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Browse our houses for sale in Greece, from newly built villas by the sea to traditional stone houses. Elxis is a specialised real estate and legal services company. We have been helping international buyers buy a house in Greece since 1991.

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Why Should You Buy a House in Greece

There are many reasons to buy a home in Greece, including Greece’s great weather, Mediterranean lifestyle, affordable real estate, low cost of living, and hospitality.

Sea Views

Greece has a coastline of 13,676 km, which is more than the coastlines of Spain, Portugal, and France combined. There are beachfront homes in Greece and homes with a sea view in Greece in almost every region and corner of the country. Some of the best places to have a sea view in Greece are the Peloponnese, Crete, the Aegean islands, and the Ionian coast. In many areas of Greece, if you knew where to look, you would have all the water to yourself.

Greek Islands

Greece has thousands of beautiful islands, each with its own characteristics, history, and culture. When we hear the words “Greek islands”, usually Santorini and Mykonos are the first to come to mind, with images of blue-domed Orthodox churches and white and blue homes. Greece has seven main groupings of islands: the Cyclades, the Sporades, the Dodecanese, the Saronikos Islands, the North Aegean Islands, the Ionian Islands, and the Big Two, Crete and Evia.

Some of the best-known islands are Rhodes and Kos in the Dodecanese, Corfu, Kefalonia, and Zakynthos in the Ionian Islands, Mykonos, Santorini, Paros, and Naxos in the Cyclades archipelago, and Lesvos, Chios, and Samos in the Northern Aegean. These are just a few of the most popular islands where you can buy a home in Greece.

Low Property Prices

Compared to home prices in many European countries with similar standards of living, a home in Greece is less expensive. In fact, home prices in Greece are lower than most other European Mediterranean countries. Other popular destinations like Spain, France, Italy, and Croatia all have higher average home prices than Greece.

Strict Building Codes

Unlike countries such as Spain and Turkey, Greek law prohibits the construction of mega-projects. Outside the village limits, a maximum of 200 sqm can be built on a plot that needs to be at least 4,000 sqm. In the Greek countryside, a house may not be higher than 7.5 meters. As a result, there are no projects with hundreds of houses or flats in Greece, so you are more likely to have privacy and a beautiful view of the Mediterranean Sea. Greek homes also must follow earthquake regulations, and Greece has strict safety requirements, which are defined by the Greek Seismic Regulation. You can be sure of your safety in your home in Greece. Additionally, in Greece, you cannot build on Natura 2000 land (where you will find endemic animals and plants) or on forest land. So, you can enjoy all of Greece’s natural beauty if you buy a home in Greece.

The 9 Steps of Buying a House in Greece

For those who are familiar with the home purchasing process in Greece, the steps are pretty straightforward.

1. Search For Your Dream Home 

Everything starts with the property. You decide on the region, the type of home, and your budget. From there, the search can go two ways. You can browse the properties on our website and see what appeals to you. You can also share your criteria with us and let our team look on your behalf. Most buyers do a little of both. We then put forward the homes that match, so you are not working through it all on your own.

2. Viewings, Viewings, and Viewings 

Once a few properties stand out, visit them in person. Seeing a home for yourself tells you what photos cannot: the feel of the area, the real condition, and what is nearby. This step matters. When you find the one that fits, the next stage is preparing for negotiation.

3. How Much?

Negotiation can feel kind of unpleasant, but it is a normal part of the process, so try not to take it personally. At this phase, a good real estate agent may assist you a lot, as they can often read the market and each property’s value realistically.

4. Legal Due Diligence

This is where a Greek lawyer is needed, as they check the ownership titles and search the local Land Registry to confirm the property is in order and can be sold. Any mortgages, liens, or third-party claims come to light at this stage.

5. Private Purchase Agreement 

A Private Purchase Agreement sets out the terms agreed between buyer and seller. Once signed, the property comes off the market, and the buyer pays a deposit to reserve it, typically between 5 and 10% of the price. Now, both parties can start preparing the paperwork for the notary purchase deed.

6. Power of Attorney (POA)

A Power of Attorney lets your lawyer act for you throughout the purchase, even when you are not in Greece. With it, your lawyer can represent you at the tax office for your tax number and sign the final contract, so the purchase process continues while you are abroad.

7. Get a Greek Tax Number (AFM)

You will need a Greek tax number, known as an AFM, to buy. It is issued free of charge on presentation of valid ID and an application form, and it gives you access to the Greek online tax system. Our legal team can fill in the necessary forms on your behalf.

8. Both Parties Sign the Final Deed

The seller provides a set of documents for the notary, including an energy certificate, a civil engineer’s certificate that the property has no building violations, a topographical plan, tax clearance, and municipal certificates. The notary then prepares the transfer tax declaration. Once the buyer pays the transfer tax, the final deed can be signed. You can attend in person or have your lawyer sign for you under the Power of Attorney.

9. Complete the Payment

In most cases, the buyer pays on the day of signing. Where both banks are in the same country, the funds usually reach the seller the same day. Once payment is received, a discharge deed is signed as proof that the purchase price was paid in full. The exact timing can vary with the circumstances and any terms agreed between the parties. With that, the home is yours.