The main trends in the real estate market over the previous year involved the development of state-owned real estate including:

The most significant real estate deals over the past 12 months include projects for the development and exploitation of state property assigned, following invitations to tender, to parties acting mostly as joint ventures. Such projects included the:

The majority of real estate investment in rural areas is in tourism infrastructure. Urban areas offer opportunities for real estate investment in commercial and cultural activities.

The structures used usually depend on the type of investors undertaking the project and include:

Real estate investment trusts (REITs) are not available in Greece and there are no provisions for tax advantages applicable.

Institutional investors are not the driving force in the real estate market. While there have been some important development projects undertaken by foreign funds, bank owned companies and Greek institutions, the main capital invested in real estate comes from private investors.

Private investors are engaged in all types of real estate development. Small residential projects are usually undertaken in urban areas by small companies often owned by engineers. This is the main structure for residential development in urban areas.

The main sources of real estate law in force are the following:

Real estate covers all types of immovable assets, that is, both land and buildings.

Land is not treated separately from the buildings located on it, although an exception exists for state property. Ownership or any other real right on any building or any part of it entails the same rights over the land it is located on. These rights are registered together in the same title, except for buildings located on state property, where the surface rights can be registered separately.

Title to real estate is evidenced by registration in public registers. In principle, real estate rights cannot be acquired unless this registration takes place.

Title registration is in transition from the Land Registry system to the National Cadastre System and currently there are two title registration systems:

The National Cadastre system is used in many but not all regions. It is currently being implemented in most regions where it is not yet being used and some regions are still using the Land Registry system only.

A document that creates any real right on real estate property must be registered and can only be either a:

The title contains all necessary information on the:

All information in these titles is available in the registry. The documents registered in the public register include:

All information contained in any real estate title registered in the public register is not confidential and is not protected from disclosure.

There is no state guarantee of title or title insurance available.

Real estate can be held in either of the following ways:

Real estate property is usually marketed by a real estate agent who advertises the property in newspapers and newsletters. There are also less systematic marketing methods such as advertising signs on buildings or marketing through the property owner's acquaintances.

Commercial negotiation begins with the first communication between the seller and the buyer. The price of the property and the payment terms are the main negotiation subjects that are initially addressed.

The first engagements between the seller and the buyer can be done by private contract, especially in cases where an advance payment is required before the final sale contract's execution. The preliminary agreement is usually used to contractually bind the seller from selling the property to a third party.

Sale contracts are notarised agreements, which are read and signed by the seller and the buyer in front of a notary public and the lawyers of both parties.

Preliminary agreements and notarised contracts are both legally binding on parties, but not to the same extent. Under civil law notarised contracts are the only documents that lead to the obligation of the seller to transfer the property and the buyer to pay the price.

Notarised contracts must be registered in the Land Registry or in the National Cadastre office (depending on where the property is located), otherwise the transfer of the real estate property is incomplete.

Real estate property is transferred on registration of title in the Land Registry or in the National Cadastre office (depending on where the property is located).

Sellers must inform buyers of the legal status of the property, under Article 519 of the Civil Code, including (but not limited to) the:

Sellers must deliver to buyers all documentation evidencing the seller's rights over the property. Sellers are contractually liable to the buyer for any:

Real estate legal due diligence typically involves:

Generally, sellers warrant that the property is free from any actual and legal defects (that is, the owner has full and marketable title free from any rights of third parties and encumbrances). However, buyers usually conduct due diligence on the property (see Question 12).

Any defect the buyer is aware of is not covered by warranty, unless the parties agree otherwise. The seller and a competent engineer must provide a sworn statement that unauthorised constructions have not been executed on the property. If there have been unauthorised constructions the buyer and engineer can face penal and pecuniary sanctions.

Sales of companies that own property, or the acquisition of a portfolio of properties, typically have more extended warranties, depending on the allocation of risks between the parties and the extent of due diligence. Banks usually insist on detailed due diligence if they provide the buyer with finance.

Generally, new owners or occupiers bear any liabilities due when acquiring the property, unless the parties agree otherwise, including:

New owners are bound by existing leases unless the lease agreement states otherwise. Encumbrances of any nature (for example, mortgages and claims of ownership) remain as burdens of the property, even if they date before the transfer of the real estate to the new owner.

Joint liability for taxes. All subsequent acquirers, within five years from each sale contract, are jointly liable for payment of the following taxes due on conclusion of the sale contract:

Joint annual property tax/inheritance tax liability. Current owner(s) are (jointly) liable for Annual Property Tax (APT) or Inheritance Tax (IT) related to the property and assessed against a former owner of the property if the new owners acquired the property by contract.

Joint real estate tax/special real estate tax liability. Current owner(s) are (jointly) liable for Real Estate Tax (RET) or Special Real Estate Tax (SRET) liabilities of a former owner of the property where the liabilities specifically relate to the property and the property has been acquired by contract.

RETD and CGT were abolished as of 23 April 2010. APT was abolished as of 1 January 2010 and annual RET was introduced.

Sellers must transfer property free from any third party rights (legal defects). Sellers remain liable for existing legal defects after the property is sold.

If legal defects exist, buyers can demand compensation or rescind contracts, unless the buyers were aware of the legal defects at the time of acquisition (except for a mortgage, prenotation of mortgage or seizure, as the seller's liability for these is not waived by the buyer's knowledge). The parties can expand or limit the seller's liability through contractual provisions.

Sellers are also liable for actual defects of the property and must legally deliver the property to buyers free from any actual defects and with the agreed qualities.

If there are any actual defects buyers have the right to either:

Buyers must pay legal fees, covering their lawyers' presence before the notary public during the signing of the contract and the legal due diligence carried out. Buyers must also pay the:

Sellers usually pay only:

Sales of new buildings, or parts of them, and corresponding land with construction permits issued as of 1 January 2006 (certain exceptions apply) are subject to VAT at 23%. VAT is paid by the buyer.

Sale of property that is not subject to VAT is subject to RETT. Buyers pay RETT and must file a special tax return before the execution of the notarial deed. The rates are as follows:

A municipal duty of 3% of the RETT is also levied.

Exemptions from RETT may be applicable to:

The most common method used is the transfer of asset-owning companies (share deal) instead of the transfer of real estate property (asset deal).

Targets to minimise the consumption of conventional forms of energy for heating, cooling, lighting and production of hot water are set through:

Energy efficiency studies must be submitted before building permits are issued. In addition, any buildings under construction or radical renovation must meet certain minimum energy efficient requirements to ensure receipt of energy efficiency certificates, which are necessary for the transfer or lease of property.

Greek companies tend to manage their real estate portfolios on their own and use real estate agencies or consultants only when deciding to sell or buy property. However, companies with big real estate portfolios often use management companies.

Companies usually own their business premises so accommodation needs are minimal if at all. There is also a tendency to own apartments, instead of renting them, for company foreign employees.

Acquisition of ownership of real estate in designated areas close to the Greek border is subject to prior approval by state authorities. The procedure to be followed depends on the country of origin of the buyer (Greek and EU-member states nationals or non-EU nationals). The restriction also applies to the occupation of real estate.

A company's change of control does not affect its holding of real estate. However, real estate lease agreements may contain provisions that regulate the performance of the lease in the event of change of control of the landlord or the tenant.

State authorities have statutory powers to compulsorily purchase business premises, as defined in Article 17 of the Greek Constitution, for public interest purposes (compulsory expropriation), provided that:

Compensation is typically determined by a court of law based on the evidence produced by the litigants in the relevant trial. Compensation is not necessarily equal to the market value of the property. The acquiring authority can only hold the premises after the compensation has been paid to the owner or if the owner is unknown after the compensation is deposited in the Deposits and Loans Fund.

If the aim of the compulsory purchase is the execution of public works of major importance for the national economy the acquiring authority can take possession of the premises after depositing part of the compensation and on condition that a guarantee for the outstanding amount is granted to the property owner.

A municipal property tax (real estate duty) at a rate of 0.025% to 0.035% is applicable on the occupation of business premises.

Acquisitions are mainly financed through mortgage loans. Loans are usually secured with a first ranking prenotation of mortgage over the property. This is a conditional security interest giving the holder preferential treatment over enforcement proceeds in relation to the mortgaged property, subject to the unappealable adjudication of the claim. The loan to value ratio for such loans usually varies from 65% to 90%.

Real estate is most commonly used to raise finance through loans or bond loans. Bond loans are usually preferred because:

Sale and leasebacks are also commonly used, especially where long-term financing is needed.

The most common form of security granted over real estate is mortgage prenotation (see Question 26), which is security registered and transcribed in the Land Registry and in the National Cadastre through a court judgment or notary deed.

Real estate securitisation is provided for under law, although it is not commonly used in practice.

Lease terms are heavily regulated, mainly by the Law of Commercial Leases, which is supplemented by Articles 574-618 of the Civil Code concerning the Lease of Objects.

Apart from certain mandatory provisions of the Law of Commercial Leases, such as the length of lease term and the reasons for terminating the lease, other lease terms can be freely negotiated.

As a general rule, there are no formal legal requirements to execute lease agreements. In practice, such agreements take the form of written private contracts, concluded between the lessor and the lessee and serve as evidence of the terms agreed by both parties.

Leases can be executed by notarial deed and registered with the Land Registry and the National Cadastre if the lease is for more than nine years. A lease executed by notarial deed binds the new landlord if the old landlord, the initial lessor, transfers the ownership of the property. In this case, land registry fees apply, which are calculated at 4.75% on the total value of the future rents and if a Cadastre exists in the area where the property is located, those fees are calculated at 5.75% on the total value of the future rents. Stamp duty is also due at 1.2% on the total value of the future rents.

Rent is freely negotiated and agreed between parties. Generally, parties agree to annually review rent after the first year of the lease, usually by the cost of living index plus two to five points.

Rents are subject to stamp duty at 3.6% payable by the landlord, which is almost always charged back to the tenant. Rents for premises used for residential purposes are exempt from stamp duty.

As of 1 January 2007, enterprises operating shopping malls can elect to account for VAT on leases instead of stamp duty.

The lease term length must be 12 years, even if the lease is concluded for a shorter period. The lease can be terminated before the 12-year term expires, by a written agreement supplemental and subsequent to the lease.

In principle, tenants do not have rights to renew leases. However, if the landlord requires occupation of the premises at the end of the 12-year term, he must pay the tenant an amount equal to 24 months' rent as goodwill compensation.

If the landlord does not start legal action against the tenant for the return of the premises within nine months after the end of the 12-year term, the lease is automatically extended by four years (under Article 61(d) of the Law of Commercial Leases). At the end of this the tenant must return the premises and the landlord is exempted from paying the 24 months' rent compensation.

Disposal of leases by tenants (by subletting, assigning the lease or sharing occupation with third parties) is generally not allowed, unless otherwise agreed in the lease or if the landlord has given written consent.

Disposal is freely allowed if the:

If the landlord sells the premises, the new landlord replaces the previous landlord and is bound by the terms of the lease (see Question 31), unless otherwise agreed in the lease.

Tenants cannot share their business premises with group companies unless otherwise agreed by the parties, or the landlord has given its written consent (see Question 34).

The landlord bears the cost of repairing damage due to wear and tear of the premises, under the Civil Code.

However, the parties usually agree that the:

In addition, the tenant, at the start of the lease, must usually pay a deposit of two months' rent as a guarantee for keeping the premises in a state of good repair.

Insurance obligations are not imposed by law. However, parties can agree that either the:

Landlords can usually terminate leases by giving prior notice to this effect (either by lawsuit or by an extra-judicial letter) before their expiry dates for either:

Leases can also be terminated under the Law of Commercial Leases if the:

Tenants are granted a period to remedy a breach if the breach is for non-payment of rent. For valid termination (apart from termination for breach of contract by the tenant), a certain number of preconditions must be met and/or a certain number of months' rent paid to the tenant as compensation.

Landlords can waive their right to terminate the lease either at the conclusion of the lease or at a later date. The law is very strict on any clauses (other than those listed above) agreed by the parties giving the landlord a right to terminate the lease, as it seeks to protect to tenant.

Tenants can terminate leases for no reason, provided it is at least one year from the start of the lease. Termination must be by written notice and becomes effective three months after the date of the notice. The tenant must pay the owner compensation equivalent to one month's rent, calculated on the day of termination, on the day he surrenders possession of the premises.

Tenants can only waive the right to terminate the lease by agreement supplemental and subsequent to the lease. An exception exists for leases made before the enactment of provisional legislation (effective 17 June 2010) where termination is effective even if the tenant has legally waived his right. This exception exists until 31 December 2012.

Tenants can also terminate leases for breach of contract by the landlord, for example where the premises are not suitable for use or there are legal defects in the premises.

Landlords can terminate leases if tenants become insolvent.

Planning control in most regions is regulated at three levels:

Planning control policies include:

The Ministry for the Environment, Energy and Climate Change produces a general development plan for each area, with the local planning authority controlling daily operations. General development plans comprise policies on:

Local planning authorities generally take initial steps to implement general development plans by enforcing measures on real estate owners for contributions in land and money (for example, for the implementation of city plans).

The main legislation regulating city planning (zoning) is the Code of Basic City-planning Legislation (codified by the Presidential Decree and effective 27 July 1999).

A planning permission (building permit) is required in principle for:

If making minor alterations, it is advisable to obtain a certificate from the town planning authority stating that planning permission is not required.

Building works must comply with applicable building regulations and observe imposed safety standards and measures. Compliance with all applicable legislation is checked during the building permit issuance procedure and can be verified at any time by the relevant authorities during the construction process.

Applications for planning permission (building permits) are generally filed with the area local planning authority where the real estate is located (that is, the building service of the relevant municipality).

Any interested third parties can file complaints with the local planning authority. They can also challenge the validity of a building permit before the Administrative Court of Appeals, within 60 days from the time the interested party becomes aware of the content of the permit.

Public inquiries are not possible before a building permit is granted. However, public inquiries take place in the city planning process.

The statutory time limit for an initial decision is two days from receipt of the application for a building permit, if all the supporting documents are submitted at the same time.

Deadlines set for actions of the authorities are not restrictive. In practice, the time required for the grant of building permits depends on the particular projects.

Applicants can appeal a refusal to grant planning permission before the Administrative Court of Appeals. The appeal must be made either:

In most cases, applicants comply with the recommendations of the local planning authority, which mainly concern modifying plans, and then receive the permit.

Third parties can challenge the validity of a building permit before the Administrative Court of Appeals, within 60 days from the time the interested party becomes aware of the permit's content.

Legislation has recently been implemented on the issuance of building permits and inspection of constructions (Law 4030/2011 on new methods of issuance of building permits, inspection of constructions and other provisions dated 21 November 2011). The legislation aims to enhance urban planning services and deal more effectively with violations by:

Special provisions are proposed to be introduced for the reduction of the public service annual energy expenditure and energy efficiency enhancement in general.