Costs of Buying Property in Greece

The costs of buying property in Greece include not only the purchase price of an apartment or house but also additional expenses associated with completing the transaction.

These include property transfer tax, legal and notary fees, property registration costs, and real estate agency commission.

As a general guideline, we recommend budgeting approximately 8–10% of the property purchase price for additional expenses. The exact amount depends on the property value, the terms of the transaction, and the fees charged by the professionals involved.

1. Property Transfer Tax

When purchasing resale property in Greece, the buyer usually pays property transfer tax of 3.09% of the property’s taxable value.

This includes the standard transfer tax of 3% and a municipal surcharge equal to 3% of the transfer tax.

The taxable value is determined according to the applicable regulations and may differ from the advertised purchase price.

The tax must be paid before signing the final notarial purchase contract. The buyer’s lawyer usually assists with arranging the payment.

Different tax rules may apply to certain types of properties and transactions.

2. Lawyer’s Fees

When purchasing property through Dionisiou Real Estate, every foreign buyer is required by our agency to appoint an independent Greek lawyer.

The lawyer checks the property’s legal status, reviews the seller’s documents, verifies whether there are any mortgages, liens, or other legal issues, and helps ensure that the transaction is legally secure.

The lawyer can also assist with obtaining a Greek tax identification number (AFM), preparing the necessary documents, and handling the legal aspects of the purchase.

Legal fees generally start from €1,500, but the final amount depends on the property’s value, the complexity of the transaction, and the scope of services provided.

Some lawyers charge a fixed fee, while others calculate their fee as a percentage of the property price — for example, 1.5%.

The buyer chooses their own lawyer, agrees on the fee directly, and pays the lawyer independently.

If you do not already have a lawyer in Greece, our agency can recommend an independent professional from our network.

3. Notary Fees

The final property purchase contract in Greece is signed before a notary.

Notary fees are calculated according to an official fee schedule and depend on the property’s value.

The basic rate is 0.8% for the first €120,000 and gradually decreases for higher property values.

Additional charges include 24% VAT, document copies, and other necessary notarial services.

For preliminary budgeting, you can generally allow approximately 1–1.5% of the property value.

The notary will provide the exact amount before the contract is signed.

4. Property Registration Fees

After signing the purchase contract, the transfer of ownership must be registered with the appropriate land registration office or the Hellenic Cadastre.

Official registration fees apply. Their amount depends on the property’s value, the type of registration, and the applicable rates.

For initial budgeting, you can allow approximately 0.5–0.8% of the property value, although the actual amount may vary.

The buyer’s lawyer usually arranges the registration of the purchase contract.

5. Real Estate Agency Commission

The commission charged by Dionisiou Real Estate when purchasing property is 2% of the property price + 24% VAT.

This means the total commission, including VAT, is 2.48% of the property price.

Our agency helps buyers find suitable properties, arranges viewings, negotiates with sellers, and provides assistance throughout the purchase process.

We also help coordinate communication with lawyers, notaries, and other professionals involved in the transaction.

6. Additional Expenses

Depending on the property and the circumstances of the transaction, buyers may also need to budget for:

• Power of attorney. If the buyer cannot attend the contract signing in person, they may authorise their Greek lawyer to act on their behalf. The cost depends on where and how the document is prepared.
• Document translation. Translation and certification fees may apply when required.
• Bank transfers. Banks may charge fees for international transfers.
• Technical property inspection. Buyers may choose to hire an independent engineer to inspect the property’s technical condition. The fee is agreed directly with the engineer.
• Utility connections. After the purchase, electricity, water, and other utility accounts may need to be transferred or connected. Costs depend on the property and its existing connections.

7. Total Costs of Buying Property in Greece

For most standard property purchases, we recommend allowing approximately 8–10% on top of the purchase price.

For example, when purchasing an apartment for €150,000, additional expenses may be approximately €12,000–€15,000.

This estimated amount covers the main taxes, professional fees, property registration, and real estate agency commission.

However, this is only a general estimate. Actual expenses may be lower or higher depending on the property and the individual transaction.

Before purchasing a property, we recommend obtaining a personalised estimate of the total expenses based on the selected property and the terms of the transaction.

Buying Property with Dionisiou Real Estate

We help buyers understand the property purchase process in Halkidiki and plan their budget with a clear picture of the additional expenses involved.

Dionisiou Real Estate supports clients from the initial property search through to completion of the purchase and handover of the keys.

If you are planning to buy an apartment, house, or villa in Halkidiki, contact us — we will help you find a suitable property within your budget.