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.

25.10.2024
If you are selling your home in Greece, what documents do you need ready? Gathering them early is one of the best ways to speed up the sale, and a lawyer can do some of this work for you. You will need:
- The deed of the property
- The property E-ID
- A recent topographical plan of the property
- The Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
- The building permit
- Copies of your personal ID
- The front and back of your electricity bill
- The E-9 tax form
The deed to a property in Greece is usually registered at the local land registry near the property. In some cases, the title is a deed granted by the state, where the Greek state gave land to private owners. This was more common in the early 1900s, during the influx of people from modern-day Turkey. If you do not know where to find your deed, your lawyer in Greece can search the land registry in the area, using the owner's name. It is worth keeping your title deeds safe from the moment you buy, because it saves time when you sell. The deed is essential for the notary, and for the buyers when they begin their due diligence.
The E-ID, or Electronic Building Identity, holds all the necessary information about the property. It is created once the seller has prepared the required documents (the topographical diagram, the legalisation of the property, and so on), and it is a prerequisite for signing the purchase deed. The E-ID itself is a permanent file for the building. What the sale requires is the Certificate of Completeness, which is drawn from the E-ID and is valid for two months. If it expires before the sale completes, a fresh certificate can be issued from the same E-ID.
To sell your property, you need a recent topographical diagram showing the true measurements of the property. It must also be submitted electronically to the competent authority.
Energy Performance Certificates measure the energy efficiency of a building. They are sometimes called energy labels, which mean the same thing. EPCs apply to all buildings, including homes, offices, and warehouses, but here we focus on homes. The certificate is required to sell or rent a building of more than 50 square metres. Estate agents in Greece must also list a property's energy class in sale and rental adverts.
To issue an EPC, you need an energy audit, which calculates the property's energy rating. The inspection is carried out by a specialised engineer from the Energy Inspectors record, and the cost depends on the size of the property. Once you have chosen the professional, you provide a set of documents, and they visit the building to inspect it and issue the certificate.
When selling, you will need the building permit issued when the home was first built. A building permit is the act by which the administration approves building work, in line with the planning rules and the land use of the area. Building permits are issued by the local planning office. They include important facts about the safety and function of the building, the original floorplans, and the area the owner was allowed to build. When selling, the building permit is an important document for the engineer, who takes the property's measurements and prepares everything needed for the sale.
We recommend using your passport.
There are several suppliers, but most of our clients choose DEI (ΔΕΗ), the Public Power Company. To access your bills easily, you can register online at myDEI, an easy-to-follow site that lets you manage your plan digitally. There is a myDEI app too. If you have a different provider, such as Watt + Volt, Heron (Ήρων), Elpedison, Volton, or Zenith, you can use a recent physical bill.
Your accountant in Greece can provide your E-9 tax form. To sell, your accountant must ensure the property is accurately described in the E-9 and that the property tax for previous years has been paid. In short, having all the required documents in order not only speeds up the sale, but also gives buyers confidence in the property's legal standing.
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.
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.
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.




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