There is only one legal way to purchase property in Greece and that is to have a contract drawn up and authorised by a notary public or Simvoliographo,  who comes within the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Justice and refers to the Public Prosecutor Authorities. Any property purchased merely by signing a private document means that the purchase can legally be declared null and void.

The notary (who may be chosen by the purchaser as they pay for this service) checks the contract and is responsible for the verification and registration of the transaction in the public records so that the buyer acquires the official title of the property. The notary deed ensures the accuracy and validity of the agreement between the contracting parties.

It is important to understand that a public notary does not represent the interests of the buyer but is merely the public official in the presence of whom the contract is read, understood by both parties and signed. It is  recommended that when buying you retain your own independent lawyer, one who will represent and safeguard your interests.

As a purchaser you will need to obtain the contract deed or title to the property, presumably held by the vendor or vendors – you may require lawyer's help here. A lawyer's further duties will include searching the title deed at the registry of mortgages to ascertain that the vendor holds the absolute deed of the property, checking that the property is unencumbered, checking that all property taxes burdening the vendor have been paid and that construction was completed in accordance with all planning and building permissions.

Then and only then, when all the above has been checked and concluded by your lawyer and ratified by the notary, can you go ahead and sign your sale agreement - a notary public will not proceed with a contract concerning a property that does not have a clean title and that doesn't comply with the checks as set out above. 

Notary fees vary but are usually about 1.6 per cent of the notional value of the property as recorded in the contract of sale. This figure is not necessarily what you paid for it and may well be less.

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