Why Expats Should Not Buy Property Alone in Greece

Believe it or not, it is extremely common for expats to struggle with buying a property in Greece. In fact, the nightmare does not only lie in paperwork or in acquiring visas, but also in navigating a largely unregulated real estate market, where scams, problems and lack of transparency are inevitable.

Many expats assume that buying property works more or less the same everywhere. Unfortunately, the Greek real estate market operates very differently from what buyers are used to in places like the UK, the US or Canada.

This is why we always recommend expats who are looking to purchase a home in Greece to contact professionals to help them successfully navigate the largely unregulated Greek property market.

The Reality of the Greek Real Estate Market

The Greek real estate market functions without many regulations because there is no unified national licensing system for real estate agents and no standardized buyer protection framework like those found in the UK or USA. This alone creates a landscape that can be difficult to navigate, especially for foreigners who do not speak Greek or understand local practices.

Many real estate agents operate without a licence, and it is common to see large price differences between similar properties with little explanation. Two buyers can be shown the same property at completely different prices depending on who they speak to and how foreign they appear.

Inspections, valuations, and due diligence are also not standardized. In many cases, they are optional rather than expected. This leaves foreign buyers exposed to legal, structural, and financial risks that are not always obvious during a viewing.

Why Buying Property Alone Puts Expats at Risk

When expats buy property on their own, they are, most of the time, walking blind into a poorly regulated market without any protection. They may spend weeks viewing properties that are unsuitable, overpriced, or legally problematic without realizing it. Poorly conducted inspections can leave buyers exposed to hidden damage or legal complications that only come to light once the purchase is already underway or completed.

Without professional guidance, buyers are also expected to manage communication between realtors, lawyers, notaries, engineers, and banks themselves. This frequently leads to miscommunication, delays, and costly mistakes. Fees can appear late in the process, and buyers may not realise which costs are standard and which are inflated.

What often begins as an exciting project quickly turns into a stressful and time-consuming experience. You will quickly find that the poorly regulated space of real estate sours your experience of moving to Greece.

To summarize, these are the main reasons why you shouldn’t be buying property in Greece by yourself:

• No unified licensing system for real estate agents or standardized buyer protection, allowing unlicensed agents and inconsistent practices
• Wide price variations for similar properties, with foreign buyers often quoted higher prices
• Non-standardized inspections, valuations, and due diligence, increasing the risk of hidden structural, legal, or planning issues
• Language barriers and cultural differences that can lead to misunderstandings in contracts, negotiations, and technical reports
• Property listings that may omit critical information such as zoning restrictions, shared ownership, access rights, or permit violations
• Hidden or unclear costs including communal fees, local taxes, and ongoing maintenance obligations
• Flexible timelines and poor coordination between agents, lawyers, notaries, and engineers, which can delay or complicate transactions
• Limited leverage once a deposit is paid, making it difficult to renegotiate or withdraw safely without representation
• Properties marketed to foreigners that may not be suitable for full-time living, particularly in seasonal or island locations
• Issues that often only surface after significant time, money, and emotional energy have already been invested

How Working with My Greek Expat Journey Transforms Your Experience

Our role is to act as a strategic guide from the very beginning. Before any viewings take place, we help you understand which locations make sense based on your lifestyle, budget, and long-term plans. This includes honest conversations about island realities, seasonal living, infrastructure, and what full-time life in Greece actually looks like.

We help you distinguish between properties that are suitable for holiday homes, full-time living, or investment, such as the Golden Visa. This alone prevents many expensive missteps, saving plenty of time and resources along the way.

Because we collaborate exclusively with vetted, trusted realtors who are experienced in working with international buyers, you are not exposed to unlicensed agents or unclear pricing practices. Pricing is carefully assessed under current market conditions, helping you avoid overpriced properties and unnecessary real estate fees.

At My Greek Expat Journey, we coordinate inspections, valuations, and due diligence properly, ensuring that the right checks are carried out. Just as importantly, we arrange smooth communication between all professionals, who speak both Greek and English, so nothing is lost in translation.

With a single point of contact and timely responses throughout the entire process, we ensure that you are kept up-to-date with real estate activities, which makes the experience calmer, clearer, and far more efficient.

The Long Term Value of Expert Oversight

Working with us saves time, reduces stress, and protects your investment in the long run. More importantly, collaborating with us protects you from making decisions that could limit your options or create problems later, whether you plan to live in Greece full-time, split your time, or use the property as an investment.

Buying property in Greece can be an incredible opportunity, but only when it is done with the right support.

If you’re thinking about buying property in Athens, you can read our definitive guide to buying property in Athens.

And if you’re still on the fence about Greek real estate, read 5 reasons you should buy property in Greece.

Need help? We assist in gathering the necessary documentation to help obtain a valid residency permit for Greece and in finding the right properties. To find out more, book a 15-minute discovery call to learn more about our services.