Buying Property in Corfu: Paperwork Support

Buying property in Corfu is mostly a legal matter, and a lawyer takes care of the legal side. Around it there is a lot of paperwork: tax number, bank, translations, appointments, declarations. That is our job, and we describe it honestly here, together with what we do not do.

What we take on and what we do not

We are not estate agents, we do not find properties and we do not give legal advice. We cannot tell whether a property is legally “clean”, and we will not say so.

The steps, in the order that usually works

1. AFM for the buyer. The notary and the bank usually ask for it before anything else.
2. A bank account in Greece, when the transaction needs one. The bank decides.
3. A legal check of the property by a lawyer: titles, encumbrances, planning status, cadastre status.
4. Collecting documents and translations by certified translators.
5. A power of attorney, if the buyer will not be present at the signing.
6. The contract at the notary, then registration at the Land Registry or the mortgage registry, depending on the area.
7. After the purchase: check that the E9 was updated. AADE writes that for transfers declared through myPROPERTY it is created automatically.

The order changes from case to case. This is not legal advice, it is how we organise the paperwork.

Buyers from outside the EU

For buyers who are not EU citizens, the law provides restrictions in some areas of the country, with a prior permit in some cases. We do not know whether or how it applies to a given property, and we will not judge it: the lawyer and the notary examine it. We mention it so that you ask early, before committing.

The buyer’s AFM

The AFM is issued online and is free. According to mitos.gov.gr, identity is checked by video call or at the tax office (DOY). The delay is often a document that does not upload properly. See our page on AFM and Taxisnet.

Documents usually needed

• The buyer’s passport or ID, valid.
• AFM and tax residence details.
• Proof of the origin of the funds, as the bank used for the payment asks.
• A power of attorney, if a representative buys, with the required certifications.
• Official translations of documents from abroad.

The notary and your lawyer give you their own list. This is the list we prepare.

Working remotely

A large part of the preparation is done remotely: documents by photo or scan, video calls, online applications. The contract, however, is signed before a notary, by you or by your attorney. See also our page on powers of attorney.

For services that need codes, we never store clients’ passwords. By default we guide you to log in yourself, remotely or at the office with your own phone. Only when needed, the login is done on a secured office computer in a clean private (incognito) session, with you present, and with our lawyer where relevant. Never send passwords or one-time codes to anyone, including us, by email, chat or phone.

Where the process usually gets stuck

• A document from abroad without legalisation or translation, found out on the day of the contract.
• An AFM requested in the last week, with the identity check not finished.
• A power of attorney that does not cover everything the notary needs, and has to be redone.
• A bank that asks for more details on the origin of the funds.
• An appointment booked with the wrong property details, because the documents were not checked first.

None of this is rare. That is why we suggest starting the document preparation before the contract date is fixed.

Time and cost

We give no timelines and no amounts for taxes and fees, because they depend on the property and on current law. Our fee is agreed before we start. The lawyer’s fee and the notary’s fee are separate.

How to start

Write to us through the contact page or drop in at the office. Tell us where you are: still looking, or already with a contract date. Our fee is agreed before we start.

Questions about buying property

Do I need an AFM to buy property?

In practice the notary asks for it, so it is the first step. The application is made online and can be done remotely.

Do I need a Greek bank account?

It often makes payments easier, but whether you need one depends on the transaction. Whether the bank opens an account is the bank’s decision.

Do you do the legal check?

The legal check is done by a lawyer, in cooperation with our partner lawyer where needed. We organise the documents.

Can I buy from abroad?

The preparation is done remotely. The signing is before a notary, by you or by a power of attorney.

Are you estate agents?

No. We do not find properties and we do not act as intermediaries in the sale.

The Corfu Office is a private paperwork office. It is not a government service and not the municipal KEP. We take care of documents, collection and coordination. The competent authority issues the documents and makes the decisions, and we do not promise any outcome. The information on this page is general and is not legal, tax or immigration advice. Legal advice comes from a licensed lawyer, where relevant in cooperation with our partner lawyer, and tax advice from a licensed accountant.

Official sources

• AADE: After buying a property (Greek)
• Hellenic Cadastre (ktimatologio.gr)
• Notaries (notariat.gr)
• mitos.gov.gr: AFM issue (Greek)

Last checked: 8 October 2026