Mortgages in Greece for Non-Residents

The quick answer

Yes, it may be possible to get a Greek mortgage while living abroad. Eurobank and Alpha Bank publish mortgage options for non-residents or foreigners. Piraeus Bank publishes mortgage documentation specifically for residents abroad. National Bank of Greece publishes a mortgage brochure for international buyers and lists income in several foreign currencies as eligible for assessment.

Each lender sets its own criteria. It may review income and employment history, tax records, existing debts, credit reports, household expenses, citizenship or residence category, the property’s valuation, and the amount of your own funds. A lender can decline an application even when the applicant fits a published product description.

Greek citizenship does not guarantee approval. Living outside Greece does not automatically mean rejection. The bank’s current written criteria and its assessment of your individual application decide the result.

Which banks publish options for overseas buyers?

The comparison below reports only information found on the named lender’s own published product pages or documents. “Up to” figures are lender-specific ceilings, not approval estimates. A lender may offer less after reviewing the applicant, collateral, and property valuation.

Published mortgage information for applicants living abroad, checked 30 October 2026
Lender	Published route	Published financing and term	Applying from abroad	Important limit
Eurobank	A dedicated mortgage loan for non-residents. The bank says Greek citizenship is not required.	Its page states up to 80% of the property’s commercial value for Greek or Cypriot citizens and up to 65% for other nationalities. It lists maximum floating-rate terms of up to 30 years and 15 years for those groups, with the loan ending by age 75.	Applications are accepted at a branch or by email. The bank describes a proxy lawyer process for people who cannot remain in Greece through the process.	The bank’s property valuation, credit assessment, age-at-maturity rule, and other conditions apply. Confirm the category used for dual citizens.
Alpha Bank	A mortgage loan for foreigners living in EU and non-EU countries.	The page states up to 80% of commercial value for permanent EU residents and up to 70% for permanent non-EU residents. It lists maximum terms of 25 and 20 years respectively, subject to an age-at-maturity limit.	The detailed process describes online mortgage applications for existing e-banking customers. A first account can be opened remotely only through the bank’s selected-country onboarding process; otherwise, its FAQ directs applicants to a branch.	The published financing bands are based on residence location. The bank requires an account, adequate income, and credit assessment.
Piraeus Bank	Its mortgage documentation has a separate section for economic migrants and residents abroad.	The general fixed-rate product states financing up to 80% of the mortgaged property’s value. It describes up to 90% only when additional criteria are met, including borrower age 50 or younger, no existing housing loan for the debtor or co-debtor, and a loan not over €500,000. Its stated term is 7 to 35 years, subject to an age-at-maturity limit.	The product page offers an online route, but its public documents do not confirm that every stage for a resident abroad can be completed remotely.	The published 80% and conditional 90% figures are not stated as non-resident-specific limits. Ask whether they apply to your case.
National Bank of Greece	An official brochure for international buyers lists income in EUR, USD, GBP, CHF, CAD, AUD, SAR, AED, or ILS as eligible for assessment.	The brochure states financing up to 65% of the property’s value and a term up to 40 years, subject to application assessment.	The brochure describes online application submission and tracking. It also says an applicant who cannot visit a branch may apply through a proxy lawyer.	The brochure is undated, so its figures are not confirmed current terms. Confirm how the bank defines value, eligibility, and the current application process.

On a narrow screen, scroll the comparison table horizontally. Figures reflect the official pages and documents checked on 30 October 2026. They are not a quote or lending recommendation.

The product pages contain changing interest-rate and fee examples. This guide does not reproduce promotional rates. Ask for a current written offer and compare the full costs described below.

Does Greek citizenship help?

Citizenship, tax residence, permanent residence, income source, and creditworthiness are different things. A Greek passport is not proof that the applicant lives or pays tax in Greece, and it does not establish that a bank will approve a loan.

Eurobank’s non-resident product publishes different maximum financing and term limits for Greek and Cypriot citizens compared with other nationalities. These are Eurobank product terms, not a rule for every Greek bank. Alpha Bank’s published maximum financing bands are framed around where the applicant permanently lives, EU or non-EU, rather than a simple Greek-citizen versus non-Greek-citizen split. NBG’s international-buyer brochure lists eligible income currencies and says applications remain subject to assessment.

For EU citizens, the official EU consumer guidance says a lender cannot refuse a mortgage solely because of nationality. A lender may still assess where the applicant lives or works and where the property is located, alongside affordability and creditworthiness.

If you have dual citizenship, ask the lender in writing which citizenship category it will use for product terms, what residence category applies, and whether all borrowers will be assessed under the same rules. Do not assume the most favourable category applies automatically.

Can income earned abroad qualify?

Some lenders publish non-resident application routes and ask for foreign income records. That does not mean every type of income will be counted or that every currency, employer, or business structure is acceptable. The lender decides what is stable, documented, and suitable for its affordability assessment.

The published documents give examples of what banks may ask for:

Employment income: recent payslips, an employer or earnings statement, and foreign tax records. Alpha’s published checklist asks for annual income information for the previous three years and recent payslips for salaried applicants. Piraeus describes tax records and recent earnings documents for applicants abroad.
Self-employment or business income: several years of business financial statements, tax records, evidence of profits or turnover, and sometimes company or dividend documents. Alpha and Piraeus both publish multi-year document requirements for these applicants.
Pension income: a recent pension statement or payment record. Piraeus explicitly lists pension documentation for applicants abroad.
Existing debts and credit history: Eurobank asks for a credit bureau report or, in some cases, a self-declaration of credit obligations. Alpha and Piraeus publish credit-history or transactional-behaviour documents for applicants abroad. NBG says borrowers with income in a currency other than euros need a credit rating report from a bureau in their country of residence and taxation.
Savings and assets: some lenders request deposit or investment statements. These can help document available funds, but do not replace a lender’s affordability assessment.
Rental income, dividends, bonuses, and company distributions: do not assume these will be accepted as qualifying income. Ask the lender which documents it requires and how it treats the specific income.

If another person will apply with you, expect the bank to request identity and financial information from each borrower, co-borrower, and guarantor. A spouse’s income does not automatically count simply because you apply together.

How much deposit might you need?

Loan-to-value, or LTV, compares a loan with the value of the property used as collateral. Published maximum LTVs are lender and product limits, not promises. The lender may offer a lower amount after checking the applicant and the property. It may use a professional valuation rather than the agreed purchase price.

A purely illustrative example

Assume a property costs €150,000, the lender values it at the same amount, and a hypothetical lender agrees to 60% financing. This percentage is only for arithmetic illustration. It is not a bank offer, approval estimate, or published term.

Illustrative financing breakdown

Property price: €150,000
Hypothetical 60% financing: €90,000
Buyer contribution toward price: €60,000
Acquisition and mortgage-related expenses: Additional, variable amounts; These expenses are not included in the buyer contribution above. No expense estimate is assumed here.

Use the Property Purchase Cost Calculator

If the lender instead values the same property at €135,000 and still uses the hypothetical 60% LTV, the loan would be €81,000. The buyer would need €69,000 toward the €150,000 price, plus costs. These figures are arithmetic examples only. The 60% LTV is not a recommendation or a published term from any bank. In either example, acquisition and mortgage-related expenses are additional and vary by transaction.

For its non-resident product, Eurobank publishes maximum amounts based on the property’s commercial value. Alpha also describes its maximum as a share of commercial value. NBG’s international-buyer brochure refers to the property’s value. Piraeus refers to the value of the mortgaged property. Ask each bank what valuation basis it uses, who appoints the valuer, and whether the purchase price or the valuation limits the loan.

Your own funds may need to cover:

The part of the purchase price not financed by the mortgage.
Transfer tax or any applicable tax on a new property.
Notary, legal, registration, valuation, engineering, and mortgage-security costs.
Any repairs, furnishing, or property-specific work not covered by the loan.

Do not treat the deposit as the full amount needed to complete a purchase. The calculator can help you build a separate transaction-cost estimate. Confirm every amount with your lawyer, notary, engineer, and lender.

Documents to prepare

The exact list depends on the bank and the applicant. Use the lender’s current checklist, not this summary, as the final authority. The official examples reviewed for this guide distinguish initial financial assessment from later property review.

For an initial conversation or assessment

Prepare to discuss:

Passport or national identity document for each applicant.
Current address and country of permanent residence.
Tax residence and the countries where you file returns.
Employment, business, or pension income.
Foreign tax returns and recent payslips or pension statements.
Existing mortgages, credit cards, personal loans, guarantees, and other monthly commitments.
Credit bureau reports or the lender’s alternative record of obligations.
Savings, deposits, and the funds available for the deposit and transaction costs.
The intended borrowers and any co-borrower or guarantor.

For example, Eurobank’s current non-resident checklist asks for identity, permanent-residence information, income tax returns from the country of residence, and a report of existing credit obligations or an alternative self-declaration. Alpha’s foreign-borrower materials request multi-year income and tax records, and differ for salaried and self-employed applicants.

For pre-approval and the property review

After an initial assessment, a bank may ask for further financial records and documents for the specific property. Published examples include:

A Greek tax number, if required at that stage. Eurobank lists a copy of the Greek tax number among documents for final approval.
The draft purchase agreement, title deed, or ownership records.
Building permit, approved plans, floor plans, and a topographical plan where relevant.
An engineer’s report, energy certificate, or evidence about planning regularisation.
A works budget and permits for a repair, construction, or renovation loan.
Property-tax records for Greek property you already own, when applicable.
The lender’s valuation, legal search, and technical review.

The timing differs. Eurobank describes pre-approval first, followed by property due diligence and final approval. NBG’s document guide says property information is submitted electronically after pre-approval, then further legal and technical checks take place.

Translation and certification

Do not translate or notarise every record before asking the bank which form it accepts. Alpha says its supporting documents may be in English or officially translated into Greek. Piraeus publishes certification and translation instructions for documents from a country of residence. NBG describes certification and official translation routes for foreign tax documents.

Ask whether the bank needs originals, certified copies, an apostille, a consular certification, or a particular translator. These requirements can depend on the document, issuing country, and bank.

If you are still arranging Greek administration, see the guides to the AFM, banking in Greece, and Greek tax residence. An AFM is a tax identification number. It does not by itself make you a Greek tax resident. If you are still deciding what to organise first, the free Start Here assessment can help you prepare questions for your advisers.

Can you apply without travelling to Greece?

Some lenders describe remote contact or proxy options. That is different from a promise that every stage, including identity checks, signing, property inspection, and final completion, can be handled from abroad.

Eurobank: its published process allows an application at a branch or by email. It describes a proxy lawyer process for certain applicants who are not Greek citizens or cannot stay in Greece through the process. The bank sets conditions for that proxy.
Alpha Bank: distinguish a remote mortgage application from opening a first account remotely. The mortgage page’s overview says a mortgage can be taken out remotely, but its detailed process says an online mortgage application is for existing customers with e-banking credentials. Alpha also says an account is required before taking out the mortgage. Its account-opening page describes a guided remote onboarding route for residents of selected countries; its FAQ says applicants outside that route need to visit a branch to open a first account. These statements describe different stages, but the overview’s broad remote wording is not specific about which stages are remote. Confirm the available route for your residence and circumstances directly with Alpha before relying on it.
Piraeus Bank: the mortgage page offers an online route, and a separate document page covers residents abroad. The published pages reviewed here do not confirm that every non-resident can complete the entire process remotely.
National Bank of Greece: its international-buyer brochure describes online application submission and tracking, and says an applicant who cannot visit may submit through a proxy lawyer.

Before relying on a remote process, ask about original signatures, identity verification, account-opening requirements, power-of-attorney wording, property inspections, and the place of loan signing. If you need a representative, ask an independent Greek lawyer to explain the authority being granted and its limits.

Rates, fees, and currency risk

Greek mortgage offers may use a fixed rate for all or part of the term, or a floating rate linked to a benchmark such as Euribor plus a lender spread. A fixed period can end, and the payment can change when a floating rate resets. The exact structure depends on the lender and the written offer.

Do not compare only the headline interest rate. Ask for the European Standardised Information Sheet (ESIS) and review the annual percentage rate of charge (APRC), total repayment amount, payment schedule, fees, insurance conditions, rate-change rules, early-repayment terms, and any conditions attached to the offer. The EU explains the ESIS as the standard way to review and compare key mortgage terms. Its guidance also says borrowers must have at least seven days to assess an offer or withdraw, with the exact arrangement depending on national rules.

Possible costs to ask about include:

Application or arrangement charges.
Property valuation and engineering inspection.
Legal review and mortgage-security registration.
Property insurance required by the lender.
Notary, transfer tax, land-registry, and other purchase costs.
Translation, certification, and power-of-attorney costs.
Early repayment charges or limits, if any.

The APRC is useful for comparing borrowing costs, but it does not necessarily include every property-purchase expense. Ask which fees are included and request a complete written cost list. The site’s buying-cost guide explains the broader purchase budget.

If your income is in Canadian dollars, US dollars, pounds sterling, Australian dollars, or another currency and the mortgage is in euros, a change in the exchange rate can make the euro payment more expensive in your home currency. Your income may also vary while the loan payment remains due. Ask the bank for the foreign-exchange risk information that applies to your offer, and stress-test the budget using less favourable exchange rates. A foreign-currency option, if offered, has its own eligibility and risks.

Four hypothetical buyer situations

These examples are not real applicants. They do not predict whether a bank would approve a loan.

1. A Greek-Canadian professional in Montreal

The applicant earns CAD employment income and has Greek citizenship. Questions to ask include: Does the lender use citizenship, Canadian residence, or both to determine the product category? Which Canadian tax records, employer documents, and credit reports are required? What valuation does the bank use, and how much cash is needed beyond the deposit for purchase costs?

2. A dual Greek-US citizen who is retired, with a self-employed spouse

Both applicants should ask the bank how it classifies a dual citizen and how it assesses a co-borrower with a different income source. The retired applicant may need pension records. The self-employed applicant may need multi-year business and tax documents. Ask whether the lender requires US credit bureau reports from both applicants and how it will assess existing US obligations.

3. A British or Australian buyer seeking a holiday home

Ask whether the published residence category is based on citizenship or permanent residence. For Alpha’s published bands, the page refers to where the applicant permanently lives. Ask the bank to confirm how it classifies your country of residence, whether the property can be a holiday home, and which foreign-income and credit documents it will accept.

4. A Greek diaspora family buying before a move

A planned move does not automatically change a bank’s current view of residence, income, or creditworthiness. Ask whether the application is assessed using current or expected future income, which applicants must join the loan, and how a later relocation affects tax documents and contact details. For the broader relocation steps, see the Moving to Greece guide.

Application steps

The order varies by bank, but a cautious process usually looks like this:

Set a budget. Separate the deposit from purchase costs and keep a reserve for repairs, currency changes, and delays.
Compare published products. Ask banks whether they accept applicants with your residence, citizenship, income currency, and employment type.
Request the current document list. Ask what is needed for an initial review, pre-approval, property review, and final approval.
Prepare your financial records. Include all income sources, debts, credit obligations, savings, and documents for each borrower.
Ask about preliminary assessment. Confirm its amount, conditions, validity period, and whether it is subject to valuation or further checks.
Choose a property only after independent checks begin. Instruct your own Greek lawyer and an independent engineer. Do not treat the bank’s appraisal as a substitute for buyer due diligence.
Complete the lender’s valuation and underwriting. The bank may request more documents or offer a smaller amount.
Review the written offer and ESIS. Compare total repayment, rate changes, fees, insurance, and early-repayment terms before signing.
Complete legal formalities and disbursement. Follow the lender’s requirements for the purchase contract and mortgage security.

Pre-approval is not final approval. A lender may still need to assess the selected property, complete legal and technical checks, confirm the final documents, and issue a binding offer. Eurobank currently states that its own pre-approval is valid for 120 days. Do not apply that period to another lender.

Mistakes and red flags

Assuming a Greek passport guarantees approval, or that foreign residence automatically prevents it.
Treating a published maximum LTV as the amount you will receive.
Calculating the deposit from the asking price without asking how the bank values the property.
Forgetting to declare debts, guarantees, credit cards, or financial commitments abroad.
Assuming rent, dividends, bonuses, or self-employment income will count without written confirmation.
Underestimating legal, engineering, valuation, insurance, and registration costs.
Ignoring the risk of exchange-rate changes when income and repayments use different currencies.
Relying on a verbal pre-approval or a rate advertisement instead of a written, current offer.
Comparing nominal rates without comparing the ESIS, APRC, total repayment, and conditions.
Assuming every renovation property is mortgageable. Ask about permits, construction status, and the bank’s inspection requirements before committing.
Signing a property agreement before understanding finance conditions, deposit risk, and deadlines. Have your own lawyer review the agreement.

If you are comparing available homes, the Greek Property Deals hub explains its editorial method and listing cautions. A listing is not a bank valuation, a loan offer, or confirmation that a property remains available.

Frequently asked questions

Can Canadians get a mortgage in Greece?

Some lenders publish routes for overseas applicants. NBG’s international-buyer brochure lists CAD income among currencies eligible for assessment. That does not guarantee an offer. Ask the bank about Canadian income, tax, credit, residence, and property documents.

Can US citizens finance property in Greece?

It may be possible to apply, subject to the lender’s assessment. NBG’s brochure lists USD income, and Piraeus publishes specific credit-report documentation for US residents. Confirm the current product, eligibility, and paperwork directly with the lender.

Does a Greek passport help with a mortgage?

It can affect a lender’s product category. Eurobank publishes one set of maximums for Greek or Cypriot citizens and another for other nationalities. Alpha’s published bands are based on where the applicant permanently lives. Neither framework guarantees approval.

Can I get a Greek mortgage while self-employed abroad?

Some banks publish documents for self-employed applicants abroad, including tax and business records covering multiple years. The lender decides how it treats profits, company income, dividends, and existing obligations.

Will a Greek bank consider my foreign pension?

Piraeus and Eurobank publish pension-related document requirements for applicants. Ask your chosen bank which pension statements, tax records, translations, and credit checks it needs, and how it assesses affordability.

Can spouses apply jointly if only one is a Greek citizen?

Ask the lender how it treats each applicant’s citizenship and residence category. Expect identity and financial records for every borrower or guarantor. Do not assume that one applicant’s passport determines the terms for everyone.

Do I need a Greek tax number?

Requirements and timing vary. Eurobank lists a Greek tax number among the documents for final approval. Ask your lender when it is needed. An AFM is a tax identification number and does not itself make you a Greek tax resident.

Can I apply without visiting Greece?

Some banks describe email, online, or proxy application routes. At Alpha Bank, an online mortgage application is described for existing e-banking customers. Opening a first Alpha account remotely is a separate process for residents of selected countries; the bank’s FAQ says others need to visit a branch. Confirm whether identity checks, signatures, property review, and completion can be handled remotely in your case.

Can I get financing before selling my property abroad?

A lender will assess your existing debts, assets, income, and available funds. Explain any planned sale and ask whether a bridge, timing condition, or proof of funds is required. No sale or future income should be treated as accepted until the bank confirms it in writing.

How long does mortgage pre-approval last?

It differs by bank and may depend on unchanged financial information. Eurobank’s current process page states 120 days for its pre-approval. Ask the lender to confirm the validity period and what can cause it to be rechecked.

Can I finance a renovation property?

Some published products cover repair, renovation, or construction, but this does not mean every property or project qualifies. Ask about permits, legal status, engineer reports, staged disbursements, and the documents required before signing a purchase contract.

What if the bank values the property below its asking price?

If the loan limit is calculated from a lower valuation, the loan may not cover the difference between the valuation and the agreed price. Ask the lender how it sets the value and be prepared to fund any shortfall and costs from your own resources.

Buying property in Greece from abroad?

Questions about financing, paperwork, or the buying process? Join Greece Is Calling to exchange experiences with others interested in living and buying property in Greece.

Explore Greece Is Calling

Sources & review notes

This guide is general information, not legal, tax, immigration, or financial advice. Rules and figures change over time. Confirm the specifics that apply to your situation with a qualified professional and the official sources below before acting.

Last reviewed: October 30, 2026
Content type: General guidance
Before you act: Verify with a qualified professional

Sources

1.
Mortgage loan for non-residents : Eurobank
Checked 30 October 2026. The page did not state a publication or effective date.
2.
How to take out a mortgage loan for non-residents : Eurobank
Checked 30 October 2026. The page did not state a publication or effective date.
3.
Supporting documents for a mortgage loan for non-residents : Eurobank
Checked 30 October 2026. The page did not state a publication or effective date.
4.
Mortgage loan for foreigners : Alpha Bank
Checked 30 October 2026. The page did not state a publication or effective date. Rate examples are not reproduced here.
5.
Opening an account remotely : Alpha Bank
Checked 30 October 2026. The page lists selected countries for remote onboarding but does not state a publication or effective date.
6.
Required supporting documents to apply for a mortgage loan : Alpha Bank
Checked 30 October 2026. The retrieved PDF did not state an effective date.
7.
Fixed-rate mortgage loan : Piraeus Bank
Checked 30 October 2026. The page did not state a publication or effective date. Product maximums are conditional.
8.
Supporting documents for a mortgage loan, including residents abroad : Piraeus Bank
Checked 30 October 2026. The page did not state a publication or effective date.
9.
Mortgage loans for international buyers : National Bank of Greece
Checked 30 October 2026. The brochure did not state an issue or effective date. Confirm current terms with NBG.
10.
Documentation required for a housing loan application : National Bank of Greece
Checked 30 October 2026. The PDF lists requirements for applicants abroad but does not state an effective date.
11.
Mortgage loans and credit in the EU: your rights : Your Europe, European Union
Checked 30 October 2026. The page states it was last checked on 1 July 2026.
12.
Directive 2014/17/EU on credit agreements for consumers relating to residential immovable property : European Union
Checked 30 October 2026. Consult the directive and its Greek implementation for legal questions.

Needs verification before you rely on it

We deliberately avoid stating the following as fixed facts, because they change with policy or depend on your circumstances. Confirm the current details from official sources.

• Current eligibility, loan-to-value limits, maximum terms, rates, fees, and property rules with each lender.
• How a lender classifies dual citizens, joint applicants, and people with more than one residence status.
• Whether a lender will count a particular type of foreign income, including rent, dividends, variable pay, or business distributions.
• Certification, translation, original-document, and remote-signing requirements for the applicant's country.
• How the lender values the specific property and which renovation or construction projects it will finance.

Can You Get a Mortgage in Greece While Living Abroad?