Greece Golden Visa: Property Transfer Tax for Non-EU Investors to Rise to 15%

Non-EU investors considering property in Greece as part of their Golden Visa plans may soon face a significant increase in acquisition costs.

The Greek government has announced plans to increase the property transfer tax for non-EU buyers from the current 3% rate to 15%, with the new rate expected to take effect on January 1, 2027.

For prospective Greece Golden Visa investors, the proposed increase could substantially change the total cost of purchasing qualifying property.

What Is Changing With Greece's Property Transfer Tax?

Under the current framework, the property transfer tax applicable in the example provided in the document is 3%.

The proposed change would increase that rate to 15% for non-EU property buyers from January 1, 2027.

For investors considering Greek real estate as part of their residency plans, this represents a substantial increase that should be factored into the overall investment budget.

How Much More Could Investors Pay?

The financial difference becomes particularly clear when looking at a €250,000 property investment.

At the current 3% rate:

Property value: €250,000
Transfer tax: €7,500

At the proposed 15% rate:

Property value: €250,000
Transfer tax: €37,500

That represents a potential additional €30,000 in property transfer tax on the same €250,000 property.

Why This Matters for Greece Golden Visa Investors

The proposed tax increase is particularly relevant for non-EU citizens considering property investment in Greece.

For investors already researching properties or preparing their Golden Visa plans, a higher transfer tax could significantly affect the total amount of capital required to complete the investment.

This means investors should look beyond the property's purchase price and consider the wider acquisition costs associated with their investment.

Timing Could Become an Important Consideration

With the proposed 15% rate expected to take effect on January 1, 2027, timing could become increasingly important for prospective investors.

Investors already exploring the Greece Golden Visa through property may therefore want to assess how the proposed tax change could affect their plans and overall investment costs.

The difference can be substantial, particularly as property values increase.

What Should Prospective Investors Consider?

For investors considering Greece, several factors should now form part of the planning process:

The current property transfer tax rate
The proposed 15% rate for non-EU buyers
The planned January 1, 2027 effective date
The value of the property being purchased
The resulting impact on total acquisition costs

Understanding these costs before making an investment decision can help applicants build a more accurate picture of the capital required.

A €250,000 Investment Could Cost €30,000 More in Tax

For a €250,000 property, the difference between the current and proposed tax rates is significant.

The document's example shows:

Current 3% transfer tax: €7,500
Proposed 15% transfer tax: €37,500
Potential additional cost: €30,000

For non-EU investors, this illustrates why the proposed tax increase could become an important consideration when evaluating Greece Golden Visa property investments.

The Bottom Line

Greece remains an important European destination for international property investors and Golden Visa applicants, but the proposed property transfer tax increase could significantly change the cost equation for non-EU buyers.

With the rate planned to increase from 3% to 15% from January 1, 2027, investors already considering property in Greece should understand how the change could affect their overall investment budget.

For a €250,000 property alone, the difference could amount to €30,000 in additional transfer tax.