Our team of English (and Greek) speaking consultants in Greece, together with our independent accounting partners, have put together a guide for expats on taxes for expats with (and without) Greek residency.
Three key taxes in Greece for Expats
There are three general types of taxes in Greece.
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Income Taxes (these are paid by corporations and individuals). Greece has a progressive personal income tax system, with tax reductions and exemptions applying in certain circumstances.
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Capital and/or property taxes. These often apply to real estate and other matters associated with property, such as the inheritance of property.
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Consumption taxes (such as VAT or the Digital Transaction Fee). These taxes and fees apply to a broad range of transactions, goods and services, subject to the relevant rules.
Qualifying as a tax resident in Greece
The first step in assessing your tax obligations in Greece is to identify whether you are a Greek tax resident or not. The general rule is that if you have lived in Greece for more than 183 days during any 12-month period, you are generally considered a Greek tax resident, subject to applicable exceptions and tax treaty rules. Other factors, including your permanent home and centre of vital interests, can also determine your tax residency. Short periods spent outside Greece do not necessarily prevent you from becoming a Greek tax resident. You generally need to declare all your worldwide income (which may include cryptocurrency-related income or gains) if you are a Greek tax resident, subject to applicable rules and exemptions. For those expats who are not residents but still have income in Greece, Greek tax generally applies only to their Greek-sourced taxable income. For example, if you are an American or Australian resident for tax purposes but have a property and shares in Greece, you may need to pay Greek tax on rental income from the property as well as relevant dividends from your Greek investments, subject to applicable tax treaties and exemptions.
Taxes in Greece for Individuals
In Greece, the law states that an individual’s taxable income is subject to taxation according to the applicable income category. Greece has a progressive tax system, with the highest general personal income tax rate being 44%. In simple terms, the more money you earn, the higher the marginal tax rate you may pay. As a guide, the standard rates for employment income, pensions and individual business income from the 2026 tax year are:
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9% tax is applicable to the first €10,000 of taxable income.
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20% tax is applicable to taxable income between €10,000 and €20,000.
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26% tax is applicable to taxable income between €20,000 and €30,000.
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34% tax is applicable to taxable income between €30,000 and €40,000.
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39% tax is applicable to taxable income between €40,000 and €60,000.
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44% tax is applicable to taxable income above €60,000.
Different rates, reductions and exemptions may apply depending on your age, number of dependent children and type of income.
When you are a tax resident in Greece, you may be entitled to certain personal income tax reductions or deductions, depending on your circumstances. Some factors which may impact the amount include:
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Total number of dependent family members.
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Meeting applicable EU or Greek electronic payment requirements.
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Any qualifying social security payments made.
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Any donations to recognised charities.
VAT and Stamp Duty
VAT is a value-added tax that is an indirect tax payable on many goods and services. Generally speaking, VAT is 24%; however, there are some exceptions. These include certain tourism services, food and other goods and services that qualify for a 13% rate. In addition, books, medicines, theatre tickets and other qualifying items may incur 6% VAT, while certain medical services are VAT-exempt. Some islands, such as Samos (an island we all love), have reduced VAT rates on qualifying transactions. Traditional stamp duty has largely been replaced by the Digital Transaction Fee, which applies to certain transactions at rates depending on their nature.
Social security payments and employment income
For people who are self-employed, advance income tax payments may apply. This also applies to freelancers. Contact our team to discuss how we can coordinate assistance with forecasting your tax through our independent accounting partners. For residents who are employed, you will generally have to make e-EFKA social security contributions. The amount depends on the applicable contribution categories and employment arrangements. Your employer is also required to make a contribution. These social security payments help fund healthcare, unemployment benefits where eligible and your pension. If you hear local Greeks talking about ‘kratiseis’ with respect to their salaries, this is what they are talking about.
Filing your income tax declarations in Greece
Our team can help coordinate the filing of your income tax declarations through independent accountants, or you can also complete these on your own. We also assist non-residents with coordinating their tax returns. Generally speaking, tax declarations are submitted electronically through the Greek tax authority’s online system, and payments can be made through approved banking and electronic payment channels. Greece has a centralised tax administration, with relevant local services available where required. The tax year starts on 1 January and ends on 31 December.
Corporate and business taxes in Greece
The standard company tax rate is 22%. Taxes are generally applied to worldwide taxable profits if the company is a tax resident in Greece, subject to applicable tax treaties and exemptions. Corporate capital gains are generally included in taxable business profits and taxed at the applicable corporate income tax rate, unless an exemption applies. There are constant changes in Greek tax laws, rules and regulations – our consultancy team and independent expert accountants and lawyers are here to assist.
Withholding tax – Dividends, interest and royalties paid by a company may be subject to withholding tax, depending on the recipient and applicable exemptions or treaties. Consulting and management fees paid to qualifying non-resident companies may be exempt under relevant rules. The standard withholding tax rate is generally 5% on dividends, 15% on interest and 20% on royalties, subject to applicable exceptions, tax treaties and EU rules.
Double Taxation Rules for Greek expats including from the US and Great Britain
Double Taxation Agreements work to reduce or prevent double taxation of the same income, subject to the relevant treaty provisions. Fortunately, Greece has double taxation agreements in place with many countries. These include the US and Great Britain – although there is currently no comprehensive double taxation agreement in place with Australia. There is, however, a limited agreement concerning income from international air transport. Hopefully, a comprehensive agreement will be concluded in the future.
Our team members can coordinate advice from independent tax professionals on how tax applies to different types of income and transfers according to each respective double taxation treaty.
Inheritance Tax in Greece – When inheriting from very close relatives (such as a parent or grandparent), the tax payable depends on the value of the inheritance, applicable tax-free thresholds and the relationship to the deceased. The applicable tax rates generally increase for more distant relatives and unrelated beneficiaries.
Talk to our Greek tax experts for expats
At Tsaks Consulting, our team of business consultants works with independent expert accountants and tax lawyers who help expats navigate the Greek tax system on a daily basis. We can help and have helped expats residing in Greece from Australia, the US, Canada and the United Kingdom. Contact our team today to arrange an initial paid consultation to discuss your situation.
Please note that tax laws change regularly. Please consult a qualified independent tax professional for the latest requirements.
Important Clarification: Tsaks Consulting Greece is a business consultancy, not a law firm or accounting practice. We provide consultancy, administrative assistance and coordination services. Specialist tax, accounting and legal services are provided by independent qualified accountants, lawyers and other professionals with whom we collaborate. The information provided is general in nature and does not constitute personalised tax, accounting or legal advice.