New Regulations on Short-Term Rentals in Greece

Overview: Greek Property Market and Selling Property in Greece 

Selling property in Greece starts with understanding the market, preparing the right legal documents, setting a realistic asking price, and following the country’s notarial and tax procedures. Greek property continues to attract international buyers from Europe and the USA, especially in established coastal destinations such as Crete, the Ionian Islands, and the Peloponnese. For foreign owners selling a home, villa, or holiday property in Greece, understanding who is buying can be a practical first step when preparing a sale. Many international buyers are seeking holiday homes in Greece from countries such as the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, France, and the United Kingdom, alongside non-EU nationals exploring residency opportunities through current Greek investment migration programs. There is also a share of demand that comes from Greek expatriates returning to buy in their home country.


Property transactions in Greece involve specific legal and administrative requirements, including notarial formalities, seller paperwork, and detailed documentation, which may differ from those in other European markets. For international sellers, these rules, combined with language barriers and local bureaucracy, can create delays or legal risk if not handled correctly, which is why professional legal and real estate support is often essential. This guide explains the Greek property market, seller documentation and legal requirements, valuation and marketing, negotiation and closing, tax issues, remote sales, common pitfalls, and how Elxis can assist throughout the process.

Moving your life to Crete is entirely achievable, and it's open to anyone in principle. What changes is the process: your nationality, how long you intend to stay, and your personal circumstances all play a part. Emigrating to Crete is possible, though it means navigating visa rules, residency permits, and legal obligations that differ significantly between EU and non-EU citizens. EU nationals benefit from freedom of movement, while non-EU citizens typically face more paperwork and longer processing times. Greece's Golden Visa programme offers one route to residence through property investment, though ownership on its own does not automatically grant the right to reside. 


Success generally comes down to proper planning: understanding Greek bureaucracy, budgeting for both one-off and ongoing costs, and getting the right professional advice, particularly on tax residency, before you make the move. EU citizens can move freely and establish residence in Greece. Non-EU nationals need to arrange the appropriate visa and residence permit before settling long-term. Either way, emigrating involves meeting certain legal requirements, gathering the right documentation, and keeping up with ongoing obligations such as tax registration and healthcare enrolment.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.