Taxes in Greece: A Guide for Foreigners

Whether you are a resident or a foreign owner, your rental income is taxed in the same way. First, 5% of your total rental income is automatically deducted to cover expenses. The remaining amount is then taxed based on the updated tax brackets below:

• Standard rate: Greece taxes companies at a standard corporate income tax of 22% on their profits.
• Banks and certain financial institutions: If they are part of the deferred tax asset (DTA) regime, they pay a higher rate of 29%.
• New small businesses: Companies newly formed can take advantage of a reduced advance tax payment. Normally, businesses must prepay 80% of the previous year’s tax, but new companies only pay 50% of that amount during their first three years.
• Dividend withholding tax: When a company pays profits to its shareholders, i.e, dividends, a flat 5% tax is charged. This is one of the lowest dividend tax rates in the Eurozone.

Tax incentives for Greek companies

Greece also has tax benefits to attract tech companies and businesses focused on research and innovation:

• R&D super-seductions: Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can deduct 315% of eligible research and development (R&D) expenses from their taxable income. Then, larger collaborative projects can deduct 250% of R&D costs.
• Digital and green investments: SMEs can claim an extra 100% tax deduction for spending on digital tools, software, hardware, and certain green investments.
• Patent tax exemption: Profits made from using a self-developed and internationally recognized patent are 100% tax-free for the first three years.

Social security contributions in Greece (EFKA) are shared between employers and employees. Together, they add up to about 35.16% of salary for most private-sector jobs.

• Employees pay 13.37%
• Employers pay 21.79%

There is a maximum monthly salary cap of €7,761.14 . This means contributions are only calculated up to that amount, even if someone earns more. Self-employed professionals and freelancers do not pay a percentage of income. Instead, they choose from fixed monthly payment categories.

• Individuals: If you sell a property in 2026 as a private person, you currently pay 0% capital gains tax on the profit. This normal 15% tax is suspended until 31 December 2026, no matter how much the property value has increased.
• Companies: This tax break does not apply to companies. If a company sells property, the profit is counted as normal business income and taxed at the standard 22% corporate tax rate.
• Shares, bonds, and derivatives: Profits from selling shares and bonds are taxed at a flat rate of 15%.
• Listed shares: If you own less than 0.5% of a company, you pay 0% tax on the profit. If you own more than 0.5%, the 15% tax applies.
• Mutual Funds (UCITS): If you sell Greek or EU-based mutual funds, you are exempt from capital gains tax.

Property taxes in Greece are divided into three stages: buying property in Greece, owning, and renting.

Exemptions

• Spousal exemption: Surviving spouses married for five years or more, and minor children, get a higher tax-free inheritance limit of €400,000 instead of €150,000.
• Joint bank accounts: Money in joint accounts in Greece or the EU/EEA goes to the surviving account holder tax-free, as long as the account has a survivorship clause.
• Non-residents: People living outside Greece only pay Greek inheritance tax on property or bank accounts located in Greece. Assets outside the country are not taxed.

Property sales & leases

• Property Purchases: You do not pay Stamp Duty on a property purchase; you only pay property transfer tax. 
• Residential Leases: Residential rentals are exempt from Stamp Duty/DDoT.
• Commercial Leases: These are subject to a 3.6% Digital Duty on the rent amount, but this can often be waived if the transaction is subject to VAT. 

Digital Duty on Transactions (DDoT)

 Standard VAT Rates 

• Standard rate – 24%: Most goods and services, like cars, electronics, alcohol, and professional services.
• Reduced rate – 13%: Basic food, non-alcoholic drinks, electricity, gas, hotels, and public transport.
• Super-reduced rate – 6%: Medicines, vaccines, books, theater or concert tickets.
• Special Rate – 4%: Certain medical equipment and services for disabled people.

24 small Greek islands with populations under 20,000 will have VAT reduced by 30%.

• Standard: 17%
• Reduced: 9%
• Super-Reduced: 4% or 3%

Greece has a Greek flat tax regime that is designed to attract investors to the country. There are options for high-net-worth individuals and for foreign retirees.

• High-Net-Worth Individuals: Qualifying applicants will pay a flat €100,000 lump-sum per year on all foreign-sourced income, regardless of the amount earned. This status lasts for up to 15 years and requires a minimum investment of €500,000 in Greek assets such as real estate or business shares. It is also possible for interested investors to qualify through the Greek Golden Visa. 
• Foreign Retirees: For this option, people are taxed at a flat rate of 7% on all foreign-sourced income, including pensions, dividends, and rental income from abroad. To qualify, applicants must not have been a Greek tax resident for at least 4 of the last 6 years and must relocate their tax residency to Greece for a period of up to 15 years.
• New resident exemptions: New residents can enjoy the tax incentive of having 50% of their income earned in Greece completely exempt from income tax for seven  consecutive years

• Taxisnet Login: You need a Greek Tax ID (AFM) and active Taxisnet credentials to access the myAADE portal.
• Forms: Most people use Form E1 for general income. If you earn rental income, you also file Form E2. For business or freelance income, file Form E3.
• Pre-filled Returns: In 2026, most E1 and E2 forms are automatically filled with data from employers, banks, and the new Property Ownership Registry. If everything looks correct, the system can submit your return automatically after 30 days.
• Taxisnet login: The first thing you need is a Greek Tax ID (AFM) and active Taxisnet credentials to access the myAADE portal.
• Forms: Most people use Form E1 for general income. If you earn rental income, you also file Form E2. For business or freelance income, file Form E3.
• Pre-filled Returns: Most E1 and E2 forms are automatically filled with data from employers, banks, and the new Property Ownership Registry. If everything IS correct, the system can submit your return automatically after 30 days.

Important tax filing dates