Property
Notarial transfers, the transition to a national cadastre and a lawyer-led diligence culture
Real-estate transfers require a notarial deed and registration, and Greece is completing a shift from the old mortgage-registry system to a modern national cadastre. Leases are governed by the Civil Code with specific commercial-lease rules.
Key rules
- A transfer is completed by notarial deed and only takes effect against third parties on registration.
- The Hellenic Cadastre is replacing the mortgage registries, with declaration deadlines by area.
- Property transfer tax applies to most transfers, with VAT on certain new buildings suspended by statute.
Governing law
- Civil Code (Astikos Kodikas)
- Act 2664/1998 on the National Cadastre
In practice
Title chains can be long and fragmented, so a full lawyer's title search plus an engineer's certificate on planning compliance is standard practice.