If you are coming from the UK, Ireland, or another country where stamp duty is a standard part of buying real estate, it is completely natural to ask whether a similar tax applies when purchasing property in Greece.
The short answer is no: Greece does not apply stamp duty on property purchases. However, this does not mean that buying property in Greece is tax-free. Instead, the Greek system uses a different structure of transaction taxes and fees, which is important to understand early in the buying process in order to budget correctly.
For international buyers searching for Greek property for sale, understanding the difference between stamp duty and Greek property taxes can help avoid confusion and ensure a smoother purchasing experience.
What Greece has instead: property transfer tax
In Greece, the main tax applied to the purchase of existing properties is the property transfer tax (Φόρος Μεταβίβασης Ακινήτων). The standard rate of this tax is 3.09% of the property’s taxable value. In most cases, this is calculated on the higher of the agreed purchase price or the objective (tax) value determined by the Greek tax authorities under the national valuation system. Importantly, this tax applies equally to all buyers, whether they are Greek residents, EU citizens, or international buyers purchasing a holiday home or investment property in Greece.
For anyone considering buying a home in popular destinations such as Crete, Corfu, the Peloponnese, or the Greek islands, this tax is a key part of understanding the true cost of buying property in Greece.
How and when is the transfer tax paid?
The transfer tax is usually paid at the completion stage of the transaction. In most cases, the buyer pays it when the final notarial deed is signed before a notary. However, local procedures and administrative requirements can vary depending on the specific transaction. In some cases, Greek tax regulations may require the tax to be paid earlier, such as when the transfer tax return is filed with the tax authorities prior to completion. For this reason, the exact timing and responsibility are ultimately determined by local legal and tax procedures. In practice, your legal representative or lawyer coordinates this process on your behalf, ensuring that the tax is paid correctly and at the appropriate stage so that the property transfer can proceed without delay. For international buyers, this structured process is designed to ensure compliance and reduce administrative risk during the transaction.
A note on newly built properties
If you are buying a newly built home in Greece, the tax picture is slightly different. When a completed new-build property is sold directly by a construction company, VAT of 24% applies rather than the standard property transfer tax.
That said, the Greek government allows construction companies to apply for an exemption from this VAT, and in practice many do. It is worth confirming the VAT status of any new-build property you are considering, as this affects the overall cost of the transaction.
For buyers purchasing off-plan, the process works differently again. Rather than buying a completed property, you first purchase the building plot before construction begins, and the standard 3.09% property transfer tax applies to the price of the plot. VAT on the full purchase price is not due in this scenario. For a full explanation of how VAT applies to real estate in Greece, see our dedicated tax guide.
Planning your total purchase costs in Greece
When budgeting for a property purchase in Greece, it is important to consider more than just the purchase price. The property transfer tax is only one element of the total acquisition cost.
Additional costs may include notary fees, legal fees, and land registry or cadastral registration fees. While these vary depending on the property and transaction complexity, buyers should generally expect total additional costs to be approximately 10% of the purchase price.
Understanding these costs in advance helps buyers plan realistically and avoid unexpected expenses during the purchasing process.
Buying property in Greece as an international buyer
The Greek property market continues to attract strong interest from international buyers seeking holiday homes, retirement properties, or investment opportunities across the islands, coastal regions, and mainland Greece.
The legal and tax framework is well-structured and transparent, although it differs from systems in the UK, Ireland, and other parts of Northern Europe. There is no stamp duty in Greece. Instead, buyers typically pay a property transfer tax of 3.09% on most resale properties, in addition to standard legal and transaction costs. Understanding these costs early in the process helps ensure accurate budgeting and avoids unexpected expenses later on.
Working with experienced local professionals ensures that the legal and administrative aspects, including tax registration, due diligence, contract review, and coordination of the transfer tax payment, are handled correctly from the outset, providing a smoother and more secure transaction process.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does NOT constitute legal or tax advice. For any issues relating to specific cases, it is highly recommended to consult a lawyer, an accountant or a notary depending on your needs.