The Mediterranean's two largest property markets for foreign investors. Spain suspended its golden visa for property purchases but offers Europe's largest rental market with 4-7% yields; Greece's €250K golden visa remains Europe's cheapest EU residency-by-property route with Athens yields hitting 5-8%. Spain charges 19-26% CGT; Greece charges 15%.

Disclaimer: Tax rates, investment rules, and visa programs change frequently. The data below is for informational purposes only — always verify with official sources and consult qualified professionals. Read full disclaimer

Investment Overview

Metric	🇪🇸 Spain	🇬🇷 Greece
Capital Gains Tax	19–28%	15%
Property Access	Foreigners OK	Foreigners OK
Investment Visa	None specific	None specific
Monthly Budget	from €1,600	from €1,400
Crypto Regulation	Evolving	Evolving

Capital Gains Tax

🇪🇸 Spain

19–28%

Capital Gains Tax

🇬🇷 Greece

15%

Capital Gains Tax

Greece has the tax advantage with 15% capital gains tax vs 19–28%. Your effective rate may differ based on holding periods, asset type, and treaty benefits.

Property Investment

🇪🇸 Spain

Foreigners OK

Freehold ownership

🇬🇷 Greece

Foreigners OK

Freehold ownership

Investment Visa Programs

🇪🇸 Spain

None specific

🇬🇷 Greece

None specific

Key Investment Insights

🇪🇸 Spain

Capital gains tax: 19–28% — plan your investment strategy around holding periods and tax-advantaged accounts
Golden Visa / Investment Visa: minimum €500,000 property — Or €1M in funds
Local stock exchange: BME (Madrid) — access to domestic equities, bonds, and ETFs
Capital gains tax: 19–28%

Full investing guide

🇬🇷 Greece

Capital gains tax: 15% — relatively competitive compared to high-tax Western countries
Golden Visa / Investment Visa: minimum €250,000 property — €500K in Athens/islands
Local stock exchange: Athens Exchange — access to domestic equities, bonds, and ETFs
Capital gains tax: 15%

Full investing guide

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Spain vs Greece Investing — FAQ

Which has lower capital gains tax — Spain or Greece?

Greece has lower capital gains tax at 15%, compared to 19–28% in Spain. Consider holding periods and treaty benefits that may further reduce your effective rate.

Can foreigners buy property in Spain and Greece?

In Spain, property access for foreigners is: Foreigners OK (Freehold ownership). In Greece: Foreigners OK (Freehold ownership). Always use a local lawyer for property transactions.

Does Spain or Greece have a golden visa program?

Spain: None specific. Greece: None specific. Golden visa programs can change frequently — verify current requirements before committing capital.

Which is cheaper for expats — Spain or Greece?

Greece is more affordable with an estimated monthly budget of from €1,400, compared to from €1,600 in Spain.

Which is better for crypto investors — Spain or Greece?

Crypto regulation in Spain: Evolving. In Greece: Evolving. Capital gains tax (which typically applies to crypto) is 19–28% in Spain and 15% in Greece. Crypto-specific rules are evolving rapidly in both jurisdictions.

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🇪🇸 Spain Investing Guide 🇬🇷 Greece Investing Guide All comparisons