The Real Cost of Buying Property in Greece in 2026 – Line by Line
The Real Cost of Buying Property in Greece in 2026 – Line by Line
WHY THIS GUIDE EXISTS
Most guides tell you to budget 9–10% on top of the price. Then they stop. That number is not wrong. It just isn't useful.
You can't plan a purchase with a percentage. You need to know which lines you pay, who sets them, and which ones you can negotiate. So below, every cost is shown in euros, on a real-sized example.
The same costs apply whether you buy a resale home or a new build.
EVERY LINE YOU PAY
The buyer pays five costs. Only one of them is a tax.
1. Transfer tax
Rate: 3.09% (3% plus a 3% municipal surcharge on the tax)
Calculated on: the higher of the price or the state's objective value
Paid: before signing
Negotiable: no
2. Notary
Rate: up to about 1.5% + 24% VAT
Calculated on: the price in the deed
Paid: at signing
3. Land Registry / Cadastre
Rate: 0.5%
Calculated on: the price in the deed
Paid: after signing
Negotiable: no
4. Lawyer
Rate: up to about 1.5% + 24% VAT
Calculated on: the price
Paid: agreed upfront
Negotiable: yes
5. Agent commission (Ktimatoemporiki)
Rate: 2% + 24% VAT
Calculated on: the price
Paid: at signing
The transfer tax must be paid before the notary will sign. Budget for it as cash, not as part of a mortgage.
WORKED EXAMPLE: A €300,000 HOME
All in, a €300,000 home costs up to about €29,370 extra. That's 9.8% on top of the price.
Transfer tax (3.09%): €9,270
Notary (1.5% + VAT): €5,580
Land Registry (0.5%): €1,500
Lawyer (1.5% + VAT): €5,580
Agent (2% + VAT): €7,440
Total: €29,370 (9.8%)
This assumes the state's objective value is not above the price. Notary and lawyer fees vary, so your total can come in lower.
THE COSTS NOBODY PUTS IN THE 10%
These are small. But foreign buyers hit all of them, and most guides skip them.
Greek tax number (AFM). You need one before anything else.
Greek bank account. Needed to pay and to prove where the money came from.
Power of attorney. Lets you buy without flying in. Signed abroad, it needs an Apostille and a sworn translation.
Translations. Official Greek translations of passports and documents.
Engineer's check. Confirms the building matches its permits. It's what saves you from a bad surprise.
ONCE YOU OWN IT
Two costs come every year.
ENFIA. The annual property tax. It depends on size, location and age, not on what you paid.
Tax on rental income. Only if you rent it out. It is charged on a sliding scale.
Then the normal bills: electricity, water, building fees, insurance.
HOW WE HANDLE IT AT KTIMATOEMPORIKI
We've been doing this since 1994, from Chania.
The lawyer, the mortgage and the tracking are under one roof.
Attorney at Law. Our in-house legal team handles the checks and the deed.
TeleMortgage. Financing, if you need it.
Finale. Our own platform that tracks each step of your transaction.
Golden Visa Greece. If you're a non-EU buyer, the minimum is €800,000 in high-demand areas, €400,000 elsewhere, and €250,000 only for conversions and restorations. See our Golden Visa guide.
We were the first Greek real estate company certified to ISO 9001. It means our process is written down and audited.
QUICK ANSWERS
How much should I budget on top of the price in Greece?
Up to about 10%, including agent and lawyer. On a €300,000 home, that's about €29,370.
Can a foreigner buy property in Greece?
Yes.
Can a foreigner get a mortgage in Greece?
Yes. Foreign buyers can finance their purchase with a Greek bank loan. Our TeleMortgage team can help you with it.
Do I have to be in Greece to buy?
No. You can sign through a power of attorney.
Who pays the transfer tax, buyer or seller?
The buyer.