Taxes in Greece in 2026: rates, special regimes, and tax system for individuals

Greece's tax system: general overview for individuals

Before examining the rates, it is important to understand the logic. Greece's tax system is based on a principle classical for the European Union: a tax resident pays taxes on all worldwide income, while a non-resident pays only on income derived in Greece itself. This is why the first question to ask before relocating is whether I will become a tax resident, and if so, under which regime.

The basic set of taxes for individuals in 2026 looks as follows:

• Income tax - Progressive, at rates from 9% to 44% on salary, pension, and business income.
• Social contributions - Separate from income tax, paid on employment income.
• Dividend tax - 5%, on interest - 15%.
• ENFIA property tax - Annual, depends on the objective value of properties.
• VAT - Included in the price of goods and services, standard rate 24%.

But the most interesting aspect of Greece is not the basic rates, but three special regimes that allow you to legally pay significantly less: a fixed tax for wealthy individuals, a preferential rate for retirees, and a discount for new residents. These regimes have made the country one of the most attractive tax jurisdictions in Southern Europe. Below we will analyze both the base and each special regime separately. A detailed explanation of exactly when you become a resident is covered in the article on Greece's tax residency.

Who is a Greek tax resident and the 183-day rule

All rates and regimes revolve around one status - tax residency. It determines whether you pay taxes on all worldwide income or only on Greek income. An error in determining this status is the most costly mistake in international tax planning.

You become a Greek tax resident if at least one of the following conditions is met:

• The 183-day rule. You are physically present in Greece for more than 183 days during any twelve-month period - in total, not necessarily consecutively.
• Center of vital interests. Even with a shorter period, you may be recognized as a resident if your family, main business, source of income, or personal ties are located in Greece.

A non-resident pays tax in Greece only on income from Greek sources - for example, on rent from a local apartment or salary from a Greek company. Greece has no interest in foreign income.

A resident, according to the general rule, declares and is subject to tax on all worldwide income - and this is where special regimes come into play, allowing a resident to pay not according to the full progressive scale, but according to preferential rules. To avoid double taxation - both in Greece and in the country of income source - tax treaties on the avoidance of double taxation apply, which Greece has concluded with dozens of countries. If you are planning to relocate and want to stay in the country long-term, you should start with legal status - for example, through Greece's Golden Visa (residence permit for real estate investment)which grants the right to reside in the country and subsequently become its tax resident.

Personal income tax in Greece 2026: progressive scale up to 44%

Basic personal income tax in Greece is progressive: the higher the income, the higher the rate on its upper portion. It is important to understand that the increased rate applies not to the entire income, but only to the part that falls within the corresponding bracket. In 2026, following the reform (Law 5246/2025), average rates have been reduced and the threshold for the maximum rate has been raised from 40,000 to 60,000 euros.

Personal income tax scale for salary, pension and business income in 2026:

Several important details for 2026:

• Solidarity contribution abolished. Previously, a special solidarity levy was added to high incomes - from 2026, it is eliminated for private income and pensions, which reduces the overall tax burden.
• Youth under 25 years of age do not pay personal income tax on the first 20,000 euros of annual income.
• Families with children receive a reduced rate in the 10,000 - 20,000 euro range: the more children, the lower the rate, and with four or more children it is eliminated entirely.

In addition to personal income tax, social contributions (EFKA) are paid on employment income - the amount depends on the employment category. Therefore, when assessing the actual burden on salary, personal income tax and contributions must be added together. It is precisely the high progressive scale on large incomes that makes special regimes so sought-after by wealthy relocating individuals.

Non-dom flat tax: fixed 100,000 euros on worldwide income

This is Greece's flagship regime for wealthy individuals, a direct analogue of the Italian and former British non-dom system. The concept is simple and elegant: instead of a progressive scale, you pay a fixed tax of 100,000 euros per year on all your foreign income - regardless of whether you earned one million or one hundred million abroad.

How the regime works:

• Fixed amount. 100,000 euros per year cover any volume of foreign income - dividends, interest, capital gains, foreign business income, rental of foreign property.
• Family joins in. Each family member (spouse, children) can enter the regime for an additional 20,000 euros per year.
• Term - up to 15 years. The regime operates for a maximum of fifteen tax years.
• Greek income - separately. Income derived within Greece is taxed according to the standard progressive scale up to 44%.

Main entry conditions:

• You were not a tax resident of Greece for at least 7 of the last 8 years.
• You invest in Greece at least 500,000 euros over three years - this can be real estate, shares in Greek companies or securities.

A huge advantage - you do not need to spend 183 days per year in Greece for this regime; the status provides flexibility for people with a global lifestyle. For those who plan to purchase real estate anyway, the investment threshold is resolved through the purchase of residential property, which also opens the path to a residence permit. A complete breakdown of the regime can be found in a separate article on non-dom flat tax in Greece.

Regime for pensioners: 7% on foreign income

If non-dom is created for major capital, then the 7% regime is a gift specifically for pensioners. A foreign pensioner transferring tax residency to Greece can pay just 7% on all their foreign income - and not only on pension payments.

Important points to know:

• The 7% rate applies to all foreign income: pensions, rental of foreign property, dividends, interest, capital gains.
• Term - 15 years. The regime operates for fifteen tax years from the date of entry.
• Payment once per year. Tax is paid as a single sum by the last working day of July for each tax year.

Entry conditions:

• You were not a tax resident of Greece for at least 5 of the last 6 years.
• You are relocating from a country with which Greece has a double taxation avoidance agreement or an administrative cooperation agreement.
• You become a tax resident of Greece - that is, you spend more than 183 days per year here.

Unlike non-dom, this regime does not require investing half a million euros - the entry threshold is far more accessible, making it a real tool for ordinary, not just ultra-wealthy pensioners. Essentially, the state says: move here to retire, pay a symbolic 7%, and you won't have to give away half your pension under a progressive tax scale. A detailed breakdown is in the article on 7% tax for pensioners in Greece.

Benefit for new residents and repatriates: 50% discount for 7 years

The third special regime targets those who transfer to Greece not capital or pension, but their own work: employees, specialists, and entrepreneurs who begin economic activity in the country. This is a regime for active, working individuals.

Essence of the regime:

• 50% discount. Half of income from employment or self-employment activity in Greece is exempt from tax. That is, you effectively pay income tax on only half your Greek earned income.
• Duration - 7 years. The benefit applies for seven tax years.
• Who it suits. Those who relocate their workplace to Greece, including repatriates - Greeks returning home after years of work abroad.

Main conditions:

• You were not a Greek tax resident for a specified period before relocation (typically 5 of the previous 6 years).
• You relocate your workplace to Greece and commit to remaining a tax resident for at least two years.

This regime combines well with digital nomad status and work visas: a specialist who physically relocates and begins working from Greece can legally halve the tax on earned income for seven years ahead. For IT specialists, consultants, and entrepreneurs, this is a strong argument for moving to Greece rather than neighboring countries.

Three special regimes in one table: who suits what

Greece's special regimes are easily confused, so we'll consolidate them into a clear table. The key idea: they target different types of people, and the right choice can save tens of thousands of euros in annual taxes. Regime selection is always an individual calculation based on specific income structure.

Several practical conclusions from the table:

• Non-dom Profitable when foreign income is so large that €100,000 is less than progressive tax on it.
• 7% regime - optimal for pensioners with moderate to high foreign income, since 7% is almost always better than the progressive scale.
• 50% discount - for those earning in Greece through their own labor.

All three regimes require that you were not a Greek tax resident in preceding years - meaning you must plan entry well in advance, before relocation.

VAT in Greece: standard 24% and preferential rates

VAT (in Greek, FPA) is a consumption tax embedded in the price of almost all goods and services. The end consumer pays it, but understanding the rates is useful for residents, investors, and entrepreneurs alike.

VAT rates in 2026:

• Standard rate - 24%. Applies to most goods and services.
• Preferential rate - 13%. Applies to a range of food products, food service, energy, and certain accommodation services.
• Super-preferential rate - 6%. Applies to medicines, books, newspapers, and theatre tickets.

A special feature of Greece is reduced VAT on a number of islands. For remote Aegean islands (such as Leros, Lesbos, Kos, Samos, Chios), reduced VAT rates have historically been in place - a measure supporting remote territories. This regime is periodically reviewed, so specific rates for a particular island should be verified at the time of the transaction.

For property buyers, it's important to know: the sale of new properties (with building permits issued after 2006) is formally subject to 24% VAT, however, VAT on new construction in Greece has been temporarily suspended, and instead a property transfer tax is applied upon purchase. This reduces one-time costs when buying new residential property - details are in the section on property taxes below.

Property taxes: ENFIA, purchase tax, rental income

Real estate in Greece is both a tool for residence permits and a source of income, as well as subject to annual tax. We'll review the entire tax chain of ownership - from purchase to rental.

Upon purchase:

• Property transfer tax - 3.09% of the property value (for secondary residential property and new construction during the VAT suspension period). Paid once at the time of the transaction.
• Additionally - costs for notary, registration, and legal support.
• Buyers need a Greek tax number (AFM) and, as a rule, a local bank account.

Annually - ENFIA:

• ENFIA - a unified property ownership tax. All owners of Greek property pay it, regardless of whether they are residents or not.
• The amount depends on the objective (cadastral) value of the properties, their area, location, and the total value of the portfolio.
• In 2026, the following incentives apply: a 20% discount on insured property valued up to 500,000 euros, and for primary residences in small villages (up to 1,500 residents, outside Attica) - a 50% discount.

Upon renting out rental income is taxed under a separate progressive scale: 15% on the first 12,000 euros, 25% on the portion from 12,000 to 35,000 euros, and 45% above 35,000 euros. A complete breakdown of all owner payments is in the article on property taxes in Greece. An important note for Golden Visa investors: short-term rental (Airbnb) of a property purchased under the Golden Visa is prohibited under threat of status revocation.

Taxes in Greece for citizens of Russia and CIS countries

For nationals from Russia and CIS countries, the Greek tax landscape has several practical features worth keeping in mind when planning relocation.

• Tax residency is determined by facts, not by passport. Citizenship does not make you a tax resident - only 183 days of presence and the center of vital interests matter. You can own property in Greece and remain a tax non-resident, paying tax only on Greek-source income.
• Double taxation avoidance agreement. Greece has such an agreement with Russia and a number of CIS countries - this prevents double taxation on the same income. The status of existing agreements should be verified at the time of planning, as the international situation changes.
• Special regimes are available. Both non-dom status and the 7% regime for pensioners, and the new resident incentive are open to Russian and CIS citizens, provided general conditions are met - primarily the requirement of not being a Greek tax resident in previous years.

For relocation itself, Russian citizens need a visa: for long-term residence - a national D visa and then a residence permit. Greece's Golden Visa remains available to Russians, but with enhanced verification of the source of funds and strictly within the law, without circumventing sanctions. Tax planning here goes hand in hand with migration planning: first, legal status and residency, then - selection of the optimal tax regime.

Tax year, declaration, and payment deadlines

For regimes and rates to work in practice, formal calendar requirements must be observed. Greek tax discipline is stricter than it appears, and penalties for delays are significant.

• The tax year in Greece coincides with the calendar year - from 1 January to 31 December.
• Filing of declaration by tax residents typically occurs in spring and summer of the following year through the electronic system of the tax authority (AADE / Taxisnet).
• Tax under special regimes (non-dom 100,000 euros, pensioner 7%) is paid as a lump sum for each tax year - the deadline is usually the last working day of July.
• Obtaining AFM (tax number) - the first practical step for anyone who buys real estate, opens an account, or becomes a resident.

It is important to understand: entry into any special regime is not an automatic status, but an application procedure. You must submit an application to the tax authority on time, prove compliance with conditions (residency absence period, investment for non-dom, pensioner status for the 7% regime), and receive confirmation. Missing the application deadline can delay entry into the regime by an entire year. Current forms, deadlines, and electronic services should be verified on the official state services portal. gov.grand a specific plan should be built with a tax consultant in advance.

Corporate tax 22% and business taxes

If you plan not just to relocate but to do business or hold a company in Greece, understanding the corporate tax system is important. Here Greece looks quite competitive against established EU countries.

Key business rates:

• Corporate tax - 22% on company profits. This is a flat rate for most legal entities.
• Dividend tax - 5%. When a company distributes profits to participants, tax is withheld at source at a rate of 5% - one of the lowest in the European Union.
• Interest tax - 15%, royalty tax - 20% (taking into account double taxation avoidance agreements, which may reduce these rates).

The combination of "22% corporate tax + 5% dividend tax" results in a cumulative effective tax burden on distributed profits of approximately 25.9% - a reasonable level for a jurisdiction within the EU with access to the single market and European directives.

For an entrepreneur who physically works in Greece, the combination with the new resident incentive is particularly attractive: income from individual business activity may qualify for a 50% discount for seven years. A wealthy owner of a foreign business under non-dom status pays a fixed 100,000 euros without disclosing total turnover. The specific configuration depends on the structure - it should always be designed with a tax consultant before commencing business activities.

Common mistakes and how to save on taxes: an expert's perspective.

Over years of practice, we see that people lose money on Greek taxes not due to high rates, but due to poor planning. Let us review typical mistakes so you do not repeat them.

• Accidental residency. A person spends more than 183 days in Greece without thinking about it and suddenly becomes obligated to declare worldwide income on a progressive scale up to 44%. Count your days in advance.
• Missed deadline for entering a special regime. Non-dom and 7% regime are application-based. If you miss the submission deadline, you lose an entire year of benefits. The application is prepared before or immediately after relocation, not "sometime later."
• Incorrect regime selection. A pensioner with moderate income does not need non-dom with 100,000 euros and a 500,000-euro investment - the 7% regime is more beneficial. Conversely, a person with significant foreign capital on the standard scale overpays huge amounts.
• Ignoring ENFIA and rental tax. Property ownership means annual expenses, and short-term rental of a Golden Visa property threatens revocation of residence permit.
• Double taxation through ignorance. Without using the double taxation avoidance agreement, people pay tax in both Greece and their home country.

The main principle is simple: tax strategy is built before relocation, not after. Then Greece transforms from a country with 44% income tax into a jurisdiction where a wealthy person pays a fixed 100,000 euros, and a pensioner pays only 7%.

Summary: what taxes are in Greece and who benefits from being here.

Let us bring everything together. Greece's basic tax system is typical for the European Union: progressive income tax from 9% to 44%, corporate tax 22%, VAT 24%, annual property tax ENFIA. These rates on their own do not make Greece a tax haven - in this it resembles its EU neighbors.

The real value lies in three special regimes that allow one to legally pay significantly less:

• For wealthy individuals - non-dom flat tax: fixed 100,000 euros per year on worldwide income for up to 15 years.
• For pensioners - only 7% on foreign pension and income, also for 15 years, and without mandatory investment.
• For working professionals and returning residents - 50% discount on labor income for seven years.

This is why Greece has become a magnet for international capital and pensioners: an EU and Schengen country, warm climate, affordable real estate, and at the same time a legal opportunity to pay minimum taxes. The logical path for most is to first secure legal status through Greece's Golden Visa for real estate investmentthen become a tax resident and enter the appropriate special regime. Before any decision, verify current rates and conditions on the official portal gov.gr and calculate the tax burden for your specific situation together with a consultant.