Greece’s 15% Property Transfer Tax for Non-EU Buyers: What Changes on 1 July 2027
Last updated: 30 September 2026. We will update this page as the legislation progresses.
Planning to buy property in Greece? A proposed tax change could make timing an important consideration.
The Greek government has announced that the property transfer tax on residential purchases by certain non-EU buyers will rise from 3% to 15%. The measure is scheduled to take effect on 1 July 2027. Here is what has been announced, who is affected, what it could cost, and what is still undecided.
The key facts at a glance
- What: The basic transfer tax on residential purchases by in-scope buyers rises from 3% to 15%. Once the municipal levy is added, the effective rate moves from 3.09% to 15.45%.
- When: 1 July 2027. Early reports pointed to 1 January 2027, but the start date was later set six months back.
- Who: Individuals (natural persons) who are citizens of countries outside the EU and the EEA and who do not hold long-term resident status in Greece.
- What is not covered: Purchases made by legal entities, and non-residential property such as commercial premises and land.
- Status: Announced by the government. The final legislation, transitional provisions and any additional exemptions are still to be confirmed.
What has been announced
The Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, announced the measure at the Thessaloniki International Fair in September 2026. The Finance Minister, Kyriakos Pierrakakis, then set out the details. He said the July 2027 start date was chosen so that the market would not be taken by surprise, and that the measure would apply to individuals rather than companies.
The government’s stated goal is to curb additional foreign demand for residential property, which it says adds pressure on prices and makes housing harder to access for permanent residents. According to figures presented by the Ministry of Finance, investment in Greek real estate by third-country buyers reached about €1.2 billion in 2025, of which roughly €800 million went into residential property.
The increase is expected to be included in a broader legislative package, which is due to go to public consultation. Targeted exemptions or corrections could still be added along the way.
What it could cost: current rate vs proposed rate
The table below applies the effective rates (including the municipal levy) to a taxable value equal to the purchase price. In practice the tax is calculated on the taxable value of the property, so your tax adviser or lawyer should confirm the exact base for your purchase.
| Property value | Transfer tax today (3.09%) | From 1 July 2027 (15.45%) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| €250,000 | €7,725 | €38,625 | +€30,900 |
| €500,000 | €15,450 | €77,250 | +€61,800 |
| €800,000 | €24,720 | €123,600 | +€98,880 |
| €1,000,000 | €30,900 | €154,500 | +€123,600 |
| €2,000,000 | €61,800 | €309,000 | +€247,200 |
For a €1,000,000 home, the basic tax alone moves from €30,000 to €150,000. The difference grows in direct proportion to the value, so it matters most in the higher price brackets.
These amounts cover transfer tax only. Legal fees, notary costs, land registry costs and annual property taxes are separate.
Who could be affected?
The announced rate applies to a buyer who is all of the following:
- an individual, not a company;
- a citizen of a country outside the EU and the EEA;
- not a holder of long-term resident status in Greece;
- buying a residential property.
In practice this includes buyers from countries such as the United Kingdom, the United States, China, Israel, Turkey, Canada, Australia and many others.
Who is excluded?
According to the government’s announcements, the following are not subject to the 15% rate:
- citizens of EU and EEA countries;
- Greeks and people of Greek origin (ομογενεις);
- third-country nationals with long-term resident status in Greece;
- recognised refugees and holders of a second-generation residence permit;
- purchases of commercial property, land and other non-residential property.
Individual circumstances matter here. Whether you fall into an exempt category, and what documents you will need to prove it, should be confirmed with a qualified Greek lawyer.
What is still unclear
Several practical points have not yet been settled and depend on the final legislation:
- Transitional provisions. It is not yet clear how contracts and preliminary agreements signed before 1 July 2027 will be treated. The tax point is expected to be linked to the transfer itself, but this should be confirmed once the text is published.
- Properties that change use. Industrial or commercial buildings converted into homes, and listed buildings that are restored, raise open questions. This matters in particular for the lower investment tier of the Golden Visa programme. Market participants have asked the government for an exemption or a reduced rate, but nothing has been decided.
- Borderline nationalities. Citizens of countries that are in neither the EU nor the EEA should check their position carefully.
- Proof of status. The documents required to demonstrate an exemption have not yet been specified.
What about the Golden Visa?
The real-estate route of the Greek Golden Visa is used by non-EU individuals, so these buyers fall squarely within the announced scope unless the final law provides otherwise. Routes that do not involve a property purchase are not affected by a property transfer tax. If you are considering a purchase in connection with a residence permit, speak to your legal adviser about both the tax and the permit requirements together.
What this could mean for buyers in Corfu
International buyers, including those from the UK, the US and other non-EU countries, are an important part of the interest in Corfu’s villas, country houses and seafront properties. The larger the purchase price, the larger the impact of a five-fold change in the tax rate, which is why the topic is especially relevant for the premium end of the market.
Buying in Greece is a multi-step process: obtaining a Greek tax number, opening a bank account, carrying out legal due diligence on title and planning status, and completing the deed before a notary. Each step takes time, and a nine-month window is shorter in practice than it sounds.
If you are already considering buying in Greece
This is a development worth discussing with your legal and tax advisers. It does not mean that every buyer should rush into a purchase. A property should still be right for you, in the right location, with clean title and the right use. The tax changes the arithmetic, not the fundamentals.
A sensible approach is to:
- Confirm which category you fall into (citizenship, long-term resident status, individual or company).
- Confirm that the property is classed as residential.
- Map out a realistic purchase timeline, from shortlisting to the notary deed.
- Bring in a Greek lawyer and a tax adviser early.
- Budget the full cost of acquisition, not the transfer tax alone.
How Roula Rouva | Forbes Global Properties can help
At Roula Rouva | Forbes Global Properties, we help international buyers identify suitable properties in Corfu and across Greece, and connect them with the appropriate legal and tax professionals to understand how the proposed changes may affect their individual circumstances.
If you are considering purchasing a property in Greece, now is a good time to review your plans and understand what the proposed changes could mean for you.
Frequently asked questions
When does the 15% transfer tax for non-EU buyers start in Greece?
The government has announced 1 July 2027. Early reports mentioned 1 January 2027, but the later clarification set the date six months back. The final date depends on the legislation.
Is the 15% rate already law?
Not yet. It has been announced, and the legislation is expected to go through public consultation. Details, exemptions and transitional provisions may change.
What is the real rate, 15% or 15.45%?
The basic rate is 15%. A municipal levy of 3% of the tax itself is added, so the effective rate is 15.45%, compared with 3.09% today.
Does the higher rate apply to US, UK or Chinese buyers?
Citizens of countries outside the EU and the EEA are within the announced scope, unless they fall into an exempt category such as long-term resident status.
Does it apply to companies?
According to the government’s announcement, the higher rate applies to individuals, not legal entities. Different ownership structures carry their own legal and tax consequences, so take advice before choosing one. The final law may also refine the rules.
Does it apply to land or commercial property?
No. The announced rate covers residential property only.
Is it already too late to buy under the current rate?
No. The current rate applies until the new one takes effect, and the transitional rules will matter. Speak to a Greek lawyer about timing for your specific case.
Important: The 15% rate is based on the government’s announced measure. The final legislation, effective date and transitional provisions should be confirmed before making any purchasing decision. Tax treatment depends on the buyer’s individual circumstances and should be confirmed with a qualified Greek tax adviser or lawyer. This article is for general information and is not legal or tax advice.
Sources: ProtoThema, 8 Sept 2026 · NewMoney, Sept 2026 · Global Citizen Solutions