Buying in Corfu: what overseas buyers should know
Corfu, the greenest of Greece's Ionian islands, draws buyers who want a Mediterranean base with mature olive groves, a long summer season and a strong sense of place. British buyers have long felt at home here, and property ownership on the island is open to UK and other overseas purchasers on the same broad terms as Greek nationals. There are no general restrictions on foreigners owning a home in Corfu, though land in designated border or military zones can require prior permission, so a local lawyer will confirm the position for any given plot.
Visas and spending time in Corfu
Owning a property in Corfu gives you the right to hold and use your home, but it does not by itself give you the right to live there full time. Greece is part of the Schengen area, so a UK owner visiting as a tourist can spend only up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the wider zone. Buyers who want to stay longer often look at Greece's residency-by-investment route, sometimes called the Golden Visa, which can grant residence when you invest in property above a set level. That level varies by area and has changed over time, so take current advice before relying on it. Other long-stay and residence permits also exist, and a local partner agent and lawyer can point you toward the right one.
How a purchase works in Corfu
Buying in Greece is overseen by a notary, who prepares and certifies the final deed, while your own independent lawyer runs the checks on title, planning and any charges against the property. Before you can transact you will need a Greek tax number, known as an AFM, and a local bank account is usually opened too. The process typically moves from a reservation and agreed offer, to a preliminary contract with a deposit, and then to signing the final deed before the notary and registering it. Budget for the notary's fees, lawyer's fees, the transfer tax due on purchase, land registry or cadastre costs, and estate agency fees.
Everyday costs in Corfu
Day-to-day costs on Corfu are generally moderate by western European standards, with local produce, wine and seafood widely available and markets a normal part of island life. Running a home means ongoing outgoings to plan for, including the annual property tax known as ENFIA, municipal charges, utilities, insurance and any management or maintenance if you let the home or leave it empty over winter. Costs tend to be higher in the peak summer months and in the most sought-after coastal spots.
Prices, financing and demand in Corfu
Corfu's market spans restored village homes and stone cottages, modern villas with sea views, apartments near the resorts, and building plots for those who want to create their own home. Demand from international buyers, including many from the UK, has kept interest steady in the prime north-east coast and around Corfu Town. Financing options for non-residents do exist through some Greek and international lenders, though terms are usually stricter than for residents and many overseas buyers purchase with cash, so it is worth arranging your funding position early. Start your search to see property for sale across Corfu, or contact our team to be connected with a local partner agent.
Where to find property for sale in Corfu
Most international interest on the island centres on the north-east coast, the stretch sometimes known as Kensington-on-Sea for its long-standing British connection. Here the mountains drop toward the sea and small bays are backed by cypress and olive. Kassiopi anchors the northern tip, a working harbour village with tavernas and a mix of traditional homes and higher-end villas on the slopes above. Just along the coast, Nissaki is quieter and more residential, favoured for waterfront and sea-view villas set into the hillside below Mount Pantokrator.
Closer to Corfu Town, Dassia offers easier access to the airport and amenities, with apartments and villas near a long beach and a good choice for buyers who want a shorter transfer and a lively summer scene. On the north coast, Acharavi is a flatter, more open resort town with a long sandy beach, modern villas and apartments, and a broad range of local services that work well year-round.
To the south-east of Corfu Town, Moraitika sits by a river mouth and a wide beach, with a mix of village homes, apartments and villas at a gentler price point than the northern headlands. Across the island you will find restored stone cottages in inland villages, contemporary villas with pools, apartments near the resorts, and plots for a self-build project. Our Property Collections make it simpler to search by lifestyle. Explore our collections to shortlist by the way you want to live.