Straightforward guidance for UK residents working out how to finance a home in Greece.
Most enquiries come from one of three starting points. If one sounds familiar, you are in the right place.
You have been going to Corfu, Crete or the Ionian for years and have started looking at what is for sale. Now you want to understand what buying actually involves before booking a second viewing trip.
Tell us about the property →You are planning a move to Greece for retirement or a slower pace of life, and need to arrange finance around UK income or pension income, a different banking system and Greek purchase timelines.
Discuss my move →You have equity in a UK property or savings earmarked for this, and want to know how far it goes in Greece once deposit requirements, purchase costs and the sterling to euro rate are taken into account.
Explore how far my funds go →
Greece has been a British holiday destination for generations, and buying there is still open to UK residents. Financing it, however, changed after Brexit: you are now assessed as a third-country national rather than as an EU citizen.
Greece Mortgage helps you understand the realistic routes before you commit. We review the broad picture and connect you with an appropriate specialist for Greek lending, UK equity release or a combined approach.
It did not change your right to buy. UK citizens can still purchase property across most of Greece, with additional clearance required only in designated border and island areas.
It did change your lending category and your time. Greek banks generally apply more conservative loan-to-value limits to non-EU applicants, and as a third-country national you are subject to the Schengen 90 days in any 180-day rule unless you hold a permit. Both belong in the plan before you make an offer.
UK buyers usually earn and hold assets in sterling while the purchase, mortgage and running costs are in euros. Exchange-rate movements can alter the cash needed at completion and the sterling cost of monthly repayments.
Your plan should also cover transfer tax, notary and Greek Land Registry fees, legal checks, valuation, banking costs and the timing of a preliminary agreement.
Buying in Greece involves the estate agent, lawyer, notary, tax office, bank, valuer and Greek Land Registry. Language should not become the obstacle that delays a sound purchase.
Our cross-border network works in English and Greek and can help you coordinate the right professionals for your circumstances.
Corfu and the Ionian Islands have the longest-standing British connection in Greece, and remain the first place many UK buyers look, from Venetian townhouses in Corfu Town to village properties on Kefalonia and Zante. Older stone buildings, island logistics and renovation projects can require careful lender, valuation and legal preparation.
Our experience covers the Ionian and Crete alongside the rest of Greece. The guidance helps UK residents compare non-resident lending, deposit requirements, sterling to euro planning and the purchase timetable before signing a preliminary agreement.
Meet an approachable team that listens first, explains the cross-border process in clear English and brings in the right Greek-speaking expertise for your circumstances.
Our network and collaborating partners:
Understand your likely budget, funding routes and next steps before making an offer.
Start my mortgage scanWhat buyers value most is a clear sequence, an honest view of affordability and support in a language they understand.
Non-resident lending, euro borrowing and Greek purchase deadlines can feel unfamiliar. These answers are a starting point, not a lending decision or personal advice.
All mortgages are subject to credit, income, valuation and lender criteria. Any property securing a loan may be at risk if payments are not made.
Before booking repeated viewing trips or signing a reservation or preliminary purchase agreement, establish what is affordable, how much cash is needed and which finance route deserves investigation.
Your initial review can identify likely constraints, useful documents and the specialist needed next. It is not a mortgage offer, but it gives your property search a sounder basis.
