The Complete Guide to Buying Property in Greece as a Foreigner
Greece actively welcomes foreign property buyers, and the purchase process — while it has specific legal requirements — is straightforward when you know what to expect. Whether you are an EU citizen or a non-EU national, the steps are largely the same, and with the right team in place the entire process from offer accepted to keys in hand typically takes six to twelve weeks. This guide breaks down exactly what happens at each stage, what it costs, and what to watch out for so you can move forward with confidence.
The first two steps happen before you even make an offer. You will need a Greek Tax Identification Number — known as an AFM (Arithmos Forologikou Mitroou) — which is required for any financial transaction in Greece, including a property purchase. EU citizens can obtain one directly at a local tax office; non-EU nationals typically do so through a Greek lawyer acting as their representative. Alongside this, you will need to open a Greek bank account. Greek law requires that the funds for a property purchase pass through a Greek bank account, both to comply with anti-money laundering regulations and to demonstrate the legal origin of the funds. Your lawyer can assist with both steps before you travel.
The Legal Process: From Offer to Completion
Once your offer is accepted, your lawyer conducts a full due diligence search. This includes checking the title at the Land Registry (Ktimatologio) to confirm the seller has clear ownership, verifying there are no mortgages, liens, or encumbrances on the property, confirming that all building permits are in order, and ensuring the seller has no outstanding ENFIA (annual property tax) obligations. This stage is critical and non-negotiable — never skip it. Once due diligence is clear, buyer and seller sign a preliminary agreement (Prosimfono), a private contract that locks in the agreed price and terms. At this point the buyer pays a deposit, typically 10% of the purchase price.
Before the final deed is signed, the buyer must pay the property transfer tax, which in Greece stands at 3.09% of the purchase price or the objective (assessed) property value — whichever is higher. This tax is paid directly to the tax authority before the notary will proceed. Total transaction costs on a Greek property purchase typically fall between 7% and 10% of the purchase price, broken down approximately as follows: transfer tax 3.09%, notary fees 1–1.5%, legal fees 1–2%, and land registry registration fees around 0.5%. Factor these into your budget from the outset.
The final step is the signing of the main deed (Symvolaio) before a licensed Greek notary. Both the buyer and seller — or their authorised legal representatives holding a Power of Attorney — must be present. The Power of Attorney option is particularly useful for foreign buyers who cannot travel to Greece multiple times; you sign it once (at a Greek consulate in your country or in Greece itself) and your lawyer handles everything from there. Once the deed is signed and registered at the Land Registry, ownership is legally transferred and the property is yours.
The full timeline from accepted offer to completion is typically six to twelve weeks for a straightforward transaction. Complex cases — properties with planning issues, inheritance complications, or multiple owners — can take longer, which is why thorough due diligence at the start saves significant time and cost later. After completion, you will need to register as the property owner with the local municipality, set up your ENFIA (annual property tax) account, and if you plan to rent the property, register it with the Greek Short-Term Rental Registry (Mητρωο Aκινητων).
At Bofkers, we coordinate every step of this process on your behalf. Our legal partners conduct the full title search and due diligence, our team assists with AFM registration and bank account opening, and we are present at every signing to ensure nothing is missed. You do not need to navigate Greek bureaucracy alone — that is exactly what we are here for. If you are ready to begin your search, contact the Bofkers team today and we will walk you through the process from day one.