Cost comparison · GB vs GR
Cost of buying property: the United Kingdom vs Greece
Buying costs differ sharply between the United Kingdom and Greece. Below, the one-off purchase costs and the annual costs of ownership for each — pivoted from the same researched basis as our calculators, side by side, so you can compare like for like.
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All-in one-off cost — side by side
the United Kingdom
SDLT can reach ~19% for a non-resident second home; fees add ~£2–5k
All-in one-off cost — side by side
Greece
≈ 7–10% of price (all-in one-off, incl. fees)
the United Kingdom
All-in estimate
SDLT can reach ~19% for a non-resident second home; fees add ~£2–5k
One-off costs — the United Kingdom
Progressive by band on the purchase price (England & NI; Scotland/Wales differ).
If you spent fewer than 183 days in the UK in the relevant 12 months — most foreign buyers.
Since 31 Oct 2024, if you already own any property anywhere in the world.
Plus VAT; handles contracts and completion.
Local authority searches and registration of title.
Annual costs — the United Kingdom
Annual, banded by property value and local authority.
Most London flats are leasehold; service charges can run to thousands/year.
Avoid corporate ownership of homes — the Annual Tax on Enveloped Dwellings is punitive.
Greece
All-in estimate
≈ 7–10% of price (all-in one-off, incl. fees)
One-off costs — Greece
On the assessed value of resale property. New-build 24% VAT remains suspended through 2026, so 3.09% generally applies.
Executes the deed; regulated scale plus VAT.
Lawyer runs title checks at the land registry / cadastre (Κτηματολόγιο) — essential, title quality varies.
Typically paid by the buyer in Greece.
Registration of the deed.
Annual costs — Greece
Annual, on taxable value; discounts for insured homes.
Progressive on long-term rental income.
Required for non-EU non-residents for tax correspondence.
Costs are only half the decision. Get fair-price analysis, legal flags and rental ROI for a specific address.
Run the full dossier on a property →Frequently asked
Is it cheaper to buy property in the United Kingdom or Greece?
Typical all-in one-off costs are SDLT can reach ~19% for a non-resident second home; fees add ~£2–5k in the United Kingdom and ≈ 7–10% of price (all-in one-off, incl. fees) in Greece. Compare the full breakdowns above and use each country's calculator for a price-specific figure before deciding.
How much stamp duty does a foreigner pay in the UK?
On top of the standard SDLT bands, a non-UK-resident buying an additional property pays both the 2% non-resident surcharge and the 5% additional-dwelling surcharge — about 7 percentage points extra across all bands. If it is your only home worldwide and you'll live in it, only the 2% non-resident surcharge applies.
How much does it cost to buy property in Greece?
Transfer tax is low at just 3.09% on resale property, but notary, legal, agent and registry fees push the all-in cost to roughly 7–10% of the price. New-build VAT (24%) remains suspended through 2026, so 3.09% generally applies in practice.