Free guide No. 07 · PDF · 10 pages
Off-Plan in Athens: 12 Red Flags That Could Cost You Your Deposit
Twelve warning signs to spot in an Athens new-build deal before you pay a single euro
Greek law does not require developers to protect off-plan deposits, so the contract is your only shield. This guide sets out 12 red flags to check before paying for a new build in Athens, from the building permit and the land title to VAT, delivery penalties and Golden Visa rules.
+21.5%Building permits, June 2026 vs June 2025
31 Dec 2026End of the legislated VAT suspension
120 m²Minimum main area for €800k/€400k Golden Visa
What you'll learn
- How to check that the building permit covers your unit
- Why payments must follow construction stages, not dates
- Which securities can protect a deposit in Greece
- How the VAT suspension works and what is only announced
- Where Golden Visa buyers get off-plan rules wrong
Inside the guide
- Why off-plan in Athens needs extra care
- Red flags 1 to 3: the permit and the land
- Red flags 4 to 6: the developer and your money
- Red flags 7 and 8: the price, the VAT and the spec
- Red flags 9 and 10: delivery and handover papers
- Red flags 11 and 12: Golden Visa and your exit
- Before you pay an off-plan deposit
