Greece Tax Changes 2027: What Employees, Freelancers and Buyers Should Expect
Lower employee contributions, a minimum wage above €950, 0% tax for large families and a much higher transfer tax for non-EU home buyers. Announced in September 2026, not yet law.
Main change for employees
Employee social contribution (EFKA), private sector, from 1 April 2027
Greece taxes: 2026 vs 2027
| Parameter | 2026 | 2027 | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employee social contribution (EFKA) | 13.37% | 12.87% from 1 April | Announced, in draft budget |
| Employer social contribution | 21.79% | 21.79% | No change announced |
| Contribution ceiling | €7,761.94/month | Not yet published | Pending (Jan–Feb 2027) |
| Income tax scale | 9 / 20 / 26 / 34 / 39 / 44% | Unchanged | Adopted (Law 5246/2025) |
| Tax reduction, no children | €777, minus €20 per €1,000 above €12,000 | Unchanged | Adopted |
| Families with 3+ children | Reduced rates | 0% on income up to €20,000 | Announced, tax year 2027 |
| Minimum wage (monthly, ×14) | €920 | Above €950 from 1 April; €1,000 from January 2028 | Announced |
| Freelancer tax prepayment | 55% | 50% | Announced, tax year 2027 |
| Business levy (τέλος επιτηδεύματος) | €650 | Abolished outside Attica | Announced |
| Transfer tax on homes, non-EU buyers | 3% | 15% | Announced, no start date |
Announced = presented by the government and included in the draft 2027 budget, not yet passed by Parliament.
Take-home pay: 2026 vs 2027 (€1,500 gross × 14)
| Per year | 2026 | 2027 (cut from April) | Full year at 12.87% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross pay | €21,000 | €21,000 | €21,000 |
| Employee EFKA | €2,807.70 | €2,725.20 | €2,702.70 |
| Income tax | €1,885.31 | €1,903.46 | €1,908.41 |
| Net pay | €16,306.99 | €16,371.34 | €16,388.89 |
| Change vs 2026 | — | +€64 | +€82 |
Single employee aged 31+, no children, standard tax reduction, same gross in both years. 2027 uses the announced 12.87% rate (not yet law): three payments at 13.37% (January–March), eleven at 12.87% (April–December plus the Easter, leave and Christmas bonuses; Orthodox Easter falls on 2 May 2027). About 22% of the saving goes back as income tax.
Employees
Contributions and income tax
The contribution cut is the only general change for salaried workers. The tax scale, the youth rates and the €777 tax reduction stay as set by Law 5246/2025, the reform that took effect in 2026. Lower contributions raise taxable income in the 20% band, so part of the saving returns as tax.
Minimum wage
The statutory minimum has been €920 a month since 1 April 2026. The Prime Minister said it will exceed €950 in 2027 and reach €1,000 in January 2028. The exact 2027 figure follows talks with social partners in January–March, with a ministerial decision around late March. The government puts the 2027 gain for a minimum-wage worker at €414, raise and contribution cut combined.
Families and renters
Three or more children: 0% income tax on income up to €20,000 from tax year 2027. Full parameters not yet published.
Rent rebate: the yearly refund of one month's rent continues, next paid on 30 November 2027; doctors, nurses and teachers would get double.
Freelancers and the self-employed
Lower prepayment, no business levy outside Attica
All announced, all waiting for the implementing bill:
Tax prepayment (προκαταβολή, the advance on next year's tax) falls from 55% to 50% from tax year 2027.
The €650 business levy (τέλος επιτηδεύματος) is abolished outside Attica, from 2027 according to most reports. In Attica it is halved in 2028 and abolished from 2029.
Presumptive income (τεκμαρτό): compliant freelancers are exempt from the turnover and payroll surcharges, and presumptions are halved in settlements under 2,000 residents. This covers tax year 2026, filed in 2027.
EFKA flat-category contributions are indexed every January; 2027 amounts are not yet published.
Expats, relocants and property buyers
15% transfer tax for non-EU buyers
The transfer tax on home purchases by citizens of non-EU countries would rise from 3% to 15%: 12% of the price more, or €24,000 on a €200,000 home. No start date or exemptions have been published, and it is unclear how the rule interacts with Golden Visa purchases.
No announced measure touches the 50% income tax exemption for new residents (Article 5C, 7 years) or the €100,000 non-dom lump-sum regime.
Rental income: a new intermediate 25% rate was announced; the income band has not been published.
ENFIA (annual property tax) would be abolished for homes in settlements of up to 2,000 residents. A new ENFIA law is expected around March 2027.
What is still pending
FAQ
Is the 2027 contribution cut in Greece already law?
No. It was announced on 6 September 2026 and included in the draft 2027 budget, but the implementing bill had not passed as of 15 October 2026. It is expected in October–November 2026.
Do Greek income tax brackets change in 2027?
No. The 9–44% scale from Law 5246/2025 stays. The new measure is 0% on income up to €20,000 for families with three or more children, announced but not yet law.
What will the minimum wage in Greece be in 2027?
The exact amount is not set. The government says it will exceed €950 from April 2027, up from €920, and reach €1,000 in January 2028.
Who pays the 15% property transfer tax?
Citizens of non-EU countries buying a home; the current rate is 3%. Start date, exemptions and the effect on Golden Visa purchases are not yet published, so check the final bill before you sign.
