Property tax in Greece for foreigners (UK guide)

This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax advice. Get professional tax advice and guidance from your lawyer or tax advisor when dealing with property taxes.

Thinking of buying property in Greece? You might be moving there permanently from the UK, buying a holiday home or perhaps a property to let so you can earn some extra income.

Whatever your plans, you need to get to grips with property taxes in Greece and how they apply to foreign nationals. We’re here to help, with a rundown of all the main Greece property taxes you need to know about, including current tax rates.

We’ll also show you a cost-effective way to pay property tax and other expenses in Greece from the money services provider Wise - the Wise account. It’s not a bank account but offers some similar features, and your money is safeguarded.

Over 14.8 million people worldwide use Wise to send, spend and convert money in pounds and 40+ more currencies – for low, transparent fees and no-markup exchange rates close to what you can see on Google. Plus, you’ll get dedicated support and volume discounts when sending large amounts.

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Do foreigners pay tax in Greece?

Yes, foreign nationals - including British citizens - do pay tax in Greece, but it all depends on whether they are classed as resident or non-resident for tax purposes.

You’re considered a tax resident of Greece if you live there permanently or spent more than 183 days in the country in a tax year.¹

If you’re classed as a resident, this means you have to pay income and other taxes on worldwide earnings and income.

If you spend less than 183 days in the country (for example, if you split your time between Greece and the UK, or another country) per year, you’re considered a non-resident.

This means you’ll only have to pay income tax on anything you earn in Greece. Other income and earnings will be taxed in the country you’re considered to be domiciled or a permanent resident in - for example, the UK.

Who has to pay property tax in Greece?

Everyone who buys, sells or owns property in Greece will probably have to pay property tax.

This includes people classed as non-resident for tax purposes, if they own property and/or earn income from property. So you’ll need to pay annual property taxes if you own real estate there, and income tax if you earn rental income from a house or apartment in Greece.

Property taxes in Greece for foreigners - an overview

If you buy, sell, own or rent out property in Greece, you’ll need to read up on the different types of property taxes and which ones apply to you.

To help make it a little easier, here’s a handy at-a-glance overview:¹

Taxes when you buy a property in Greece

Property Transfer Tax (FMA)

When you buy property in Greece, you’ll need to pay real estate transfer taxes known as Fóros Metavivasis Akinítou (FMA). The rate is currently 3.09% of the total purchase price, and it applies to resale properties.¹

If you’re buying a new build property, you would normally have to pay VAT instead - which in Greece is known as Fóros Prostithémenis Axías (FPA). This rate is usually 24% on the purchase of a new property. However, FPA on new builds has been suspended to the end of 2025 and it is possible (although not guaranteed) that this will continue to be the case.¹

Taxes for selling property in Greece

Capital Gains Tax (CGT)

When you sell a property in Greece, you may need to pay Capital Gains Tax (CGT). This is paid only on the profit you make, which is the difference between what you’re selling the property for and what you originally paid for it.

You’ll only pay Capital Gains Tax in Greece if you sell a property within 5 years of buying it. The rate is 15%. If you sell after 5 years of ownership, you should be exempt from CGT.¹

If you’re not a tax resident of Greece, it’s likely that the tax rules in your home country (for example, the UK) will apply.

It’s worth getting specialist tax advice on this, to help you understand your obligations and which country’s tax laws apply to you.

Annual property taxes in Greece

There are also annual taxes every property owner in Greece must pay, which include Uniform Real Estate Property Tax (ENFIA) and municipality duties known as Telos Akinitis Periousias (TAP).

ENFIA

Uniform Real Estate Property Tax (ENFIA) is an annual property tax that everyone who owns Greek property must pay - regardless of whether or not they’re a tax resident in Greece.

The rate is calculated using the value of the property, along with characteristics such as the number of floors, façades, age and which area it’s in. This means the rate can vary.

For properties over €200,000 EUR, there’s an additional annual tax to pay, which varies between 0.1% and 1.15%.¹

TAP (municipality duty)

Property owners in Greece also have to pay local municipality duties, known as Telos Akinitis Periousias (TAP). These are between 0.025% and 0.035% of the property value, and are usually collected through your electricity bill.¹

If you rent out the property, you’ll still be responsible for paying this - not your tenant.¹

Taxes on rental income in Greece

If you rent out your property in Greece, you'll need to pay tax on the income you make.

Here are the tax bands you need to know about:¹

These rates apply for both short-term/holiday lets, and for long-term rentals.

If you have more than two properties in Greece that you rent out on a short-term basis, you may need to register as a business. This will mean making social security contributions and paying VAT.¹

Manage your money between the UK and Greece with Wise

If you own or rent out property abroad while still living in the UK, you’ll need a way to manage your money between currencies. You’ll have bills to pay in Greece, as well as taxes.

Wise offers a cost-effective solution, with a powerful multi-currency account that lets you manage your money between British pounds and euros for low, transparent fees and mid-market exchange rates.

Plus, you can get a Wise card to spend in euros whenever you’re next in Greece. This clever contactless card automatically converts currency at the mid-market exchange rate, only adding a tiny currency conversion fee, whenever you spend, making it easier to cover everyday expenses.

✅ Sign up with Wise for free

**Investments in funds are never guaranteed and your capital can be 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:

Sources last checked 17-Nov-2025