Frequently Asked Questions

Common Questions About Buying Property in Kefalonia as a Foreigner

At FIRST CLASS, we believe that every client deserves exceptional service and a personalized experience. We go beyond the traditional real estate model, taking the time to understand your unique preferences, aspirations, and investment goals. Kefalonia Real Estate Services!

Buying Property in Greece: What You Need to Know

Thinking about investing in a property on a Greek island? You’re not alone. Every year, hundreds of international buyers fall in love with Kefalonia—and many decide to make it more than just a holiday spot.

Still, the process can seem complicated if you’re coming from abroad. That’s why we’ve created this FAQ: to help you understand everything from buying laws and taxes, to residency permits and hidden costs.

If you don’t find the answer you need, feel free to contact us—we’re here to help make your move as clear and simple as possible.

Frequently asked questions

We strongly believe that every client deserves exceptional service and a personalized experience. We have our own network of trusted associates that can make your Kefalonia investment hassle free! We will introduce you to the right professionals and we will be with you all the way providing assistance and advisory.

Yes, you do. Nothing to worry about this as we are very well connected to local banks and we will support you in getting your Kefalonia bank account easy, simple and fast.

We will embark on this journey together. When buying property in Kefalonia as a foreigner, the process is straightforward, especially with legal assistance.

One of our experts will be guiding you, assisting you and making things for you easy and simple. We will go far and beyond, to meet and exceed your expectations.

Whether you seek a tranquil seaside villa, a charming countryside retreat, or a contemporary loft apartment, we have all the options available. There are 4 mostly, options for a foreigner to have a property in Kefalonia:

1. Off plan Villa/Apartment: it’s one of our own constructions that we buy the land, we design and we develop and you simply come and buy it, mostly at the first days of planning or construction. Modifications and personalized touches are available at the early stage of the project.
2. Design and Build: You choose the plot of land with us, we do the tailor made design to match your needs and then we apply for the planning documentation and when we have the building permit, we build it for you.
3. Buy an existing built villa from our exclusive portfolio. If small (or big) renovation must be done, we have our own engineers and builders to do so.
4. Find a piece of land with an existing & valid building permit that we can develop based on the planning documentation. Its very rare to find something like this but yet, its a realistic option.

We can turn your vision into reality with our design & build services. Our team of architects, designers, and construction experts will bring your ideas to life.

We will do the architecture based on your style, needs and budget, then get the planning documentation approved and right after, we will develop an immaculate building for you.

When buying a property in Greece, the taxes and fees are circa 9%. This is including:
– Sales Tax
– Notary Public fee
– Real Estate Agent fee
– Property registration tax
– Lawyer fee.

The above taxes are not to be confused with the VAT (24%) that is paid only on the building materials & services when you do a Design & Build or Renovation options.
When you buy an off plan, piece of land (with or without building permit) the taxes are as mentioned before. 

Sure! We do have partnership with local banks and we can help you all the way! Our trusted associates will be very discreet and really caring on this topic so, they will ask you a series of personal documentation to do their research and let you know within couple of weeks.

We take pride in curating an exclusive portfolio of exceptional properties that embody the beauty and charm of Kefalonia along with our clients personal touch. We will make sure to show you at least one of the delivered projects so you can have a First Class Experience.

As many costs are involved when starting a construction project, you will receive a very detailed costs analysis along with the technical specifications so you will know in advance, what your money will buy. Yet, as we live in a turbulent world, between offer and real project start, there might be a difference that you will be informed beforehand. Nevertheless, our efforts will be to ensure that you will get the minimum impact of any possible price difference in building materials.

The average construction period is 12 months which might change for about (plus/minus) 2 months due to weather conditions. We do have the labor force and the qualified engineers to support every challenge we will face, but we can not master the weather elements! 

Our clients mean the world to us! We know first hand how difficult and stressful it might be to live in another country while a big investment (and more than that if it refers to relocation home) is taking place in another country!
You will receive weekly updates with all the information about the status and the challenges we face along with the solutions we gave, including many pictures from the ground and from our drones.

Our goal is to be a trusted and reliable partner for all our clients’ real estate endeavors.

We prioritize their satisfaction, ensuring that their experience with us is characterized by personalized attention, clear communication, and timely assistance. We are committed to building long-term relationships based on trust, reliability, and exceptional service.

For that, we are prepared to introduce you to our existing satisfied clients to get first hand information for us. 

Exceptional service knows no bounds! We go far and beyond for our clients.

Our expert team of designers and craftsmen is dedicated to breathing new life into your property, creating spaces that blend functionality with elegance, comfort and style.

Although our main activity is Real Estate development, we do offer a series of after delivery service such as, rental bookings, cleaning, maintenance, house keeping, etc. Ask for more information.

We offer a very personalized rental & booking system management so your property can have the best possible ROI. You can prebook the weeks that you want to use it during the season and the rest, will be promoted through our channels and our international associates so we can rent it in the most proffensional way!

A scenario of a villa 105m², 3 bedroom & 2 bathroom, outdoor lounge & dine area, a moderate 3×7 (21m²) pool would provide a 10-11% gross revenue on the buying price. Assuming that would be €350.000 then, the revenue would be a rough €35.000.

Running and operating expenses (power, internet, water, cleaning, linen, pool & garden maintenance, booking management) would be 45% of the gross, allowing a 55% profitability, offer a 6-7% net on the starting investment value.

Contact us for more information.

Yes. The island offers stable demand, limited overdevelopment, and strong tourism. Many foreign buyers see long-term value, rental income, and lifestyle benefits.

Absolutely. Many foreigners buy property in Kefalonia for early retirement or seasonal living. The relaxed lifestyle, affordable healthcare, and Mediterranean climate make it ideal for long-term stays.

Yes, foreign buyers in Greece must work with a local lawyer and notary — and a reliable real estate agency is key to navigating this process smoothly.

Our team collaborates with vetted legal professionals to ensure you’re fully protected and compliant from start to finish.
First Class Property is considered one of the most trusted real estate agencies in Kefalonia
 due to our deep local knowledge, extensive network of partners, and client-first philosophy.
We don’t just show properties — we explain them, walk the land with you, and help you understand every aspect of the investment.
Yes, buying property in Kefalonia through a local agency is often the safest and most informed option.

A locally-based real estate team understands the legal framework, zoning laws, and off-market opportunities that international buyers may miss.
At First Class Property, we provide personalized guidance, honest feedback, and full transparency throughout the buying process.
Absolutely. Many foreigners buy property in Kefalonia for early retirement or seasonal living. The relaxed lifestyle, affordable healthcare, and Mediterranean climate make it ideal for long-term stays.
Yes. Coastal properties often require additional permits and buffer zones, especially near public shorelines. It’s essential to have legal due diligence to avoid future issues.
Yes, our team collaborates with lawyers, notaries, architects and builders who all speak English and are experienced in handling foreign buyers.
Yes, purchasing property in Kefalonia through a foreign company is possible, but you’ll need a Greek tax number and legal representation. This route is often used for investment purposes or asset protection strategies.
Renovation costs vary based on size, condition, and design goals. On average, expect €700–€1,200 per square meter. Renovating a traditional Kefalonian home can be a cost-effective way to create a personalized property.
While Greek banks are cautious with lending to non-residents, some buyers may qualify through international banks or by leveraging equity abroad. Most foreign purchases in Kefalonia are completed with cash. Yet, our agency’s network can explore all possible options for you.

Want to know more?

Contact us now!


Would you like to speak to an expert?

Ready to embark on your KEFALONIA real estate journey? Get in touch with our experts today and discover a level of personalized care and attention that sets us apart.

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