Finding a rental home in Greece is not hard, provided that you do your homework. In this article, we’ll share our tips and highlight the most important things to consider when renting a house in Greece. This article is for digital nomads, entrepreneurs, retirees, and returning residents or citizens of Greece. Top ⇑

Moving to Greece

Is there anyone who hasn’t dreamed of moving to Greece at one point or another? Imagine life in Athens working under the Acropolis, teaching English on the Greek islands, or researching archaeology in the Peloponnese. Greece has many opportunities for ex-pats. Plus, the country is affordable and very welcoming. No wonder moving to Greece is so tempting for so many. Top ⇑

Finding a rental home in Greece

In Moving to Greece; the ultimate guide for preparing your relocation, we have compiled all the necessary steps for your move. In this guide, we advise you spend some time on your desired location before you make your final decision.

Make a list of the things that are important to you and check the transport routes to the workplace or the accessibility to (international) schools and communities. It is wise to rent first before you consider buying a house in Greece. Top ⇑

Find houses and flats to rent in Greece

If you are an ex-pat moving to Greece for work, your location will most likely be Athens. The Greek capital is the largest city in Greece and is divided into many districts and municipalities. To find your ideal place in Athens, you will need to research the city and understand that each district and neighborhood has its own vibe and style.

Visit the areas and research ork ilocal (ex-pat) communities or schools. Count the time that you will need to go to work, check internet connections in the area, the accessibility to the center, the schools, etc. The Northern suburbs of Athens are very popular with the ex-pat community, as well as the south on the Athenian Riviera in Glyfada and Voula. In both regions, you will find international schools. Top ⇑

Living on the Greek Islands

If you are planning to wn Tourism or retire in Greece, the Greek islands should be at the top of your list. Santorini, Crete, Rhodes, Lesbos, and Corfu are all good options for foreigners. On these larger islands, such as Crete and Corfu, there are excellent facilities and good connections with the mainland, as well as lively ex-pat communities in both summer and winter. Top ⇑

Renting a house on the Greek islands

If you are planning to settle on a Greek island, we recommend that you first rent a temporary home for a year. This is very important because you will get a better image of the island and experience it in all seasons. Some people only visit the Greek islands in the summer, when they are sunny and busy. In summer, everything is open, and the weather is always perfect. But Greek islands can be cold in the winter months, and some are nearly empty or close to their facilities. Top ⇑

Long-term versus short-term rentals

Keep in mind that a lot of long-term rentals on the Greek islands are being turned into Airbnb lately. Because landlords can make more money by just renting in summer to short-term lets. This has affected the rental market on the islands in terms of availability and price. In Athens, rental prices have also gone up since Airbnb entered the market. Top ⇑

Research prices

Before you start looking for a rental, you should set your budget and investigate your local area. You can research prices by reviewing property websites. It is advisable to engage the services of an estate agent, especially if you are not fluent in Greek. However, agency fees can be expensive, thus calculate them in your budget. Top ⇑

Real estate agents

To find apartment rentals in Greece, you can browse local sites or contact a real estate agent. If you decide on using a real estate agent, the agent will also negotiate the terms of the contract for you and manage the paperwork of the contract. Agents also might be putting time and effort into finding the right place for you to meet your needs. Note that you will need to pay extra fees and deposits when you rent through an agent. These are usually the equivalent of a month’s rent. Top ⇑

Websites for a rental home in Athens and Greece

If you decide to rent directly from a landlord, make sure that you research and negotiate the rent. Below are the most important websites for short-term and long-term rental homes in Athens and the rest of Greece.

The four main real estate portals, all of which offer rental properties in an English language interface:

• Spitogatos
• XE
• Spiti 24
• Tospitimou
• Grekodom

For furnished apartments:

• The Blue Ground

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Contacting the listing owner or agent

Whenever you find an apartment of your liking, you should call the owner/agent immediately. Do not send an email and wait for an answer. In Greece, it is wise to call right away. If they do not respond, send a text message and an email as a backup, and put a reminder on your phone to call them again in an hour. In Greece, calling is always the preferred form of communication and due to the limited supply of rental properties, good opportunities are instantly snapped up. Top ⇑

View the apartment or house

Once you have found a house or apartment, you can arrange a viewing. In the case of an apartment, check the general condition of the building including the entrance, the elevator, and the staircase. You can also ask questions about the neighbors and the building manager.

It is important that you get informed about the heating system and the air conditioning. Don’t forget to check out the neighborhood and consider services in the area such as supermarkets, pharmacies, parks, or public transport. You may want to see the area during the evening too, to get an idea of how safe it feels at night. Top ⇑

Rental contract

Before you sign your rental agreement, we recommend you engage the assistance of a translator if you are not fluent in Greek.

There are 2 types of contracts. There is the private agreement (ιδιωτικό συμφωνητικό μίσθωσης) that has all the details about your deposit, the house rules, duration, etc. These agreements can be useful in case of disagreements between two sides, and for evidence purposes in case you need to solve an issue through a court.

There is also the rent contract that is declared on e-taxis. This contract is the only official document recognized by Greek state institutions. This is the document that you need for your income tax, your residence permit, your bills, and your declaration of address. You always need to sign the contract for e-taxis. In addition, you can have a private agreement as well. Top ⇑

Details in the lease contract

In Greece, the minimum period for a long-term rental is three years. You may be able to negotiate a shorter term, but keep in mind that monthly rent will be less if you commit to a longer period. If you stay beyond the end of the initial lease period, it is assumed that the lease will continue indefinitely until the mutual agreement terminates it.

If bills are included in your monthly rent, this should be specified in your contract. The rental contract also outlines that the landlord is responsible for maintenance and repairs (apart from incidental damages). It will state that you will pay a deposit, usually the equivalent of two to three months’ rent, which is returnable at the end of your tenancy. It is wise to take an inventory when you move into your new home, which can then be reviewed when you move out. Any index-linked annual rent increases must be included in your contract as well. Top ⇑

Conclusion

Finding a rental home in Greece can be challenging. That is why you should organize your move to Athens well in advance and learn about the renting process in Greece. The above-mentioned tips will help you. Here is a summary:

1. Consider your main search criteria and research your preferred area and its price ranges.
2. Decide how you will search for properties. Do you want to search independently on the internet, or will you hire an agent?
3. Secure temporary accommodation while searching for an apartment to rent
4. Check out the house and the area extensively.
5. Get informed on the important terms of lease contracts and make sure that you understand the lease contract.

With these tips on findin/?p=6299g a rental home in Greece, you hope that you will find the house of your dreams. And once you are ready to move, don’t forget to fill out our ENQUIRY FORM for a FREE moving quote!  Top ⇑

Information about moving to Greece

If you are planning to move to Greece, you may also be interested in

1. Buying a house in Greece and Moving to Greece
2. Moving to Greece; the ultimate guide for preparing your relocation
3. KAE International Movers: The Greek Islands Specialist

Buying real estate in Greece is not hard, provided that you do your homework. In this article, we take you through the necessary steps and highlight the most important things to consider when buying a house in Greece.

Buying a house in Greece?

EU or Non-EU

Everyone can purchase property in Greece, yet EU citizens or residents are considerably more advantageous in the process. For EU citizens, it is easier to buy property in Greece. Non-EU residents may need to prove both their connections to Greece and their intent for property use. Their application goes through the Ministry of Defense which evaluates the submitted proof of intent and connection. Now that the UK has officially left the EU, buying property in Greece is a bit more difficult than before. You still have the right to buy and own property, but you may also face restrictions and a few more administrative processes. On the other hand, as a non-EU citizen, British buyers are now eligible for the Golden Visa scheme. To buy a home, every potential buyer needs a tax registration number (AFM) and bank account.         Top ⇑

Golden Visa Scheme

Greece has a Golden Visa scheme that grants a five-year residency in return for investment in property. You’ll need to spend at least €250,000 on the house and meet other criteria such as having health insurance and no criminal record. Once granted, the holder of a Golden Visa and their immediate family members can legally live and work in Greece. Note that residency and work permits are connected in Greece. So if you do not qualify for the golden visa, and you are not a member of an EU country, you will need to secure your permit prior to purchasing a residential property. 

The Greek government has announced that the Greek Golden Visa’s minimum investment is €250,000 at least until the 1st of July 2023. After that, the minimum amount will be increased to €5000,000. We will be updating this information.      Top ⇑

Buying a house in Greece you need a Tax Registration Number

Buying a house in Greece requires a tax registration number (AFM) which is issued at the local tax office. This can be arranged in one day, and you do not need an appointment. In order to obtain the tax registration number, you need to bring your registration card or residence permit for Greece. Together with the tax registration number, the tax office will provide you with access codes to the national online tax system called “TAXIS”. All buyers will register whether the property is for residential or investment/rental purposes. The Greek government charges an annual residential property tax (ENFIA), which is calculated on this basis and must be declared on your tax return. Therefore, all property owners must be registered taxpayers and hold a Greek bank account.         Top ⇑

Buying a house in Greece you need to Open a Bank account

Buyers need to open a Greek bank account. This account will be used to transfer all the funds required for the purchase (property price, notary fees, registration fees, etc.) To open a bank account, you’ll need to bring your passport and your tax registration number. Many banks will ask for additional documents, such as proof of address (a recent utility bill, for example), a work contract, or a reference letter from your previous bank.         Top ⇑

Buying a house in Greece; Hire a lawyer is recommended

It is recommended to hire a local real estate agent to help you with the various steps of the purchasing process. Some also hire an engineer, who will establish the age and condition of the property and identify any specific zoning regulations. There are many properties in Greece in need of maintenance. Thus, it is always a good idea to inspect the real estate beforehand and make sure everything is okay. Further, it is mandatory that you hire a lawyer and a notary. We recommend that you find someone who speaks your language if you are not fluent in Greek.         Top ⇑

Mortgage

After the Greek economic crisis, it has been very difficult to secure a mortgage through a Greek bank. Although this is changing, Greek banks do not give out a large amount of mortgages anymore. Generally, they don’t lend more than 75 percent of the property value. However, some might want you to set 50 percent of the total value. You may consider using a bank or lender from outside of Greece. You will need to provide documentation detailing your funding source to ensure the money is not taxed as income.         Top ⇑

Costs involved in buying a house in Greece

There are several costs involved when buying a house in Greece. These are the fees for the real estate agent, legal fees, notary, and surveyor fees, as well as an initial deposit. By depositing a small amount, you reserve the property with the seller and affirm that you will buy the property. This deposit is usually 10 percent of the total price. You will then get your preliminary contract. Note that the payment of the deposit is not a legal guarantee of the sale. Once all the relevant documentation has been approved, the notary finalizes the transfer of ownership. Another thing to keep in mind is the exchange rate costs involved.         Top ⇑

Real Estate Transfer Tax (Law 1587/1950) in Greece

When you buy a house in Greece, you become subject to taxation. There are two types of the real estate tax. The first one is the transfer tax or tax on the acquisition. Each transfer of real estate, which is not subject to VAT, is subject to real estate transfer tax. The real estate transfer tax is imposed at a rate of 3% on the taxable value of the property. Moreover, on the amount of main transfer tax is imposed an extra tax of 3% in favour of municipalities and communities.         Top ⇑

Recurring Property Taxes in Greece

A real estate property tax known as the ENFIA is charged every year. The ENFIA consists of a principal tax imposed on each real estate property and a supplementary tax imposed on the total value of the property rights. More specifically, this tax is not imposed on the objective value of real estate property but is determined on the basis of various factors, according to the final registration of the property at the land registry. The rate of this property tax can be calculated via Taxisnet, the website of the Greek tax authority, using your personal passcodes.         Top ⇑

Gov.gr platform of the Greek government

The official English website of the Greek government provides up-to-date resources about regulations and taxes related to buying property in Greece. 

• https://www.gov.gr/en/sdg/residence
• https://www.gov.gr/en/sdg/residence/residence-cards-for-union-citizens-and-their-family-members
• https://www.gov.gr/en/sdg/residence/purchasing-and-selling-of-immovable-property
• https://www.gov.gr/en/sdg/residence/purchasing-and-selling-of-immovable-property/real-estate-transfer-tax/exemption-from-real-estate-transfer-tax-for-purchase-of-primary-residence
• https://www.gov.gr/en/sdg/residence/purchasing-and-selling-of-immovable-property/taxation-for-possession-of-real-estate-property/uniform-real-estate-property-tax-enfia
• https://www.gov.gr/en/sdg/residence/purchasing-and-selling-of-immovable-property/taxation-for-possession-of-real-estate-property/uniform-real-estate-property-tax-enfia

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Is It Easy To Buy A House In Greece?

You may feel overwhelmed with all the information. But buying real estate in Greece is not hard, provided that you do your homework and appoint a competent lawyer who can help you. It is important to become a taxpayer in Greece if you buy a house and that you open a bank account. After that, you can pay the stamp duty, which is around 3 percent of the value of the transaction, and all the fees involved. Finally, the acquisition has to be completed before a notary and registered at the local Land Registry.         Top ⇑

Buying a house in Greece summarized

1. Get a bank account
2. Get a Tax Registration Number (AFM)
3. Hire a lawyer
4. Pay the fees (notary fee, a stamp duty, and the registration fee)
5. Approve transaction at the notary
6. Register the property in the local Land Registry

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Buying House in Greece (video)

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