Non-EU citizens can buy property in Alexandroupoli. Because the city is in a Greek border area, non-EU buyers need a special permit before the sale. The permit takes several months, and approval is not guaranteed.
Based on listings, apartments in Alexandroupoli cost about €99,000–199,000. A 55 m² one-bedroom flat costs about €120,000.
For a Golden Visa in Alexandroupoli, you need one of two options:
- a single home worth at least €400,000 with at least 120 m²
- a €250,000 unit in a conversion project
You also need the border-area permit. For regions where no permit is needed, see Greece Golden Visa requirements.
Buying property in Alexandroupoli: key facts
| Can non-EU citizens buy? | Yes, with a permit Alexandroupoli is in a border area; non-EU buyers need a special permit before the sale |
|---|---|
| Who issues the permit? | A special committee at the Decentralised Administration responsible for the region |
| Permit timeline | Several months; approval is not guaranteed |
| Apartment prices | €99,000–199,000 (e.g. a 55 m² one-bedroom for about €120,000) |
| Golden Visa minimum | €400,000 for a single home of at least 120 m², or €250,000 in a conversion project; plus the border-area permit |
| Transfer tax | 3.09% (planned rise to 15.45% for non-EU buyers from 1 July 2027) |
| Location | About 350 km from Thessaloniki and 280 km from Istanbul by road |
Prices are examples from listings and may change. Get legal advice on the border-area permit and Golden Visa eligibility before you buy.
Can Foreigners Buy Property in Alexandroupoli?
Yes, with a permit. Under Greek Law 1892/1990, the Evros region, which includes Alexandroupoli, is a border area. Buyers from outside the EU and EFTA need a special permit before they can buy a home, land or any other property there.
A sale without the permit is void, so the permit must be granted before the sale contract is signed at the notary.
This rule applies to all non-EU buyers, not just one nationality. EU citizens do not need the permit.
How Do You Get the Border-Area Permit?
You apply to a special committee at the Decentralised Administration (Apokentromeni Dioikisi) responsible for the region. Your lawyer in Greece usually handles the application.
Documents usually required:
- a copy of your passport
- a criminal record certificate
- a birth certificate
- a short CV
- a description of the property and why you are buying it (home, investment, etc.)
- a topographical plan of the property
- the seller’s written consent to the sale
Documents issued abroad must be apostilled and translated into Greek. Requirements can vary by committee.
The review can take several months. The committee also carries out a security assessment, so approval is not guaranteed. Discuss the permit process with your lawyer before paying a deposit or signing a preliminary contract.
How Much Does Property Cost in Alexandroupoli?
Alexandroupoli is more affordable than Greece’s major cities. Based on listings:
- Apartments: About €99,000–199,000.
- One-bedroom flat (55 m²): About €120,000.
- Houses and holiday homes: Prices vary with location, sea view and size. Villages further from the city centre offer much cheaper homes.
Add about 6–8% to the price for buying costs:
- transfer tax (3.09%)
- notary and land registry
- lawyer
- estate agent
Greece plans to raise transfer tax for non-EU buyers to 15.45% from 1 July 2027; this is not yet law. For a full breakdown, see Buying property in Greece.
Can You Get a Golden Visa by Buying in Alexandroupoli?
Yes, but you must meet two conditions:
- Investment amount: Alexandroupoli falls in the €400,000 Golden Visa zone. You need a single home worth at least €400,000 with at least 120 m². The alternative is a €250,000 unit in a building converted from commercial to residential use.
- Border-area permit: You must get the permit for the purchase before applying for the Golden Visa.
Most apartments for sale in Alexandroupoli are below €400,000 and 120 m², so they do not qualify. For investors focused on the Golden Visa, €250,000 conversion projects in Athens are a faster and lower-risk route. They need no border permit, and the title deed is ready in about 2 weeks on average.
Living in Alexandroupoli
Alexandroupoli is the capital of the Evros region and an important port on Greece’s northern Aegean coast.
- Location: About 350 km from Thessaloniki and 280 km from Istanbul by road.
- Getting around: The city’s airport has domestic flights to Athens.
- Lifestyle: Long sandy beaches and a relaxed pace make it popular for holiday homes.
- Rental income: There is short-term rental demand in summer. Short-term rentals are banned for properties bought for a Golden Visa.
- Nearby areas: Komotini, Xanthi and Kavala are other areas in the region that attract foreign buyers.
Other Border Areas in Greece
Besides Alexandroupoli, the main areas where non-EU buyers need a permit are:
- The rest of the Evros region: Including the island of Samothrace.
- The Dodecanese: Rhodes, Kos, Kastellorizo, Symi, Leros and Kalymnos.
- The North Aegean islands: Lesbos, Chios and Samos.
No permit is needed in areas such as Athens, Piraeus, Thessaloniki, Kavala, Crete and Halkidiki. For the full list by region, see Buying property in Greece.
What to Check Before Buying in Alexandroupoli
- Permit first, payment second: Don’t pay a deposit or sign a preliminary contract before the permit is granted. If you do sign, make sure the contract refunds your money if the permit is refused.
- Independent lawyer: Work with your own lawyer, not the seller’s or the agent’s. Your lawyer checks the title, debts, planning status and the permit requirement.
- Avoid informal workarounds: Some intermediaries suggest buying through company structures to avoid the permit. Greek security services began examining such purchases in 2026, and these routes can expose you to legal risk.
- Land registry: Make sure the property is registered in the Greek land registry (Ktimatologio).
- Tax number and bank account: Before buying, you need a Greek tax number (AFM) and a Greek bank account. Both can be arranged through a representative (How to open a Greek bank account remotely).
