Restrictions for foreigners acquiring immoveable property in border areas in Greece.

In certain areas qualifying as border area (frontier regions), which are huge importance from a military and security policy point of view, purchasers may acquire property only if they hold official permission. Contracts possibly concluded without such permission shall be treated as null and void. Since the designated frontier areas may be changed by virtue of a presidential decree at any time, any interested purchaser should be advised on the currently applicable law from a lawyer specialized in real estate law before engaging in negotiations. Although the restrictions apply to Greeks and foreigners alike, there is a different procedure for lifting the restrictions:

a) Procedure to be followed by EU-citizens (individuals and legal entities)

Greece is a member-state of the EU since 1981. All EU-citizens have equal rights concerning the purchase of property in Greece. Like Greek nationals, they should apply for the lifting of restrictions at the prefecture in which the property to be purchased is situated.

b) Procedure to be followed by third-country nationals. There are two options:

Third-country nationals (e.g. Russian citizens) should address the permission application to the Greek Ministry of Defence.

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