Doriza Real estate, Kefalonia property, developers, Frequently asked questions

LEGAL AND FINANCIAL

Can anybody purchase property in Kefalonia?

What is the procedure for a purchase?

Can I work there?

Can I bring my car?

Can I open a bank account?

How can I send money there?

Do I qualify for a mortgage?

Is it possible to make a will?

What about medical treatment?

What about insurance?

Can I bring my pet there?

European Community citizens are permitted to purchase property in Kefalonia. Non-EU citizens are also permitted to buy property in Kefalonia but they must consult their Embassy.

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Purchase procedure

The purchase procedure that follows bellow is not an easy one to do on your own. We will recommend a reputable lawyer and guide you through the whole process of buying property in Kefalonia.

Appoint a lawyer

We will appoint a reputable lawyer for you and ask him to search the titles at the Registry of Mortgages and represent you to the Public Notary where the contract deed will be signed. Your lawyer must carry out his search at the Registry of Mortgages and ensure that the vendor holds an absolute title (deed) to the property and that all property taxes burdening the vendor have been paid. The laweyr's purpose is to fully cover the buyer against any legal flaw of the property, in order to avoid future problems.

Get copy of the title

The purchaser must secure copies of the title (contract deed) held by the vendor. This is usually carried out through his lawyer.

Appoint a public notary

We will also appoint a Public Notary in the presence of whom the contract deed is to be signed thereby becoming an official transaction whereby the purchaser acquires the title to the property purchased.

Apply for a tax registry number

The purchaser must apply for and secure a Tax Registry Number from the Tax office. This is only a form of identification issued to the buyer.

Pay transfer tax

The purchaser must make sure that the transfer tax is paid prior to signing the contract with the aid of his lawyer. The tax is paid by the purchaser and is calculated on the objective value of the property which can be found in the official tables set by the tax office.

Sign the contract at the public notary's office

For property to be officially bought/sold a contract must be signed at a Public Notary's office. The Notary is a state official in the presence of whom the contract deed is read and signed by both vendor and purchaser. He is there to draft the contract deed, make sure that both vendor and purchaser understand it and verify and register in the public records the transaction which takes place in his presence.

Effect transfer at registry of mortgages

The contract deed must be transferred in the purchaser's name at the Registry of Mortgages and the relevant official certificates secured. The purchaser's lawyer usually carries this out.

Submit proof of transfer at land registry

If the property has already been registered under the National Land Registry the purchaser must submit a copy of the contract deed together with the transfer certificate from the Registry of Mortgages so that the said property be properly registered in his name.

Our duty is to ensure that the procedure for signing the contract deed is properly followed and that you acquire a sound title to your property. We will translate and explain the purpose of any documents you will need to sign. This is something we have done before for other people so, let us take the strain and give you piece of mind.

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As an EU citizen you can live and work here. If you want to become self-employed or start your own business, this is also possible, however, there is some paperwork that is necessary to be done.

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It is better to think about the use you will make of a car while you are here before deciding to bring your own or buy one from here. You can bring and use your car for six months only in a calendar year. Then the car has to be locked by the customs office for the remaining 6 months until you will be able to use it again. If you want to have Greek registration on your car and obtain Greek plates you must pay the relative amount of tax. Probably it is wiser to buy a car from here with Greek registration and use it anytime for as long as you want.

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You can open a bank account here with your passport and your tax number. We can assist you with this at the Emporiki bank in Sami.

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There is no restriction on the import or export of funds. However, the importation and exportation of big sums must be declared at the customs. The best way to send money is to send it via SWIFT, which is an electronic transfer. This takes about 3 working days to get your money here. Whether you send the money in foreign exchange or in Euros, you will still be charged a commission every time.

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Our company in cooperation with Emporiki bank , takes care of the application and approval of your mortgage for financing the building, completion, improvement, repair or restoration of a house.

We use our knowledge and experience to give you advice in order to find the best financing solution, with the lowest interest rates and monthly payments.

Studying your tax statements of the last 3 years we can inform you whether you qualify for a mortgage before you apply for one.

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If you own property here it would be good having a will in this country. This way your assets can be dealt under local law without having to wait for the probate in another country. A will can be written at a public notary's office and we can assist you with this.

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Greece's public health system provides free or low cost health care for those who contribute to Greek social security. Members are charged 25% of the actual cost of prescriptions, although there are higher charges for non-essential medicines plus substantial contributions for services including spectacles, dentures, dental and other treatment. Emergency treatment is free to everyone!

Sami has its own health center and pharmacy. In Argostoli there is a big hospital with specialised doctors and equipment. Additionally, there are private specialised practitioners all around Argostoli.

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An important aspect of owning a home in Kefalonia is insurance, not only for your home and its contents, but also for you and your family. As a serious company we cooperate with a reliable insurance company that has a good financial stability.

Ethniki-Asfalistiki is a daughter company of the National Bank of Greece and provides plans for: Home, health car insurance and other.

We can advise you about different insurance policies to meet every need and assist you with the contract.

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You may bring your pet into Greece from another EU country but must present a bi-lingual export health certificate and a rabies certificate when entering the country. There are 4 veterinary surgeons around the island if your pet requires any treatment.