Renovating a Property in Greece as a Foreign Owner

Can foreigners renovate property in Greece?

Yes. If you own the property, you can renovate it. Permits and approvals are issued for the works on a specific property, so the process is the same whether the owner is Greek or not, resident or not.

How permits work

Greek planning rules broadly sort renovation works into three groups: works that need no permit, works covered by a small-scale works approval, and works that need a full building permit. Which group your renovation falls into depends on what is being done — for example whether the layout, the exterior or the load-bearing structure is affected.

A licensed engineer determines what applies and prepares and files the application. As an owner you do not file anything yourself, but you will be asked for documents and authorisations.

When extra requirements apply

Apartment buildings

Works that touch shared parts of the building, or its exterior, are governed by the building's regulations and may need the agreement of the other owners. Working hours are often restricted too.

Traditional settlements and protected buildings

In designated traditional settlements and for buildings with protected status, there are additional architectural rules — typically about the exterior, openings, colours and materials — and additional approvals.

Structural changes

Anything that affects the load-bearing structure needs an engineer's study and a permit, whatever the type of property.

Paperwork you are likely to be asked for

• The ownership documents for the property.
• Existing plans of the property, if available.
• Your Greek tax number (AFM), which you will already have as a property owner.
• Identification.
• A power of attorney, if someone will sign on your behalf while you are abroad.

Exactly what is needed depends on the works and the property; the engineer handling the application will give you the definitive list.

Managing a renovation from abroad

The difficult part of renovating from another country is not the law. It is coordination. A renovation involves many trades arriving in a set order, deliveries that have to be received, and small decisions that come up daily. If you are hiring each trade separately, all of that lands on you.

The alternative is a turnkey arrangement: one team is responsible for the whole project and you have one point of contact. A few habits make it work well from a distance:

• Define the scope in writing before work starts.
• Decide materials and finishes early, so nothing waits on you mid-project.
• Agree at the start how you will receive updates and approve decisions.
• Keep a contingency in the budget for what is found behind old surfaces.

If the property is for short-term rental

Short-term rental in Greece is regulated: properties have to be registered with the tax authority, and the operating requirements have been tightened in recent years. Check the current rules with your accountant before you finalise the layout and specification, so the finished property meets them.

How Greece Renovation fits in

Greece Renovation manages the entire project — from the first idea and the required approvals to construction, finishing and final handover. When permits are needed, we coordinate them with the appropriate engineers. During the work, all trades are managed by one team. At the end, we can guide you through furniture and final details so the property is ready to use when you arrive.

This guide is general information and not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm the requirements for your property with a licensed engineer, and tax matters with an accountant.