Notaries in Greece: Guide and Detailed Fees

Published on April 23, 2026 and written by Cyril Jarnias

Understanding Notary Fees in Greece

Understanding how notary fees in Greece work is essential for anyone looking to conduct real estate or business transactions in this country with a rich cultural and economic heritage.

The Role of Notaries in Greece

The role of notaries in Greece goes beyond that of simple witnesses to signatures, as they act as knowledgeable legal advisors, guiding their clients through the intricacies of Greek law.

Fee Calculation and Factors to Consider

This article explores in detail how fees are calculated, the importance of the notary in the process, and the factors to consider to avoid surprises in these often complex transactions.

This resource will allow you to effectively prepare for your financial and legal commitments in a Greek context.

Understanding the Notary’s Role in Buying Property in Greece

The notary plays a central and mandatory role in a real estate transaction in Greece, but their responsibilities are specific and differ significantly from those of notaries in other European countries.

Main Responsibilities of the Notary in a Greek Real Estate Transaction

• The notary primarily intervenes at the time of signing the final deed of sale. Their mission is to authenticate this contract, draft it according to the terms agreed upon by the parties, and ensure that all legal obligations are met.
• They verify the conformity of the documents presented (property titles, tax certificates) but do not carry out an in-depth legal analysis of the property; this task generally falls to the lawyer hired by the buyer or seller.
• The notary calculates the objective value of the property (which is used, among other things, to calculate taxes), prepares all necessary documents for the official signing, and certifies them.
• They are responsible for depositing and officially registering the deed with the Greek public registries, thus ensuring the transfer is legally recognized.

Fund Management During the Transaction

• Unlike some countries where the notary directly manages the funds related to the sale (payment of the price, distribution among sellers/agents/taxes), in Greece this management falls to the parties themselves or through their lawyers. The notary does not collect or redistribute the sums due during a real estate transaction.

Ensuring Legal Compliance

As a public officer appointed by the Greek State, they ensure above all that each step strictly complies with local regulations: correct calculation of taxes (including the property transfer tax set at around 3%), complete administrative compliance of the signed deeds. This role guarantees that any registered transaction has unquestionable validity before the Greek authorities.

Interactions with Other Professionals

Professional	Main Role in the Transaction	Interaction with the Notary
Lawyer	Detailed legal analysis, title verification	Collaborates to prepare/validate documents
Real Estate Agent	Connecting buyer and seller	Provides necessary information
Engineer	Technical/building inspection	Submits reports/certificates for the file

The notary’s work is therefore always done in close coordination with these other parties: lawyer(s) to legally secure each party; the real estate agent as a practical intermediary; the engineer if necessary for technical or urban planning aspects.

Securing the Interests Involved

Even though their action is not geared towards the exclusive defense of one side (buyer/seller), their neutrality ensures a balance: they ensure formal compliance with the legal framework so that no irregularity can later compromise the rights acquired during the purchase or future resale.

Choosing and Appointing a Notary in Greece

• The choice is freely made by the parties involved; often it is a local professional recommended by their lawyer or real estate agent.
• Physical presence at the notary’s office is required during certain key steps, such as when the authentic deed is definitively signed.

Costs Associated with Notarial Services

The fees charged by a Greek notary are generally between 1% and 2% of the officially declared sale amount – to which various administrative fees may be added, particularly for official copies provided after signing. These fees remain separate from the costs incurred for also hiring a specialized lawyer.

Notary Fees in Greece: What to Expect

Notary fees in Greece are structured primarily as a percentage of the property value, with additional fixed costs and ancillary taxes. Here is a detailed overview:

Property Value Bracket	Percentage Applied to the Amount
Up to €250,000	1.2%
From €250,001 to €380,000	0.86%
Over €380,000	0.8% on the additional amount

– VAT at the standard Greek rate (24%) is added to these fees.
– The fees cover the drafting and authentication of the contract as well as its registration.

Other Mandatory Costs in a Real Estate Transaction:

• Property Transfer Tax: approximately 3.09% of the purchase price or the retained tax value.
• Various administrative fees (certified copies, stamps): generally a few hundred euros.
• Lawyer’s fees (optional but recommended), often around 1–2% depending on the services.

Factors Influencing Fees:

– Property Value: The higher it is, the lower the percentage applied for the upper bracket.
– Geographic Location: In certain tourist or urban areas like Athens or Thessaloniki, increased competition may sometimes allow for slight fee negotiation.
– Nature of Notarial Services Requested: Complex deeds (land division, specific easements) may generate additional flat fees.

Possible Additional Costs:

• VAT on all invoiced fees
• Mandatory contribution to certain professional funds (e.g., local Bar Association)

Regional Differences:

Although the fee schedules are national and legally regulated, some high-demand regions may have slightly different pricing practices due to local specialization or high transaction volume.

Typical Administrative Process:

1. Preliminary drafting by the lawyer and complete legal verification
2. Signing before a notary after presenting the required tax and cadastral documents
3. Registration with the local land registry

Average Timelines:

Between the agreement between parties and the actual notarial finalization (“passing”), generally allow two to four weeks if all documents are gathered quickly.

Practical Tips to Optimize Your Fees and Avoid Common Mistakes:

• Compare several notary offices in your target region to get a clear quote including all ancillary costs;
• Carefully prepare all your administrative supporting documents to avoid any delays that could potentially lead to additional costs;
• Systematically request a written, itemized breakdown before signing;
• Verify that all due taxes have been paid before the final deed to avoid any subsequent dispute during the actual transfer;
• Ensure that no tax debt encumbers the desired property, otherwise you risk being jointly liable for its payment after acquisition.

Caution: The assistance of a specialized lawyer is strongly recommended as it allows not only for legal optimization but also for complete protection against any unpleasant administrative surprises.

Avoiding Hidden Costs When Buying Property in Greece

Knowing all the ancillary costs related to buying property in Greece is essential to avoid any unpleasant financial surprises. Many buyers underestimate these additional costs, especially notary fees, which are often unknown or poorly anticipated.

Main Ancillary Costs When Buying Property in Greece:

• Notary fees: between 1% and 2% of the purchase price, plus 24% VAT. The exact amount depends on the property value and may be slightly higher for high-value properties.
• Transfer tax (stamp duty): 3.09% of the commercial or tax value of the property (the higher amount being retained). This payment must be made before signing at the notary’s office.
• Lawyer’s fees: approximately 2%, not mandatory but highly recommended to guarantee legal security and verify all necessary documents for the transaction.
• Real estate agency fees: generally between 2% and 3%, if you use a recognized local intermediary.
• Cadastre (land registry) fees: approximately 0.5% of the property price.
• Other possible fees:
  • Various administrative costs (bank file, certificates)
  • Annual local taxes
  • Mandatory home insurance

Type of Fee	Indicative Range	Observations
Notary	1–2% + VAT	Mandatory; limited role
Lawyer	~2%	Highly recommended
Real Estate Agency	~2–3%	Can sometimes be negotiated
Transfer/Stamp Duty	3.09%	Calculated on the taxable base
Cadastre	~0.5%	For official registration

Notary’s Role in the Purchase Process

The notary authenticates the deed of sale in the presence of the parties. Their involvement is mandatory, but their role is essentially limited to the official drafting of deeds and filing them with the competent authorities. They do not ensure the complete verification of titles or detailed legal aspects — this work usually falls to your lawyer. Consulting a notary from the start, however, allows for an accurate estimate of the costs related to their mission and avoids any surprises when finalizing the acquisition.

Practical Tips to Minimize Hidden Costs

• Negotiate certain fees with sellers or intermediaries when possible (mainly real estate agency).
• Read all contractual clauses carefully to identify any unforeseen additional costs.
• Systematically request a detailed quote before each notarial or legal service.
• Compare several offers from recognized local agents who may offer preferential rates through their network.

Concrete example: A buyer wishing to purchase a house valued at €200,000 should budget for:

– Approximately €4,000 for the notary (+ VAT)

– €6,180 for the transfer tax

– Up to €6,000 if using full agency + lawyer services

That’s nearly 8–10% extra, excluding any potential renovation or fitting-out costs.

Key Recommendations

Always frame your project with a qualified local professional from the outset so that each budget item is clearly identified. Prefer working with a lawyer experienced in Greek real estate who will know how to protect your interests during the pre-signing checks.

Thorough and documented anticipation remains your best guarantee against any financial setbacks during a property acquisition in Greece.

Demystifying the Legal Process of Buying Property in Greece

• Property Search: the buyer identifies the desired property, often through real estate agencies or specialized platforms. Visits are organized to evaluate the properties.
• Purchase Offer: once the property is chosen, the buyer makes a formal offer. If accepted, it may be advisable to sign a Letter of Intent (LOI) and pay a deposit to reserve the property.
• Due Diligence: the buyer’s lawyer verifies the property’s compliance (absence of mortgages, tax debts, legal permits), as well as all necessary documents provided by the seller: energy certificate, updated topographic plans, municipal permits, and tax clearance certificates.
• Obtaining the Greek Tax Number (AFM): essential for any real estate transaction in Greece. It also allows access to the TAXISnet tax system and must be obtained before the final signing.

Drafting and Preparation of the Notarial Deed

• The notary is mandatory in any real estate transaction.
• They verify the property titles with the cadastre/mortgage registry.
• They prepare and read the authentic deed aloud during the signing.
• They check all legal elements: urban planning/tax/technical compliance.
• They authenticate the sale in front of all parties or their legal representatives (power of attorney possible).

Specific Role of the Notary

Step	Notary’s Role
Verification	Ensures the seller is the legal owner; checks for absence of mortgages/debts/encumbrances
Preparation	Drafts the authentic deed; compiles required official documents
Signing	Oversees the full reading; ensures parties’ understanding; collects signatures
Authentication	Confers probative force to the signed deed

Final Signing & Payment

The signing takes place in the presence of the parties and lawyers/interpreters if needed. Payment is finalized during or just after this step (often by certified check). At this stage:

• The buyer also pays the transfer tax to the Greek tax authorities before the final signing.

Registration & Post-Completion Formalities

The lawyer promptly proceeds with:

• Official registration with the local land registry/cadastre
• The E9 tax declaration on TAXISnet for asset update

Notarial Fees & Ancillary Costs

The costs related to a property purchase in Greece include:

Nature	Indicative Amount / Calculation Method	Observations
Notarial Fees	Approximately 1% – 1.5% of the listed price	Includes drafting + reading + certification of the deed
Transfer Tax/Duty	Approximately 3% on the cadastral/property value	Payable before finalization
Lawyer’s Fees	Often between 1% – 2%	May vary depending on complexity
Cadastre/Mortgage Fees	~0.5%	For official registration

To this can be added real estate agent fees (~2%) as well as various minor administrative costs.

Concrete Examples

For an apartment purchased in Athens listed at €250,000:

• Transfer tax: approximately €7,500
• Notary: approximately €3,000
• Lawyer: approximately €3,750

Total initial legal costs excluding agency/bank ≈ €14,250, which is nearly 6% of the invested amount.

Regional/Type Variations

Rates remain generally constant but may fluctuate slightly depending on the geographic area or the exact nature of the property (urban/rural/tourist). Historical properties or those located on certain protected islands may require additional steps with the competent local authorities.

⚠️ In certain specific cases — acquisition via a foreign company or purchase by a non-resident — some additional steps are required concerning the origin of funds/enhanced bank screening.

Key Step Summary

1. Advanced selection/verification with a lawyer
2. Obtaining the mandatory AFM
3. Signing at the notary’s office with payment of duties/fees
4. Land registry/cadastre registration & tax declaration