Buying property in Corfu as a UK foreigner in 2025

Corfu boasts a long, colorful history of attracting UK visitors and expats. The mix of Venetian, French and British heritage combined with lush olive groves and beautiful beaches can be tough to resist. It’s why many choose to stay a while, sometimes even for good.

And thanks to Greece’s golden visa programme, buying Corfu property can be a practical way of getting EU residency rights.

In this guide, we’ll provide a complete guide to buying property in Corfu as a foreigner. We’ll give you an overview of the whole process and prepare you with details on prices, taxes and fees to be aware of. Plus, we’ll go over pitfalls to avoid.

We’ll also introduce a reliable and cost-effective way to send and receive large sums internationally from the money services provider Wise. With low, transparent fees*, great mid-market exchange rates, and secure, trackable transfers, Wise makes international money transfers simple and stress-free.

Plus, you’ll get dedicated support and volume discounts when sending large amounts.

Get expert support for your large transfer 📞

Buying property in Corfu as a foreigner: a step-by-step guide

For foreign buyers, buying property in Corfu can get complicated due to language barriers and cultural differences. That said, knowing how the whole process works should help you smooth out the process.

Here’s a look at the typical steps:

1. Get your AFM

You must have a Greek tax identification number (AFM) to buy property in Corfu as a foreigner, so consider making that your first step toward home ownership.¹

Getting an AFM is typically a quick process that can be completed entirely online. You can also go apply in person at the local tax office.²

2. Sort out your mortgage and banking

As with any property purchase, you need to have a concrete budget, plus the means to finance it, if you don’t plan to buy in cash. You may also want to open a local bank account for property-related payments. This isn’t strictly required, but is generally recommended to make your financial transactions easier.¹

And though you’re not legally required to have a mortgage offer before you start looking either, a mortgage approval in principle will help speed up the process.

3. Put your team together

There’s no requirement to hire an estate agent to buy property in Corfu, but having one can help you more easily find properties that fit the criteria you’re looking for.

Before making your choice, you should make sure your agent is registered with an estate association in Greece and has the local expertise to guide you. And unless you’re fluent in Greek, you’ll want a bilingual agent who can communicate easily with both you and with sellers.

A solicitor can also be helpful. You’re not required to have one by law, but having one will help you ensure all your rights are protected. The UK Government website offers a directory of English-speaking lawyers in Greece.³

4. Search for the right property

With your team ready to support you, it’s time to start looking at properties. We’ll go over how to make the most of your property search later on.

5. Conduct due diligence

The property you choose should follow local zoning and other laws. Your solicitor can request a certificate from the land registry to make sure the property doesn’t have any debts or embargoes attached to it, and that the seller is the legal owner.¹

Getting a building survey is also a good idea, though it’s not required by law. You want to make sure you know about any structural problems or issues with the land before you make a commitment.

6. Make an offer and sign a preliminary contract

Once you’ve decided on your property, your estate agent can help you make an offer, negotiating with the seller if necessary. If your offer is accepted, both you and the seller will sign a preliminary contract.

At this point, you’ll need to put down a deposit. In Corfu, this typically is around 10% of the purchase price.¹ If you’re buying with a mortgage, now is the time to finalise the terms with your bank.

7. Sign the public deed

The last step of buying a property is signing the deed of sale. This must be done before a notary, but you don’t have to be present. Your solicitor can sign it for you if you’ve given them power of attorney.

At this point, you’ll need to pay the rest of the money for the purchase. You’ll also be responsible for all the associated taxes and fees, which we’ll go over in more detail later.

After the deed is signed, your lawyer should register the property at the local land registry.¹

Can you get a mortgage from a Corfu bank as a non-resident?

Because of the high number of bad loans in the past, Greek banks still tend to be cautious about mortgages. Typically, the bigger, well-known banks are more likely to consider foreign buyers.

As a foreigner, you’ll face stricter conditions than Greek citizens when seeking a mortgage and you’ll likely receive less favorable terms. Most banks will ask you to put down a deposit between 30% to 50%, and lenders will check that your total debts don’t take up more than 30% of your overall income.⁴

Taxes and fees for owning property in Corfu

Property-related taxes and fees in Corfu are the same as the rest of Greece. One-time purchase-related costs include:⁵

• Property transfer tax – 3% of the property value determined by the Ministry of Finance
• Municipal surtax – 3% of the property transfer tax
• Notary fees – around 1% to 2% of the purchase price
• Land registry fees – around 0.5% of the purchase price
• Legal fees – up to 1% of the purchase price

A VAT of 24% usually applies to new properties, but this tax is suspended until the end of 2026.⁶ Also keep in mind that if you’re taking out a mortgage, you need to budget for the costs related to that loan.

Your ongoing taxes and fees will include:⁵

• Annual property tax (ENFIA) – between €2 to €16.20 euros per square metre, depending on your property’s location, size and age
• Municipal tax – around 0.025% to 0.035% of the property value, typically added to your electricity bill

What’s the property market like in Corfu?

Compared to more famous Greek islands like Mykonos and Santorini, Corfu’s property market is more accessible. Prices have risen about 12% in 2025 though, and are still going up. Average values currently sit around €2,700 per square metre.⁷

Most sales in Corfu aren’t big new developments but mostly unique homes. That limits the supply, while the European demand stays fairly steady, making for a fairly resilient property market.

Can foreigners buy property in Corfu?

UK buyers won’t face restrictions on buying property in Corfu. Greece does restrict property purchases in certain border or military-sensitive areas, but none of those areas are in Corfu. UK buyers are free to purchase property on the island without any extra permits.

It helps, though, to be aware of Greece’s zoning and heritage rules. Properties near the coast, in forests, within conservation zones, or close to archaeological sites may have limits and restrictions on building or renovations. And in rural areas, you may only be allowed to build on about 10% of the land you buy and face restrictions on the materials you use or the size and style of your building.¹

None of these rules limits you from buying a property, but they do affect what you can do with the property after you buy it, so it’s wise to keep them in mind as you shop.

Can you buy property in Corfu and get residency?

Greece’s Golden Visa programme is a big reason why many UK citizens choose to buy property in the country. By purchasing in Corfu, you can get residency rights with potential for future Greek citizenship.

To get the Golden Visa, you typically need to make an investment of at least €800,000 in Corfu, which is considered a high-demand area. Some rare, special cases do exist that let you qualify for a Golden Visa with just a €250,000 investment for restoring heritage buildings or converting properties.⁸

How much are the property prices in Corfu?

Property prices in Corfu are slightly higher than the Greek average. The average price per square meter is €2,622 in all of Greece, compared to €2,693 in Corfu.⁶

Where is the cheapest place to buy property in Corfu?⁹

In Corfu, it’s still possible to find village houses and small apartments under €100,000. These tend to be in traditional inland villages like Agios Mattheos and Chlomos. You might also look at Pelekas for great sunset views, or Doukades for a place near west-coast beaches.

If you’re looking for two or three-bedroom family homes, the most affordable are typically found on the south coast. Benitses is a cosmopolitan yet affordable town to consider, while Boukari and Petriti are quieter fishing villages popular with retirees.

How can you find a property in Corfu?

Word-of-mouth recommendations from local expats can be a great place to start when looking for a place to buy in Corfu. Other common methods include:

Property agencies and agents in Corfu

A good local agent can be valuable because the island’s property market includes lots of one-off village houses and villas. A connected insider can point you to properties that don’t always make it to the big portals. Agents in Greece must be licensed, so you should check to make sure yours is.

Property websites in Corfu

If you’d like to get a feel for the Corfu market, consider starting with local specialists Corfuhomefinders, Corfu Property Company and Corfiot Realty. These agencies sometimes list homes you won’t see on bigger international sites.

Greece’s biggest property portal, Spitogatos, can give you a broader look at what’s available across the country. For villas and waterfront estates at the higher end of the scale, Engel & Völkers and JamesEdition are good places to look.

And if you prefer to browse in a UK-friendly environment, Rightmove Overseas is specifically aimed at British buyers and expats.

What are some of the pitfalls of buying property in Corfu?

Since Corfu is an island in the Ionian Sea and part of a country known for its complex laws, there are a few extra things to consider before deciding on a property:¹⁰

• Unclear paperwork. In rural areas, ownership records can be messy. Your dream property might be tied up in inheritance disputes or not quite match the details in the land registry. A lawyer who verifies all the details up front can save you a lot of headaches down the road.
• Limited amenities. Inland villages and remote coastal spots may offer you tranquility and peace. They may also sit a long way from hospitals, schools and other amenities. Internet and other services can also be patchy outside main towns.
• Natural hazards. The Ionian islands are seismically active. Plus, wildfire risk in summer and damp issues in winter are also realities in Corfu. Proper insulation, ventilation and fire-safe landscaping, plus checking insurer requirements are all advised.

How do you choose the right property in Corfu?

It depends what you’re looking for and what your budget is. For a holiday home, you might look to the north-east coast with rental potential, while for a retirement base, quieter south-coast villages might be more appealing.

Condition of the property

Many village homes in Corfu are traditional stone buildings, and the older ones often need quite a bit of work to bring them up to earthquake code. In addition, renovation costs can get quite high if your new property needs better plumbing or wiring.

None of these factors should necessarily put you off your dream Corfu home, but it’s worth knowing upfront what it will take to get the property fully legal and truly livable.

Moving into your property in Corfu

Sorting out a few practical steps before settling into your new Corfu property can make your move to the island go a lot smoother.

Insurance

If you take out a mortgage, your lender will likely require building insurance. Even if you’ve paid cash, it’s sensible to put cover in place. In Corfu, you may also want to check that your policy includes protection against earthquakes and wildfires.

Setting up utilities

For electricity, water and internet service, you usually need to transfer the existing contracts into your name or request reconnection if the property has been vacant for a while. Most homes in Corfu rely on bottled gas or electric appliances, but you’ll still want to arrange refills or deliveries.

Energy efficiency renovations

Greek homes are required to have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), rating efficiency from A (best) to H (worst). Many older Corfu houses score poorly, which means you may want to budget for insulation or more efficient heating and cooling systems. Greece offers subsidy programmes for energy-saving measures that could help pay for these improvements.¹¹

Save on currency conversion fees with Wise when buying property abroad

Need a secure, convenient and low-cost way to send large sums of money abroad? Take a look at the Wise account from the money services provider Wise. It's not a bank account but offers some similar features and your money is safeguarded.

With Wise, you can send large amount transfers worldwide to 140+ countries for low, transparent fees* and the mid-market exchange rates with no markup.

Here’s an overview of the main benefits of using Wise:

Fast and easy setup with no physical paperwork Low, upfront fees* and no-markup mid-market exchange rates Dedicated support and volume discounts for large transfers No monthly/annual account fees Sophisticated security and anti-fraud measures, with your money safeguarded under regulatory protections Trackable and fast transfers to 140+ countries Low-cost spending in 150+ countries with the Wise card Earn a variable return on your GBP, USD and EUR with Wise Interest (capital at risk)**

✅ Sign up with Wise for free

**Capital at risk. In the UK, Interest and Stocks are provided by Wise Assets — this is the trading name of Wise Assets UK Ltd, a subsidiary of Wise. Wise Assets UK Ltd is authorised as an investment firm and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Our FCA number is 839689. We do not give investment advice, and you may be subject to pay tax. If you're not sure, seek qualified advice. You can find more information about the funds on our website.

---

Sources used:

1. Leptokaridou Law Firm - Buying property in Greece: Step by step for foreigners
2. Gov.gr- Attribution of Tax Identification Number (AFM)
3. GOV UK - Find a professional service abroad
4. Kredium - Getting a mortgage in Greece as a foreigner
5. Immigrant Invest - Greece property taxes
6. Astons Greece - Greek real estate market outlook 2025-2026
7. Capital.gr - Vat on newly built properties on hold until the end of 2026
8. Investment Migration Council - Greece Golden Visa in 2025
9. Your Overseas Home - Buying property in Corfu
10. Your Overseas Home - Avoiding the pitfalls of buying property in Greece
11. European Commission - Subsidy (Programme “Exsoikonomo- Autonomo”)

Sources last checked on date: 23-Sep-2025