Taxes in Greece for American Retirees
Taxes in Greece
When Greece starts taxing you, how it treats a U.S. pension, and what the United States still expects from you regardless.
When you become tax resident
More than 183 days in Greece in any twelve-month period, or having your centre of vital interests there.
How your foreign pension is treated
Greece offers an alternative taxation regime for foreign pensioners under Article 5B of the Income Tax Code: a flat 7 percent on all foreign-source income, including pensions, dividends, interest, rents and capital gains, for fifteen tax years. You must transfer your tax residence to Greece, not have been Greek tax resident in five of the previous six years, and come from a country with an administrative cooperation agreement with Greece, which the United States satisfies. The election is made by application to AADE with a statutory deadline. Without the election, ordinary Greek progressive rates apply.
The U.S. tax treaty position
A U.S.-Greece income tax treaty is in force, though it is one of the older U.S. treaties. The interaction between the 7 percent regime and the treaty should be handled professionally.
Wealth tax
No general wealth tax. ENFIA, an annual property tax, applies to Greek real estate.
Other taxes and reporting
Property transfer tax applies on purchase. Greek inheritance tax has generous allowances for close family. Greek residents must declare worldwide income even under the flat regime.
Remember the U.S. side
The United States taxes its citizens on worldwide income wherever they live. Moving does not end your filing obligation, and FBAR reporting is triggered by an aggregate of 10,000 dollars across foreign accounts at any moment in the year.
Taxes in Greece: common questions
When do I become tax resident in Greece?
More than 183 days in Greece in any twelve-month period, or having your centre of vital interests there.
Will Greece tax my U.S. pension?
Greece offers an alternative taxation regime for foreign pensioners under Article 5B of the Income Tax Code: a flat 7 percent on all foreign-source income, including pensions, dividends, interest, rents and capital gains, for fifteen tax years. You must transfer your tax residence to Greece, not have been Greek tax resident in five of the previous six years, and come from a country with an administrative cooperation agreement with Greece, which the United States satisfies. The election is made by application to AADE with a statutory deadline. Without the election, ordinary Greek progressive rates apply.
Do I still file a U.S. return?
Yes. The United States taxes its citizens on worldwide income wherever they live, and moving does not end the obligation. You get an automatic extension to June 15, the Foreign Tax Credit usually prevents genuine double taxation, and FBAR is a separate filing triggered by an aggregate of 10,000 dollars across foreign accounts at any point in the year.
Verified Sep 7, 2026 Primary sources: migration.gov.gr, www.aade.gr, www.mfa.gr
This resource is provided free by Federal Apostille as an educational tool. It is not legal, tax, immigration or financial advice, and no attorney-client relationship is created by using it. Immigration rules, income thresholds, fees and processing times change frequently and often without notice, and consulates apply them differently. Always confirm current requirements with the official government source and the specific consulate that has jurisdiction over your U.S. state of residence before you act. Every figure on this site carries the date we last verified it and a link to the primary source.
