To buy a property in Greece, you may need the assistance of our Greek real estate lawyers who can help you with all the legal procedures.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Types of properties foreigners can purchase |
– residential, – commercial |
|
Mandatory legal representation (yes/no) |
No, but it is highly recommended |
|
Main legal responsibilities of property lawyers |
– intermediate the sale on behalf of the client, – verify the stipulations of the contract, – verify the property's documents, – assist the client in changing the ownership – complete any other legal procedures after the sale |
| Due diligence (yes/no) |
Yes |
| Documents necessary for the property purchase |
– the passport, – the Greek visa (necessary for non-EU citizens), – the Tax Registry Number (foreigners can obtain it too), – information on the current residency in Greece (where applicable), – bank returns and others |
| Main property taxes |
– transfer tax, – registration fees, – notary fees, – the lawyers' fee, – real estate fee (if the property is sold through a real estate agency) |
| Parties involved in the sale/purchase of a property |
– the seller, – the buyer, – the lawyer, – the notary, – the real estate agent |
| Fees charged by notaries/lawyers (if applicable) |
– notary: maximum 1% of the value of the property (+VAT) ; – lawyer: between 0.4% and 2% of the value of the property (+ VAT) |
| Law regulating property and property sales in Greece |
– the Greek Civil Code, – the Code of Civil Procedure, – the Law 2308/1995, – the Law 2664/1998 |
| Conditions to purchase for EU nationals | EU citizens can easily purchase properties in Greece, without any restrictions imposed by the local institutions |
| Conditions to purchase for non-EU nationals |
They have to comply with certain rules, including visa requirements. In certain parts of the country, less restrictions can apply. |
| Documents necessary for the purchase of commercial/industrial property |
For companies: – the corporate documents, – the ID and passport of the person representing the company, – information of the seller, – the deeds of owernship, – the declarations of the parties for the transfer of ownership, – evidence on having the funds to purchase the property |
| Institutions involved in the registration of new ownership |
The Land Registry |
| The mandatory provisions of a property sale contract |
– the accurate description of the property, – the obligations of the parties, – the price, – the methods of payment, – the date at which the buyer must transfer the money etc. |
| Types of property contracts to sign in Greece |
– preliminary contract, – sale contract |
| Deposit requirement on the sale of a property | Usually 10% |
|
Penalty clauses |
They can be included in the sale contract, by stating that if the contract is annulled due to an issue of one of the parties, the wrongful party (the buyer or the seller) must pay an additional sum of money to the other party. |
|
Property inheritance rights |
The inheritance rights in Greece are divided into 6 classes of surviving relatives, who can benefit from inheritance based on the law of succession (with a signed will or intestate inheritance). |
| Due diligence procedures | Legal due diligence (through which lawyers verify all the documentation of the property) and technical due diligence (a physical inspection of the property) |
| Categories of properties stipulated by the Greek law |
Public and private |
| Ancilliary rights granted to the owner of a property |
The right to ownership, to use the property, to live in the property, to lease it, sell it, to make a mortgage, usufruct rights |
| Information recorded in the Property Registry |
The name of the owner, the type of legal right on the property (full ownership/partial), the address of the property, the property type (apartment, house, etc.), surface, emcumbrances (such as mortages), legal issues (third party claims), the title deed. |
| Legal assistance in property disputes (yes/no) |
Yes |
| Statute of limitation for property litigation |
5 years (for legal matters regulated under the Article 250 of the Civil Code) or 20 years (for any other legal matter not mentioned in Article 250) |
| Ways to resolve property litigation | Our property lawyers in Greece can assist with property litigation held out-of-court and in court proceedings, as regulated by the Greek law. |
| Law regulating land rights in Greece |
The Greek Civil Code |
| Average property sale price requested by property sellers |
The average price per square meter is EUR 2,408 for residential property – our property lawyers in Greece can help you find a suitable property for your needs. |
| Access to viewing details on properties listed in the public registries (yes/no) |
Yes |
| Right to buy land in Greece for EU/non-EU nationals (yes/no) |
Yes |
| Ways in which our lawyers can help foreign clients | Our property lawyers in Greece can help you draw and sign the purchase contract, put you in contact with a notary public, assist in submitting documentation to various competent institutions, pay property taxes, help you sell or rent your Greek property, etc. |
Table of Contents
Do I need a property lawyer in Greece to buy real estate in 2026?
It is recommended to be represented by a team of real estate lawyers in Greece to purchase properties in this country regardless of the purpose (residential or commercial) for which the acquisition is being made.
The Greek law does not impose buyers or sellers to be represented by lawyers. The services of property lawyers are rather necessary throughout this procedure in order to avoid any types of legal issues.
What are the main legal services I can obtain from your property lawyers in Greece?
Our property lawyers in Greece are mainly involved in:
- drafting of the sale contract;
- representation in the cadastral search;
- assisting the owner of the property in entering its title in the Greek property registry;
- gathering and presenting the documents required by the authorities to process the application;
- assisting clients in selecting a property suitable to their needs and budget;
- complete due diligence procedures;
- providing information and assistance concerning the taxes associated with buying property in Greece, etc.
What kind of real estate can I buy in Greece?
In general, the real estate projects that our property lawyers in Greece can help you buy are divided into 2 classes: the properties that fall within the General Plan of Ordination and others that are outside of it.
Below, you can read our infographic presenting how to purchase a Greek house:
Is there any difference in legal formalities when buying residential vs. commercial property?
While in both cases buyers need to complete similar steps, differences can appear in the documentation required for the sale, which can be more complex in the case of commercial property. Typically, in the latter case, the property must have:
- an operating license;
- documentation attesting its designated purpose (office, warehouse, retail space, industrial space, etc.);
- a certificate issued by the Commercial Register, etc.
What do I need in order to register a property in Greece?
There are several requirements and conditions that you must fulfill before you can register a new property with the Greek authorities. Generally, the authorities will ask you to have:
- copies of every deed evidencing your rights to the property (e.g. a copy of the contract);
- proof that you have made the deposit or transfer corresponding to the registration fee in the Greek Property Registry;
- copy of your valid identity card or valid passport;
- the tax identification number.
Are there any restrictions I should be aware of when buying real estate as a foreigner?
Foreigners can buy real estate in Greece in 2026 with almost no restrictions. However, you must know that there are 2 categories of foreigners:
- citizens of the European Union (EU), who can purchase properties following the same regulations available for Greek citizens;
- non-EU citizens, who may need to comply with additional rules (many of them referring to immigration aspects – obtaining a visa, residence permit, etc.).
How much should I expect to pay for real estate in Greece in 2026?
The prices are heavily influenced by the Greek region and by the type of property available for sale. Of course, the quality of the property, the available surface and many other reasons can increase the price. Our lawyers can provide in-depth information on the current prices.
How long does it take to buy a property in Greece?
The duration of the purchase process can be influenced by many factors, including the type of property you are interested in. In general, you should expect to complete it in a period of at least 2 months, if you buy a residential property. For commercial properties, it can take minimum 3 months.
What are the main categories of taxes associated with real estate in Greece?
There are 4 main categories of taxes that are associated with real estate. These are:
- applicable to the purchase of real estate;
- charged to the seller of a real estate property;
- annual taxes charged to the owners of a property;
- deriving from renting real estate.
We invite you to watch a short presentation on how to buy a house in Greece:
What taxes should I pay when buying a property in Greece in 2026?
If you plan to purchase a property, you will need to pay a property transfer tax, which in Greek is known as Fóros Metavivasis Akinítou (FMA). Concerning this, we mention:
- FMA, which is charged at a rate of 3.09% of the sale price of the property, is applicable only to resale properties;
- Until 31 December 2026, newly build properties, which have never been sold before, also benefit from the FMA, charged at the same rate of 3.09%, following a governmental decision (normally, for this category of property, the buyer needs to pay 24% VAT on the total sale price).
What taxes should I pay if I sell a property in Greece?
If you are the seller of the property, you are also required to pay taxes. In this case, it is necessary to pay the capital gains tax, which is a tax charged on the profit made on the respective sale. Sellers should know the following:
- the tax is applied to the difference between the sale price and the purchase price;
- the tax rate is 15%;
- the capital gains tax is applied only in the case of those who sell their property in a period of maximum 5 years since they purchased it.
If you want to know more details about how to buy real estate in Greece, contact our team of Greek real estate lawyers right now to review your case on a personalized basis.