Greece’s proposed home-transfer tax: why overseas buyers should check more than the 15% headline

An overseas buyer budgeting for a Greek home needs to separate an announced policy from the tax applicable to their own transaction. The government’s proposed increase is significant, but a headline cannot settle eligibility, timing or the final amount due.

What is current and what is proposed

AADE’s current guidance states a standard transfer-tax rate of 3% of taxable value, plus a municipal levy of 3% of the main tax. That produces 3.09% before any applicable relief or different treatment.

Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE) · 2026-11-01

Where the 15% figure comes from

The government’s September policy document announced 15%, or 15.45% with the levy, for certain third-country purchasers of homes. It excludes commercial premises and plots from that announced increase. This is a proposal, not a claim that the higher rate already applies.

Greek Government · 2026-11-01

The October summary needs careful reading

The ministry’s 18 October consultation summary proposes an increase from 1 July 2027 for individuals who are not EU/EEA tax residents. It gives 1 November 2026 as the consultation deadline. Its residence wording differs from the September document’s citizenship and residence categories; we could not inspect the consultation’s full article text.

Greek Ministry of National Economy and Finance · 2026-10-18

Questions to resolve before committing

Do not use a passport alone to decide how the proposal would affect you. Ask a Greek notary or tax adviser to identify the exact rule, the relevant status test and the transaction date that would matter under any final legislation. This article does not confirm that a final law has been enacted.

• Request a written estimate showing the taxable value, main tax, levy and other purchase costs separately.
• Ask which personal circumstances and supporting documents affect the treatment of your purchase.
• Have the adviser check the final Gazette text, commencement rules and any transitional provisions.
• If a seller promotes a deadline, verify the legal basis before accelerating a purchase or paying a non-refundable sum.

Keep the property decision independent

A possible tax change can alter a budget without making an unsuitable home suitable. Continue to check title, condition, permitted use and the full recurring cost of ownership with the relevant professionals. Compare properties on the same assumptions.

For planning, keep a clearly labelled current-rule calculation and a separate proposal scenario. Update both when the legal position is confirmed; do not present a provisional scenario as a tax bill or assume that buying a property provides residency rights.

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Prepared by Lebanon Property on 1 November 2026. Source dates and data periods are stated above. Practical implications are editorial analysis, not a valuation, individual legal or credit advice, or a guarantee of prices or returns.