If you own an apartment in Athens and live abroad, this one is for you. In our experience, a kitchen and bathroom renovation is one of the biggest renovation jobs that overseas owners of apartments in Athens commission. It is also where some of the biggest budget overruns occur. Quotes that look similar often cover very different things, and the price of tiles, fittings and appliances can double the total.
This guide is written to be simple and useful. It sets out indicative budget figures, explains what renovation prices normally include and omit, and describes how we approach a project for an owner living abroad.
Why we are writing this
We try to guide international owners towards making their homes beautiful while understanding what they are paying for. We are not here to profit from international owners. We are here to guide them and help them renovate their homes.
Home Watch Athens is a members-only community of home owners in Athens who share one thing in common: a trusted person to look after their home in Athens. You can read more about us.
The cost of a renovation is often a surprise to owners who live abroad. Unclear quotes, unexpected extras and decisions made over the phone can make the process difficult to manage.
This guide explains how we would approach the budget for a friend’s home: define the work, separate the purchases and agree how additional costs will be approved.
Indicative kitchen and bathroom renovation costs
Here is the straightforward version. We have not identified an official Greek price index specifically for kitchen and bathroom renovations. The figures below are indicative budgets supplied for this guide, rather than independently verified quotations for your property.
Different packages cover different work. Check the inclusions and whether Greek Tax 24% is included before comparing them.
| Level | Bathroom (4–5 m²) | Kitchen (about 10 m²) | Together |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | €5,500 | €5,500 | €11,000 |
| Mid-range | €7,500 | €8,000 | €15,500 |
| Premium / full renovation | €10,000 | €12,000 | €22,000 |
The “Together” column is our own arithmetic on the example figures, not an official average.
Two things stand out:
- Cabinetry can account for a substantial part of the kitchen budget. Cabinets alone are often 35–50% of a kitchen budget, so what you choose moves the total more than the labour. The cabinet finish, construction, hardware and layout all matter.
- “From” prices may be incomplete. Fixtures, appliances, delivery, installation or Greek Tax 24% may be excluded.
Do not add a separate product allowance to a package price without checking whether those products are already included.
For a wider 2026 view, Wise’s guide to renovating in Greece puts a light renovation at €400–€800 per m². For the wider project, see our guide to apartment renovation costs in Greece.
How to read a renovation quote
Unless there is a substantial difference in the planned work, a large difference in price can often be traced to the following items.
Greek Tax 24%
The standard Greek rate is 24% (Wise), and some quotes leave it out. Ask each contractor to show the net price, Greek Tax 24% and total payable separately so you can compare quotations on the same basis.
Fixtures and fittings
Check the cost of toilets, taps, shower screens, sinks and other fittings, together with their installation. These may be detailed separately in quotations.
Appliances
Confirm whether the oven, extractor hood, refrigerator and washing machine are included.
Tiles
Tile prices vary considerably. A typical indicative range is approximately €15/m² for basic ceramic tiles to €80/m² for more expensive porcelain selections.
Check whether the quotation includes the required quantity, wastage, adhesive, grout, trims and installation.
Walls and hidden pipes
Although an experienced contractor can assess an older building, some problems only become visible once work begins. It is sensible to allow a 10–15% contingency for unexpected work.
Test each quote by requesting a written list of exclusions. A higher headline price may include items that another contractor has left out. The length of the exclusions list alone does not establish which quote offers better value.
How our approach works
If you want a trusted team that has done this before and can manage the whole process on your behalf, this is what our team specialises in. We have done renovations for international owners, and we keep costs managed and within budget.
Our approach is simple: we set the baseline with good-quality groundwork. After that, you choose the quality of materials you want to install.
We can coordinate a renovation for an international property owner, helping define the scope, track costs and obtain approval for additional expenditure.
The contractor’s work and the owner’s product choices need to be clearly separated. The cost of tiles, fittings and appliances depends on what you choose, so we keep these purchases separate and you select the style, quality and price level you prefer.
That is why we distinguish between:
- The renovation works: The agreed preparation, plumbing and electrical work, installation of fittings, tile laying and other work specified in the quotation.
- The purchases: Tiles, bathroom fittings, kitchen units, appliances and other products selected for the project.
You can choose the style, quality and price of the products within the agreed budget.
A contractor’s package may include both labour and materials. Our separate product allowance must therefore be checked against the works quotation so that nothing is omitted or counted twice.
The final budget should identify the works, product purchases, Greek Tax 24% and any Home Watch Athens coordination or oversight fees.
The €5,000 product allowance
For a basic to mid-tier kitchen and bathroom project, we may use €5,000 including Greek Tax 24% as an initial product allowance. This budget covers a decent amount of quality for these materials. For specific and more personalised materials, expect a bit more.
The proposed shopping list can include:
- WC and shower fittings.
- Bathroom sinks and taps.
- Kitchen sink, tap, units and fittings.
- Oven and extractor hood.
- Refrigerator (fridge freezer).
- Washing machine.
- Tiles.
Whether this allowance is sufficient depends on the quantities, kitchen size, brands and specification. It is a starting budget to test against actual selections, rather than a guarantee that every combination will fit.
How the allowance works
- The €5,000 product allowance includes Greek Tax 24%, and mid-range products can usually be selected within it.
- Bathroom fitting installation and tile laying belong in the separately agreed works quotation, rather than being counted again as product purchases.
- Any hot-water replacement should be itemised separately, including equipment, installation and any components specified by the qualified installer. The hot water allowance covers equipment and installation, and the expansion vessel helps manage pressure changes as the water heats up.
- We assist with product selection and check purchase and delivery costs before ordering.
- You pay for the actual approved products.
- Expenditure above the allowance requires your approval before ordering.
- Our renovation works prices exclude Greek Tax 24% unless expressly stated otherwise. This is separate from the €5,000 product allowance, which includes Greek Tax 24%.
The process, step by step
- Agree the scope of work. Set out the preparation, installations and finishing work required.
- Set the product allowance. Decide what you want to spend before choosing products.
- Select the products. Check that the selections fit both the technical requirements and your budget.
- Approve purchases. Confirm the actual products, delivery costs and whether Greek Tax 24% is included.
- Approve any increase. Anything above the allowance waits for your written agreement.
Do you need a permit?
Some cosmetic work may not require a permit. Changes to the layout, building services, roof or insulation can have different approval requirements. Layout changes, roof or insulation work normally need a small-works approval through an engineer.
Ask your engineer to confirm the requirements for your specific apartment before work starts. Do not assume that every kitchen or bathroom project falls into the same category.
Our guide explains whether you need a permit to renovate an apartment in Greece.
Managing a renovation from abroad
Unexpected work behind walls and extras agreed verbally can make a renovation difficult to control. These are the two places where costs hurt most.
Before work begins:
- Define the scope, the products to purchase and the Greek Tax 24% payable.
- Decide the product allowance before making selections.
- Require written approval for purchases or work above the agreed budget.
- Keep photographs and invoices for each stage.
- Arrange agreed attendance on site during the works.
Finding suitable tradespeople is only part of the process. They also need a clear brief and someone who can follow up when you are abroad. If you are starting from scratch, see finding English-speaking tradespeople in Athens.
Read how to coordinate home repairs in Athens without being there, or see how our renovation oversight service supports an agreed project.
For the next stage, our guide to furnishing and setting up a new apartment in Athens from abroad covers preparing the home for use.
Keeping the budget clear
“We agree a clear price for the groundwork and a separate allowance for the owner’s choices. Anything above the agreed allowance needs the owner’s approval in writing before it is ordered.”
— Yanis, Founder of Home Watch Athens
Not legal, tax or financial advice. Confirm tax treatment and permits with a Greek accountant and engineer. Last reviewed: 28 October 2026.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a bathroom renovation cost in Athens?
Example 2026 guide prices are about €5,500 economy, €7,500 mid-range and €10,000 premium for a 4–5 m² bathroom. Check whether tax and fixtures are included.
How much does a kitchen renovation cost?
Example guide prices for a kitchen of about 10 m² are about €5,500 for an economy option, €8,000 for a mid-range option, and €12,000 for a full renovation. Appliances are usually extra.
Does Greek Tax 24% apply?
Our works prices exclude Greek Tax 24% unless stated otherwise. The €5,000 product allowance described above includes Greek Tax 24%.
Your quotation should show this clearly.
What does the €5,000 allowance cover?
It is an initial product budget for the agreed selection of bathroom fittings, kitchen units, appliances and tiles, including Greek Tax 24%.
The shopping list must be priced before approval. Installation belongs in the separately agreed works quotation unless expressly included elsewhere.
What if I choose more expensive items?
Any expenditure above the agreed allowance needs your approval before ordering.
Can you manage this while I am abroad?
Yes. We can coordinate the agreed process on your behalf, with the scope, attendance and fees confirmed in advance.
Who is Home Watch Athens for?
Home Watch Athens supports owners of homes in Athens who need someone to look after their property while they are away. We are a members-only community of home owners in Athens who share one thing in common: a trusted person to look after their home. We are not here to profit from international owners. We are here to guide them.
We are a founder-led, members-only service. Alongside regular property checks, separately agreed services can help owners coordinate repairs and renovation work from abroad.
See how our property management service in Athens works, or contact Home Watch Athens to discuss your property.