If you are considering buying property in Halkidiki, it is important to understand the ongoing costs of ownership as well as the purchase price.

Once a property is classed as habitable, there are several regular household expenses to budget for. These include electricity and water, annual property tax (ENFIA), and communal fees if the property is part of a complex with shared areas or facilities.

It might also be useful to know that there is currently no mains gas supply in Halkidiki, so properties rely on electricity, oil, or bottled gas for heating and cooking.

Other optional expenses buyers may wish to consider include internet, private gardening, pool cleaning and home insurance.  Owners should also be aware that taking out household insurance that covers natural disasters (such as fire, earthquake, or flooding) can qualify you for a reduction in property tax, meaning insurance is not only a sensible way to protect your investment, but also a potential way to reduce your annual property tax liability! For some properties, in remote areas and resorts not yet connected to mains seweragethere may also be occasional costs for emptying a septic tank.

Fortunately, the cost of owning a house in Halkidiki remains relatively low compared to many other European destinations. Here, we break down each of these expenses in more detail so you can plan your investment with confidence.
 

Property Tax (ENFIA) in Halkidiki

One of the main ongoing expenses for property owners in Halkidiki is the annual property tax, known in Greece as ENFIA (Ενιαίος Φόρος Ιδιοκτησίας Ακινήτων). Here are the basics of ENFIA - how it works, how much it costs, and how to pay it:
 

How Much Is ENFIA in Halkidiki?

For many years, the property tax on a single property in Halkidiki was a little less than €3 per m². However, changes in 2019 reduced the rate by roughly 20 %, so it’s currently about €2.50 per m² for a typical single dwelling.

Strictly speaking, ENFIA is not simply calculated per square metre. The calculation is a little more complex and takes into account various property-specific elements such as location, building characteristics and planning factors.  In real estate we in use the approximation of €2.50 per m² as a helpful and realistic guide to what a regular owner in Halkidiki can expect to pay.

ENFIA rates differ throughout Greece depending on regional property values. In Halkidiki, the rates have been kept relatively low to ensure that property taxes remain affordable for local residents, many of whom work in farming, tourism and other modest-income industries. 
Importantly, foreign investors pay the same ENFIA rates as Greek citizens and residents. Greece does not impose higher annual property taxes on non-residents, unlike some countries where overseas owners are subject to increased property tax rates.

However, owners with more than one property, a very large property, or those with additional features such as swimming pools usually pay a higher amount of property tax. While there is no separate “swimming pool tax,” pools must be declared and they increase the official objective value of the property. Larger pools i.e. those over 25 m² have a more noticeable impact on the annual ENFIA amount.

Furthermore, there is also a supplementary property tax for owners whose total property portfolio exceeds €250,000 in objective value. It is important to note that this threshold is based on the official objective value (αντικειμενική αξία) of the properties as determined by the tax authorities, not the market value.
 

When and How Is ENFIA Issued and Paid?

Property tax in Greece is assessed annually based on ownership as of January 1st each year. You must have your property correctly declared on the Greek tax system(Taxisnet/myAADE).
The ENFIA tax notices are usually made available on Taxisnet by early Spring, with the first payment due at the end of March and the final payment by late February of the following year.

Once your ENFIA bill is issued, you can pay it:

• In full at once, or
• In multiple instalments (from March until February).
 

Where and How to Pay ENFIA?

You (or your accountant) can access and pay your ENFIA bill through your Taxisnet/myAADE account. Payment options include:

• Online banking (Greek or international banks),
• Bank branch or post office in Greece, or
• Through your Greek tax accountant who manages it on your behalf

Important:  ENFIA is not automatically calculated simply because you own property.  Every year you must ensure and confirm your E9 property declaration is up to date by late January so the tax authority knows what you own.  Missing deadlines can lead to interest charges and complications if you want to sell, so punctual payment is important.  This is why most people in Greece, including the Greeks themselves, enlist the assistance of an accountant to do this job for them!
 

Electricity Costs for a House in Halkidiki

ΔΕΗ (DEI, pronounced “Thee”) is the national electricity provider throughout Greece. In recent years, several private electricity companies have entered the market, meaning homeowners now have the option to compare tariffs and choose an alternative supplier if they wish.

Electricity is charged based on kWh consumption, and tariffs vary depending on the provider, contract type, and current market conditions. For this reason, we recommend checking directly with your chosen supplier for the most up-to-date pricing.

Many property owners in Halkidiki prefer to remain with the national provider for simplicity and reliability, particularly if the property is only used seasonally. However, alternative suppliers may offer competitive packages depending on your usage.

Most properties in Halkidiki have a single-phase supply, which is sufficient for everyday household needs. It is possible to upgrade to a three-phase connection, which is useful if you want to run multiple high-powered appliances such as air conditioning at the same time without trippingfuses!

If a property is closed down during the winter months and electricity consumption is zero, fixed connection charges still apply. On top of the actual consumption, there is also a standard charge plus other obligatory itemised fees, which are incorporated into your electricity bill, for example, contributions to the TV licensing authority. Municipal fees are also included in the electricity bill regardless of the provider.

Real-Life Examples (Summer 2025):  For context, here area couple of examples of electrical bills for houses in Halkidiki:

• House Size: 120 sqm 2-storey, built 2012
• Residents: 2 adults, 1 teenage girl
• Features: Thermal insulation, solar-powered water heater, 1 × 18,000 BTU inverter air conditioner on the ground floor, fans running all night in bedrooms
• Electricity cost: €90 per month

Example 2:

• House size: 90 sqm, 2-storey, built 2010
• Residents: 2 adults
• Features: solar-powered water heater, has an air conditioner running 24hours either in living room or bedroom
• Electricity cost:  €125 per month
 

How do I receive and pay the electricity bill?

Electricity bills can now be received electronically as well as by post. By registering for the online service (myΔΕΗ), homeowners can opt to receive their bill by email and manage their account digitally, which is a much-improved service compared with the past, especially convenient for overseas owners.

Bills can be paid in several ways. The easiest option is online via the official DEI website (myΔΕΗ), where payments can be made direct and securely by debit or credit card. Most Greek banks also allow payment through their online banking service.

It is also possible to set up automatic direct debit from a Greek bank account so that bills are paid automatically on the due date.

For those who prefer to pay in person, bills can still be settled at post offices, bank branches, ATMs, authorised payment points such as OPAP, or the local DEI office in Nea Moudania, where they accept card payments.
 

Paying from abroad

If you are an overseas property owner, you can pay your DEI bill using an international debit or credit card directly through the online DEI portal. This is usually the easiest method for non-Greek residents.

Paying from a foreign bank account is possible via an international bank transfer, but it may involve additional feesand you need to find out the correct IBAN. For most overseas owners, online payment with an international card combined with electronic billing provides the simplest and most practical solution.
 

Water Costs for a House in Halkidiki

If you own a house in Halkidiki, it’s important to understand how water is supplied and billed. Water pricing in Greece is set by each local municipality or local water utility (ΔΕΥΑ). A house in Halkidiki receives its water supply from the local municipality, and charges are based on cubic metres (m³) of consumption. Water tariffs are tiered, meaning the price per m³ increases as usage rises.

For most typical households in a house in Halkidiki, consumption usually falls within the lower pricing bands. Higher rates generally apply to properties with large gardens that require frequent irrigation during the long, dry summers, or homes with swimming pools.
 

Annual Standing Charge

In addition to usage charges, every connected property must pay an annual standing charge.

In the municipality of Kassandra, the annual standing fee for a residential property is €45 plus VAT.

There are also some small additional administrative charges, and sewerage-related fees may apply. These vary depending on whether the property is connected to the mains drainage system. Properties connected to mains sewerage pay standard sewerage charges according to their water consumption.

Properties not connected to mains sewerage (for example, those using a septic tank) do not pay sewerage network fees but may see a “Septic Waste Disposal Fee” (Τέλος ΑπόρριψηςΒοθρολυμάτων), which relates to the treatment of septic tank waste at authorised municipal facilities. Property owners using a septic system also remain responsible for the maintenance and periodic emptying of their private tank, which typically costs around €100 per visit, depending on tank size and access.

For example, for a property in a village such as Nea Skioni, where there is no mains sewerage and septic systems are used, the annual fixed water-related charge is currently €65.44.

It is worth noting that the water in Kassandra is not advisable to drink because it can result in an upset stomach.  While it is not dangerous per se and some locals do drink it, we personally do not use it for drinking due to its very high hardness. It is, however, suitable for boiling foods where the water is drained away, cleaning teeth, and garden use etc. 

Real-Life Example: Our House in Halkidiki
For our own house in Halkidiki, with a lawn that is watered once daily for 15 minutes during the summer, and family of three living there all year round, the total annual water cost is typically in the region of €100–150.
 

Electronic Billing and Online Access

If you own a house in Halkidiki within the Municipality of Kassandra, you can monitor and manage your water bills electronically. The municipality operates an official e-services platform where property owners can log in (using their AFM details) to view confirmed water charges, make secure card payments online, and download digitally signed receipts.

Water bills are not always automatically sent by email (it’s a relatively new service), so overseas owners of a house in Halkidiki are advised to register on the online portal to check balances directly. In some cases, the municipal water department can also add an email address to the account upon request so that payment notices are sent electronically rather than by post.

This online access is particularly useful for non-resident property owners, as it allows you to check outstanding amounts and make payments without needing to be in Greece.
 

How to Pay

Water bills can be paid:

• Online via the municipality’s e-services payment portal (pay with card and download a receipt)
• At banks or post offices (using the bill reference)
• At the municipal water department offices (usually located at the town hall)
• By bank transfer from a Greek bank account to the municipality’s designated IBAN using the bill’s reference number
 

Important Note for Non-Resident Owners

There is no automatic direct debit system like DEI electricity. You must either:

• Check the portal periodically
• Pay when you receive a bill
• Or arrange a standing order via your Greek bank to send a regular payment and check the account once or twice a year adjusting if needed
 

How can I connect with internet at my house in Halkidiki?

The main broadband provider in the area is Cosmote:

• Basic broadband: up to 24 Mbps, about €24.60/month (12month contract).
• Faster plans: speeds above 24 Mbps start from €31.65/month.
• Fiber optic (FTTH): very stable and fast connections (100–300 Mbps) cost roughly €31–€37/month, depending on availability and contract length.
• 5G wireless home internet: works without a cable line, starting at €30.90/month.

Other traditional providers in Halkidiki include Nova and Vodafone, though exact availability depends on your village or street - it’s very important to check the signal and coverage at your address before you sign up as this is a rural area!

If fixed broadband isn’t available, satellite internet via Starlink is becoming increasingly popular. It works almost anywhere, if there is a line-of-sight to the sky, which is a solution for rural properties and you can pause the service when the property is closed, so you only pay when you use it. The Starlink equipment can be purchased online or in-store from leading electrical appliance stores, and in some cases, you can receive the equipment for free if you sign up for a 12month contract.
 

Where to Apply

In Kassandra, there is a telecommunications store in the centre of Kassandreia called Germanos, which handles Cosmote contracts.  There are also Vodafone and Nova shops. To make a new contract, you will need:

• Passport or national ID card
• An official document showing your Greek tax number (AFM / ΑΦΜ)
 

Insuring Your Holiday Home in Halkidiki

Even though Halkidiki is a low-risk area, many owners like the peace of mind that insurance brings, especially if their property will be empty for long periods.

We can connect you with a broker who will do all the hard work of finding the right policy. Costs depend on your property’s size, age, and coverage choices—for a 60 m² apartment, a comprehensive policy usually starts from €100 per year.

Bonus: If you take out a policy including coverage in the event of a natural disaster, you may be eligible for a 20% discount on your property tax, meaning the extra cover can effectively be paid for by the tax savings.

In addition to standard household bills for a house in Halkidiki, there may be some other expenses depending on the type of property. For example, if your property is part of a complex with shared facilities, you’ll usually contribute to a fund covering these communal costs. The amount varies depending on the services provided: some complexes charge only for basic maintenance, like outdoor lighting, while others have pools, landscaped gardens, or employ gardeners to keep everything tidy, which increases the cost. Fees differ widely, so check the contract for your specific property.

Owning a house in Halkidiki offers a wonderful lifestyle, but it’s important to understand the full picture of ongoing costs. From property tax (ENFIA), electricity, and water, to internet, insurance, and communal or optional pool expenses, careful planning ensures your investment remains enjoyable and stress-free. By knowing what to expect and budgeting for both standard and seasonal costs, you can make the most of your Halkidiki home and enjoy everything this beautiful region has to offer.