Update (September 2026)
We reviewed this guide and the core mechanics of the prosymfono have not changed: Article 402 of the Greek Civil Code still requires a seller who withdraws to return the arrabonas deposit in double, while a buyer who withdraws without a contractual reason forfeits it. What has changed since this guide was published is the surrounding transfer process. Law 5293/2026 designates the notary as a "one-stop shop" coordinator for the whole transfer, pulling tax and cadastral documents directly from public registries, and the Hellenic Cadastre's digital filing rules under Law 5076/2023 now require the notarial deed, the Electronic Property ID and the tax receipt to be submitted electronically. The one-stop-shop provisions still need a separate ministerial decision to formally activate area by area, so ask your lawyer whether it is live for your transaction yet, but the direction of travel is toward more of the process running through the notary and the digital cadastre rather than on paper.
Offer and preliminary stages
A written offer may become binding when accepted. A prosymfono sets out the transaction before the final notarial deed, which is then registered at the Land Registry or Ktimatologio. Deposits and remedies vary, so obtain independent advice before signing.
Why finance wording matters
Do not assume the document automatically protects you if a mortgage is refused. Any finance condition should be expressly drafted around the required amount, application obligations, evidence and deadlines.
Coordinate bank and property checks
Bank underwriting and valuation can run alongside legal and technical due diligence, but neither replaces the other. Property conformity and documentation can affect both the purchase and mortgage.
Manage deadlines actively
Track document requests, valuation, bank approval, the notarial appointment and currency transfer. If a deadline becomes unrealistic, seek legal advice and negotiate before it expires.
Understand deposit terminology
A payment described as arrabonas can have different consequences from a simple advance payment. The agreement should state what the money represents, what happens if either party defaults and whether an agreed mortgage condition applies. Translation alone is not enough; ask an independent advisor to explain the commercial and legal effect in practical terms.
Align the agreement with the lender's process
Allow for borrower underwriting, property-document review, valuation, formal approval, preparation of the mortgage deed and coordination with the notary. If the property needs land registry or planning corrections, the agreement should allocate responsibility and sufficient time. A completion date chosen without reference to these steps can turn an otherwise financeable purchase into a deadline problem.
Practical checklist
- Use independent Greek legal support.
- Review documents before transferring a deposit.
- Make finance conditions explicit.
- Set realistic deadlines.
- Keep lender correspondence.
- Arrange completion funds early.
Questions US buyers ask
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Who made this guide. Bas Terpstra makes, reviews and approves every guide, using AI tools and public sources as a starting point. Rules and figures change, so treat this as general information and confirm the details for your own situation.
This guide is general information, not personal financial, legal, tax or currency advice. Mortgage availability is subject to credit, income, valuation and lender criteria.