The purchase process in order, the checks that protect you, the full cost, and how the money moves — so you arrive at the notary ready to sign.
A question about your own purchase?
A purchase typically involves these seven stages. Some run in parallel, and some can be handled through your lawyer if you cannot be in Greece. The sequence depends on the transaction and the terms agreed with your advisers.
Get a Greek tax number (AFM)
Needed for any purchase. Your lawyer can apply on your behalf.
Required · you or your lawyer
Arrange banking and source-of-funds documentation
The price must be paid through documented banking channels. Your notary and bank confirm the route, and whether a local account is needed. See chapter 4.
Required · you, with your bank and notary
Agree the price and terms
Agree in writing what is included, and the timetable.
You and the seller
Legal and technical checks
Your lawyer investigates the title and anything registered against it; the property’s legal-status documents are prepared by an engineer. See chapter 2.
Your lawyer · engineer
Preliminary agreement and deposit
Optional: if used, agree with your lawyer and notary which checks must be completed first and how any outstanding checks, deposit and cancellation terms are handled.
Optional · notary, both parties
Pay transfer tax and sign at the notary
Where transfer tax applies, it is paid before signing. Both parties then sign the final contract before the notary.
Required · notary, both parties
Registration
In the digital transfer process, the notary submits the deed to the Hellenic Cadastre. Your adviser should confirm that registration is complete.
Required · notary; confirmed by your adviser
A power of attorney lets your lawyer act for you, including at the signing. Agree its exact wording with your lawyer and notary before you sign it; the authentication and translation needed depend on the country where it is issued.
Check that your ownership details appear correctly in E9. Some transactions generate the declaration automatically; your accountant should confirm whether any submission or correction is needed.
Request a timetable for the specific property. Progress depends on the tax number and power of attorney, bank and source-of-funds checks, legal and technical investigations, seller documents, tax filing, signing and registration. Some tasks run in parallel; discrepancies in the title or alterations to the property can change the schedule.
Assign an owner, outstanding requirements and a next review date to each milestone. Distinguish acquisition signing, handover after works and the start of a tenancy. The speed of digital registration does not represent the duration of the entire purchase.
Before you sign, your lawyer investigates the title and anything registered against it, and the property’s legal-status documents are prepared. Neither is a survey of its condition.
Seller documents are listed separately from the checks you commission. Your ticks are saved in this browser.
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Why it matters
Investigate early. Before signing a preliminary agreement or paying a deposit, agree with your lawyer which checks must be complete and what protections cover any that remain. Confirm that the required checks and documents are complete before the final transfer.
Request a file connecting the deed, registered unit identity, approved plan, legal-status documents and energy certificate. The details should correspond to the apartment being sold. An extract does not replace your lawyer's title and encumbrance investigation, and legal-status documentation does not establish the property's physical condition.
After completion, retain the signed deed, confirmation of completed registration, tax and payment records and the property documents. Ask the professionals to identify anything still outstanding.
The price is only part of the bill. The costs a buyer pays, who receives them and when — with an example you can adapt.
The short answer
Where standard transfer tax applies, it is 3.09% of the taxable value. Notary, land registry and your own advisers add to that.
The 3.09% is a 3% transfer tax plus a municipal levy of 3% of that tax. The notary confirms the taxable value and any relief that applies.
Most resale property
3% of the taxable value, plus a municipal levy of 3% of that tax — 3.09% combined. Paid before signing.
Some new property
Depends on the transaction. A qualifying VAT suspension runs through 31 December 2026.
A new property is not automatically subject to VAT, and VAT and transfer tax are not simply added together. Your lawyer and notary confirm which applies.
The numerical illustrations below are separate from the yield example.
| Cost | Basis for budgeting |
|---|---|
| Apartment | Agreed price and written inclusions |
| Standard transfer tax | Where applicable, 3.09% of taxable value: €3,090 on an illustrative €100,000 taxable value. An asking price does not establish the taxable value. AADE |
| Notary | The proportional component for the value band up to €120,000 is 0.80%: €800 on €100,000. This is not the full bill; request fixed charges, copies and applicable VAT. Notaries' association |
| Registration | The 2026 sale tariff specifies 5‰, an additional 1‰ for the relevant cadastral book, and €20 plus €3 fixed components. One simple €100,000 registration subject to 6‰ illustrates €623 before extra documents or acts. Confirm the transaction calculation. Official Gazette, article 3 |
| Buyer’s lawyer and engineer | Written scope and quote, including applicable VAT |
| Brokerage or purchase support | The agreement applicable to you, avoiding services already included |
| Translation, representation and banking | Documents, signing country, transfer and exchange requirements |
| Renovation, furnishing and setup | Written specification and separately priced additions |
Do not label a sum of the known items as the total acquisition cost while other quotes are missing. Reconcile every line and remove duplicate charges.
Seller transfer documents include the Certificate of Completeness of the Electronic Building/Unit Identity and the energy certificate. They are not separate buyer-adviser fees in this example; confirm who pays each cost and avoid counting the same document twice.
The Finance Ministry has announced a proposed 15% transfer-tax rate for individuals from third countries, with an intended start of 1 July 2027. This is not presented as today's applicable rate. Before committing, have the notary verify final legislation, commencement and exceptions. Ministry announcement.
The government's VAT guide currently describes the conditional property VAT suspension through 31 December 2026. A separate consultation proposes an extension into 2027. Do not assume the legislative process is complete. VAT guide, consultation announcement.
Wiser offers one or more apartments within its projects. Before committing, request the apartment price, acquisition costs, specification and accompanying services in writing. Establish whether renovation, furniture, preparation for letting, brokerage and purchase support are included, and whether a separate management agreement applies. Payment, deposit, cancellation and handover terms belong in the transaction documents.
Work through this before the preliminary agreement. Your ticks are saved in this browser.
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The price must be paid through documented banking channels, and the money needs a clear source. Start preparing early, as document checks and arranging the transfer can take time.
01 →
Your bank
Funds leave an account in your name, with records of where they came from.
02 →
Documented transfer
Through the route your notary and bank confirm — directly, or via a Greek account if needed.
03
Seller, at signing
The notary records how the price was paid.
Not always. Ask your notary and bank which payment route applies to your purchase, and whether a local account is needed. If you open one, the bank sets its own document requirements. These may include your tax number, passport, proof of address, income, occupation and tax residence. Ask for the list that applies to you. Example bank requirements
Some buyers use a Greek mortgage; others pay from savings or borrow against assets at home. Lending to non-residents is assessed case by case. Mortgage information for non-residents
If financing is involved, establish who handles the application and what happens if it is refused. The existence of Greek mortgage products does not mean Wiser promises to arrange financing or that a bank will approve it.
Letting, running and reporting on a property from abroad — and, one day, selling it.
Written by the Wiser team. Updated 9 November 2026.
General information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Your own lawyer and accountant advise on your situation.
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