Buying Property in Greece in 2026: A Step-by-Step Guide for Foreign Buyers

Updated: 4 October 2026

In This Guide

The links in the navigation below are clickable and take you directly to each section of the guide.

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Can Foreigners Buy Property in Greece?

EU and non-EU nationals can generally acquire apartments, houses, commercial premises and land in Greece.

Additional approval may be required for certain transactions in legally designated border or strategically sensitive areas, particularly where the buyer is a non-EU national or a foreign legal entity. The buyer’s lawyer should establish whether this applies before a reservation payment is made.

EU citizens have residence rights under the European free-movement framework, subject to the applicable conditions and registration requirements. Non-EU nationals need an appropriate immigration status if they intend to live in Greece beyond the period allowed by their visa or visa-free entry.

Depending on the buyer’s circumstances, residence may instead be based on employment, family, financially independent person status, remote work or another immigration category. See our Greece Visa and Residence Permit Guide 2026 for the main routes, or the dedicated Digital Nomad Visa Greece 2026 guide for remote workers.

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Foreign Buyers in Greece in 2026: What the Data Really Shows

Foreign buyers are active across a wide range of the Greek residential market. Some are looking for an affordable apartment in Athens or Thessaloniki. Others want a second home, a rental investment, a newly built holiday property or a luxury residence near the sea.

Foreign investment in Greek real estate reached €511.6 million in the first quarter of 2026, compared with €356.8 million in the first quarter of 2025, an increase of 43.4%.

Looking back another year provides useful context. Foreign real-estate investment had reached approximately €520 million in the first quarter of 2024. Activity then fell sharply in early 2025, after the previous year’s rush to complete investments under the former, lower Golden Visa thresholds had passed.

The first-quarter 2026 figure represents a strong recovery to almost the level recorded two years earlier. New Golden Visa applications fell by 52.2% compared with the first quarter of 2025, from 3,507 to 1,677, while foreign capital flowing into Greek real estate increased.

International demand now extends well beyond the Golden Visa programme. Many foreign buyers purchase property in Greece as a holiday home, primary residence or investment, whether or not the purchase supports a Golden Visa application.

Sources: Kathimerini, “Property FDI jumped 43.4% in Q1,” 1 July 2026, reporting Bank of Greece and Ministry of Migration and Asylum data, and Kathimerini, Q1 2024 foreign real-estate investment. Capital inflows and residence-permit applications measure different forms and stages of market activity.

Who Is Buying Property in Greece?

Buyer origins vary by region and price category.

A separate 2025 survey by RE/MAX Greece, based on transactions completed through its nationwide network of 88 offices and more than 1,200 estate agents, provides one of the clearest recent regional profiles.

The same survey found that 40% of buyers were aged 41–50 and a further 27% were aged 51–60. Most were already familiar with the country: 68% visited Greece two or three times before buying, while 16% made more than three visits. Financing was also predominantly private, with 90% using their own funds and 10% relying on borrowing.

The premium and luxury market draws particularly strong demand from buyers from the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Switzerland, the United States and Israel. First-quarter 2026 market data also placed the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Bulgaria and Serbia among the countries showing the highest demand for homes in Greece.

These findings provide market indicators from the participating companies’ datasets. The RE/MAX data covers transactions completed through its own nationwide network, while the Engel & Völkers analysis is concentrated on premium and second-home markets.

Buyer-profile sources: RE/MAX Greece, “The Profile of Foreign Property Buyers for 2025” · and Engel & Völkers Greece, “The New Priorities of International Buyers in the Greek Real Estate Market 2026”.

What Are Foreign Buyers Purchasing?

A second RE/MAX Greece survey offers a closer look at the purpose and type of purchases completed through the company’s network. Just over half of buyers, 52%, bought a second or holiday home, while 30% purchased for investment, rental or resale. A further 10% bought a primary residence, and 8% cited the Golden Visa as their main reason for buying.

Apartments were the most common choice, accounting for 38% of purchases, followed by detached houses at 27% and maisonettes at 20%. Resale homes accounted for 78% of purchases.

The prices paid were often more modest than headlines about luxury villas might suggest. Almost half of the transactions were between €100,001 and €200,000, while another 27% were between €200,001 and €300,000.

The RE/MAX figures provide a sample of foreign purchases completed through one real-estate network. They show substantial activity beyond the luxury sector.

Foreign buyers are purchasing smaller apartments, older homes, renovation projects and relatively accessible holiday properties. At the same time, market sources report strong demand for newly built holiday homes priced at around €400,000–€600,000, as well as luxury residences in Attica and on the islands.

What This Means for Buyers

Foreign demand spans very different price bands and property types.

Someone purchasing a €180,000 apartment in Athens is entering a very different market from someone considering a €600,000 holiday home or a multimillion-euro seafront villa.

The buying process may be broadly similar, but the risks and priorities change. An apartment buyer may focus on renovation costs, rental demand and the condition of the building. A holiday-home buyer may need to consider access, maintenance during the winter and local planning restrictions. A buyer at the premium end will place greater importance on privacy, construction quality, views, direct sea access and future resale value.

Purchase-profile source: RE/MAX Greece, “What Properties Foreign Buyers Purchased in 2025”. The findings relate only to transactions completed through the company’s own network.

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How Much Does It Cost to Buy a Home in Greece?

Residential prices in Greece vary sharply by location, age, condition and property type.

Older properties requiring renovation can still be found below €2,000 per sq.m. in some locations. Modern homes in popular areas may cost €4,000–€6,500 per sq.m., while prime coastal and island properties can exceed €10,000 per sq.m.

The following ranges provide broad market context. An individual property requires a separate valuation:

Sources for the indicative ranges: RE/MAX Greece 2025 completed transaction data · Spitogatos, Q1 2026 asking-price data · Engel & Völkers Greece’s 2026 Mykonos range of €7,500–€12,000 per sq.m. · and published Ellinikon luxury prices ranging from €9,000 to €32,000 per sq.m..

Examples from Completed Sales

RE/MAX Greece’s 2025 transaction data provides useful benchmarks. The figures below are average prices from sales completed through its network, divided between older homes and properties up to five years old.

Broad regional averages still conceal major local differences. In the same dataset, older properties averaged approximately €1,450 per sq.m. in Patissia, €2,200 in Exarchia, €2,800 in Alimos and €3,100 in Palaio Faliro.

At the upper end, average prices for newly built properties reached approximately €6,000 per sq.m. in Voula and Peiraiki, €6,300 in Elliniko, €7,000 in Glyfada and Palaio Psychiko, and €8,000 in Mykonos.

Source and methodology: RE/MAX Greece, 2025 Property Sale Price Survey. The figures relate to completed transactions handled through the company’s network and represent that network’s transaction sample.

What Asking Prices Are Doing in 2026

The following figures track advertised asking prices. In the first quarter of 2026, average asking sale prices increased year-on-year by 7.9% in Central Athens, 7.1% in the northern suburbs, 4.1% in the southern suburbs, 2.3% in Piraeus, 4.2% in Thessaloniki and 6.9% in the Cyclades.

Asking-price growth tracks seller expectations. Completed transactions and genuinely comparable properties provide the stronger basis for judging the likely sale price of an individual home.

Source and methodology: Spitogatos, “Q1 2026: The Evolution and Annual Changes in Average Asking Property Prices in Greece”. The figures measure advertised asking prices. Completed sale prices are a separate measure.

Property Prices Are Still Rising

Apartment prices increased by an average of 5.5% nationally in the second quarter of 2026 compared with the same period in 2025.

New apartment prices increased by 6.2%, while older apartments rose by 5.0%.

For 2025 as a whole, apartment prices increased nationally by 8.3%, compared with 9.1% in 2024. Price growth remained positive in 2026 at a slower annual pace.

The strongest annual increase in the second quarter of 2026 was recorded outside the main cities.

Source: Bank of Greece, Indices of Residential Property Prices: Q2 2026. The index is based on property valuations reported by credit institutions and measures residential price movements.

How to Judge the Price of a Property

An average price per square metre is only a starting point.

Before deciding whether a property is reasonably priced, compare it with homes of a similar age, condition and construction quality in the same neighbourhood. Broad municipal averages can conceal large differences between streets and property types.

The value can change considerably according to:

• the exact street and neighbourhood
• the age and quality of construction
• renovation standard and energy efficiency
• floor, orientation and natural light
• sea, mountain or landmark views
• outdoor space, parking and storage
• distance from the coast or public transport
• legal and planning status
• privacy and ease of access
• whether the figure is an advertised asking price or the price agreed in a completed sale.

A regional average may help you understand the wider market, but it cannot tell you whether one particular home is good value. That requires comparison with genuinely similar properties and careful legal and technical inspection before purchase.

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Before You Search: Define the Purchase

Start by defining what the property needs to achieve before choosing which listings to visit.

A permanent home, a holiday residence, a rental investment and a property connected with a residence application may all involve the purchase of a home, but they require different locations, documentation and financial assumptions.

Define a total acquisition budget that covers the advertised price and the additional costs of completing and owning the purchase. It may need to cover tax, notarial and registration costs, legal and technical work, agency commission, translations, bank charges, immediate repairs, furniture, insurance and the cost of managing the home from abroad.

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Who Does What in a Greek Property Transaction?

A Greek property purchase brings together several forms of expertise. Each professional is responsible for a different part of the transaction, and the buyer should understand those boundaries before committing.

Does the Estate Agent Represent the Buyer?

An estate agent may have a commission agreement with the buyer, the seller or each party separately. Payment of commission establishes the agency fee arrangement. Independent legal, technical and investment advice comes from separately appointed professionals.

Before signing an agency or viewing form, establish who instructed the agent, whether the seller also pays commission, the percentage or minimum amount payable by the buyer, whether VAT is added, when the commission becomes due and what happens if the purchase does not complete.

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The Buying Process in Ten Steps

The sequence is more important than the speed. A rapid completion is of little value if the buyer commits before the property’s legal and technical position is understood.

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AFM, Payment Routes and Proof of Funds

Obtaining an AFM

Every purchaser needs a Greek tax identification number, known as an AFM. It is used for the property-transfer tax declaration, the deed, registration and the tax obligations associated with ownership.

The application can be submitted electronically, followed by identification through a video appointment or an in-person visit to a tax office. A properly authorised representative may also apply.

Our separate guide explains how to obtain an AFM in Greece.

Official source: gov.gr: Attribution of an AFM and access key to a natural person.

Do You Need a Greek Bank Account?

A Greek bank account can simplify tax payments, utilities, communal charges, insurance, rent collection and ongoing management. The payment route for the purchase can vary according to the transaction and the institutions involved.

Depending on the transaction and the institutions involved, the purchase price may be transferred through a Greek or foreign bank. The payment route should be agreed with the lawyer, notary and banks in advance, must be fully traceable and must be correctly recorded in the deed.

For practical information, see our guide to opening a bank account in Greece as an expat.

Prepare the Source-of-Funds File Early

Banks and regulated professionals may need evidence showing how the purchase money was accumulated. Depending on the buyer’s circumstances, this may include tax returns, salary or business records, bank and investment statements, documents from the sale of another property, inheritance or gift records, loan agreements and evidence of accumulated savings.

Foreign documents may require certified translation, legalisation or an Apostille. Buyers who postpone this work may find that the property is ready to transfer while the funds cannot yet be released.

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Can Foreign Buyers Get a Mortgage in Greece?

Greek banks offer mortgages to some non-resident and foreign buyers, subject to credit assessment, income, country of residence, property valuation and the bank’s lending policy. Approval should be obtained before the buyer becomes contractually committed to a purchase that depends on financing.

Published products illustrate how lending terms can differ. Eurobank’s non-resident mortgage offers financing of up to 65% of the commercial value of the property for buyers who are neither Greek nor Cypriot. Alpha Bank’s mortgage for foreign residents offers up to 80% financing and a maximum term of 25 years for permanent residents of EU countries, or up to 70% financing and a maximum term of 20 years for permanent residents of non-EU countries. These published maximum limits remain subject to individual credit approval. Rates, loan-to-value limits and documentation can change.

A non-resident borrower should expect to provide identification, tax returns or income evidence, credit information from the country of residence, proof of permanent address and documents for the property. The bank will also carry out its own legal and technical due diligence on the collateral.

Sources: Eurobank, Mortgage Loan for Non-Residents · Alpha Bank, Mortgage Loan for Foreigners.

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What to Assess When Viewing a Property

A viewing can identify questions for the lawyer and engineer to investigate. Assess the property as a building and as a place that must function throughout the year, including conditions that photographs or a short summer visit may not reveal.

Land and rural property require particular caution. Legal road access and buildability depend on documentary and technical evidence, regardless of the size of the plot or the presence of a visible track.

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Legal Due Diligence: What the Lawyer Should Investigate

The lawyer should investigate the transaction well before the final contract. Legal due diligence establishes whether the seller can transfer the interest being offered and whether another person, creditor or authority has a competing claim.

An early legal review may reveal an incomplete inheritance, a mortgage or seizure, a person negotiating without sufficient authority, a property affected by special restrictions, or a use that is incompatible with the buyer’s plans.

Full legal due diligence may examine:

• the registered owner and authority to sell
• the chain of title and previous deeds
• mortgages and mortgage pre-notations
• seizures, litigation and registered claims
• easements and third-party rights
• Land Registry and Cadastre records
• ownership percentages in a divided property
• rights over parking, storage, gardens and terraces
• the legal description and boundaries
• the terms of reservation, preliminary and final agreements.

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Technical Due Diligence: What the Engineer Should Investigate

The engineer examines whether the physical property corresponds with its permits, approved plans and official description.

This is particularly important where older buildings contain enclosed balconies, altered layouts, extensions, pools, pergolas or auxiliary structures that do not appear in the original plans.

The review may include:

• whether the building corresponds with the approved drawings
• whether changes and additions were legally constructed or regularised
• whether the stated surface area is accurate
• whether the title, tax records, plans and Cadastre data agree
• the condition of the structure, roof, foundations and retaining walls
• damp, drainage, insulation and electrical concerns
• whether the proposed renovation or expansion is permitted
• whether a plot is legally buildable
• forestry, coastal, archaeological, heritage and environmental restrictions
• whether access and minimum planning distances are satisfied.

What the Energy Certificate Covers

The Energy Performance Certificate records the property’s energy classification. Structural condition, measurements and planning legality require separate technical checks.

Documents prepared by the seller’s engineer for the transfer serve the transfer process. A buyer who wants an independent condition survey should commission that work separately.

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The Electronic Building Identity: What It Covers

The Electronic Building Identity, or Ηλεκτρονική Ταυτότητα Κτιρίου, is a digital file containing core information and documents concerning a building or divided property. An authorised engineer enters the information through the Technical Chamber of Greece system and can issue a completeness certificate once the record is complete.

The file may include building permits and revisions, approved plans, property details, energy documentation, declarations concerning unauthorised construction and the property’s current legal physical configuration.

Official information is available through gov.gr and the Technical Chamber of Greece.

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Deposits and Preliminary Agreements: The Point at Which Risk Changes

Once a buyer decides to proceed, an agent, seller or developer may request a payment to remove the property from the market.

The payment may be described as a reservation fee, deposit or advance. The accompanying document may be an agency agreement, a reservation form, a private purchase agreement or a formal notarised preliminary contract, each with different legal consequences.

Before Transferring Money, Confirm:

A private reservation agreement may offer considerably less protection than a formal notarised preliminary contract. Buyers should not rely on general statements such as “the deposit is always refundable” or “the seller must always return double.” The answer depends on the legal form and wording of the document actually signed.

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Buying Remotely and Powers of Attorney

Many steps in a Greek property purchase can be completed remotely through a properly drafted power of attorney.

Depending on its wording, the representative may be authorised to obtain the AFM, submit tax declarations, sign agreements, pay taxes and costs, sign the final deed, submit it for registration, complete the E9 declaration, transfer utilities and handle defined immigration procedures.

A power of attorney may be executed before a Greek notary, through a Greek consular authority or abroad in a form accepted in Greece. Depending on the country and document, an Apostille, other legalisation and an official Greek translation may be required.

The Greek lawyer or notary should approve the text and authentication procedure before the document is signed abroad.

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The Final Contract and Registration

The transfer of ownership is completed through a formal notarial deed.

Before signing, the seller, buyer and their professionals assemble the required legal, technical, tax and administrative documents. The exact list depends on the property, but it may include:

• the seller’s ownership deed
• tax and ENFIA certificates
• Land Registry or Cadastre documents
• building permits and approved plans
• the Electronic Building Identity completeness certificate
• the Energy Performance Certificate
• topographical plans where required
• documents confirming the seller’s authority to act
• identification documents and powers of attorney
• proof that the property-transfer tax has been paid.

Before Signing the Deed

Verify that the final deed correctly records:

• the parties’ names and tax details
• the property’s legal description
• the ownership share being transferred
• parking, storage and exclusive-use areas
• the agreed purchase price
• the payment method and any amount already paid
• delivery of possession and keys
• any conditions or obligations that remain outstanding.

A buyer who needs language support should have the document and its consequences properly translated and explained before signing.

Registration Is Essential

Signing the deed is followed by submission to the competent Hellenic Cadastre or registration office. The buyer should obtain evidence of submission and, once the process is complete, confirmation that ownership has been registered.

The digital property-transfer service allows buyers, sellers and notaries to complete eligible purchase transfers online and gather many of the required documents electronically.

Official sources: gov.gr: Transfer your property and National Cadastre digital services.

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Taxes, Professional Fees and Additional Costs

The purchase price is only one part of the budget. Before making a binding offer, request written estimates from the lawyer, engineer, notary, accountant and estate agent.

Property-Transfer Tax

The buyer must submit the property-transfer tax declaration and pay the tax before the final deed is drawn up. The current main rate is 3% of the taxable value. A municipal levy equal to 3% of the main tax also applies, producing an effective charge of approximately 3.09%.

The accountant, lawyer and notary should confirm the taxable value, whether an exemption applies and whether the transaction falls under a different tax treatment.

Can a foreign buyer claim the first-home exemption?

A first-home transfer-tax exemption is available only when the statutory residence, family, existing-property and buyer-category conditions are met. Eligible categories include Greek, EU and EEA citizens, recognised refugees and qualifying long-term residents from third countries who permanently reside in Greece or intend to settle there. The exemption limits also depend on family circumstances and the type of property.

A buyer should establish eligibility before the transfer-tax declaration is submitted. AADE’s official first-residence requirements should be checked with the notary and accountant.

Official sources: AADE: Before buying a property and AADE: Real Estate Transfer Tax.

Other Acquisition Costs

A Practical Acquisition-Budget Example

Total acquisition costs vary substantially between transactions. A straightforward resale purchase can cost far less to complete than an off-plan development, a mortgaged property, a complex title or a purchase involving several foreign documents.

Request Written Quotes Before Committing

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Resale, New-Build, Off-Plan or Land?

New builds and older properties require different forms of due diligence.

Before Buying Off-Plan

The lawyer and engineer should establish:

• who owns the land
• whether the developer has authority to sell the unit
• whether the building permit has been issued
• whether mortgages or financing charges affect the land
• how the home, parking and storage are legally defined
• the construction timetable and staged payments
• the contractual specifications and materials
• the consequences of delay or non-completion
• the process for reporting and correcting defects
• when ownership and possession will be transferred
• when utilities and communal facilities will become operational.

VAT on Qualifying New Buildings in 2026

The current statutory suspension of VAT on qualifying new-building sales runs until 31 December 2026. At the request of a qualifying developer, property-transfer tax applies to the relevant unsold properties instead of VAT during the suspension period.

The government announced in September 2026 that the VAT suspension for new buildings will be extended for 2027–2030. Until the extension is enacted, buyers completing after 31 December 2026 should ask the accountant and notary to confirm the tax treatment of the specific unit.

Official source: Ministry of Economy and Finance: Value Added Tax.

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Buying a Property to Rent

The buyer’s ability to continue the property’s current use after transfer depends on the applicable legal, tax, building and registration rules.

Before relying on rental income, examine:

• whether the intended rental activity is legally permitted
• whether the building’s co-ownership regulations impose restrictions
• whether the property can obtain the necessary registration after the sale
• whether local restrictions affect new short-term rental registrations
• whether residence-programme rules restrict the intended use
• whether additional services turn the activity into a business
• how rent will be collected and declared
• the realistic net return after tax and operating costs.

Short-Term Rentals

Properties used for short-term rental through digital platforms generally need to be entered in AADE’s Short-Term Stay Property Register and display the applicable registration number. Each stay must be declared within the required timetable.

Official source: AADE: Short-Term Rental Register.

New first registrations remain suspended through the end of 2026 in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd municipal districts of the City of Athens and, from 1 July 2026, in the First Municipal Community of the Municipality of Thessaloniki. The government announced in September 2026 that an extension of these restrictions through 2027, subject to the implementing legislation.

A buyer considering a property in one of these areas should establish whether it is already registered, what happens to that registration when ownership changes and whether the property can be registered again during the restriction period. The existence of a registration number in the seller’s name should not be treated as a guaranteed transferable asset.

Sources: Ministry of Economy and Finance, Greece Annual Progress Report 2026, concerning the continuation of the Athens restrictions, and Law 5313/2026, Article 5, concerning the First Municipal Community of Thessaloniki.

Long-Term Rent and Bank Payments

Mandatory payment of rent through a bank account is scheduled to apply from 1 July 2027, following a further postponement in September 2026.

Landlords should establish a clear system for declaring the lease, receiving identifiable payments, distinguishing rent from utility reimbursements and declaring the resulting income.

Official source: AADE: Mandatory payment of rent through a bank account from 1 July 2027.

Calculate the Net Rental Return

Net rental income is the amount remaining after tax, management, maintenance, platform, utility and vacancy costs are deducted from gross receipts.

Our Greek Tax Guide for Expats 2026 explains rental-income taxation and the wider obligations of property owners.

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Property Ownership and Residence Rights

Many foreign buyers purchase a home without using it for an immigration application. Others are specifically seeking a property that may support residence in Greece.

Make this distinction before searching. An ordinary purchase and a residence-linked purchase follow the same basic property-transfer process, while residence-linked purchases carry additional eligibility and use rules.

Current Real-Estate Investment Thresholds

For the standard €400,000 and €800,000 routes, the investment generally concerns one property. Where the investment involves a built property or a property with a building permit, at least 120 sq. m. of main-use space is generally required.

The €250,000 Golden Visa route applies only where the statutory conversion or listed-building conditions are satisfied and documented. For the conversion category, the change to residential use must be completed before the residence application is submitted.

Read our detailed guide, Golden Visa Greece 2026: New Data, New Rules and Who Holds It.

Sources: Enterprise Greece: revised property thresholds and use restrictions and the Ministry of Migration and Asylum implementation circular.

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What Happens After Completion?

Ownership creates continuing obligations, even when the owner lives permanently abroad.

E9 and ENFIA

The new ownership must be correctly reflected in the buyer’s E9 property statement. Where a transfer-tax declaration is submitted digitally through myPROPERTY, the E9 may be created automatically, but the buyer and accountant should still verify the details.

ENFIA is the annual Greek property tax calculated according to the property rights held on 1 January of each year.

Official source: AADE: E9 and ENFIA for non-residents.

Utilities, Building Charges and Insurance

Arrange the transfer or opening of electricity, water, gas where available, internet, communal building accounts and any relevant municipal records.

In an apartment building, obtain information about unpaid communal charges and planned expenditure on the lift, roof, façade, heating system or shared areas.

Property Insurance

Owners who buy without a mortgage can generally choose whether to insure the home, subject to any specific legal requirement that applies to the property. Mortgage lenders may require appropriate cover as a condition of financing.

Insurance status can also affect the owner’s tax position. Homes insured against earthquake, fire and flood may qualify for an ENFIA reduction of 20% where the taxable value does not exceed €500,000 and 10% where it exceeds €500,000, provided that the statutory insurance conditions are met.

Under the current natural-disaster compensation framework, owners of residential property with a taxable value above €500,000 who leave it uninsured may also be excluded from state compensation for damage caused by natural disasters.

Separate compulsory insurance rules apply to businesses with annual gross revenue of at least €500,000. Those business rules apply separately from the rules governing an ordinary privately owned home.

Regardless of whether insurance is legally required, buyers should consider cover for earthquake, fire, wildfire, flood, storm, water damage, public liability, contents and loss of rental income. The policy should be reviewed against the property’s location, construction, use and replacement value.

Official sources: Ministry of Economy and Finance: ENFIA reductions for insured residences and Ministry of Economy and Finance: insurance incentives and compulsory-insurance rules.

Managing a Home from Abroad

A local manager or trusted representative may be needed to inspect the property after storms or earthquakes, check for leaks, manage pools and gardens, arrange emergency repairs, pay communal charges and receive official correspondence.

Include the annual cost of this work in the buying decision and ongoing ownership budget.

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Inheritance and Future Resale

Inheritance planning deserves attention when the property is purchased, particularly where the owners live abroad, have family members in more than one country or buy in unequal shares.

Questions may include:

• who should inherit the property
• which country’s succession law is expected to apply
• whether a will should expressly choose the law of the owner’s nationality
• how Greek and foreign inheritance taxes may interact
• what happens if one joint owner dies
• whether usufruct, bare ownership or company ownership would create unintended consequences.

Cross-border succession may involve Greek law, EU succession rules and the law of the owner’s nationality or habitual residence. Advice may be needed in both Greece and the owner’s country of residence.

Capital Gains Tax on a Future Sale

Taxation of capital gains from the transfer of immovable property is suspended through 31 December 2026. A future owner planning to sell after that date should check the rule in force at the time of sale, together with any other taxes, notarial fees and costs arising from the transaction.

Official source: Ministry of Economy and Finance, Income Taxation.

Think About Resale Before You Buy

A home is easier to resell when its ownership, plans, access and property rights are clear from the beginning.

Factors that may reduce future liquidity include unclear road access, unresolved boundary discrepancies, unauthorised additions, fragmented ownership, shared facilities without clear regulations, poor year-round access, high maintenance costs and dependence on a rental use that may later be restricted.

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Red Flags for Foreign Buyers

Some legal or technical issues can be corrected before transfer. The buyer should understand the problem, cost, timetable and responsibility for resolving it before deciding whether to proceed.

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Where to Search for Property in Greece

Property websites are useful for comparing locations, following asking prices and creating an initial shortlist. Clean title, lawful construction and realistic valuation require separate legal, technical and market checks.

General Greek Property Portals

International and Luxury Searches

Green-Acres aggregates Greek properties for an international audience and presents listings in several languages.

Buyers researching the premium market may also consult specialist brokerage websites such as Engel & Völkers Greece and Greece Sotheby’s International Realty. These estate agencies present properties from their own networks and portfolios.

Before Responding to a Listing

The same home may appear on several websites, occasionally through different agents or at different prices. Confirm:

• that the property is still available
• who has authority to market it
• whether the price includes agency fees
• whether the stated floor area agrees with the legal documents
• whether parking, storage, land or exclusive-use areas are legally included
• whether claims about buildability, rental income or residence eligibility have been independently verified.

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Final Checklist Before You Pay

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Before You Complete the Purchase

A property purchase in Greece depends on several separate checks being completed in the right order. The estate agent helps identify and negotiate the property. The lawyer examines ownership, title and contractual risk. The engineer checks the building against its permits, plans and physical condition. The notary prepares the formal transfer, while the accountant handles the tax obligations connected with ownership.

For a foreign buyer, the preparation also includes a complete acquisition budget, a traceable payment route, source-of-funds documentation and, where relevant, confirmation that the property meets the requirements of the intended residence or rental arrangement.

Complete the legal, technical and financial checks before paying a deposit or becoming contractually committed to the property.

Sources and Editorial Independence

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You May Also Find Useful

• Golden Visa Greece 2026: current thresholds, property categories and restrictions
• How to Get Your AFM and AMKA in Greece: essential registration steps
• Opening a Bank Account in Greece: documents and practical considerations
• Greek Tax Guide for Expats 2026: tax residence, rental income and filing
• Greece Visa and Residence Permit Guide 2026: residence routes for foreign buyers
• Moving to Greece in 2026: planning the wider relocation

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