One of the stages in preparation for acquisition of real
estate in Greece is obtaining by the buyer a Greek VAT identification number
(or AFM, as it is called in Greek).
A notary must insert this number in the
appropriate tax application (on transfer of ownership or VAT), which is paid by
the buyer prior to signing the contract of sale and purchase.
There are two
options for receiving VAT identification number or AFM:
1) the buyer can get a
VAT identification number personally. To do this, he will be accompanied by a
lawyer of our company in order to contact the tax office during his stay in
Greece;
2) the buyer can use a notary (in Greece or at their place of
residence) to create a power of attorney on a lawyer of our company.
A power of
attorney drawn up abroad must also be certified by the Apostille.
In this case,
the lawyer will go to the tax office with the power of attorney and copy of the
buyer's passport and receive VAT identification number on the buyer's name.
After consideration of the documents, the tax authorities will produce a
certificate of issue of VAT identification number, a copy of which the lawyer
will pass on to the notary to insert this information in the tax application
and in the sale and purchase contract.