How to buy property in Crete?

· For older properties, a 10 per cent deposit is paid at the time of a pre-contractual agreement. Nothing should be paid until a legal search is carried out by a lawyer. It is advisable to update the "topograph" (plan) of the property, asking neighbours to agree and sign on the property's limits.

· The purchase contract is always executed in front of a notary and registered with the Land Registry. You must declare your property every year to the government via an E9 document.

· Taxation is very complicated. Put simply, purchase costs are 10-14 per cent on an older property. Stamp duty is calculated on the "assessed" or "tax value" of the property, which is usually much less than the market price. 19 per cent VAT is payable on newbuilds.

· Capital gains tax is payable on properties bought after January 2006 - on a sliding scale,for example, 20 per cent in five years.