Find your new life
Buying a property in Crete, whether for a second home, a rental investment or a retirement in the sun, is an accessible process but one that requires you to follow certain specific steps. Here is a detailed guide to help you with your project.
Although Greece is full of beautiful destinations to invest in real estate, Crete stands out for several unique assets. Compared to the Cyclades (such as Santorini or Mykonos), which are very popular but often expensive and saturated by mass tourism, Crete offers excellent value for money. Its varied landscapes – idyllic beaches, majestic mountains and fertile valleys – often surpass those of the smaller islands. Unlike more isolated islands such as Paros or Naxos, Crete benefits from developed infrastructure, including two international airports (in Chania and Heraklion), modern hospitals and an efficient road network.
In addition, Crete combines a cultural dynamism with a more relaxed pace of life than that of large mainland cities such as Athens or Thessaloniki. You will enjoy the authenticity of traditional villages, while having access to lively and lively towns.
Finally, its climate is often milder in winter than in other regions, making Crete a pleasant destination to live in all year round. For those looking for a balance between tranquility, authenticity and modern conveniences, Crete is positioned as an ideal option.
Searching for a property remotely is not always easy, so we recommend that you go through real estate platforms specialising in buying abroad: translated into several languages, bringing together many agencies, they allow you to find a multitude of properties without having to scour dozens of different agency sites, and above all to be able to decipher the ads without worrying about translations. You can then contact the agencies to obtain more information on the properties you are interested in, and to organize your on-site visits more efficiently.
Have you already found THE house and made an offer? At this point, and although it is not mandatory, we strongly recommend that you have a lawyer who specializes in real estate law. Unlike in northern European countries, the notary is only present at the signing, and will not carry out any verification beforehand. The lawyer is then essential to:
A local bank account is required to make purchase-related payments, including taxes and acquisition fees. The procedures are easy (especially if you have a lawyer, who will also help you with these procedures) and require few documents:
Most of the major Greek banks, such as Alpha Bank or National Bank of Greece, offer foreigner-friendly services and make it easier to open an account.
The AFM (Αριθμός Φορολογικού Μητρώου) is mandatory for any real estate purchase in Greece. You can obtain an AFM from a Greek tax office or through a legal representative if you are not yet a resident.
After purchase, the property must be registered with the local land registry. This is usually handled by your lawyer or notary, but it is an essential step in securing your property rights. This registration has a cost, which is important to take into account in your budget!
Buying a house in Greece comes with various costs that are often underestimated at first glance. Here is an overview of the main costs to be expected:
These additional costs must be taken into account to avoid any unpleasant surprises and to plan your acquisition with peace of mind.
