Keen to buy a property in Greece but confused about Brexit?
You’re not alone!
At the Greece Property Guides resource centre, Brexit is the most common query.
For British people retiring to Greece, some of the procedures have still not been finalised. But here is what we do know:
Second homes in Greece
If you buy a holiday home in Greece but keep the UK as your main residence, Brexit will barely affect you at all.
You may want to take out travel insurance as you won’t be covered any more by your EHIC.
You also need at least 6 months left on your passport. Little else will change.
Moving to Greece
If moving full time to Greece, maybe to retire or work, then you’ll need a visa.
There will be different visas if you are retiring or working. The good news is that we expect procedures to be streamlined
and simple, but they haven’t been announced yet.
Here are your essential need-to-knows.
1. The right to buy and own property
You will continue to be able to buy and own property in Greece after Brexit, just as before, even after the transition period.
Property ownership comes under Greek, not EU control. You will also be able to rent it out, just the same as an EU citizen.
2. Access to health services
Holiday home buyers
Your EHIC will no longer be valid, and most people will opt to take out travel health insurance.
If you don’t take out insurance you will be treated in an emergency by the Greek health services but may face a large bill afterwards.
Retirees/relocation
If you are resident by 31 December, you will have ‘life-long healthcare rights’, as long as you remain resident.
It is likely that there will be further healthcare cooperation, but it remains to be announced.
Therefore, in the meantime you should take out comprehensive health insurance.
3. Right to residence
Staying less than 90 days
You will not need a visa. Most non-EU citizens are allowed free access without a visa for 90 days.
Staying more than 90 days
You will probably need a visa. There are many variations of this, for whether you are working, investing or retiring.
4. Pensions
You can receive your pension in Greece if you are retired, whether you moved before or after the Brexit transition period.
You may also be able to claim certain Greek benefits, if you qualify.
You will still receive your UK pension in Greece. However, whether it will be up-rated each hear has not yet been settled.
The latest from the UK government is that it will be uprated until March 2023 at least.
5. Driving
If you are a resident in Greece, you can change your UK driving licence for a Greek permit up till the end of the transition period.
After the transition period, British travellers wanting to drive in Europe may need an international driving permit (IDP).
These are available at any British Post Office.
The article is by GreecePropertyGuides