Legal support for buying and selling property in Greece.
Greece attracts buyers and investors from all over the world, from apartments in central Athens to villas and boutique hotels on the Cycladic islands. Greek property law, however, has its own rules: title is checked by the buyer's lawyer, the Hellenic Cadastre is still being completed in some areas, and planning irregularities are common. Independent legal advice protects your investment.
Katsampoulas – Arvaniti Law Firm advises foreign and Greek clients on residential and commercial property transactions, working in English from our office in central Athens and with associates on the islands.
- Legal due diligence and title search
- Villas, luxury homes and hotels in Mykonos, Paros, Naxos, Tinos and Athens
- Coordination with agents, notaries, engineers and banks
Our experience in Greek real estate transactions
Our firm has handled property transactions worth millions of euros — including hotels, villas and luxury residences in Mykonos, Paros, Naxos, Tinos and central Athens.
Our firm has acted in the purchase and sale of hotels, luxury properties and villas in Mykonos, Paros, Naxos and Tinos, as well as residential and commercial property in central Athens. This includes multi-million-euro transactions, where careful structuring, thorough due diligence and clear communication between all parties are essential.
We regularly work in cooperation with major real estate agencies such as Engel & Völkers, and with cooperating notaries in Athens and on the islands. On Mykonos and Naxos we work with associate lawyers who specialise in real estate law and the Hellenic Cadastre (Ktimatologio). They know the local registries, planning authorities and the practical issues that often arise with island property.
How buying property in Greece works
- Tax number (AFM) and bank account. Every buyer, including foreign nationals, needs a Greek tax identification number (AFM). In practice a Greek bank account is also needed so that the payment can be traced. We can obtain the AFM for you under a power of attorney and assist with opening the account.
- Legal due diligence and title search. In Greece the buyer's lawyer checks the seller's title. We review the chain of title deeds, check the Land Registry or Hellenic Cadastre records for mortgages, seizures, claims or pending litigation, and confirm that the seller is entitled to sell.
- Cadastre check. We confirm that the property is correctly registered in the Hellenic Cadastre, with the right owner, boundaries and area. Inaccurate registrations, especially on the islands, must be corrected before or as part of the transaction.
- Building permits and arbitrary constructions. An engineer must certify that there are no unauthorised constructions or uses, or that any have been legalised. We review permits, plans and the engineer's certificate, and assess any planning restrictions, for example outside town plans, near the coast or in protected areas.
- Preliminary agreement and deposit. Where the purchase cannot be completed immediately, the parties may sign a preliminary agreement, usually before a notary, setting the price, the deposit and the conditions for completion. We negotiate and draft its terms to protect you.
- Taxes and costs. A property transfer tax is generally payable by the buyer, calculated on the price or the tax (objective) value of the property, whichever is higher. Certain new buildings may instead be subject to VAT. Notary fees, registration fees and legal fees also apply. We give you a clear estimate before you commit.
- Notarial deed. The transfer is signed before a notary as a notarial deed. Your lawyer attends, reviews the final deed and checks that all certificates are in place.
- Registration. Ownership passes only once the deed is registered with the Hellenic Cadastre or the competent Land Registry. We follow the registration through to completion and give you the final documents.
We also act for sellers: we prepare the title documents, coordinate the engineer's certificate and other required certificates, review the buyer's offer and support the negotiation through to the signing of the deed.
Golden Visa and residence through property investment
Greece offers a residence permit for non-EU nationals who invest in Greek real estate, often called the Golden Visa. The minimum investment amounts and the conditions have changed several times in recent years and depend on the location and type of property. Before choosing a property for this purpose, we check the current rules that apply to it, so that the investment actually qualifies.
Talk to a property lawyer in Greece
We work for buyers or for sellers, never for both sides in the same transaction, and we keep your matter confidential.
Planning a purchase in Athens or the Cyclades?
Contact us before you pay a deposit. We will review the property and explain the process, costs and timeline in plain English.
Selling a villa, hotel or apartment?
We prepare your title documents and certificates in advance, so that the sale is not delayed when a buyer is found.
Katsampoulas – Arvaniti Law Firm
Katsampoulas – Arvaniti Law Firm (Κατσάμπουλας Δ. – Αρβανίτη Χ. Δικηγορική Εταιρεία) is a law firm based at 10 Tositsa St, Athens 106 83, Greece. Founding partner Dimitris Katsampoulas is a lawyer admitted before the Supreme Court of Greece (Areios Pagos). Together with our associates in Athens, Mykonos and Naxos, we handle property, civil, commercial and family matters for Greek and international clients. Meet the team.
Frequently asked questions
Can foreigners buy property in Greece?
Yes. EU and non-EU nationals can generally buy property in Greece. In certain designated border areas, buyers from outside the EU may need a prior permit. We check whether this applies to the property you are interested in.
Do I need a lawyer to buy property in Greece?
In Greece it is the buyer's lawyer who checks title, encumbrances and the Cadastre registration. Independent legal advice is strongly recommended and is common practice, especially for foreign buyers.
Do I have to be in Greece to complete the purchase?
Not necessarily. With a properly drafted power of attorney, your lawyer can obtain your tax number, handle the checks and sign the notarial deed on your behalf.
What is the Hellenic Cadastre and why does it matter?
The Hellenic Cadastre (Ktimatologio) is the national property register that is replacing the older Land Registries. A correct Cadastre registration in the seller's name is a key condition for a safe purchase, and the buyer's ownership is registered there after signing.
How long does a property purchase take?
A straightforward purchase can often be completed within a few weeks once the documents are ready. Island properties, hotels or cases with planning or Cadastre issues usually take longer.
Contact our Athens office
Meet us at our office in central Athens, or by video call or phone. We work in English. Your first contact does not commit you to anything.
- Phone+30 211 001 5659
- Mobile+30 697 598 2659
- Emailinfo@katsalaw.gr
- Address10 Tositsa St, Athens 106 83
Everything you share with us is protected by lawyer–client confidentiality.
Katsampoulas – Arvaniti Law Firm. The information on this page is general, reflects Greek law as of October 2026 and does not replace legal advice on your specific case.
