Is Greece right for your strategy?
Tourism, urban regeneration and qualifying residence strategies
Calculate with your own budget
Enter the planned property price to estimate acquisition costs, gross rent and recurring ownership costs.
Financing for foreign buyers
Non-resident lending is possible but cash purchases remain common.
Tax position
Rental income, ENFIA and capital-gains treatment should be modelled separately.
Buyer costs at a €1m reference price: €60k–€100k
This common price is used only to compare countries consistently. It is not a minimum or recommended investment amount.
Resale illustration includes transfer tax plus legal, notary, registry, engineer and possible agency costs.
Markets to compare within Greece
Athens
Urban rentals and regeneration
Thessaloniki
Students and regional employment
Crete
Longer tourism season
Selected islands
Premium but highly seasonal
Positive with regulatory risk
Opportunity
Athens regeneration and established tourism locations remain internationally attractive.
Primary watchpoint
Golden Visa eligibility, short-let restrictions and building legality.
Sources and data status
Reference period: latest published 2025–2026 official and established market data available at review. Last editorial verification: 28 September 2026.
Transaction-specific figures must be confirmed with the relevant authority and an independent local adviser before commitment.
2026 snapshot
- Indicative gross long-term yield: approximately 4.4% nationally; selected Athens apartments may approach 5–6%
- Typical buyer costs: approximately 6–10%
- Short-term rental position: registered activity; new registrations remain restricted in parts of central Athens during 2026
- Property-linked residence: yes, subject to location and property type
Main investment locations
- Athens and the Riviera: urban rentals, regeneration and premium coastal demand
- Thessaloniki: students, regional business and Balkan buyers
- Crete: long season and international lifestyle demand
- Cyclades: premium tourism and severe seasonality
- Corfu and Rhodes: established holiday markets
Who can buy?
EU citizens generally buy freely. Non-EU citizens can also buy, but acquisitions in certain border and strategically sensitive areas may require permission. Buyers need a Greek tax number and source-of-funds documentation.
Purchase and ownership costs
Costs normally include transfer tax, notary, land registry/cadastre, lawyer, engineer and agency fees. Agency commission is often charged to both sides and is commonly around 2–3% plus VAT per side. Owners pay ENFIA property tax and building/common expenses.
Renting and short-term letting
Short-term rentals require registration and a property registration number. Income and operational treatment change where services are provided or multiple units are operated. Properties used for the Greek Golden Visa may not be placed into short-term rental under current rules, with serious penalties for breach.
Residence route
The standard real-estate threshold is generally €800,000 in designated high-demand areas and €400,000 elsewhere, normally for one qualifying property and subject to size rules. Certain commercial-to-residential conversions and qualifying listed buildings can remain eligible from €250,000. Legal confirmation is required before reservation.
Key risks
Planning legality, forest/coastal status, cadastral accuracy, island infrastructure and tourist seasonality require specialist checks.
Continue your research
Take the next step in Greece
Method: calculations assume an individual cash buyer acquiring a resale residential property, without mortgage, renovation or buyer-specific relief. Figures are indicative planning ranges, not quotations or promised returns. Read the methodology →