Buying or selling property in Greece is safe when a real estate lawyer checks the title, the Land Registry (Hellenic Cadastre) record, any mortgages or claims, and the building’s legal status before anyone signs. Our law firm in Kavala specializes in property purchases and sales across Northern Greece. We represent Greek and foreign clients through every step: due diligence, tax number and bank account, negotiation, the notarial deed and registration of the new owner.

Greek property law is precise and the paperwork is spread across several authorities: the tax office, the notary, the Cadastre, the municipality and often an engineer. A single missed detail, such as an old mortgage, an unregistered co-owner or an illegal extension, can block a sale or cost a buyer the property. Our job is to find those problems before you pay, not after.

Why You Need a Real Estate Lawyer When Buying Property in Greece

A lawyer is not legally mandatory for a property purchase in Greece, but it is the single best protection a buyer has. The notary drafts and certifies the deed; the notary does not act for you or negotiate for you. Your lawyer does.

What an independent property lawyer gives you:

• A clean title, verified. We trace ownership back through the Land Registry or Cadastre and confirm the seller can legally sell.
• No hidden debts on the property. Mortgages, pre-notations, seizures and pending lawsuits are found and cleared before payment.
• A legal building. We confirm, with an engineer, that the property matches its permits and that any irregularities are legalized.
• A contract that protects you. Deposit terms, deadlines, penalties and conditions are drafted in your interest.
• Clear communication in English. Every document is explained to you, and we can sign on your behalf with a power of attorney if you are abroad.

Because our firm has worked on the cadastral survey (Ktimatologio) during the transition from the old mortgage registries to the Hellenic Cadastre, we know where title problems hide in older property records.

How to Buy Property in Greece: Step by Step

A typical purchase takes from a few weeks to a few months, depending on how quickly the seller’s documents are ready.

1. Get a Greek tax number (AFM). Every buyer needs one, including foreigners. We can obtain it for you.
2. Open a Greek bank account. The purchase price is paid through a bank, and the payment is recorded in the deed.
3. Sign a precontract or preliminary agreement. A deposit secures the property. We draft or review the terms so your deposit is protected if the seller cannot deliver a clean title.
4. Legal due diligence. We check the title, the Cadastre record, encumbrances, tax status and building legality (see below).
5. Collect the transfer documents. Engineer’s certificate, Energy Performance Certificate, ENFIA (property tax) certificate, Cadastre extract and the tax declarations.
6. Pay the transfer tax. Buyer and seller submit the transfer tax declaration electronically, and the buyer pays the tax before signing.
7. Sign the final deed before a notary. Both parties, or their representatives, sign the notarial deed and the price is paid.
8. Register the new owner. The deed is registered with the Hellenic Cadastre. Only then is the transfer complete and enforceable against everyone.

Under the 2026 reform (Law 5293/2026), the notary now coordinates much of the document collection and filing electronically. That speeds things up, but it does not replace an independent check of the title on your behalf.

Legal Due Diligence: What We Check Before You Pay

Due diligence is the core of a safe property purchase in Greece. These are the checks we run on every file:

Check	What it reveals	Where
Title search	Who owns the property and how they acquired it	Hellenic Cadastre / former Land Registry
Cadastral record	Whether the registered area, boundaries and owners match reality	Hellenic Cadastre (Ktimatologio)
Encumbrances	Mortgages, pre-notations, seizures, easements	Cadastre extract and certificates
Pending lawsuits	Claims by heirs, co-owners or creditors	Cadastre and court records
Building legality	Permits, unauthorized additions, legalization status	Engineer’s certificate, town planning office
Tax status	Unpaid ENFIA or other liabilities tied to the property	Tax authority (AADE)
Inheritance chain	Whether inherited property was properly accepted and registered	Deeds and Cadastre

Common problems we find in Northern Greece include cadastral records with the wrong owner or area, inherited properties never formally accepted by the heirs, and unpermitted extensions or enclosed balconies. Most can be fixed before closing, through a correction of the cadastral entry, an acceptance of inheritance or a legalization filing. The point is to fix them before you pay, at the seller’s cost.

Selling Property in Greece: How We Help Sellers

A sale closes faster when the seller’s file is ready before a buyer appears. We prepare it in advance:

• Check and, where needed, correct the Cadastre record so the area and ownership match the deed.
• Complete inheritance acceptances and registrations for inherited property.
• Coordinate the engineer’s certificate and any legalization of building irregularities.
• Clear mortgages and obtain the necessary tax certificates.
• Review the buyer’s offer and draft or negotiate the preliminary agreement.
• Advise on taxes and on transferring the sale proceeds, including for sellers living abroad.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a lawyer to buy property in Greece?

It is not mandatory, but it is strongly recommended. The notary certifies the deed but does not represent you; a lawyer checks the title, debts and building legality in your interest.

Can foreigners buy property in Greece?

Yes. EU and non-EU citizens can buy. Non-EU buyers may need a permit in certain border areas, which we check at the start.

How long does a property purchase in Greece take?

Usually from a few weeks to a few months. The main factor is how complete the seller’s documents are.

Can I buy property in Greece without being there?

Yes. With a power of attorney, your lawyer can complete every step and sign the deed on your behalf.

What is the Hellenic Cadastre (Ktimatologio)?

It is Greece’s national property register. A property is legally yours against everyone only after the deed is registered there.

What is the minimum investment for the Greek Golden Visa?

€800,000 in high-demand areas, €400,000 in most of Greece, and €250,000 for qualifying conversions or listed buildings.

Talk to a Real Estate Lawyer in Kavala

Planning to buy or sell property in Kavala, Thassos or anywhere in Northern Greece? Send us the property details and we will tell you, before you commit, what needs to be checked and what it will cost. We work in English and Greek, in person or remotely.

You can contact our Law Office for further details