Buy Land in Greece

One can buy land in Greece as a foreigner and it is recommended to address a Greek law firm, as there are numerous local procedures to consider.

Quick Facts
Types of land foreigners can purchase	Agricultural (with some limitations) and residential land, plots that can be used for commercial/industrial purposes
Mandatory legal representation (yes/no)	No (it is not legally imposed to be represented by a lawyer if you buy land in Greece, but it is highly recommended)
Main legal responsibilities of property lawyers	-prepare the documentation for the sale, -draft the sale contract, -register the new owner of the land with the Greek authorities, etc.
Due diligence services offered	Persons who buy land in Greece will receive due diligence services, which mainly aim at verifying the legal situation of the land plot (owners, debts, etc.) and its class type (residential, agricultural, etc.).
Documents necessary for land purchase	– a valid ID/ passport, – the power of attorney (required for third party legal representation),  – a Greek tax identification number,  – proof of funds,  – the Land Registration certificate,   – the property tax certificate (stating that the property does not have any debts),  – documents attesting that the property tax has been paid off,   – permission for planning/construction.
Main land taxes and fees	– property transfer tax of 3.09% of the property’s sale value (this includes all types of immovable real estate), – the ENFIA (the Unified Tax on the Ownership of Real Estate) paid on a yearly basis,  – lawyers’ and notary’s fees, – land registration fee.
Parties involved in the sale/purchase of land	– the buyer and the seller, – the notary public,  – the each party’s lawyers (optional),  – the competent state authorities
Fees charged by notaries/lawyers (if applicable)	The notary fee is typically charged at a rate of minimum 1% of the value of the property and it can reach 2% (+VAT). The same applies for lawyers’ fees.
Law regulating land and land sales in Greece	The Greek Civil Code
Conditions to purchase land for EU nationals	The same as those available for Greek nationals
Conditions to purchase land for non-EU nationals	They have to obtain a Greek tax identification number, a valid visa, a residence permit, and an approval from Greek ministries depending on their nationality.
Documents necessary for the purchase of commercial/industrial land	the company’s documents (registration certificates, statutory documents, a Greek corporate bank account), along with documents showing how the respective land will be used
Institutions involved in the registration of new ownership	The Greek Cadastre (Land Registry)
The mandatory provisions of a property sale contract	– the buyer,  – the seller,  – the sale price,  – the deposit and the deadline to pay the entire sum,  – information on the land and its type,  – the terms and conditions to be respected by the parties, etc.
Types of property contracts	Preliminary contracts, property purchase agreements

What categories of foreigners can purchase land in Greece in 2026?

Foreigners can buy property in Greece freely, especially in the case of EU nationals, who are not imposed with any restrictions. Limitations can appear for foreign nationals who are citizens of countries outside the EU, who, for specific categories of land, are restricted from the right of buying.

How can you assist me in buying land in Greece?

Our law firm in Greece has extensive legal experience in any property-related matter, therefore you can rely on our professional services, which can include any of the following:

1. advice on the applicable legislation;
2. information on the obligations you have when buying land or any other type of real estate, depending on your nationality;
3. assistance in finding a suitable property for sale;
4. assistance in the sale process – our Greek lawyers can participate in the negotiations, review the sale contract, register the new ownership with the Land Registry, etc.;
5. tax assistance – we can help in the process of paying property transfer taxes and any other taxes that can derive from owning properties in Greece.

What are the most important matters to consider when buying land in Greece?

With the help of our lawyers in Greece, you can complete the due diligence procedures. The acquisition of land must comply with certain legal requirements and various obligations can also appear based on the purpose for which the land will be used.

What is the legislation regulating the acquisition of real estate in Greece?

According to the Law 1892/1990, land located in frontier regions can’t be purchased by foreigners. The Greek law stipulates the following:

1. the rule concerning buying the land located in frontier regions does not apply to foreign nationals who are EU citizens or citizens of countries part of the European Free Trade Association;
2. foreigners, regardless of their nationality, have the right to acquire agricultural land;
3. there are certain limitations concerning the purchase of agricultural land, for instance, for land that exceeds 250,000 square meters special approvals must be provided by the Greek authorities, in accordance with the rules of Law 2148/1952;
4. the legislation also prevents the purchase of property located in archeological sites – the sale contract must provide clear provisions concerning this rule and, if the contract does not include this observation, it can’t be registered with the Land Registry, as per the rules of Law 2242/1994;
5. it is possible to acquire property that is listed as monuments/ memorials, but the owners may need to allow the state to conclude excavations, or they may need to restore the respective property using their own financial resources (Law 1337/1983);
6. when buying an apartment and other real estate, there are 2 main rules of law regulating ownership rights, namely the Civil Code (Article 1002 and Article 1117) and Law 3741/1929.

We invite you to read our infographic, where you can find out how you can receive legal assistance for purchasing Greek properties:

What are the mandatory provisions of a sale contract?

Foreigners who wish to buy land in Greece or another type of real estate must sign a sale agreement. This is the main document through which the transfer of ownership is made and it should contain the following:

1. the details of the seller and the buyer;
2. a detailed presentation of the property;
3. the price at which the property is sold;
4. the payment terms agreed upon the parties;
5. other provisions, as per the applicable law.

Do I need to pay taxes when buying land in Greece?

Yes, the Greek law imposes various taxes and fees for the sale of real estate in Greece, regardless of its nature. Some of the main taxes charged in connection to real estate in Greece are:

1. the property transfer tax;
2. value added tax;
3. capital gains tax (it is payable by the party who sells the property);
4. the stamp duty;
5. ENFIA – this is an annual property tax that is charged on all properties in Greece and it is payable by owners, regardless if they are Greek residents or not.

How long does it take to purchase Greek real estate in 2026?

In most cases, once a buyer has decided on a specific property that he or she wants to buy, the purchase procedure can be completed in 1 to 3 months.

Below, we invite you to watch a short video where you can find out basic information on how to buy Greek land:

If you need further information on buying a land plot, or if you want to receive legal representation in this process, we invite you to contact our Greek law firm.