Greece has become increasingly popular with Irish property buyers, whether for holiday homes on the islands, retirement properties on the mainland, or investment opportunities. However, the Greek property purchase process involves specific legal requirements, including the involvement of a Greek notary (symvolaiografos) and various documents that need Irish notarisation. This guide explains the complete process.
The Greek Property Purchase Process
Buying property in Greece as a foreign national involves several stages:
- Find the property: Work with a reputable estate agent in Greece.
- Appoint a Greek lawyer: Essential for due diligence, title checks, and legal representation.
- Obtain an AFM (tax number): Required before any transaction.
- Due diligence: Your lawyer checks the title, planning permissions, debts, and encumbrances.
- Sign the preliminary contract: Agreeing terms and paying a deposit.
- Sign the final contract: Before a Greek notary (symvolaiografos).
- Register the property: At the local Land Registry (Ktimatologio).
Documents That Need Notarisation in Ireland
Power of Attorney
This is the most critical document. If you cannot attend the Greek notary office in person for the contract signing, you need a power of attorney authorising your Greek lawyer to act on your behalf. The power of attorney must be:
- Drafted to meet Greek legal requirements (your Greek lawyer should provide the text)
- Signed by you in the presence of an Irish Notary Public
- Notarised with the official notarial seal
- Apostilled by the Department of Foreign Affairs
- Translated into Greek by a certified translator
Passport Certification
A certified copy of your passport, notarised and apostilled, is required for various stages of the process including the AFM application and the contract signing.
AFM Application Documents
To obtain your Greek tax number (AFM), your Greek lawyer will typically need a notarised power of attorney, a certified passport copy, and proof of address.
Proof of Funds
Evidence of your ability to complete the purchase — bank statements or a bank reference letter. Some stages of the process may require notarised financial evidence.
The Greek Notary (Symvolaiografos)
The Greek notary plays a central role in property transactions that has no exact equivalent in Ireland. The symvolaiografos:
- Drafts the purchase contract
- Verifies the parties' identities and legal capacity
- Reads the contract aloud to the parties
- Witnesses the signing
- Collects taxes due on the transaction
- Registers the contract with the authorities
If you are not attending in person, your Irish-notarised power of attorney allows your Greek lawyer to stand in for you at this ceremony.
Taxes and Costs
Be aware of the following costs when buying property in Greece:
- Transfer tax: 3.09% of the property value (for properties without VAT)
- VAT: 24% applies to new-build properties (instead of transfer tax)
- Greek notary fees: Approximately 1-2% of the property value
- Legal fees: Approximately 1-2% of the property value
- Land Registry fees: Approximately 0.5%
- Irish notarisation and apostille: Fees for notarising the power of attorney and other documents in Cork
Timeline
- 8-12 weeks before completion: Instruct your Greek lawyer and begin due diligence.
- 6-8 weeks before: Have the power of attorney drafted by your Greek lawyer.
- 4-6 weeks before: Notarise the power of attorney in Cork, obtain apostille, and arrange Greek translation.
- 2-4 weeks before: Your lawyer uses the power of attorney to obtain the AFM and complete preliminary steps.
- Completion: Your lawyer signs the final contract on your behalf at the Greek notary office.
The Notarisation Process in Cork
- Get the documents from your Greek lawyer: The power of attorney text should be provided by your Greek lawyer.
- Book an appointment: Contact Hugh Phelan's office at 021-489-7134 or email info@phelansolicitors.com.
- Attend in person: Bring the power of attorney document (unsigned), passport, and proof of address.
- Notarisation: Sign the document in the notary's presence. The notary affixes the seal and signature.
- Apostille: Submit to the Department of Foreign Affairs (same-day in Dublin or 5-10 days by post).
- Translation: Arrange Greek translation by a certified translator.
- Send to Greece: Send the completed package to your Greek lawyer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What documents need notarisation to buy property in Greece?
The key document is a power of attorney for your Greek lawyer. You also need a certified passport copy, AFM application documents, and potentially proof of funds. All need notarisation, apostille, and Greek translation.
Do I need a Greek tax number (AFM)?
Yes. All property buyers in Greece need an AFM. Your Greek lawyer can apply on your behalf using a notarised power of attorney.
Can I sign property documents remotely from Ireland?
Not directly — contracts must be signed before a Greek notary. But a power of attorney notarised in Ireland allows your Greek lawyer to sign on your behalf.
Need Documents Notarised?
Contact Hugh Phelan's office today. Call 021-489-7134 or email info@phelansolicitors.com. We're located at East Douglas Street, Douglas, Co. Cork.