Buying Property in Greece in 2026
1.Why Greece Is Becoming Increasingly Popular with UK Buyers
Greece has become one of Europe's fastest-growing overseas property markets, attracting buyers looking for sunshine, lifestyle, investment opportunities and second homes. From the stunning islands of Corfu, Crete and Rhodes to the luxury destinations of Mykonos and Santorini, Greece offers a wide range of properties and price points. Popular locations for overseas buyers include:
Crete
Corfu
Rhodes
Santorini
Mykonos
Athens
Halkidiki
Peloponnese
Paros
Naxos
Many UK buyers are attracted by Greece's warm climate, beautiful coastline, excellent food and relatively affordable property prices compared to other Mediterranean destinations.Greece has also attracted increased international interest through its Golden Visa programme, which has encouraged foreign investment into the property market. Whether you're looking for a holiday home, retirement property, rental investment or a long-term relocation opportunity, Greece continues to be one of the most appealing destinations in Europe. Before purchasing, you'll need a Greek Tax Registration Number (AFM), which is required for property purchases, opening a bank account and completing legal transactions.
2. What Does It Cost to Buy Property in Greece?
Many buyers focus solely on the property price and forget to budget for the additional costs associated with purchasing overseas. When buying property in Greece, you should budget for:
Property Transfer Tax
Legal Fees
Notary Fees
Land Registry Fees
Survey Costs
Mortgage Costs (if applicable)
Currency Exchange Costs
As a general guide, buyers should typically allow approximately 7%–10% of the purchase price for taxes and associated costs.The exact amount depends on:
Property type
Location
Whether the property is new-build or resale
Financing arrangements
Legal requirements
Many overseas buyers are pleasantly surprised to find that transaction costs in Greece are often lower than in several other European property markets. However, understanding the full cost of ownership before purchasing remains essential.
3. How to Transfer Money to Greece for a Property Purchase
Once you've found your ideal property, you'll usually need to make several payments throughout the transaction. These may include:
Reservation Deposits
Purchase Deposits
Final Completion Payments
Legal Fees
Property Taxes
Renovation Costs
Furniture and Fit-Out Costs
Most UK buyers will need to convert pounds into euros before sending funds to Greece. For larger purchases, the exchange rate can have a significant impact on your overall budget. An example, if you're purchasing a €600,000 villa in Crete or Corfu, even a small movement in the GBP/EUR exchange rate could affect the final cost by thousands of pounds. Before transferring money to Greece, consider:
What exchange rate are you receiving?
How much will arrive in euros?
Are there any transfer fees?
Are there any receiving bank charges?
How quickly can the payment be sent?
Is support available if needed?
Many buyers focus on transfer fees, but the exchange rate often has a much larger financial impact. For high-value property purchases, comparing your bank's exchange rate against a specialist provider can often result in significant savings.
4.Protecting Your Budget from Exchange Rate Movements
One of the most overlooked aspects of buying property abroad is currency risk. Property purchases often take weeks or months to complete. During that time, exchange rates can move significantly. For example: You agree to purchase a property in Greece for €500,000.
At today's exchange rate, the property might cost £425,000. However, if the pound weakens before completion, the same property could cost considerably more. This is why many overseas property buyers choose to use a forward contract. A forward contract allows you to secure an exchange rate today for a future payment. This can be useful for:
Property Deposits
Completion Balances
New-Build Stage Payments
Off-Plan Developments
Future Property Transfers
The main advantage is certainty. You know exactly how much your Greek property purchase will cost in pounds, regardless of what happens in the currency markets before completion. For many buyers, this provides valuable peace of mind and helps them budget more effectively.
5. How Overseas Payments Can Help
At Overseas Payments, we help clients transfer large amounts of money internationally for overseas property purchases. Whether you're buying a villa in Crete, a holiday home in Corfu, an apartment in Athens or an investment property on one of the Greek islands, we can help manage the currency side of your purchase.
We can assist with:
✓ GBP to EUR transfers
✓ Property deposits and completion balances
✓ Large international transfers
✓ Forward contracts
✓ Exchange rate comparisons
✓ Dedicated currency specialists
✓ Ongoing payments to Greece
Our service is designed for clients making significant overseas transfers who want support throughout the property buying process. We help buyers understand their options, compare exchange rates and arrange international payments efficiently and securely.
Greece continues to attract growing numbers of UK property buyers in 2026.
With beautiful islands, strong lifestyle appeal, attractive property prices and increasing international demand, it remains one of Europe's most desirable overseas property destinations. However, taxes, purchase costs and exchange rates can all affect your budget. By understanding the buying process early and planning your currency transfers carefully, you can help avoid unnecessary costs and make your Greek property purchase smoother and more predictable. If you're planning to buy property in Greece, speak to Overseas Payments before transferring your funds overseas.
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