Spot on with all your advice. We are in Greece atm from Oz, my wife is from Greece and has family property here. We have been driving around the Peloponnese, there are way more properties for sale with nothing more than a sign on the front of the property and a phone number. Getting to know locals will also give you inside info on what might be for sale, handy having a fluent Greek wife!!!!
Brother you've just navigated a maze that even many of us Greeks can't. Some sage advice here, and not just for foreigners. Thanks for putting this together.
Thank you so much for all the help and sound advice. I am a Greek Canadian moving to Greece in the next couple of years. I really hope you will also do a video with your koumbara the accountant.
Many thanks for this excellent guide, Andrew. Short, to the point and some very useful tips and insights. Looking forward to the visa video. I was going to Crete for a holiday in October, but have decided to switch to the Peloponnese because of your inspirational content! Thanks for all your hard work.
Excellent guide! And I am Greek, living in Greece! Follow the steps one by one and you will not regret it! Extra tip, cheap ways for commodities in Greece: Gas for heating, solar system for hot water, solar panels for electricity (the last one isn't cheap) and it will be great if your house has installed insulation on walls and windows, also your north wall will be better not having any doors or windows but has insulation (this is a heavy windy land) and if you are buying the last upper floor of the building it must have an attic for insulation! So, before you buy be sure that you have the right to add those systems in the future.
Thank you for this super informative video. Been looking in Athens for about a year and a half now, managed to meet some good helpful people (lawyers, architects etc.) Thanks for confirming that a good accountant is also needed - I’ve been wondering even though no one told me so. I’m trying to get a Greek mortgage with deposit money coming from uk - so far it’s been difficult. Didn’t work out when I went direct to a bank. Got a mortgage broker now and that also seems to be going nowhere - no one seems to answer any emails in July and August! 😂
Glad if it is useful, as I said, you need to have the money in Greece, they may then take you more seriously. Getting a mortgage as a foreigner in Greece is very very hard, and you probably need a large deposit, maybe 40+%. Very few mortgages are issued in Greece even for Greeks since the financial crisis, it is not like the UK in that regards. When I say few, a couple of years ago I read it was 200 mortgages, in the whole year. Good luck!
What is your advice about buying a home/condo to live in greece 3 to 6 months a year. Other months not to rent/make income, just leaving vacant until you return. Thank you in advance. Also is it possible to email you with some specific questions.
productdevelopmentsyt.gmail.com It depends on if you are making a home or happy to live in a place that is trashed I think..... renting that way you have to probably go AirBnb and that is a lot of work, like a job to manage booking, cleaning etc. Plus the gov is placing serious restrictions on AirBnb from jan 25. No new licenses (for a while), commercial license for the property etc. Tax is currently 15% on income but I think will be higher in popular areas soon.
Many Thanks for this video Andrew , just what we needed to hear about buying a property in Greece, really cleared the air and it has ,for us, given us valuable advice . Hopefully, more folks will watch this and learn from the advice you have given . 👏👏
Glad it has helped, you just have to assume in the process that everyone will want to make money from you.... and get people you can trust to support the process.
Hallo again Andrew, it was great meeting you today and big Thanks to you for your wonderful advice on buying a property and the pitfalls of the procedure, I will get back to you when we get home and keep you up to date with the progress and us finding the ideal location . Take Care Andrew . Cheers 👏👏
@@bernadettehumby7844 It was lovely to meet you guys and thank you so much for lunch! you really didn't need to pay!!! let me know how you get on and if I can support or you are back in the area let me know!!
It was our pleasure Andrew, keep up with your excellent videos, we think that you should crack on with the Hiking videos Andrew. Have a great week . 👏👏
Like you said more knowledge and research is number one and less chance of being ripped off, many people are still in holiday mode thinking everyone is happy and nice and are somehow immune to criminals.Glad you enjoy being in Greece
I am fortunate to have lived in and experienced several, countries, I know Greece has its challenges, especially for the younger generations, but I have several points of reference for comparison, and I love Greece, for all its flaws! They are outweighed by the many many positives.
@@profmuelli85 There are plenty if you search, Skourasrealestate.gr is one of the better ones I think, but they are all, limited in accuracy and hopeful with price.
Thanks! Is good to know that is way more complicated than in my country. I bought an apartment in my country without any accountant, lawyer or agent - just the notary was enough. Isn't the Greek notary obliged to check that everything is legal as representative of the government and also paid for this service? Why do you need a lawyer?
Thank you for sharing this. I always have been open minded to retire in Greece and buy a property there. Not sure why Greeks make the process so complicated. It reminds me the story of friend of mine who tried to buy a Villa close to a beach in Greece, sometime around ~2005 and got terrified from the bureaucracy. As far as I remember the straw that broke the camel's back was when the lawyer told him he should very carefully safeguard a pink form otherwise it can have heavy consequences. He stopped the process and bought a house either in Albania or Croatia instead.
The Pink slip, I had about 60 of them, basically if the tax man asks, you show them to prove the money came to Greece legally, tax paid. I don't believe they are issued any more... In my case perhaps 8 years after we purchased the tax man did ask - fortunately we still had them all!!
@@nikosniko7092 Wow, if this mentality of doing things still exists in Greece, it's so scary primitive. You got to understand how things are done in the West. The closing company takes care of everything, including the recording of the procedure, we don't even have to be there personally (e-sign). Once this procedure is finished, we don't have to keep any records or being afraid losing any forms. All are public in the town hall as well the closing company keeps all records and the literal recording process. Just 2 weeks ago I wanted to make a modification on a deed, I called the closing company and it costed me only 50$, including the new update with the town hall. No concern of lost forms, no looking up our old folders and documents, no concern of damaged documents, just a phone call.
@@GreeceExplored Here we go, so I remember correctly then. Still sounds strange, at least to an American. I thought by now they should have gone paperless, all electronically.
I’ve been trying to buy the past year and a half In Athens. First property was not properly registered with correct meters and they wouldn’t get it sorted and the second property I was gazumped at the last hour prior to deposit taken hopefully 3rd time lucky soon
you really need to get on the ground, drive about and find properties yourself, the websites are ok, but prices generally high and sometimes descriptions misleading. you could look at: www.spitogatos.gr or www.skourasrealestate.gr/index.php?lang=en but you really have to visit to buy here
@@GreeceExplored i worked there from 1993 to 2010 and it has changed. You made me feel nostalgic. I m Greek [Suarez is a football player ,played for Liverpool etc🤣] I wish you enjoy your life here!
@@LuisSuarez14690 It is a great place, I have a couple of other videos walking around there - Chalandri, Black Friday in Greece and Shopping in Chalandri - 2 years old though... and I have improved since then!
my 1975 apartment is built like a tank, haa seen 2 big athens earthquakes , hasntgot even one small crack in the brick walls , aand my 1990 house has many problems , there are many thing to cnsider for earthquake safety , many older house are better built .
Very useful. Good video. Thanks. Moving to Heraklion area, Crete, in 2025 to retire. Presumably the lawyer can be instructed to confirm the utilities, water, etc., are connected and registered in my name upon completion?
Yes, absolutely, just agree in advance what you are paying for! The accountant can also do this. My previous vid was about my lessons having retired here to Greece, if useful. Next vid will be visas I think,
@@GreeceExplored Thanks for that. I opted for Heraklion but I adore the Peloponnese; very accessible from Heraklion. Nafplio is a lovely place, but visited 30 years ago, but also Kalamata is a gem. Been a Grecophile for 50 years now, and past travel writer etc. UK is now getting on my nerves! So, rehoming essential!🎉
is it common practice in Greece to negotiate with the estate-agent about the percentage they receive: so if they ask 2,5 % , and I as a customer am willing to give 1%...
Possibly, in very isolated rural areas, likely without services or facilities, probably land value, total rebuild and very restrictive due to culture department rules...
What about these abandoned properties that could be registered to an owner (someone who inherited but never lived in) never paid taxes or maintenance to the property…who really owns this property? And who would you be buying this place from?
There in is the problem, often they will have 20 owners, though inheritance, and none of them agree or talk, so they remain abandoned. Greeks also never sell property unless they have to, it should always remain in the family, like Grandmas recipe for Pie.
@@GreeceExplored That’s funny! It may be an interesting topic to cover in a video. Let’s say a visitor saw an abandoned house and was interested in buying and renovating. Who would they contact for inquiry? It would also be interesting to find out what the laws of Greece have to say about abandoned homes. They can’t just simply ignore until it starts crumbling down.
I have a house in karditsa.left to me by my dad..i also have a quarter.ownership in another house..along with 6 other people..i can live in it for aslong as i want..and so can any of them..but i could never sell it..unless they all agreed...its all crazy...thats why they let them crumble..
@@katarraaa my dad owns 50% of a nice house in southern Greece. 25% of it was owned by his sister (my aunt) who died. So my aunts part was devided among her husband and his son so that each one of them now owns 12,5% of the house. The remaining 25% belonged to his brother (my uncle) who also died and his part was diveded between his two children (my cousins). Dad would like to cash out the other family members in order to be the only owner of it. Aunt's folks agree. Uncles folks have a distorted view on the the value/price and won't accept his reasonable offer. Meanwhile both house and people are getting older needing maintanance and care and more family members (spouses, children...) appear, are getting involved and sharing their point of view...so the house just crumbles as there is really no interest or point in keeping it in good condition. And this is by far not the most complicated situation of house ownership in Greece. My take away: A house or appartement has to be owned by only one person.
I’d love to live in Greece but I doubt I could afford what they’ll probably ask for a walk in ready home with garden. I absolutely hate flats and bedsits, rotten, depressing awful places to have to live. More like prison.
I have been resident here for the last 3, and trust me, it is not as bad as Asia, where I lived before for 10. I know many are rightly upset with the country, but it is not that bad!! I love Greece
@@GreeceExplored I’m one of the over 800 thousand Greeks who left Greece in the last decade tried to return two years ago but left again Greece will never change it exists for two purposes one is tourism and the second foreign retirees that’s all its good for plus the few who govern the country
@@tomzamp8547 Correct. Greeks are being pushed out of the housing market because the Greek government can make money for themselves from foreign investment. What we are seeing now is Chinese buying hotels. If you think this will be good for Greece's economy you are wrong. They will bring their own people in to run the hotels. They will bring in their own people to drive the buses as tour guides. They will eat in their own restaurants and leave nothing in Greece for Greeks . What you will see now is more homelessness. And it will only get worse. Having had said that, Greeks only have themselves to blame. The next step is you will see is Greeks returning back to their villages.
Very good job. Thank you for the great effort to do this video.
Thank you, I hope it was useful!!
@@GreeceExplored Yes, it is.
Spot on with all your advice. We are in Greece atm from Oz, my wife is from Greece and has family property here.
We have been driving around the Peloponnese, there are way more properties for sale with nothing more than a sign on the front of the property and a phone number. Getting to know locals will also give you inside info on what might be for sale, handy having a fluent Greek wife!!!!
I agree, glad you had a great time, and yes, a Greek speaking wife makes things a whole lot easier....
Brother you've just navigated a maze that even many of us Greeks can't. Some sage advice here, and not just for foreigners. Thanks for putting this together.
Thank you for your kind comment, much appreciated!
It took balls to move to Greece and buy property. I am Greek American and vert seriously thinking of moving to Greece. I really enjoy your videos.
Thank you, I really appreciate that!!
Greek Americans find it more difficult to make the move and get property than Americans do.. Sad but true
Thank you so much for all the help and sound advice. I am a Greek Canadian moving to Greece in the next couple of years. I really hope you will also do a video with your koumbara the accountant.
Thank you, I will see if she wants too, something like, Greek tax for Foreigners....
@@GreeceExplored that would be wonderful!! Efharisto para polli!! ☺️
Well done. I like the walk about while he’s talking (sense!). Bravo.
Thank you, really appreciate it!
Great info in your vids
Thank you, really appreciate that.
Many thanks for this excellent guide, Andrew. Short, to the point and some very useful tips and insights. Looking forward to the visa video. I was going to Crete for a holiday in October, but have decided to switch to the Peloponnese because of your inspirational content! Thanks for all your hard work.
I ha happy if it is helpful, I hope you enjoy the Peloponnese in October. Where are you thinking of visiting?
Really useful video - thank you and keep them coming!
@@webberc7 thank you, really appreciated. Next week is where I recommend to buy…
Thanks for another great, detailed video. Greatly appreciated.
Great video very informative. Greetings from Australia. 😊
Thank you, it is comments like yours that keeps me making the videos!
Thank you Sir!!!.. this is very helpful!!!...
Good luck with your journey!
Thank you !
Thank you for commenting!
Excellent guide! And I am Greek, living in Greece! Follow the steps one by one and you will not regret it! Extra tip, cheap ways for commodities in Greece: Gas for heating, solar system for hot water, solar panels for electricity (the last one isn't cheap) and it will be great if your house has installed insulation on walls and windows, also your north wall will be better not having any doors or windows but has insulation (this is a heavy windy land) and if you are buying the last upper floor of the building it must have an attic for insulation! So, before you buy be sure that you have the right to add those systems in the future.
I agree, especially in older properties. Solar for HW is a must here too. Thanks for the good advice!
@@GreeceExplored Can you help me fid an artist lawyer for my team? For greek lawyers dont aswer they get only on Boring things
Bro Gotta Spot all th women in GREEN lately on th Roads and laugh. They got Green possesed after November
@@GreeceExplored You can find Nicolas Cage In Kineta These days. Outside of Athns. Tourist opportunity
Thanks Just in time! Cheers
Good luck!!
Thank you for this super informative video. Been looking in Athens for about a year and a half now, managed to meet some good helpful people (lawyers, architects etc.) Thanks for confirming that a good accountant is also needed - I’ve been wondering even though no one told me so. I’m trying to get a Greek mortgage with deposit money coming from uk - so far it’s been difficult. Didn’t work out when I went direct to a bank. Got a mortgage broker now and that also seems to be going nowhere - no one seems to answer any emails in July and August! 😂
Glad if it is useful, as I said, you need to have the money in Greece, they may then take you more seriously. Getting a mortgage as a foreigner in Greece is very very hard, and you probably need a large deposit, maybe 40+%. Very few mortgages are issued in Greece even for Greeks since the financial crisis, it is not like the UK in that regards. When I say few, a couple of years ago I read it was 200 mortgages, in the whole year. Good luck!
What is your advice about buying a home/condo to live in greece 3 to 6 months a year. Other months not to rent/make income, just leaving vacant until you return. Thank you in advance. Also is it possible to email you with some specific questions.
productdevelopmentsyt.gmail.com
It depends on if you are making a home or happy to live in a place that is trashed I think..... renting that way you have to probably go AirBnb and that is a lot of work, like a job to manage booking, cleaning etc. Plus the gov is placing serious restrictions on AirBnb from jan 25. No new licenses (for a while), commercial license for the property etc. Tax is currently 15% on income but I think will be higher in popular areas soon.
Many Thanks for this video Andrew , just what we needed to hear about buying a property in Greece, really cleared the air and it has ,for us, given us valuable advice . Hopefully, more folks will watch this and learn from the advice you have given . 👏👏
Glad it has helped, you just have to assume in the process that everyone will want to make money from you.... and get people you can trust to support the process.
Hallo again Andrew, it was great meeting you today and big Thanks to you for your wonderful advice on buying a property and the pitfalls of the procedure, I will get back to you when we get home and keep you up to date with the progress and us finding the ideal location .
Take Care Andrew . Cheers 👏👏
@@bernadettehumby7844 It was lovely to meet you guys and thank you so much for lunch! you really didn't need to pay!!! let me know how you get on and if I can support or you are back in the area let me know!!
It was our pleasure Andrew, keep up with your excellent videos, we think that you should crack on with the Hiking videos Andrew. Have a great week . 👏👏
@@bernadettehumby7844Short Hiking video in 2 weeks, is still a bit warm really...!
Like you said more knowledge and research is number one and less chance of being ripped off, many people are still in holiday mode thinking everyone is happy and nice and are somehow immune to criminals.Glad you enjoy being in Greece
I am fortunate to have lived in and experienced several, countries, I know Greece has its challenges, especially for the younger generations, but I have several points of reference for comparison, and I love Greece, for all its flaws! They are outweighed by the many many positives.
That looks like a nice part of Athens- can you recommend some neighborhoods there ?
Thanks very much.
Good video
Thank you, appreciate you taking the time to comment too.
@@GreeceExplored What homepage you searched for homes?
@@profmuelli85 There are plenty if you search, Skourasrealestate.gr is one of the better ones I think, but they are all, limited in accuracy and hopeful with price.
@@GreeceExplored perfect the same what I have 👍
Great video very informative thanks.
Happy if it is useful!!
Excellent video Andrew!
Thank you!!
Thanks! Is good to know that is way more complicated than in my country. I bought an apartment in my country without any accountant, lawyer or agent - just the notary was enough. Isn't the Greek notary obliged to check that everything is legal as representative of the government and also paid for this service? Why do you need a lawyer?
No, the Greek Notary needs to transact the deal, ensure the taxes are paid etc. what you are buying is your call...
Thank you for sharing this. I always have been open minded to retire in Greece and buy a property there. Not sure why Greeks make the process so complicated. It reminds me the story of friend of mine who tried to buy a Villa close to a beach in Greece, sometime around ~2005 and got terrified from the bureaucracy. As far as I remember the straw that broke the camel's back was when the lawyer told him he should very carefully safeguard a pink form otherwise it can have heavy consequences. He stopped the process and bought a house either in Albania or Croatia instead.
The Pink slip, I had about 60 of them, basically if the tax man asks, you show them to prove the money came to Greece legally, tax paid. I don't believe they are issued any more... In my case perhaps 8 years after we purchased the tax man did ask - fortunately we still had them all!!
Is it possible to make a few photo copies to remove some of the fear?
@@nikosniko7092 I think you need the originals, fortunately my wife was very good at filing things - they are now filed with our accountant.
@@nikosniko7092 Wow, if this mentality of doing things still exists in Greece, it's so scary primitive. You got to understand how things are done in the West. The closing company takes care of everything, including the recording of the procedure, we don't even have to be there personally (e-sign). Once this procedure is finished, we don't have to keep any records or being afraid losing any forms. All are public in the town hall as well the closing company keeps all records and the literal recording process. Just 2 weeks ago I wanted to make a modification on a deed, I called the closing company and it costed me only 50$, including the new update with the town hall. No concern of lost forms, no looking up our old folders and documents, no concern of damaged documents, just a phone call.
@@GreeceExplored Here we go, so I remember correctly then. Still sounds strange, at least to an American. I thought by now they should have gone paperless, all electronically.
I’ve been trying to buy the past year and a half In Athens. First property was not properly registered with correct meters and they wouldn’t get it sorted and the second property I was gazumped at the last hour prior to deposit taken hopefully 3rd time lucky soon
I wish you luck, Athens is a fire market at the moment I think?
Good luck. Foreigners are buying Greece. Greece is broke.
Ευχαριστό! Καλο βιδεο.
Thank you!! Glad you enjoyed!
hi. Great channel! Which city are you walking through?
Thanks! Chalandri district in Athens
Thanks for your advice too get properly in Greece yiasou😂
What is the best website to buy a condo or house in Greece? I'm looking around the sea.
you really need to get on the ground, drive about and find properties yourself, the websites are ok, but prices generally high and sometimes descriptions misleading.
you could look at:
www.spitogatos.gr
or
www.skourasrealestate.gr/index.php?lang=en
but you really have to visit to buy here
Did you film this at Halandri?
Yep, I try to vary the place I am for my vids! - not always possible but I love Chalandri!
@@GreeceExplored i worked there from 1993 to 2010 and it has changed. You made me feel nostalgic. I m Greek [Suarez is a football player ,played for Liverpool etc🤣] I wish you enjoy your life here!
@@LuisSuarez14690 It is a great place, I have a couple of other videos walking around there - Chalandri, Black Friday in Greece and Shopping in Chalandri - 2 years old though... and I have improved since then!
By the way where were you walking about was it Chalandri?
Yes, Chalandri :)
Word of mouth goes a long way and you learn.
my 1975 apartment is built like a tank, haa seen 2 big athens earthquakes , hasntgot even one small crack in the brick walls , aand my 1990 house has many problems , there are many thing to cnsider for earthquake safety , many older house are better built .
Very useful. Good video. Thanks. Moving to Heraklion area, Crete, in 2025 to retire. Presumably the lawyer can be instructed to confirm the utilities, water, etc., are connected and registered in my name upon completion?
Yes, absolutely, just agree in advance what you are paying for! The accountant can also do this. My previous vid was about my lessons having retired here to Greece, if useful. Next vid will be visas I think,
@@GreeceExplored Thanks for that. I opted for Heraklion but I adore the Peloponnese; very accessible from Heraklion. Nafplio is a lovely place, but visited 30 years ago, but also Kalamata is a gem. Been a Grecophile for 50 years now, and past travel writer etc. UK is now getting on my nerves! So, rehoming essential!🎉
@@KMWarwick I also love Nafplio and kalamata, though I think for all year round living KalamatA is probably better - Enjoy Crete!
is it common practice in Greece to negotiate with the estate-agent about the percentage they receive: so if they ask 2,5 % , and I as a customer am willing to give 1%...
you can of course negotiate, but they dont have to show you anything either
Hmm, the 800,000 euro golden visa sort of kills it for me!
400k outside Athens and the bigger islands (>3100 people)
I see places in Greece to fix up for 20k or 30k euros. Are these real?
Possibly, in very isolated rural areas, likely without services or facilities, probably land value, total rebuild and very restrictive due to culture department rules...
A deposit binds you to buying the property. If you pull out, you lose the deposit.
What about these abandoned properties that could be registered to an owner (someone who inherited but never lived in) never paid taxes or maintenance to the property…who really owns this property? And who would you be buying this place from?
There in is the problem, often they will have 20 owners, though inheritance, and none of them agree or talk, so they remain abandoned. Greeks also never sell property unless they have to, it should always remain in the family, like Grandmas recipe for Pie.
@@GreeceExplored That’s funny! It may be an interesting topic to cover in a video. Let’s say a visitor saw an abandoned house and was interested in buying and renovating. Who would they contact for inquiry? It would also be interesting to find out what the laws of Greece have to say about abandoned homes. They can’t just simply ignore until it starts crumbling down.
@@tanyab244About your last sentence: As a matter of fact they do 😮
I have a house in karditsa.left to me by my dad..i also have a quarter.ownership in another house..along with 6 other people..i can live in it for aslong as i want..and so can any of them..but i could never sell it..unless they all agreed...its all crazy...thats why they let them crumble..
@@katarraaa my dad owns 50% of a nice house in southern Greece. 25% of it was owned by his sister (my aunt) who died. So my aunts part was devided among her husband and his son so that each one of them now owns 12,5% of the house. The remaining 25% belonged to his brother (my uncle) who also died and his part was diveded between his two children (my cousins).
Dad would like to cash out the other family members in order to be the only owner of it. Aunt's folks agree. Uncles folks have a distorted view on the the value/price and won't accept his reasonable offer. Meanwhile both house and people are getting older needing maintanance and care and more family members (spouses, children...) appear, are getting involved and sharing their point of view...so the house just crumbles as there is really no interest or point in keeping it in good condition. And this is by far not the most complicated situation of house ownership in Greece.
My take away: A house or appartement has to be owned by only one person.
Greeks don't like paying tax......
Understatement for the ages.
yep.
Greeks don't like paying period.
I’d love to live in Greece but I doubt I could afford what they’ll probably ask for a walk in ready home with garden. I absolutely hate flats and bedsits, rotten, depressing awful places to have to live. More like prison.
Apartments here are not like London apartments, especially the newer ones, large balconies, big windows and a lot of light.
It’s still early tell us how you feel after one year of facing daily bureaucracy and corruption waiting for your update then
I have been resident here for the last 3, and trust me, it is not as bad as Asia, where I lived before for 10. I know many are rightly upset with the country, but it is not that bad!! I love Greece
@@GreeceExplored I’m one of the over 800 thousand Greeks who left Greece in the last decade tried to return two years ago but left again Greece will never change it exists for two purposes one is tourism and the second foreign retirees that’s all its good for plus the few who govern the country
@@tomzamp8547 Correct. Greeks are being pushed out of the housing market because the Greek government can make money for themselves from foreign investment. What we are seeing now is Chinese buying hotels. If you think this will be good for Greece's economy you are wrong. They will bring their own people in to run the hotels. They will bring in their own people to drive the buses as tour guides. They will eat in their own restaurants and leave nothing in Greece for Greeks . What you will see now is more homelessness. And it will only get worse. Having had said that, Greeks only have themselves to blame. The next step is you will see is Greeks returning back to their villages.