What Taxes Apply When Selling Inherited Property in Greece?

Selling inherited Greek property involves understanding several distinct taxes, some of which you pay before the sale, some that apply to the sale itself, and some that may follow you home depending on where you live. Getting clarity on each of them before you proceed avoids surprises.

Inheritance Tax Comes First

Before you can sell inherited property, you must have formally accepted the inheritance and paid any inheritance tax due. Inheritance tax is calculated based on your relationship to the deceased and the objective value of the property, which is the government-assessed figure rather than the market price. Close relatives such as children and spouses benefit from a tax-free threshold of €150,000, with rates above that threshold up to 10 percent. More distant relatives and unrelated heirs face higher rates up to 40 percent with much lower exemptions. Outstanding inheritance tax must be settled and a tax clearance certificate obtained before any sale can proceed. The GetGreece tax compliance service handles inheritance tax filings and clearance as part of the overall case.

Capital Gains Tax: Currently Suspended Until December 31, 2026

This is the most significant piece of tax news for anyone considering selling inherited Greek property right now. Capital gains tax on real estate sales is currently suspended until December 31, 2026. This means that in standard private sales, individual sellers do not pay capital gains tax. Once the suspension expires, the rate will be 15 percent on the profit from the sale. Whether the suspension will be extended beyond 2026 has not been confirmed at the time of writing, making 2026 a particularly favorable year to sell if you have been considering it.

There is one exception worth knowing about. If Greek tax authorities determine that a sale constitutes a business activity rather than a private transaction, standard income tax rates may apply instead. This is most likely to occur when a seller has completed multiple property transactions in a short period or when the property appears to have been acquired specifically for resale. For the vast majority of diaspora Greeks selling an inherited family property, this reclassification risk is minimal.

Transfer Tax: Paid by the Buyer, Not the Seller

The 3 percent real estate transfer tax in Greece is paid by the buyer, not the seller. As the seller of inherited property, this is not a cost you need to budget for, though understanding it helps when setting a realistic asking price since buyers will factor it into their total acquisition cost.

ENFIA: Settle It Before You Sell

ENFIA, the annual Greek property tax, must be current before a sale can be finalized. Any outstanding ENFIA from previous years needs to be settled and a certificate confirming payment or arrangement needs to be included in the sale dossier. If the inherited property carried ENFIA arrears from the previous owner, those debts became part of the estate and need to be addressed as part of the inheritance acceptance process before the property can be cleanly sold.

What You May Owe at Home

Selling Greek property as a non-resident does not end your tax obligations at the Greek border. Depending on where you live, your home country may also tax the gain from the sale. The United States, for example, taxes its citizens on worldwide income including gains from foreign property sales. Greece has double taxation treaties with many countries that can reduce or eliminate the risk of paying tax twice on the same gain, but the specific treatment depends on the treaty and your individual circumstances. Professional tax advice from someone familiar with both Greek and your home country's tax law is strongly recommended before completing a sale.

The Bottom Line on Timing

The combination of zero capital gains tax until the end of 2026, a stable property market, and strong international buyer interest in Greek real estate makes this one of the better moments in recent history to sell inherited Greek property if you have been sitting on the decision. The tax environment may be meaningfully less favorable after December 31, 2026, and there is no guarantee the suspension will be extended again. If you need help getting the inheritance formally accepted, clearing outstanding tax obligations, and coordinating the sale, GetGreece can assist with the full process from inheritance to settlement.