Buying Property in Greece

Greece is one of the countries with the longest coastline in the world because it owns more than 3,000 large and tiny islands – about 20% of the territory. There are an average of 300 sunny days a year. The local climate is considered one of the best in the world. But how to become a property owner in this paradise?

Can foreigners buy property in Greece?

Citizens of any country have the right to buy residential and commercial real estate in Greece. You can make a deal as an individual or a legal entity.

The only exceptions are the areas considered border territories. A foreigner needs the authorities' permission to buy real estate in these places. The list includes some Greek islands bordering Turkey (for example, Rhodes and Kos).

How much does it cost to buy property in Greece?

The cost depends on the property type and region. In general, Greece is still a relatively inexpensive country. In Athens, Thessaloniki, you can buy property at a price of up to € 2,000 per sq. m. There are locations with € 500-750 per square meter.

It is also useful to study Greek or international real estate sites to learn more about the process of buying property.

Best places to buy property in Greece

Most settlements in Greece have all the necessary infrastructure, which means that can easily choose property between big cities and small towns. Transport links are well established between the regions.

Athens is the capital city of Greece, one of the oldest and most famous cities in the world, and the cradle of an ancient civilization. Modern Athens is a developed metropolis with all the necessary infrastructure. Housing prices in Athens range from €1,400 per sq. m. in the western districts to almost €3,000 in the south of the city.

Thessaloniki is the largest city after Athens, the cultural capital of Greece. It is full of museums, restaurants, and shopping malls, and for lovers of nightlife and clubs, there is a big reconstructed historical district Ladadika. Housing prices in Thessaloniki range from €1,200 to €1,700 per sq. m. You can buy a small apartment can be purchased for €50,000-70,000.

Corfu is the northernmost and the second largest among the Ionian Islands. A little more than 100,000 people live here. Corfu has everything you need for year-round living. Many ancient villages are gradually turning into resorts with numerous cafes and shops. On average, a square meter of housing in the prefecture of Corfu costs €1,700.

Crete is the largest and southernmost island of Greece, the fifth largest in the Mediterranean Sea. The infrastructure of Crete is rich: eight public hospitals, three universities, museums, and historical and cultural attractions located in the largest cities. According to Spinogatos, the cost per square meter in Heraklion Prefecture is €1,300.

Santorini is a volcanic island of the Cyclades archipelago in the Aegean Sea. The area is 76,000 square kilometers, and the length of the coastline is 66 km. Here you can find a variety of restaurants and cafes with local cuisine, water sports clubs, shops, beauty and health centers, and tanning salons. If you are looking for a Santorini property for sale, remember that this is one of the most expensive islands in Greece: a square meter of housing in Santorini costs more than €2,000 on average. 

How can I find a property in Greece?

You are not obliged to hire a real estate agent. But you will save yourself the need to understand legal documents in an unfamiliar language. You can contact a Greek real estate agency or a company in your country that sells real estate in Greece through its partners.

Examples of properties for sale in Greece:

295 000 €

House in Corfu, Greece

140 m² 4 2 2

KASSIOPI For sale: a traditional, fully renovated 140-square-meter home with exclusive use of a 195-square-meter lot, offering beautiful sea views and located a short distance from the center of Kassiopi. ️ The home is spread over two levels and consists of: ️Ground Floor: A spacious and versatile room that can be used as a bedroom or...

Maija Software

195 000 €

Flat in Kavala, Greece

81 m²

Residence

Greece. New 81 m² apartment in Kavala. Greece, Macedonia, Kavala Prefecture, Kavala – City Center €195,000 • Property ID: 67045 • Area: 81 m² • Region: Kavala • Location: Kavala – City Center | Kavala Prefecture (Macedonia) • Number of rooms: 3 Details • Number of floors...

Europe Gmbh

570 000 €

House in Chalkidiki, Greece

178 m² 4 4 2

Online Viewing Remote Transaction Rental property

The house is built near the Sani Resort, an award-winning 5-star resort. It is one of the most famous and unique regions of Halkidiki. This part of the Kassandra Peninsula is known for its pine forests and amazing golden sand beach, the sea here is usually calm with crystal clear blue water. Sani Marina is a small Monaco in Greece. The...

HELLAS CONSULT SOLUTIONS

96 000 €

Apartment in Thessaloniki, Greece

64 m²

Rental property

Greece. New apartment of 64 m2 in Thessaloniki. 96,000 € Nea Politia (Ekosmos) Object code 2638 Area 64 m2 Distance to the sea 2000 m Distance to the airport 16 km Number of rooms 2: living room with kitchen, bedroom, bathroom Parking Apartments for sale in a quiet area of Thessaloniki. There are 25 apartments available. The apartments are...

Europe Gmbh

250 000 €

Villa in Agios Nikolaos, Greece

140 m² 3 2

The villa is located on the island of Crete, 3 km from the town of Agios Nikolaos and a 50-minute drive from the airport. The distance to the sea is 3 km. The ground floor includes an open plan living room combined with a dining room, a fully equipped kitchen, a bathroom and a spacious terrace. On the second floor there are 3 bedrooms with...

NF Group

320 000 €

Townhouse in Chania Prefecture, Greece

123 m²

Residence

Greece. Maleme. Townhouse 123 m² on Crete Chania Prefecture. Platanias. Maleme. €320,000 €2,602/m² • Property ID 65570 • Area 123 m² • Plot size 123 m² • Location: Maleme (Platanias) | Chania Prefecture (Crete) • Number of rooms: 3 • Number of floors in the building: 3...

Europe Gmbh

200 000 €

House in Corfu, Greece

80 m² 4 2 1

Traditional detached house for sale with a magnificent view, located in the Agios Panteleimonas area of northern Corfu in a lush, green, and quiet area. ️ The house has a total area of 80 square meters and is built on a 1,350-square-meter lot, with an additional 120 square meters of remaining building rights and It consists of: 2 bedrooms...

Maija Software

309 000 €

Flat in Thessaloniki, Greece

130 m²

Residence

Greece. New 130 m² apartment in Thessaloniki. Ekosmos. Evosmo. €309,000 €2,377/m² • Property ID: 59963 • Area: 130 m² • Number of rooms: 4 • Number of floors in the building: 8 • Year built: 2025 • Number of rooms: 4 • Heating type: gas • Condition: Under...

Europe Gmbh

187 000 €

Flat in Agios Nikolaos, Greece

33 m²

Residence

Greece. New 33 m² apartment in Crete. Lassithi Prefecture. Agios Nikolaos - Center. 187,000 € 5667 €/m² • Property Code 63908 • Area 33 m² • Number of Rooms: 2 • Year Built: 2026 • Beach: Pebble Beach, Sandy Beach • Number of Rooms: 2 • Heating Type: Electric...

Europe Gmbh

2 850 000 €

Villa in Greece

276 m² 7 6 7

Residence

Sea Breeze Villas is an exclusive off-plan development of just 6 private luxury residences in Nimporio, a peaceful seaside settlement on the southern coast of Evia, Greece. These are not typical holiday villas. Each home is designed as a substantial private Mediterranean residence, combining contemporary architecture with generous indoor and...

Maija Software

279 000 €

Apartment in Athens, Greece

30 m² 1 11 1

Residence

ETOLIKOU SEAFRONT – Piraeus, Athens Prime beachfront location + Golden Visa investment + directly situated at the port. Residential project in prime beachfront location directly on the water in Piraeus, Greece's most important port and one of the fastest-growing areas around Athens. A project for buyers who wish to combine a waterfront...

Maija Software

195 000 €

Apartment in Athens, Greece

93 m²

Credit Rental property

Greece. For sale - Apartment of 93 m2 in Athens with a new complete renovation. 195 000 € Object code 51795 Area 93 m2 Location Attica (Greece) | Sepolia - Skuse (Athens Center) Number of rooms 3 Floor: 2 Year of construction: 1970 Number of rooms: 3 Bathrooms: 1 Bedrooms: 2 Distance from the sea: 8500 m Distance to the airport: 36 km Elevator...

Europe Gmbh

1 400 000 €

Villa on Corfu, Greece

240 m²

Residence

Greece. Villa 240 m² on Corfu Island For Sale - Villa 240 m² on Corfu Island €1,400,000 €5,833/m² • Property ID 32486 • Area 240 m² • Plot area 2,000 m² • Number of rooms: 4 • Number of floors in the building: 4 • Number of rooms: 4 • Levels: 3 •...

Europe Gmbh

3 500 000 €

Villa in Sitia, Greece

550 m²

Residence

Greece. Lassithi. Villa 550 m² on Crete Greece, Crete, Lassithi Prefecture, Siteia, Mochlos €3,500,000 €6,364/m² • Property ID 36684 • Area 550 m² • Plot size 2,780 m² • Location: Mochlos (Siteia) | Lasithi Prefecture (Crete) • Number of rooms: 6 • Number of floors in...

Europe Gmbh

430 000 €

Cottage in Akrata, Greece

190 m²

Residence

Greece. 190 m² cottage in the Peloponnese Peloponnese. Achaia. Akrata. €430,000 €2,263/m² • Property ID: 66925 • Area: 190 m² • Plot size: 550 m² • Region: Peloponnese • Location: Akrata - Center (Akrata) | Achaia (Peloponnese) • Number of rooms: 6 Details •...

Europe Gmbh

388 000 €

Flat on Aegina, Greece

66 m² 3 2 1

ID 4618. OXE CAPITAL is delighted to present this spacious 2-bedroom apartment with a total area of 66 m². An ideal option both for investment and private living. Key Features: Spacious apartment with a well-designed layout 2 bedrooms 1 bathroom Area: 66 m² Balcony and terrace Panoramic windows providing abundant natural light...

OXE CAPITAL

35 000 €

Cottage on Corfu, Greece

55 m²

Residence

Greece. 55 m² cottage on Corfu Island for renovation. €35,000 €636/m² • Property ID: 34392 • Area: 55 m² • Number of rooms: 3 • Year built: 1955 • Number of rooms: 3 • Levels: 2 • Bedrooms: 2 • Distance from the sea: 4000 m • Distance to the nearest town:...

Europe Gmbh

2 850 000 €

Villa in Greece

276 m² 7 6 7

Residence

Sea Breeze Villas is an exclusive off-plan development of just 6 private luxury residences in Nimporio, a peaceful seaside settlement on the southern coast of Evia, Greece. These are not typical holiday villas. Each home is designed as a substantial private Mediterranean residence, combining contemporary architecture with generous indoor and...

Maija Software

435 000 €

Townhouse in Corfu, Greece

140 m²

Residence

Greece. Corfu. 140 m² townhouse on the island of Corfu Corfu. €435,000 €3,107/m² • Property ID: 9538 • Area: 140 m² • Number of rooms: 4 Details • Number of floors in the building: 3 • Year of construction: 2003 • Number of rooms: 4 • Levels: 2 • Bathrooms:...

Europe Gmbh

230 000 €

Apartment in Athens, Greece

78 m²

Rental property

Greece. For sale - Newly renovated 78 m2 apartment in Athens. € 230,000 Object ID 63208 Area 78 m2 Location Lycabettus (Kolonaki - Lycabettus) | Athens Center (Attica) Number of rooms2 More details Floor: 1.5 Year of construction: 1974 Year of renovation: 2024 Number of rooms: 2 Heating Bathrooms: 1 Bedrooms: 1 Distance to the sea: 7,600 m...

Europe Gmbh

See more 852 similar properties

About buying property in Greece

When looking for a new home in Greece, the most important thing to do is to obtain a local TIN. An individual tax number is required for all calculations on the transaction. The local tax authority issues it. You can handle it via a lawyer, who can also help you with making an offer. Previously, the participation of a lawyer was mandatory by law, but now they work only at the buyer's request.

Greece is one of the best options for investors due to its geographical location and attractive conditions of the Golden Visa program. You can get a five-year residence permit by spending at least €250,000 on Greek property.

Real estate taxes and fees in Greece

The standard tax rate for the purchase of new buildings in Greece is 24% (VAT). Since 2014, a preferential rate (3.09%) has been applied only for facilities whose construction permit was issued before January 1, 2006.

However, since 2020, the Greek government has announced a VAT freeze for all new buildings, including unsold real estate built after 2006. The new rules will be in effect for three years – until the end of 2022.

For the lawyer's fee, you need to pay about 1.5% of the cost of the object. Additional services (for example, legal analysis of the transaction in non-standard situations) are agreed upon and paid separately. This amount already includes the preparation of all documents and transfers.

Notary expenses usually amount to 1.5% of the contract value of the property.

The commission of the real estate agency is up to 2% of the transaction amount. In rare cases, companies do not charge a commission if a seller is a developer.

In conclusion

• As a foreigner, you can buy Greek properties on the same terms as residents, except for border regions.
• You have the right to obtain a Greek Golden Visa by buying property for €250,000 or more.
• You don’t have to use a lawyer’s help by law, but they are very helpful if you don’t speak Greek.
• Greece is a relatively cheap destination for investors.

Photo by Lydia Gulinkina on Unsplash

Quoting conditions of Prianproperty.com materials