Yes, you can pay your Greek contractors from abroad. Make sure that you have agreed a written contract and that your Greek contractor provides you with the correct Greek tax documents. In addition, make sure that you verify the bank details of your Greek contractor and keep proof of payment as well as proof of the work done. For bigger projects, consider paying in stages and only after your Greek contractor has finished the work agreed for each stage.
Imagine you’re in London or New York when a plumber in Athens needs to fix a leak in your apartment. You would probably like to know that the job was done properly and that you’ve paid the agreed amount. This guide helps you approve a job, get the right documents, check if the job has been done as agreed and pay for the work in Greece while you are abroad.
Key takeaways
- Agree the scope of the work and the total price before the work begins.
- Ask for and keep a copy of the invoice or retail receipt, along with proof of payment.
- Proof of payment shows that you have paid, but does not guarantee that the work was carried out as agreed.
- For renovations, agree any deposit in writing and tie subsequent payments to verified progress.
- Take dated photos of the work finished, keep all invoices and retain warranties for any products installed.
Understand contractor invoices and receipts in Greece
There are two main types of documents you may receive when you are abroad and paying a tradesman in Greece. The first is a retail receipt (απόδειξη λιανικής), which is normally used for sales to private individuals. The second is an invoice (τιμολόγιο), which is the normal business document for a supplier to issue to a business for the work and/or materials they have supplied. The invoice is likely to be more formal than a receipt.
A good document normally shows:
- The supplier’s name and tax identification number (ΑΦΜ).
- A document number and date.
- A description of the work or materials.
- The net amount, the applicable tax rate and the total amount payable.
The standard rate is Greek Tax 24%. However, there are exceptions, so it would be worth discussing these with your contractor or your accountant.
Note: You may hear about myDATA, the platform through which Greek businesses report their tax documents. Mandatory electronic invoicing is being introduced in phases, and more information can be found in AADE’s official electronic invoicing guidance. These business obligations do not give a private homeowner access to a contractor’s myDATA records. Therefore, ask for the appropriate document and keep it.
What you should check before you pay a contractor in Greece
The payment request should be compared with the approved quotation, including the scope of work, materials, additional labour and Greek Tax 24%, where applicable. Also check the bank details of the contractor against those previously noted.
Let’s consider an example. You agree with a plumber to replace a tap and a section of pipe for €200. Later, when the wall is open, he finds he needs extra fittings and more labour. So now the total cost will be €280. That’s reasonable for extra work, but you have to agree the increase first. The last thing you want is for the contractor to inform you of increased costs after the non-emergency work has been done.
Always be very careful when someone changes a bank account number and sends you a new payment request, for example by email or SMS, for a payment already agreed. Verify the change by telephone using a phone number you already know to be correct and trust, instead of simply replying to the message asking for payment.
If you are still looking for someone, see our guide to finding reliable tradespeople in Athens.
“Jobs such as fixing a leak or a simple task of putting a new coat of paint in a property abroad, paying for them is usually straightforward when you are abroad. However, verifying what work was actually done, verifying the costs incurred for the said work and receiving proper documentation from said work done is another story entirely and needs to be verified through proper documentation for every repair done.”
Yanis, Founder of Home Watch Athens
Note: An invoice is different from proof of work completion. Even if you receive an invoice for a repair job, that does not necessarily mean the repair work was done properly.
How to pay contractors in Greece from another country
Most overseas owners of Greek properties use bank transfers for work by their tradespeople. Sometimes SEPA payment is available, and occasionally payment by card is offered, as well as payment through an authorised representative in Greece. Of all these methods, bank transfers are by far the most commonly used.
Whichever method you choose to send the payment, make sure you check:
- The recipient’s name and IBAN.
- The exchange rate you will get.
- Any transfer charges.
- A clear payment reference, such as the property and job.
Remember to keep proof of payment, such as a bank transfer confirmation. The confirmation serves as proof of payment, but does not replace the tax invoice or other documents.
Remember to check the cash limits and whether any costs may be tax deductible in Greece or your country of residence. It’s always best to speak with an accountant and get the very latest advice rather than simply reading around this subject and relying on general information. Also remember that cross-border transactions are governed by their own rules.
Managing deposits and staged renovation payments
One-off repairs can generally be paid for in one lump sum at completion, but a renovation that involves several trades, several weeks and many materials is best paid in instalments during the various stages of completion.
Put it in a written contract that sets out:
- The deposit amount and what it covers.
- The payment milestones.
- The materials to be used.
- The criteria for calling the job complete.
- Who agrees on changes to the scope of work and the corresponding change in price.
A small and simple repair, or one-off job, is paid in full when completed. Larger projects, like a renovation, are paid in instalments as the work progresses and specific milestones are met.
| Stage | Example share |
|---|---|
| Agreed mobilisation or deposit | 60% |
| Handover and agreed completion | 40% |
Our sample payment schedule helps to track progress, with payments after the agreed deposit tied to verification of completed work. However, in most cases and because of extensive overseas banking fees, customers tend to pay Home Watch Athens upfront and we release the payments to contractors on their behalf and once the milestones have been met.
Also, see our guide to apartment renovation costs in Greece to help you set the overall budget before starting the work.
Who checks the work when you cannot visit your Greek property?
There are three different types of checks that need to be conducted. Firstly, the check to see if the contractor turned up and conducted the work as agreed. Secondly, the check to see what work has been completed and is visible. Lastly, the qualified technical check that the work is completed safely to the required standards.
A local person can take photos of a replacement water heater in your apartment to document its visible condition and check that the area around it is clean and tidy. However, a check of the electrical safety of appliances and lighting, or a pressure test of the plumbing for leaks, is a totally different matter and requires a qualified professional to undertake the relevant tests and issue a report. A visual check is not a technical inspection.
However you choose to keep track of jobs whilst abroad, always build up a folder for each job containing dated photos, invoices, warranties and a few lines of updating text. For major renovation jobs, we provide independent renovation oversight in Athens, monitoring progress and updating clients’ dashboards whilst they are away.
Can someone in Greece pay contractors on your behalf?
Yes. Your Greek renovation expert can pay the tradesmen for you, provided they have been given the proper authorisation to do so. However, note that authorisation to have work done, to approve expenditure and to withdraw cash from your account are three different things:
- Permission to arrange work.
- Permission to approve expenses.
- Authority to access or use your funds.
The actions that can be authorised, and the maximum amount that can be authorised, should be clearly set out in the authorisation. This should be sufficient to enable your chosen representative to complete the tasks which you have specified.
The official gov.gr electronic authorisation service enables eligible users to issue electronic authorisations remotely. Confirm with the receiving bank or service whether this form of authorisation is sufficient for the particular transaction. Some banks and services may require additional documentation. The gov.gr service issues authorisations; it does not process contractor payments.
Keep a record of every repair, invoice and payment
For every job, however small, keep one digital folder with:
- The quotation and your approval.
- The invoice or receipt.
- The payment confirmation.
- Photographs before and after.
- Warranties and relevant certificates.
Later on, it will save a lot of time, such as for future repairs, to be able to show what has been done and when. It can also help with insurance claims or when a subsequent contractor needs to continue work. Our guide to documents to keep for your Greek property lists many more things to keep than this, but these are the main things to keep for contracts with tradespeople doing work around your home. A digital folder that you can open from anywhere is perhaps the best thing you can do as an overseas property owner.
How Home Watch Athens helps owners manage contractor payments
For our members, we coordinate tradespeople and attend scheduled appointments, obtain the necessary invoices for completed work and report back to you on the visible outcome. You will then be asked to approve any further work or service required by the tradesman.
Costs for the required contractors are billed at cost, with proper invoices and receipts provided to support payments. Any coordination fees are clearly outlined and separately agreed with the owner, in addition to the monthly membership fee for Home Watch services. The membership fee covers regular scheduled inspections. Contractor attendance and renovation oversight are agreed and charged separately in advance.
Frequently asked questions about paying contractors in Greece
Can I pay a plumber or electrician in Greece from abroad?
Yes. Almost all contractors and companies are prepared to accept bank transfers or online payments. Before paying, it is wise to double-check the amount of work to be done, the total cost and the recipient’s name on the invoice or receipt.
Do Greek contractors have to issue an invoice or receipt?
Contractors are obligated to issue appropriate tax documents. The documents and the extent of required electronic invoicing differ depending on the transaction type and relevant rules.
Is it safe to pay a Greek contractor before the work is finished?
Deposits are acceptable, for example for the purchase of materials, but it would be best to list out the scheduled milestones for the work in writing and agree on the amount to be paid for each. It would be unwise to pay the entire price for any type of work before it has been completed.
Can someone pay your property maintenance bills in Greece for you?
Yes, you can authorise a representative to pay your property maintenance bills and generally deal with the administrative side of things. The necessary authorisation will vary from transaction to transaction and will need to be acceptable to the party who is to receive payment.
What if a Greek contractor asks for cash without a receipt?
Always ask for appropriate tax documentation. Paying in cash does not remove the need for an invoice or receipt. Payment without documentation will not protect you against later claims and disputes.
Can I verify a Greek contractor’s invoice through myDATA?
Greek businesses use myDATA to transmit tax information to the State. However, this does not mean that a homeowner can inspect a contractor’s AADE files. Ask for the relevant documents and take advice from an accountant on authenticity and tax implications.
Can Home Watch Athens arrange and pay contractors on my behalf?
Home Watch Athens coordinates approved work by contractors and, as members’ representatives, retains invoices and makes payments within the scope agreed with members. Contractor coordination is charged separately from membership.
Keep control of your property expenses from abroad
Looking after a home overseas to ensure that the proper work is carried out and that the homeowner is getting good value comes down to three things: knowing what you are paying for, knowing who has approved the work and having evidence of the work that has been done.
If you need assistance with contractor coordination and property administration, we can also look at offering you membership of Home Watch Athens.