For a buyer using property to obtain residence, the asset has to do two jobs at once. Those jobs conflict, and knowing where helps you choose well.
Where the conflict sits
- Residence conditions usually require holding the asset — so you cannot sell into a favourable market
- Minimum thresholds can push you into a segment that is not the best-yielding one
- Lower-threshold regions generally have lower demand — harder to let and harder to resell
The practical conclusion: if residence is the priority, accept a lower yield; if yield is the priority, do not let the residence rules choose the location.
Three income sources and their limits
Long-term letting — steady cash flow, modest yield, the least legal exposure and the best fit for an owner living elsewhere.
Short-term holiday letting — higher gross yield, but seasonal, operationally heavy, and increasingly restricted in several cities. Some building bylaws prohibit it even where municipal rules permit.
Capital appreciation — only realised on sale, which the holding requirement prevents.
What to deduct before believing a yield figure
- Annual property tax
- Income tax on rent
- Building management charges
- Maintenance — older stock needs a lot
- Void periods between tenancies
- Agency and management fees if you do not run it yourself
Gross yield net of all six is materially lower than the figure an agent quotes. Ask for a net table; do not accept a gross one.
Three legal risks specific to this market
- Unpermitted building work — can render the property unusable for a residence file
- Seller's tax arrears attaching to the property
- Ownership restrictions in certain areas
All three are found by independent legal due diligence before any deposit. Your own lawyer, not the seller's.
Choosing for year-round demand
The single best predictor of a workable yield is whether the location has demand outside the tourist season. Property near schools, universities or business districts lets all year; property in a purely holiday district does not.
Frequently asked questions
Where do the two goals conflict?
Holding requirements stop you selling at the right time, and threshold rules can push you into lower-demand segments.
Is short-term letting a safe plan?
Increasingly restricted — several cities have tightened rules, and some building bylaws forbid it even where city rules allow.
What table should you demand from an agent?
A net one, after tax, management, maintenance and void periods — not a gross yield figure.
What predicts a workable yield?
Year-round demand — near schools, universities or business districts rather than a purely holiday area.
Need a tailored roadmap?
Viking Global Group walks with you from paperwork to settlement. Call +849.219.219.88 or email [email protected] for a free consultation.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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