Getting a mortgage in Greece while living and working in the UK is possible. Greek banks lend to non-residents, including Greeks living abroad and UK nationals. However, the terms are usually stricter than for borrowers who live in Greece: lower financing, shorter loan terms and a larger deposit.
This guide explains how much you can borrow, which documents you will need, the taxes and costs involved and the new rules UK buyers should watch in 2026 and 2027.
Yes. Greek banks can assess income earned in the UK, including salaries and, in some cases, self-employed income.
The bank will normally review:
Several Greek banks, such as Eurobank and Alpha Bank, offer mortgage products designed specifically for Greeks abroad and other non-residents. You will usually also need a Greek bank account, from which the monthly instalments are paid.
The amount depends on the bank, your financial profile and the property valuation.
For non-residents, financing is lower than for borrowers living in Greece. Most banks lend around 60%–70% of the property’s assessed value to non-residents. Some lenders go up to 80% for residents of other EU countries, but as the UK is outside the EU, UK residents should plan for the lower end of the range.
Importantly, the bank uses its own property valuation. For example, if you agree to buy a property for €300,000 but the bank values it at €280,000, the mortgage will be calculated on the €280,000 valuation.
In practice, you should expect to fund a deposit of roughly 30%–40% from your own money, plus the purchase costs explained below.
Loan terms for non-residents are usually shorter than the 30 years available to local borrowers, typically 15 to 25 years depending on the bank. Most Greek banks require the loan to be fully repaid by the time the borrower turns 75.
As a guide, fixed rates advertised to non-residents in summer 2026 ranged from under 3% for short fixed periods to around 4% for 10-year fixes. Your actual rate will depend on your profile, the loan amount and the deposit, so always ask for a personalised offer.
UK residents applying for a mortgage in Greece will normally be asked to provide documents such as:
Self-employed applicants may need to provide additional business and financial information, such as accounts prepared by an accountant.
Greek banks lend in euros, so if you earn your income in pounds you take on exchange-rate risk for the life of the loan.
If sterling weakens against the euro, your monthly mortgage payment becomes more expensive when converted into pounds. Banks also factor this risk into their affordability assessment.
To manage it, UK residents should compare fixed and variable rates, keep a euro buffer for several months of instalments and use a low-cost currency transfer service for the monthly payments.
Anyone buying property or taking out a mortgage in Greece needs a Greek Tax Identification Number, known as an AFM. It is required for the purchase, the loan and your future Greek tax obligations connected with the property.
You can now apply from the UK through the AADE myAADElive video-call service, in person at a Greek tax office, or through a representative with a power of attorney. AADE also publishes a useful tax guide for Greeks abroad and non-residents.
You do not need to stay in Greece throughout the process. In many cases, a lawyer or authorised representative can handle parts of the transaction through a power of attorney.
The deposit is not the only amount you need to budget for. Buyers should also consider:
Many buyers budget around 7%–10% of the purchase price for these costs.
The standard Greek property transfer tax is 3% of the taxable property value, plus a 3% municipal surcharge on the tax itself, which brings it to 3.09%. For newly built homes, 24% VAT applies instead, but it is currently suspended under the government’s housing measures. Home loans also carry a small levy under Law 128/1975, currently 0.12% for a home.
Property owners in Greece also pay the annual ENFIA property tax.
In September 2026, the Greek government announced plans to raise the transfer tax on residential property bought by non-EU nationals to 15% (15.45% with the municipal surcharge), with reports pointing to a start in 2027. At the time of writing, the measure had been announced but not yet passed into law.
Based on the announcement, Greek citizens and EU/EEA citizens are excluded, so Greeks living in the UK who hold Greek citizenship should not be affected. UK nationals without an EU passport could be. If this applies to you, check the final legislation with a lawyer before signing.
No, not automatically.
Owning a property or having a mortgage in Greece does not by itself make someone a Greek tax resident.
Tax residence is assessed separately, based on factors such as where your permanent home is, your centre of vital interests and whether you spend more than 183 days a year in Greece. The UK–Greece double taxation agreement decides cases where both countries could claim you.
For a UK resident, the process usually involves:
Yes. Greek banks lend to UK citizens and UK residents, usually with a lower loan-to-value, a shorter term and stricter affordability checks than for Greek residents.
Plan for around 30%–40% of the bank’s valuation, plus roughly 7%–10% of the price for taxes and fees.
Generally no. Greek mortgages are issued in euros, so borrowers paid in sterling carry the exchange-rate risk.
Not necessarily. A lawyer or representative with a power of attorney can complete most steps on your behalf, although some banks ask to meet you or verify your identity in person.
Living in the UK does not prevent you from obtaining a mortgage in Greece.
For applicants with stable income, a good financial profile and sufficient own funds, Greek mortgage financing can be a realistic option.
The key is to establish your borrowing capacity before committing to a property, while also taking into account the deposit, purchase costs, the bank’s valuation, possible EUR/GBP currency risk and any changes to transfer tax for non-EU buyers.
Need more help? Find here the best Greek accountants and financial advisors in London, or browse our list of Greek lawyers and solicitors in the UK for help with the purchase.
NOTE: Information correct as of October 2026. Mortgage terms, eligibility and tax treatment depend on the bank and the individual circumstances of each buyer.
Evangelos Kasapakis
Evangelos Kasapakis
Evangelos Kasapakis
