If I’m selling my home in Greece, what documents do I need to have ready?
This is one of the best ways to speed up the process of selling a home in Greece. Start to assemble your documents at an early date. You can also have a lawyer do some of this work for you. As part of your documentation, you’ll need:
- The deed of the property
- Property E-ID
- Recent topographical plan of the property
- Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
- Building Permit
- Copies of your personal ID
- Front and back of your electricity bill
- E-9 tax form
1. The Deed of the Property
The deed to a property in Greece is typically registered at the local land registry, near the property. In certain cases, the title of ownership is a deed given by the state, in which the Greek state gave land to private owners (this was more common in the early 1900’s, during the influx of immigrants from modern-day Turkey).
If you don’t know where to find the deed to your home, your lawyer in Greece can make a search at the land registry in the area of the property, using the name of the owner.
It is important to keep the title deeds in your archive when buying a property in Greece, because it saves time when you sell your home. The deed of the property is essential for the notary and also for the buyers when they start the due diligence of the property.
2. Property E-ID
The “E-ID” or “electronic ID” contains all necessary information about the property. It is made after all necessary documents are prepared by the seller (topographic diagram, legalization of the property, etc) and it is a prerequisite for the signing of the purchase deed when you sell your home in Greece. The E-ID is valid for 2 months and can be reissued when expired.
3. Topographical Plan of the Property
To sell your property in Greece, you need a recent topographic diagram depicting the true measurements of the property. The topographic plan should also be electronically submitted to the competent authority.
4. Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
“Energy Performance Certificates”, simply put, measure the energy efficiency of buildings in Greece. “Energy Label” is another word used for EPCs and means the same thing.
EPC’s apply to all buildings including residential buildings, offices, and warehouses, but for the sake of simplicity, we’ll focus on EPC’s for residential buildings.
The certificate is necessary in order to sell or rent out a building that is more than 50 square meters. Estate Agents in Greece are also obliged to list the energy efficiency class of a property on sale or rental advertisements.
How Do I Get an EPC?
For the issuance of an EPC, you need to conduct an energy audit, which will calculate the property’s energy rating.
The inspection is done by an specialized engineer from the Energy Inspectors record. The cost depends on the size of the property. After choosing the professional you want to work with, you will provide them a series of documents (listed below), and then will visit the building to inspect the property and issue the certificate.
More on EPC’s here.
5. Building Permit
When selling your home, you will need the building permit that was issued when the home was first built. A building permit is the act by which the administration approves the execution of any building work, in accordance with the applicable urban planning provisions and the land use of the area.
Building permits are issued by the local planning office and include important facts related to the safety and function of the building, the initial floorplans, and the square meters which the owner of the property was initially allowed to build.
When selling your home in Greece, the building permit is an important document for the engineer, who will take the measurements of the property and prepare all the required documents for selling your home.
6. Personal Identification
We recommend using your passport.
7. Front and Back of Electricity Bill
There are a variety of suppliers, but most of our clients choose “DEI” (or ΔΕΗ) in Greece, which is the Public Power Company. To easily access your bills, you can register online at “myDEI“, an easy to follow website that lets you control your electric plan digitally. myDEI even has an app for your mobile phone.
If you have a different energy provider, like Watt + Volt, Heron (Ήρων), Elpedison, Volton, or Zenith, you can use a recent physical bill. Read more about electricity connection in Greece here.
8. E-9 Tax Form
Your accountant in Greece will be able to provide you with your E-9 tax form.
To sell your property, your accountant must ensure that the property is accurately described in the E-9 form and that the property tax from previous years has been paid. For a complete list of taxes on homes in Greece, click here.
Conclusively, ensuring all required documents are in order not only expedites the selling process but also provides potential buyers with confidence in the property’s legal standing.
