What is Greece Non-Dom Regime?

How it works

Greece introduced its HNW lump-sum regime in late 2019 (Article 5A of the Greek Income Tax Code, Law 4646/2019) to attract wealthy individuals shifting from the UK non-dom regime, Italy lump-sum, and other competing programmes.

The deal: a flat tax of €100,000/year covers all foreign-source income of the resident, regardless of amount or type. Local Greek-source income is taxed at standard Greek progressive rates (9% to 44%).

Conditions:

1. New tax resident of Greece — not previously Greek tax resident in 7 of the prior 8 years.
2. Investment commitment: at least €500,000 in Greek real estate, shares, government bonds, or other qualifying assets, completed within 3 years of opting into the regime.
3. Annual lump-sum payment of €100,000 by the standard tax filing deadline.
4. Family extension: spouse, children, parents can join under the regime for €20,000 each per year additional flat tax (up to a max).
5. Maximum duration: 15 years.

After 15 years, the regime ends and the individual is subject to standard Greek worldwide taxation.

Other Greek special regimes

Greece has expanded its tax-incentive regimes meaningfully since 2019:

• Article 5B — Pensioner regime: foreign-source income of EU/treaty-country retirees taxed at flat 7% for up to 15 years. Designed for European retirees moving to Greece.
• Article 5C — Inbound workers: 50% Greek-source income exemption for new residents starting employment in Greece, valid for 7 years. Mirrors Italian impatriate regime.
• Article 5C bis — Inbound self-employed: similar 50% exemption for non-Greek self-employed individuals relocating professionally, 7 years duration.

The four regimes target different audiences: wealthy investors (5A), retirees (5B), high-skill employees (5C), high-skill self-employed (5C bis).

Greek tax residency

To benefit from any of these regimes, you must first become Greek tax resident. Greek residency triggers under any of:

• 183+ days in Greece in a calendar year, OR
• Centre of vital interests in Greece (family, primary home, main economic activities), OR
• Greek diplomatic / official capacity abroad.

Once Greek-resident, the special regime opt-in must be filed with the tax authority by 31 March of the year of opting (with 1-year retroactivity windows possible).

Examples

• British HNW relocates to Athens. Sells UK home, becomes Greek resident under 183-day rule. Buys €600k Athens apartment to cover the investment requirement. Opts into Article 5A. Pays €100k/year flat tax + standard tax on rental income from the apartment + 0% wealth tax. Vs. UK with abolished non-dom (April 2025): substantial savings on €5M+ foreign income annually.
• French executive moves to Greece for the 50% inbound regime. Becomes Greek resident, opts into Article 5C as a new arrival. €100k French-paid salary now subject to 50% Greek exemption — only €50k taxed at progressive Greek rates. Saves vs. full French taxation on €100k.

Common mistakes

• Treating €100k as the only tax. Greek-source income (salary from Greek employer, Greek rental income, Greek capital gains) is not covered. Standard Greek tax applies on top.
• Skipping the 7-of-8-year rule. A returning Greek non-resident who was Greek-resident 2 of the last 8 years can be ineligible. Verify the 8-year window.
• Underestimating the €500k investment carrying cost. Greek real estate brings transfer taxes, ENFIA, maintenance — total cost over 15 years often 30%+ of headline.
• Forgetting source-country exit tax. France's article 167 bis CGI exit tax on €800k+ portfolios, Germany Wegzugsbesteuerung, etc. apply on residency change. Plan exit tax pre-departure.