It is likely that many have considered purchasing real estate in some regions of Greece. However, such purchases are often impossible for certain areas of Greece, since many have been characterised by law as “border territories” and the purchase of land in border territories, is permitted only to those (individuals and legal entities) who have Greek nationality, including the citizens from Cyprus and the E.U, following an application requesting the permit issued by the competent authority. This application, where the applicant states the purpose for which the land in border territories, is submitted before the competent committee, different for each Prefecture. The permit is given under the condition that the committee approves the application. The majority of the persons that participate must vote in favour of the application while the positive vote of the representative of the Ministry of Defence is required.

Greek border territories include not only areas in the borders of Greece with other countries, but also areas in the centre of the Aegean Sea (such as the islands of Skiros and areas in Crete), which are also considered “border territories”.

On the contrary, the acquisition of real estate within the “border territories” in Greece by foreign citizens without Greek nationality or other foreign individuals is very difficult or even impossible, since a special permit is required by the Minister of Defence, following an application by the person interested in buying real estate property. In fact this permit is only given after careful consideration due to national security reasons.

June 2020