What Do You Need to Buy Property in Greece?
Written by: Marcus M. Araz, MBA, PhD · Updated:
A passport, a Greek tax number (AFM), a Greek lawyer and a power of attorney to run the purchase; and, if you are aiming for a Golden Visa, a Greek bank account in your own name. There is no special restriction on Turkish citizens, and the whole purchase can be handled by power of attorney without travelling to Greece. The tax number is free and the power of attorney costs about €160. Total purchase costs come to about 6.73% of the price plus €684 in fixed items.
What you need
| What | Why it is needed | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Passport | Identification and every official step | Validity must cover the purchase and residency process |
| Tax number (AFM) | Everyone buying property in Greece must have a tax number | Issued free by the tax office (DOY); your lawyer can obtain it under a power of attorney |
| Solicitor | Checking title and planning status, contracts, transfer of title | Must be registered in Greece; in our cost table legal work and due diligence come to about 1.24% of the price |
| Power of attorney | To run the process without travelling to Greece | About €160; it can be drawn up before a notary in Turkey and legalised with an apostille |
| Engineer’s report | The building’s physical condition and compliance with its permit | Completed before the contract |
| Greek bank account | The Golden Visa requires payment to be made through a bank | Not compulsory if you are not seeking a Golden Visa, but it makes service charge and tax payments easier |
| Source of funds documents | Anti-money laundering checks | Six months of bank statements and documents showing the source of the income |
How to get a tax number (AFM)
The AFM is the tax identification number issued by the Greek tax administration (AADE) and is used at every step, from buying the property to declaring rental income. You apply at a tax office (DOY) with your passport and address details; there is no fee. For people not resident in Greece, the application can also be made by a lawyer or tax representative holding a power of attorney. The number is usually issued the same day or within a few days.
The process step by step
| Step | What happens |
|---|---|
| 1. Lawyer and power of attorney | You choose a lawyer registered in Greece and the power of attorney is drawn up |
| 2. Tax number | The AFM is obtained; for a Golden Visa it may also be needed for your spouse and children |
| 3. Due diligence | The lawyer checks the title, planning status and any mortgage entries; the engineer checks the building’s condition |
| 4. Preliminary contract and deposit | Price, payment schedule and handover terms are fixed |
| 5. Transfer tax | The 3.09% transfer tax is paid before the title is transferred |
| 6. Transfer before a notary | The final contract is signed before a notary |
| 7. Registration and E9 | The title is registered with the land registry and the property is added to your tax record through the E9 declaration |
| 8. Golden Visa application | The residence permit application is made once payment is complete |
An itemised breakdown of costs is on our Cost of buying a home in Greece page; for your own figures we have the Greece purchase cost calculator . How to send the money is explained on our money transfer for a home abroad page.
Extra conditions if you are aiming for a Golden Visa
- Threshold: €250,000 for conversion and restoration projects; €800,000 for a standard home in Attica and Thessaloniki and €400,000 elsewhere (a single home of at least 120 m²).
- Payment route: the full amount must be paid through a bank from a Greek account in your own name; cash is not accepted.
- Family: the spouse, children up to 21 and the parents of both spouses can be included in the same application.
- No short-term letting: a home bought under the Golden Visa cannot be let by the day or the week.
- Health insurance and fees: the state fee, residence card and health insurance are calculated separately at application.
The full set of rights is on our Does the Greek Golden Visa lead to citizenship page.
What to watch for
- Choose your own lawyer: the seller’s or agent’s lawyer does not represent you; your own lawyer must be independent.
- Title and planning records: older buildings can have additions that breach the permit; that is why due diligence is done before the contract.
- Scope of the power of attorney: it should state clearly which transactions it covers; avoid a general, open-ended power of attorney.
- Payment schedule: on off-plan or conversion projects, handover can depend on the permit timetable; the date and any delay clause should be written into the contract.
Frequently asked questions
Can a Turkish citizen buy property in Greece? Yes. There is no general restriction on Turkish citizens. In some border areas and on certain islands, non-EU buyers need additional permission; Athens, Piraeus and Thessaloniki are not in that category.
How do you get a Greek tax number (AFM)? You apply at a tax office (DOY) with your passport and it is free. It can also be obtained without travelling to Greece, through a lawyer or tax representative holding your power of attorney.
Do I need to travel to Greece to buy? No. From the tax number to the transfer of title, the process can be handled by power of attorney.
Is a Greek bank account required? If you are applying for a Golden Visa, payment must be made through a bank from a Greek account in your own name. If you are not seeking a Golden Visa, it is not compulsory.
Do I have to use a solicitor? In practice, yes. Title and planning checks, the contracts and the transfer are handled by a lawyer registered in Greece; in our cost table legal work and due diligence come to about 1.24% of the price.
How long does a purchase take? If the documents are ready, the tax number and due diligence take a few weeks and the transfer a few days after that. On conversion projects, handover depends on the permit timetable.
Related pages
Buying a home in Greece, Is buying in Athens a good idea and Is it worth buying in Piraeus.
Sources
For the tax number and tax matters, see the Greek Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE), and for Golden Visa requirements the Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum. Cost percentages and the power of attorney fee come from our cost pages, and the process steps from the purchases in our portfolio. Legislation can change.
Legal notice
capital.works® (YATIRIM UK LIMITED) is a property consultancy; it does not provide legal, tax or immigration advice. In Greece, the title transfer, tax number and Golden Visa application are handled by a lawyer registered in Greece. Golden Visa conditions can change with new legislation; confirm the current rules with your lawyer before deciding to buy.
The next step
Tell us your budget and your goal (Golden Visa or rental income), and we will set out suitable projects, the documents you need and the timetable: Contact us.