03.09.2026
Buying an Off-Plan House in Greece from Abroad Explained
“How can I buy a house in Greece that is not built yet from abroad?”
That’s a very common question we receive from clients interested in buying an off-plan house.

12.06.2026
Selling a property in Greece involves a number of professional fees, taxes, and administrative costs that vary depending on your circumstances. Knowing what to expect before you list helps you plan realistically and avoid surprises later in the process.
If you own a property in Greece and are thinking about selling, one of the first practical questions is what you will pay to get there. Understanding the cost structure early helps you plan the process realistically and avoid surprises along the way.
The seller pays a commission to the agent representing them, due on completion of the sale. At Elxis, the commission is 3% + VAT, payable only once the sale has successfully completed. The valuation, marketing, viewings, and negotiations that lead up to that point are carried out with no upfront charge.
Commission levels vary across the Greek market, so the terms should always be agreed in writing before you move forward. Ask any agency directly how their commission is structured and when it falls due.
Greek law allows a single agent to act as a mediator for both buyer and seller within the same transaction. In that case, each party pays a separate commission to the agent for the services provided to them. This differs from practice in many other countries, so it is important to understand the fee arrangement before you sign anything. We have a dedicated article on how dual representation works in Greek real estate.
Beyond the agent's commission, a number of professional costs are involved in completing a property sale in Greece. These typically include legal fees for title verification and contract review, notary fees for the official transfer documentation, and the cost of mandatory documents such as tax clearance certificates, energy performance certificates, and building permit confirmations. The exact fees depend on the property, its value, and its specific circumstances.
Tax obligations for sellers depend on a range of factors including residency status, the length of ownership, and the nature of the property. Foreign sellers in particular should take professional advice on their position before proceeding, as tax treaties between Greece and other countries can affect the outcome significantly. Potential deductions, such as the original purchase costs and documented improvement expenses, may also be relevant. This is an area where a qualified accountant or tax adviser is essential. General information is widely available, but the specifics vary considerably from one situation to the next.
Property owners who live overseas can sell their house without flying back to Greece. Through a power of attorney, our legal team acts on your behalf. We handle the whole process: collecting the necessary documents and coordinating the third parties involved, such as the accountant and engineer. This means the property can be transferred without you having to organise anything yourself. Keep in mind that these third-party professionals charge their own fees, which are also paid by the seller.
For over 35 years, we have worked to act as a bridge between buyers and sellers. Every property we list has characteristics that make it genuinely appealing to our buyer base, which spans Western Europe, the US, and Canada.
When you sell through us, we coordinate the whole process. We collect the paperwork and documents required for the sale and manage all third parties involved, including engineers and accountants. Those third parties charge their own fees, which you pay directly and separately from our commission. Having the legal and brokerage work under one roof means you are not left coordinating between separate offices. One team sees the sale through, from the listing to the signing at the notary.
If you have questions about how representation or commission works in a specific situation, our team is happy to walk you through it before you make any decisions.
For more on the buyer's side of the transaction, see our dedicated article on what the buyer pays when purchasing a property in Greece.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. For guidance specific to your situation, consult a qualified lawyer, notary, or accountant.
03.09.2026
“How can I buy a house in Greece that is not built yet from abroad?”
That’s a very common question we receive from clients interested in buying an off-plan house.
28.08.2026
A power of attorney represents a crucial legal tool for international property buyers and sellers. This legal document grants another person the authority to act on your behalf in property transactions, eliminating the need for personal presence during the sale process. Whether you're a German retiree buying a holiday home in Crete or a Dutch family looking to sell your property in Corfu, a power of attorney allows you to complete a property sale whilst remaining in your home country.
10.08.2026
For many people, the idea of owning a home in Greece starts with a feeling. The sunny days, the sea, a slower pace of life. What often follows is a more practical question: “How does buying a house here actually work?”
For this very reason, we created the following guide so that you can have a clear overview of how the process of buying a house in Greece works.
07.08.2026
Buying a home in Greece from abroad raises a fair question. Can the paperwork be handled with a digital signature, so you never have to fly in to sign in person? For some documents, the answer is yes. For the ones that actually transfer ownership, it is not. A Greek purchase deed is signed before a notary, and that step cannot be done digitally.
In short: digital signatures are accepted in Greece for private documents, such as certain agreements and declarations. They are not accepted for public documents. That includes the notarial purchase deed and the power of attorney. You cannot become the owner of a Greek property by signing a document digitally. The transfer is always completed before a notary, either with you present or through a power of attorney that was signed in person.
03.08.2026
If you plan to buy a home in Greece, you have probably given some thought to how you will pay for it. Depending on your home country, a mortgage may be one option. Getting a mortgage in Greece as a non-resident is not always straightforward, so it helps to understand how the process works before you begin. The general process is broadly similar from bank to bank, though the details differ and can change from year to year.
Rates depend on the bank you approach and on your own profile. As a rule, non-resident buyers pay a little more than residents. The sections below walk through what to expect. You do not need to be a Greek resident to apply for a mortgage. Most Greek banks do apply stricter rules to people living abroad. For some banks, though not all, you will need to be a Greek taxpayer, meaning your tax residency must be in Greece to be eligible for a loan.
22.06.2026
Every home in Greece is now meant to have its own digital file. It is called the Electronic Building Identity, or E-ID (Ηλεκτρονική Ταυτότητα Κτιρίου). The Electronic Building Identity gathers the key facts about a property in one secure online record. It sets out the building's current condition, its permits and plans, and any changes made to it over the years. For anyone buying or selling a home in Greece, it has become one of the most important documents to understand. This guide explains what the E-ID is, what it contains, who prepares it, and why it matters at the moment a property changes hands.
10.06.2026
If you own a property in Greece and are thinking about selling, one of the first things on your mind is probably a practical one: what do I pay to the estate agent? It's a sensible question to ask early, and the answer shapes how you budget for the sale and what you can expect from the agency representing you.
10.06.2026
If you have bought or sold property in the Netherlands, Germany, the UK, or most other Western European countries, you are probably used to a clear setup: the seller has their agent, the buyer has theirs, and each represents their respective client. In Greece, things work differently, and it is very important to have a clear overview before you decide to move forward with a property transaction.

.jpg)


.jpg)


