Buy Property in Greece (House - Apartment) | Essential Tips

Greece is currently one of the most desirable European countries in which to purchase property, offering the perfect mix of natural beauty, value-for-money property, and a relaxed Mediterranean way of life. Whether purchasing a city apartment as a holiday home, a house on an island as a retreat, or an investment opportunity, the market has something for every taste and budget, from city apartments to quaint houses on an island.

However, purchasing property abroad is not always simple without expert help; it is simple with iLand.
We'll take you through every step, from purchasing Greek homes to seeking out your perfect house on a Greek island. Every aspect of your purchase is handled by our skilled staff, including legal guidance, property finding, negotiations, and paperwork. With iLand, you are not merely purchasing real estate but creating a reliable ally in Greece.

Benefits of Buying Property in Greece

Investing in Greek real estate is not just about purchasing a property in a beautiful country; it also offers potential long-term financial / lifestyle benefits. For international buyers, Greece offers an incomparable combination of value, opportunity, and security in Europe:

1. Golden Visa Residency
   One of the great benefits is that international buyers are eligible to apply for a Greek Golden Visa. A non-EU citizen can obtain a five-year renewable permanent residence permit simply by purchasing a property for €250,000 or more. This residence permit allows you and your family to legally live in Greece and travel without visas throughout Europe's Schengen Area (25+ countries).

2. Capital Growth
   The capital growth of Greece's property sector continues to rise, driven by overwhelming demand and a lack of supply. Greece is largely seen as the safest property market in which to invest. When you buy a property in Greece, you invest in a property market that has proven resilient with its ups and downs, with strong potential for long-term growth. The likelihood of property prices decreasing is non-existent!

3. Rental Income Potential
   If you do not wish to use the property year-round, you can still earn consistent rental income by taking Advantage of the rental value through iLand as a vacation or long-term rental. Large cities and island destinations never lack tourists and long-term tenants. At iLand, we offer a complete property rental management service, i.e., we market the property and handle all the tenant contact and communication, leaving you confident of a good return on your investment and allowing you to unwind, relax, and enjoy a stress-free vacation!

4. Flexible usage days
   Whether buying a vacation home, retirement home, or investment property, buying real estate in Greece provides flexibility. You can use your property seasonally, rent out your property whenever you are not occupying it, or simply own the asset in the long run and enjoy it.
   With iLand, you're not just buying a home; you will have a better experience, better quality, and greater security in one of the finest locations in Europe!

How to Buy Property in Greece: Step-by-Step Guide

As a foreigner, it is not only possible to buy property in greece islands it is a structured, transparent process that can be completed smoothly and safely with the right support. Whether you want to invest, live, or obtain residency, iLand offers full support from beginning to end, conducting every aspect on your behalf. This is what the process looks like:

1. Entry into Greece (Visa Support If Required)

If you already have a visa for Greece or are from a country where you can enter Greece without a visa, you can enter without a problem. If you don't have a visa yet, iLand will assist you in obtaining one based on your country of Residence. With a visa, you can enter the Greek territory legally to visit the properties and for the purchase process.

2. Property Consultation & Selection

Once you are in Greece, our staff will organize viewings according to your needs, preferences, and budget. We pre-select properties that meet your individual aims, whether a vacation property or investing in Greece real estate. This saves you time and will ensure you are not seeing properties that do not meet your needs, wishes, or budget.

3. Property Visits & Select Decision

You visit the final properties with our local consultants, who will explain each. Once you choose, we move quickly to secure the deal.

4. Legal and Technical Due Diligence

Before any commitment moves forward, we conduct a full due diligence check on the property. This relies on our legal department vetting whether the owner is the legal owner, whether there are debts or liens on the property, whether building permits are in place, and whether there are past or ongoing legal issues or tax debts. The due diligence check is critical to protecting your investment.

5. Opening a bank account in Greece

You will need a Greek bank account as part of the legal process to complete the purchase. iLand will help you open a Greek bank account even if you don't currently reside in Greece. This bank account is used to transfer the purchase funds securely and transparently.

6. Signing the Purchase Contract

Once the legal vetting is complete and money is in place, a notary acquires the property in your name, and all documentation is registered with the Greek Land Registry. Our staff will handle the entire contract process to ensure accuracy and compliance with the strict regulations of Greek law.

7. Ownership Transfer and Title Registration

After the experience, we will take care of the transfer and registration of the property in your name. We will verify that all legal elements are satisfied, file the sale document at the registry office, and you will have proper ownership.

8. Optional: Golden Visa Application

If you are buying property for over €250,000 and seeking a residence, iLand will process your Golden Visa application if you hire us. We will collect all the documents, book your appointment, translate, and file your legal submission.

Also, If you have any property in any city in Greece and you have no time to manage, you can use our service, which is named " Property Management in Greece ", and manage your time.

What can iLand do to buy property in Greece?

• Visa support for property buyers

• Property pre-sale selection that fits your needs

• Inspection tours and local support

• Legal and tax research and due diligence

• Setting up your bank account in Greece

• Coordinating your purchase agreement with the notary

• Final title transfer and checking the registry

• Supporting your Golden Visa application, including legal assistance

• Continuing support after your purchase, including renting if required

At iLand, purchasing property abroad shouldn't be complicated. This is why we think offering you a turnkey service is helpful: you won't have to deal with problems such as language issues, legal issues, and bureaucracy. We will serve everything you need, from the first consultation to receiving your property title, in a professional, secure, and transparent manner.

Buy property in Greece islands for Residence

When you purchase property in Greece, you make a smart investment and create a pathway to residency in the EU through Greece's Golden Visa program. This is a legal and viable means for non-EU citizens to gain long-term residency in Greece with a real estate investment.

Get Golden Visa

The Golden Visa is a residence by investment program; the Golden Visa allows non-European nationals to reside in Greece by purchasing property for a minimum of €250,000. Initial visas are issued for five years, and are conveniently renewable, ultimately for as long as you retain ownership of the property. The Golden Visa encompasses your spouse, children under 21, and in certain situations, even your parents.

Advantages of Residence by Investment

• You can reside in Greece as a permanent resident, enjoying full access to the healthcare and chartered educational systems.

• You can travel throughout the Schengen Zone (and beyond) without restriction, including France, Italy, Germany, and Spain.

• You are not obligated to reside in Greece full-time; you can live elsewhere and keep your visa.

• No language or stay requirement as seen in many other European residency programs.

• You can apply for Greek citizenship after 7 years, still under some conditions.

Minimum investment required

To be eligible to apply for a Golden Visa, the minimum real estate investment is €250,000. This can comprise one eligible property or multiple properties of varying types whose combined appraised value meets the minimum. The €250,000 doesn't include taxes, legal fees, and other transaction costs associated with the purchase, so please be financially prepared for those expenses in advance.

Documents & Requirements to get started to buy property in Greece for Residence

• purchase property in Greece

• Clean criminal record

• Contractual proof of the purchase of property (through iLand)

• Greek tax ID number (we will help you get this)

• Valid proof of health insurance coverage

• Legal documents are prepared and translated as you work through the visa application process

Have a Full Charge of the Process, Contact iLand

We know it can be overwhelming using a brand-new system like the Golden Visa, especially as a new real estate investor, and that is why iLand provides complete legal and administrative support from the first day you engage us. iLand will assist you with:

• Choosing eligible properties

• Completing your purchase

• Preparing all documents

• Submitting all of the paperwork for your Golden Visa

• Managing and processing the whole transaction via a local legal partner

If you want to buy houses in Greece as an option for residency, please contact one of our expert consultants to discuss your options, understand the requirements of obtaining a Golden Visa, and help you confidently step into European residency.

Tips for Buying Property in Greece

Buying abroad presents wonderful opportunities—but it can also present wonderful problems. To invest safely and sensibly in Greece, first and foremost, you must understand the prevailing domestic market conditions, the technical requirements and limitations, and the legal risks of buying in a foreign country. Some of the following are important guidelines for obtaining the most favorable property in Greece.

• Hire Local Professionals

As a foreign purchaser, the Greek real estate market could be difficult, especially if you are not well-versed in the local laws, taxation requirements, and local property conditions. The best solution to address such challenges is to involve native experts. Here at iLand, we offer complete consulting and legal services to make each step of the purchasing process easy and enable you to make smart decisions.

Understand Technical and Legal Information

One of the largest mistakes buyers make is listening only to outer appearances or location, and failing to dig further into other issues. Every property must have a technical inspection to check whether heating, air conditioning installations, plumbing, and basic building materials are in working order.
Its legal past is just as crucial. Other properties may have latent liabilities in unpaid tax or latent debt, or even unsettled mortgage and financial liabilities. We conduct due diligence at iLand to ensure that:

• The property has no debt or outstanding tax payable

• Legal problems and titles are clean

• Permits, usage, and ownership are correct

• Ensure Potential Fair Price on the Property

Something else to consider is the valuation of the property. The prices in Greece are too high even in the same neighborhood, so it makes sense to get the property downvalued by a professional to avoid overpaying. Our personnel guarantee that all listings are thoroughly evaluated based on market trends, location, and condition.

Steer Clear of Purchaser Blunders

Below are some blunders to steer clear of:

• Hurrying into a deal without proper research about the law

• Underestimating extra costs (tax, notary, attorney fees)

• Choosing a property with poor long-term worth or rental demand

• Waiving independent examinations

• Failing to organize visa or rental income in plain terms

• Take Advantage of iLand's Full-Service Support

We handle everything at iLand. We select verified properties, negotiate prices, arrange for inspections, and handle all documentation. Being an investor, relocating to another location, or simply desiring to rent the property, we ensure each step is secure and fine-tuned.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can foreign nationals purchase property in Greece?

Foreign nationals can legally purchase property in Greece. Citizens from EU countries and non-EU countries can obtain real estate. Non-EU citizens may require some other permissible approval for a limited area property (such as some islands or certain military areas). If you are a non-EU national, you may also be eligible for a Golden Visa for investing in a property for at least €250,000, giving you and your family a legal place of Residence in Greece.

Is it a smart investment to buy a home in Greece?

Yes, as a homeowner in Greece, it has proven to be a good investment for many foreign buyers. Housing prices in Greece have increased consistently over many years with increasing demand from foreign buyers and limited supply, and Greece is a very favored tourist location.

Additionally, rental return prospects in Greece usually offer many strong returns, especially in coastal points and islands. Whether you are looking for capital growth, rental income, or looking to have a place as a legal resident in the EU, Greek real estate could be a suitable investment.

How much time does the purchasing process take?

In Greece, the entire property purchase process will typically take 4 to 8 weeks, depending on how complicated the situation is and how quickly you can procure legal documents. iLand helps ensure that the process is easy and well-managed. We will manage everything (legal checks, opening bank account, contract signing, registering title of deed, etc) so that you do not face any delays or uncertainty in the process.

Looking to buy houses in Greece? Let's Get Started with iLand.

Suppose you're looking for a place to buy investment property or relocate with your family, or want to buy property for residency (and secure an EU residence permit). In that case, few markets worldwide can match Greece for the combination of opportunity, lifestyle, and long-term value. However, you must have local experience, a legal project team, and a trusted local partner who knows and understands you and the property investment landscape.

At iLand, we specialize in working with foreign buyers to purchase property in Greece as quickly and confidently (and completely worry-free) as possible. This means everything from finding the right house or appropriate investment to managing the entirety of the legal and financial processes and managing your residency application by bringing every part into coherence and ensuring effective communication throughout the project.

Through our full-service property buying service, you won't have to think about the paperwork, language issues, or technical errors; we handle everything, and all you need to concern yourself with is your future in Greece!

Please contact our team today, speak with one of our advisory staff, and start your journey to own property in one of Europe's most stunning, desirable, and promising markets.