禁漫天堂

Greece is a European Union member-state governed by the rule of law. It is also a member of the eurozone, enjoying all the benefits that derive from sharing the common currency.

Finding and buying a plot of land in Greece isn鈥檛 always straightforward. Here I鈥檇 like to share with you a few tips I鈥檝e learned the hard way after buying my own plot. Whether you intend to build a holiday home or a more permanent residence, these simple tips may save you money and disappointments in the long run.

What to watch out for:

i.聽 聽Decide where you鈥檇 like to settle

聽 聽 聽This may seem like a self-explanatory step, but there are great differences 鈥� not just in terms of climate, but also in terms of available facilities 鈥� depending on the region you choose to settle in.

聽 聽 聽Greece is a big and mostly rural country. Most facilities are concentrated in Athens and Thessaloniki. Choosing to settle down on a secluded island may seem an appealing prospect at first, but consider that the availability of medical care and other important facilities may be limited. Always check the quality of the internet, water or electricity in advance. Unless you have your own yacht, you will likely be dependent upon the services of ferries if settling on an island 鈥� consider whether you want this dependence. Ferries personnel have been known to go on strike occasionally. Also, any goods you may require that are not available on the island, will involve longer and often costlier shipping if you buy them online.

I have personally settled in the province of Messenia in the Peloponesse. The nearest city is Kalamata. While there is a hospital in Kalamata, any 鈥榮erious鈥� treatment requires travelling to Athens 鈥� some 3 hours by car. For me, this is a suitable balance between the two extremes; very limited facilities on a secluded island versus decent facilities but living in the urbanized region of Athens. I live on the mainland but feel as if I am on an island. Your needs may differ.

聽 聽 聽 I also wanted the warmer climate of Messenia with its nearly-private beaches. Yet there are equally beautiful regions in the north, with snowy mountains and picturesque forests. Don鈥檛 immediately settle down somewhere just because you found it online on some list of 鈥�10 most beautiful regions in Greece鈥�. Carefully balance your individual needs with your dreams. Stay realistic about your needs!

Found a suitable region? Now find a suitable plot鈥�

Decided to settle in Messenia too? Feel free to contact me if you need help.

ii. Find a suitable plot in your chosen region

聽 聽 聽You may start your search remotely from your country of origin. A simple Google search is a good start. When you find a promising plot, you will eventually have to schedule a physical visit. But make sure you don鈥檛 schedule a visit just for that one seemingly promising plot: what seems pretty from far away, may end up being far from pretty when you see it up close. So identify several candidate plots even if you feel that only one of them is your favorite. Plan enough time to visit them all without pressure.

It is best to choose candidate plots from at least two different real estate agencies. Bear in mind that Greek real estate agencies tend to present relatively little information online 鈥� some don鈥檛 even have an (English) website and may not appear in your search. So keep your eyes open for physical ad boards once you arrive in your chosen region in Greece 鈥� you may find a third real estate agent with a better selection of plots that way. That鈥檚 how I eventually found my own plot.

iii. Buying your chosen plot 鈥� what to watch out for?

聽 聽 聽The purchase of a plot will usually be negotiated through a real estate agent. Watch their behavior closely. Common in some parts of Greece is that no one will reply to your e-mails. If an agent hasn鈥檛 replied to your first e-mail requesting to schedule a visit, beware 鈥� this may be a first sign of lack of reliability. Even if this agent has a plot, you find highly desirable, it鈥檚 often still best to move on to a different agent. Depending on how (under)developed your region is, it can certainly be that only one out of every eight or ten agents will reply to your e-mail. Don鈥檛 be discouraged. This natural selection process will maximize your chances of finding a decent person to do business with.