Calculate Greek stamp duty (charosimo) on rental contracts, loans, and commercial documents. Rental contracts: 3.6% of annual rent. Other documents: 2.4% or 3.6%.
Enter the annual rent or loan amount to calculate the Greek stamp duty (charosimo) and the split between landlord and tenant or lender and borrower.
Annual stamp duty (charosimo)
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Annual rent / loan
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Landlord/lender share
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Tenant/borrower share
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How stamp duty works in Greece
The Greek stamp duty (charosimo) is an old-form transaction tax that predates VAT and applies to documents not otherwise subject to VAT. The most common application is on rental contracts at 3.6% of annual rent, payable annually by both landlord and tenant in equal shares. Private loan agreements between individuals are also subject to charosimo at 2.4% for interest-bearing loans and 3.6% for interest-free loans. Bank mortgage agreements are exempt as they are subject to mortgage registration fees instead.
Example calculation
Monthly rent: 700 EUR. Annual rent: 8,400 EUR. Stamp duty at 3.6%: 302.40 EUR. Landlord's share (1.8%): 151.20 EUR. Tenant's share (1.8%): 151.20 EUR. This is payable each year the tenancy continues. Over a three-year tenancy at this rent level, the combined charosimo amounts to 907.20 EUR.
Tips and considerations
Stamp duty on rental contracts is often overlooked by both landlords and tenants. Non-payment does not void the contract, but it can make the document unenforceable in court and creates a tax liability. Ensure the charosimo is paid through Taxisnet each year the tenancy is renewed or continued. For commercial leases, the charosimo can be a meaningful annual cost that should be factored into occupancy cost budgets.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Greek stamp duty (charosimo)?
The Greek stamp duty (Telos Charitosimou) is a levy on certain legal documents and transactions, governed by the Stamp Duty Code (Royal Decree 28.7/1941 as amended). The main rates are 3.6% on rental contracts (calculated on annual rent, paid annually), 2.4% on commercial loan agreements between natural persons, and 3.6% on loan agreements without interest or collateral. The charosimo is payable when the relevant document is executed and applies to a range of commercial and private contracts. Many previously stamp-dutiable transactions have been replaced by VAT over time, but rental contracts, private loans, and some commercial agreements still attract charosimo.
Who pays the stamp duty on a rental contract in Greece?
The charosimo on a rental contract is technically split equally between the landlord and tenant, with each paying 1.8% of the annual rent. In practice, many landlords build the full 3.6% into their cost calculations and either absorb it or reflect it in the rent charged. The charosimo is payable annually when the rental contract is renewed or continued. For a monthly rent of 700 EUR (8,400 EUR annually), the total annual charosimo is 302.40 EUR, of which each party owes 151.20 EUR. Payment is made to the tax authority via Taxisnet.
Is stamp duty payable on Greek mortgage agreements?
Greek mortgage agreements executed by licensed credit institutions (banks) are generally exempt from stamp duty, as they are instead subject to the mortgage registration fee at the land registry (approximately 0.5-0.675% of the loan amount). Private loan agreements between individuals (not involving a bank) that are not interest-bearing are subject to the 3.6% stamp duty rate. Interest-bearing private loans attract stamp duty at 2.4% plus an additional levy. The stamp duty on private loans is often overlooked in informal family or business lending arrangements, creating potential tax compliance issues.
Are Greek commercial leases subject to stamp duty?
Yes. Commercial rental contracts (leases of shops, offices, warehouses) are subject to stamp duty at 3.6% of the annual rent, the same rate as residential rentals. For high-value commercial leases (retail premises on main shopping streets in Athens can command 50,000-200,000 EUR per year), the annual charosimo can be a significant cost: a 100,000 EUR annual rent generates 3,600 EUR in charosimo. Both landlord and tenant are legally responsible for ensuring the charosimo is paid, and failure to pay can result in fines and the document being considered unenforceable in court.