Enter the property price to see the full breakdown of buying costs in Greece, including transfer tax, notary, agent, and registration fees.
Total acquisition cost
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Transfer tax (3%)
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Notary fees (~1.2%)
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Land registry (~0.5%)
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Agent + lawyer
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How property purchase costs work in Greece
The largest single transaction cost when buying resale property in Greece is the 3% real estate transfer tax, levied on the higher of the contract price or the ENFIA objective value. New properties from developers within five years of completion attract 24% VAT instead. On top of the transfer tax, buyers pay notary fees (approximately 1.0-1.5%), land registry or cadastre fees (approximately 0.5%), and agent commissions if using an estate agent (typically 2% plus 24% VAT on the commission).
Example calculation
For a resale apartment priced at 200,000 EUR: transfer tax = 6,000 EUR (3%), notary fees = 2,400 EUR (1.2%), land registry = 1,000 EUR (0.5%), agent fee = 4,000 EUR plus 960 EUR VAT = 4,960 EUR, lawyer = 2,000 EUR (1%). Total transaction costs come to approximately 16,360 EUR, bringing the full acquisition cost to about 216,360 EUR, roughly 8.2% above the contract price.
Tips and considerations
Always verify the ENFIA objective value of a property before making an offer, as the transfer tax is based on this figure if it exceeds the contract price. Hire a Greek lawyer independent of the seller and agent to perform a title search at the relevant land registry. Budget an additional 1,000 to 2,000 EUR for miscellaneous costs such as translation, apostilles, and bank transfer fees. If financing with a Greek mortgage, expect additional costs for the property valuation (300-500 EUR) and mortgage deed at the notary.
Frequently asked questions
What is the real estate transfer tax rate in Greece?
The standard real estate transfer tax (Foros Metavivasis Akiniton) in Greece is 3% of the higher of the contract price or the ENFIA objective value. Before 2020 the rate was 3% on the first 20,000 EUR and 3% above that, but since January 2020 a flat 3% applies to all residential transfers. The tax base is the greater of the declared contract price and the ENFIA tax value assigned by the tax authority, so buyers cannot avoid the levy by understating the purchase price. New residential properties sold by a developer for the first time within five years of completion are subject to 24% VAT instead of the transfer tax, so the applicable levy depends on whether the property is new or resale.
What notary fees should I budget for a property purchase in Greece?
Notary fees in Greece are regulated by a ministerial fee scale and typically amount to 1% to 1.5% of the contract value, with the fee percentage decreasing slightly for higher-value transactions. For a property worth 200,000 EUR you should budget approximately 2,000 to 3,000 EUR in notary fees. The notary also charges for document authentication, copies, and ancillary services, so the total notarial bill often runs 1,500 to 4,000 EUR depending on transaction complexity. Both buyer and seller must appear before the notary and the buyer traditionally bears the notary fees.
Do I need a lawyer when buying property in Greece?
Legal representation is strongly recommended when buying property in Greece, though it is not legally mandatory for the buyer to hire a lawyer. A Greek property lawyer typically charges 1% to 2% of the purchase price and provides title search, due diligence on encumbrances and mortgages, verification of planning permissions, and contract review. Without a lawyer, buyers risk purchasing properties with undeclared mortgages, illegal extensions, or incomplete inheritance chains that can make the title unenforceable. For foreign buyers unfamiliar with the Greek legal system, legal representation is considered essential.
How long does a property purchase take to complete in Greece?
A straightforward property purchase in Greece typically takes four to eight weeks from signing the preliminary contract to completion at the notary. The process involves a title search at the land registry (hypothecary office or cadastre), obtaining a tax clearance certificate from the seller, arranging financing if needed, and scheduling the notarial act. Delays are common if the title is not clean or if the property is not fully registered in the national Cadastre (Ktimatologio), which is still being completed for some rural areas. Budget extra time for properties in areas not yet transferred to the digital cadastre system.