18.02.2026
Buying a vacation home in Greece is open to Americans and Canadians, and the process tends to be more straightforward than most people expect. The questions we hear most often are about tax numbers, how long you can stay, and how to begin a search from the other side of the Atlantic. This guide walks through each one, so you know what to expect before you start.
If you are Dutch, German, Belgian, French, British, or of another nationality, this guide still applies to you. The practical steps are much the same.
Yes. There is no nationality restriction on owning property in Greece. American and Canadian buyers hold the same ownership rights as anyone else. The only narrow exception applies to certain border areas, which we cover further down.
No. A Greek bank account is not required to buy property in Greece. Many owners do open one later, as it makes paying utilities and local taxes easier, but it is not a condition of purchase.
Yes. To buy property in Greece, you need a local tax number, known as an AFM. It gives you access to the Greek TAXIS system online, where property taxes are reported and paid. Our legal team arranges the AFM for you as part of the process.
Greece has a double taxation treaty with the United States and a separate one with Canada. These treaties are designed to protect you from being taxed twice on the same income, usually through tax credits rather than a full exemption. How they apply depends on your personal circumstances, so for anything specific we recommend speaking with a tax accountant who handles cross-border cases. You can read more about property taxes in Greece in our dedicated article.
As a visitor, Americans and Canadians can stay in Greece for up to 90 days within any 180-day period, with no visa required. Two points are worth checking before you travel: your passport should be valid for at least three months beyond your planned departure from the Schengen area, and it should have been issued within the last ten years.
Two changes to entry are worth knowing about for 2026. The Entry/Exit System (EES) is now in operation across the Schengen area. It records your entry and exit using a facial image and fingerprints, replacing the old passport stamp. The first registration at the border can take a little longer than a traditional check. The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is expected to launch later in 2026. It is an online travel authorisation rather than a visa, involves a small application fee, and is valid for up to three years. Neither system changes the 90-day limit. They simply change how entry is processed.
No. You do not need to be a resident to own property in Greece. If residency does interest you, the Golden Visa is Greece's residency-by-investment program.
By purchasing property above a certain value, you may become eligible for the Golden Visa. It grants residency, visa-free travel within the Schengen area, and the option to include family members.
The minimum investment depends on the area of Greece where you buy, and the thresholds have changed more than once in recent years. You can find the current rules here.
Greece has been among the faster-growing economies in the European Union in recent years, outpacing the eurozone average. The country regained an investment-grade credit rating in 2023, after losing it during the financial crisis, and public debt has fallen sharply since. International companies, including Microsoft and Pfizer, have invested in the country.
Tourism continues to set records. According to the Bank of Greece, tourism revenue passed €22 billion in 2025, the highest figure on record.
Interest from North American buyers has grown notably over the past few years. American and Canadian buyers also tend to purchase at the higher end of the market, with larger average budgets than many other groups.
Greek property remains among the most affordable in western Europe. Prices in Athens are a fraction of those in cities such as Paris, Amsterdam, and Zurich, where a typical city-center apartment can cost several times more per square meter. For buyers coming from expensive markets, this difference is often what makes a vacation home in Greece realistic rather than aspirational.
The first step is to picture what you actually want. Draw up a shortlist of your top requirements and the locations you have in mind. From there, it helps to have someone on the ground who knows the buying process and can connect you with legal advice, local contacts, and reliable contractors. That is where a good agent earns their place. You are always welcome to speak with us for a no-obligation consultation.
Setting aside city apartments, there are three main types of property you will come across.
Most of the properties on our website fall into this category. These are usually newer builds with modern infrastructure, tiled floors, and often a private pool.
In larger cities such as Athens and Thessaloniki, you will find apartment blocks known as polikatoikies. They are a common, cost-effective choice, and almost all have a balcony for that first coffee of the day.
Traditional houses, often with colored doors, lower ceilings, and a view of the sea or mountains. These tend to carry a lower price and are usually older properties that may need some work.
A few parts of Greece, near the land borders and on some islands close to the frontier, are designated as border areas. For non-EU buyers, including Americans and Canadians, buying in these areas requires an extra permit before the purchase can be completed. To obtain it, you submit a few personal documents and a description of the property.
This is a routine procedure, and our legal team handles it for you as part of the due diligence. It does add some time to the process, so it is worth knowing about early. EU buyers do not need this permit.
You now have a sense of what is available, what the tax and residency picture looks like, and how to begin a search from abroad. Buying in Greece is a chance to own a home in a country with a long history, a beautiful landscape, and a genuinely warm welcome.
We've been guiding international buyers to their ideal home in Greece since 1991. You are always welcome to speak with us for a no-obligation consultation.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. Property, tax, and residency rules change, and individual situations vary. We recommend consulting qualified legal and tax professionals before making any decisions.
02.07.2026
International investors have been paying closer attention to Greece for a few years now. Keeping up this pace, new survey data shows just how far that attention has grown. Greece has moved into first place among institutional investors targeting hospitality assets in Europe. More specifically, it has overtaken Italy, Spain, and France, the countries that traditionally led this ranking.
24.06.2026
Greece remains one of Europe's most rewarding places to own a property and let it out, and the latest short-term rental rules do little to change that, as the new limits are targeted. More specifically, they focus on the busiest central districts of Athens and Thessaloniki, while the islands, the coast, and the wider market stay open.
23.06.2026
Selling a Greek property while you live in another country can feel like a tangle of paperwork in a language you do not read. The part that surprises most owners is how little of it actually requires your physical presence. You can sell a house in Greece from abroad without travelling at all. The sale runs through a power of attorney, with a legal representative acting for you on the ground. With your documents in order and a team handling the legal side, the whole process can be completed from your home country.
09.06.2026
Selling property in Greece means meeting a clear set of legal requirements: the right documents, a notarial deed, settled taxes, and clean title. For owners living abroad, the difficulty is rarely the rules themselves. It is coordinating several Greek authorities from another country. Here is what the process actually involves, and where having a legal team on the ground changes things.
21.05.2026
I bought a home in Greece (or I'm fantasizing about buying one), and I want to rent it out. What does it take to rent out a home in Greece? What taxes will I pay, and what income can I expect? Can I hire someone to assist me in renting out my home in Greece? In this comprehensive guide, we share everything you need to know about renting out a home in Greece, including legal requirements, market insights, and practical tips.
21.05.2026
Buying a home in Greece often starts with one very simple question: what does my budget actually get me?
It is a fair question, because property prices in Greece can vary a lot depending on location, views, accessibility, construction quality, and rental potential. A budget that may secure a sea-view apartment in one region could open the door to a private villa with land in another. In more established destinations, the same amount may buy less space, but stronger location value. In this guide, we look at both existing homes and off-plan projects currently under construction. This reflects how many international buyers search in Greece today: comparing ready-to-use properties with new-build opportunities that may still be in development. In some cases, buying off-plan can offer more flexibility, newer specifications and staged payments, while existing homes may appeal to buyers who want to use or rent the property sooner.
For international buyers, understanding these differences is an important first step. Whether you are looking for a holiday home, a future relocation base, or a long-term investment, knowing what €250K, €400K and €600K can realistically offer helps you search with more clarity.
13.05.2026
A full-service Greek real estate company handles the property search, the legal work, and the support after purchase in one place, so international buyers don't have to hire and coordinate separate agents, lawyers, and administrators. For anyone buying from abroad, that removes the hardest part of the process: navigating Greek property law in a language and a system they don't know. This guide explains what a full-service company does, why it matters for international buyers, and how it works in practice at Elxis.
07.05.2026
Greece has become one of the most appealing places in the world to spend retirement. The climate is mild, the cost of living is reasonable, the healthcare is good, and the tax treatment of foreign pensions is among the most generous in Europe. This guide walks through the practical side of retiring here: how to get residency, how the tax system works for pensioners, how to arrange healthcare, and where people choose to live.
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