Quick answer: Yes foreigners, including non-EU citizens, can freely buy property in Greece, with full ownership rights and only minor restrictions in a few designated border and military zones. The process runs in nine clear steps: define your goal, get a Greek tax number (AFM), open a bank account, find and reserve a property, complete legal and technical due diligence, sign the contract before a notary, and register the deed. Budget roughly 8–12% on top of the purchase price for taxes and fees.

Buying real estate in another country can feel daunting, but Greece is one of the most open and straightforward markets in Europe for international buyers. This guide walks you through exactly how it works in 2026 what you can buy, the step-by-step process, the real costs, the taxes, and how to complete a purchase even if you never set foot in Greece.

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Yes. EU and non-EU citizens alike can purchase residential and commercial property in Greece and own it outright (freehold). There is no separate “foreign buyer” tax or surcharge. The only exception is property located in designated border or strategic zones (parts of the northern Aegean, the Dodecanese, Crete and some frontier regions), where non-EU buyers must obtain a simple permit from the local authorities a formality your lawyer handles. For the vast majority of investors buying in Athens, the Athenian Riviera or the popular islands, no special permission is required.

• Define your goal and budget. Decide whether you want rental income (ROI), a holiday or primary home, a Golden Visa-eligible asset, or a mix. This shapes location and property type.
• Obtain a Greek tax number (AFM). Every buyer needs an AFM (Arithmos Forologikou Mitroou). It can be issued in a day, in person or by power of attorney.
• Open a Greek bank account. Used to transfer the purchase funds and pay taxes and utilities. Funds should come from your own account for transparency.
• Find the property and make an offer. Work with a licensed agent. Once a price is agreed, a reservation agreement and small holding deposit take the property off the market.
• Legal and technical due diligence. Your lawyer checks the title, ownership history, debts and planning status at the land registry/cadastre; an engineer verifies the building is legal and matches its permits.
• Preliminary contract and deposit. Often 10% of the price. It locks in the terms; if the buyer withdraws the deposit is usually forfeited, if the seller withdraws they typically repay double.
• Pay the transfer tax. The 3.09% property transfer tax must be paid before the final deed is signed.
• Sign the final contract before a notary. The notary reads and certifies the deed; the balance is paid and ownership transfers.
• Register the deed. The contract is registered at the land registry and cadastre, making your ownership public and final. After that: set up utilities and, if you wish, property management.

Beyond the purchase price, expect total acquisition costs of roughly 8–12%. The table below shows the typical breakdown for a standard resale property.

Note: VAT on brand-new properties has been suspended for many transactions in recent years, and most foreign investors buy resale apartments that fall under the 3.09% transfer tax rather than VAT.

Taxes You Will Pay as an Owner

• Property transfer tax (FMA) — 3.09% once, at purchase.
• ENFIA — the annual property ownership tax, based on size, location, floor and age. For a typical Athens apartment it ranges from a few hundred to a couple of thousand euros a year.
• Rental income tax — if you let the property: 15% on income up to €12,000, 35% from €12,001–€35,000, and 45% above that. You are taxed on net profit, so many expenses are deductible.

Buying Remotely with a Power of Attorney

You do not need to be in Greece to buy. Through a specific, limited Power of Attorney (PoA), your lawyer can obtain your AFM, open your bank account, sign the preliminary and final contracts, and register the deed on your behalf. This “hassle-free” route is how most overseas investors complete a purchase the entire transaction can be handled while you remain in your home country.

How Long Does It Take?

From an accepted offer to a signed deed, a straightforward purchase usually takes 4–8 weeks, depending on how quickly due diligence is completed and funds are transferred. Golden Visa applications add further steps after the purchase but do not delay the property transfer itself.

How Nest Land Makes It Simple

Nest Land provides a single point of contact for the entire journey: sourcing the right property, full legal and technical due diligence with our in-house lawyers and engineers, remote completion by Power of Attorney, and after purchase renovation and property management. One team, one goal: a secure, profitable, stress-free investment in Greece.

Can a non-EU citizen buy property in Greece?

Yes. Non-EU citizens have full property ownership rights in Greece. Only a few border/strategic zones require a simple local permit, which a lawyer arranges.

Do I need to travel to Greece to buy a property?

No. With a Power of Attorney, your lawyer can complete the entire purchase — AFM, bank account, contracts and registration — on your behalf.

What are the total costs of buying property in Greece?

Plan for around 8–12% of the price in taxes and fees: 3.09% transfer tax, plus notary, lawyer, agent and registration costs.

Does buying property give me residency?

It can. A qualifying real-estate investment can grant a five-year renewable residence permit through the Greece Golden Visa — see our dedicated Golden Visa guide.