property transfer tax from 3% to 15%. While official administrative details are still being finalized, proactive planning is essential for our clients.

My objectives in Athens include:

● Clarifying Policy Changes: Meeting with local developers and legal experts to get first-hand clarity on the property transfer tax adjustment and its implementation timeline.

● Diversifying Residency Routes: Expanding our client offerings beyond real estate into alternative pathways, such as the Greek bank deposit option, capital investment funds, and standard independent residency visas.

● Establishing Legal and Tax Partnerships: As our client base in Greece grows, so does their need for long-term fiscal planning. I will be meeting with local tax advisors and legal firms to establish formal partnerships for ongoing client support.

An Open Invitation to Local Partners

A successful global mobility firm relies entirely on the quality and integrity of its local service network. If you are a real estate developer, fund manager, tax advisor, or legal professional in Turkey or Greece who operates with complete transparency and strictly adheres to statutory compliance, I welcome the opportunity to connect during my trip.

Thank you for reading, and I look forward to sharing insights from the ground in Istanbul and Athens.