Buying Property in Crete - Eligibility

So are you eligible to buy Crete property? If you are a European Union citizen it is easy. You are fully entitled to buy plots of land, old stone houses, new houses or any other type of property anywhere on the island. The process is very straightforward and easy.

If you have a Greek grandparent you are also eligible to buy property in Crete on the same basis as a European Union citizen. You will only have to prove the ethnicity of your qualifying grandparent in addition to the usual requirements - copy of passport and birth certificate.

If you do not qualify as either of the above the process is more difficult. Crete is classified as border territory by the Greek government and you need special permission from the Ministry of Defence before you are allowed to buy here. This process takes between three and nine months. Your application is made by the lawyer that you appoint and you need to provide the supporting documentation listed below:

• OriginalBirth Certificate with Apostille plus 5 certified copies
• Birth Certificate (official Greek translation) plus 5 certified copies
• Passport 6 certified copies with Apostille
• Original of document showing Criminal Record with Apostille(or lack of) plus 5 certified copies
• Official Greek translation of document showing criminal record plus 5 certified copies
• Curriculum Vitae (Resume) translated into Greek 6 copies
• Letter explaining why you want to buy property translated into Greek 6 copies
• Topographic plan of property 6 copies

The permission is specific to one property and is not transferrable. So the problem is how do you get the vendor to wait such a long time whilst you get your clearance. There are several possibilities depending on the circumstances. However they all rely on trust on your part and on the fact that you could potentially lose some money if you do not get clearance.

Whilst you may be told that the process has been speeded up recently, do not believe it. We have just completed a case for a buyer with a US passport, which took eight months. It will take time, effort and lots of patience.