Real Estate in Corfu

🇬🇷 Corfu city real estate — sea-view apartments, Venetian Old Town, Ionian & Aegean

Corfu combines Venetian streets, Ionian-blue bays and year-round Mediterranean light into a compact island market where buyers find everything from pied‑à‑terre apartments in a UNESCO Old Town to hillside villas with panoramic views. The island’s mix of tourism infrastructure, an international airport and ferry connections makes it one of the most liquid markets among the Ionian islands. Whether you are a private buyer searching for a holiday home, a family relocating, or an investor seeking rental yield and capital appreciation, property in Corfu offers clear patterns of demand tied to tourism, second‑home living and local occupancy.

🏙️ City life and lifestyle in Corfu — real estate in Corfu and living character

Corfu Town (Kerkyra) sits on a peninsula with a fortified Old Town, narrow alleys, and two Venetian forts; it is a UNESCO World Heritage urban core that anchors much of the island’s cultural and commercial life. The town’s harbor, Liston promenade and Spianada square support year‑round cafés, restaurants and seasonal festivals that strengthen short‑term rental demand for apartments and small townhouses.
Corfu’s climate is Mediterranean with mild winters and warm, dry summers; this seasonal stability underpins tourism flows that feed the market for investment property in Corfu focused on holiday lets. Popular beaches like Glyfada, Paleokastritsa and Agios Georgios bring distinct micro‑markets for beachfront villas and holiday apartments.
Corfu also offers quieter rural living inland: olive groves, vineyard terraces and traditional villages such as Pelekas or Sinarades appeal to buyers seeking authenticity and lower density development while remaining within 20–40 minutes of the main services in Corfu Town.

💠 Which district of Corfu to choose for buying property in Corfu — neighborhoods and their differences

Corfu Town / Old Town — Central, UNESCO, best for short‑term rental and walkable lifestyle. Infrastructure includes municipal services, shops and cultural amenities. Building density is high and historic character limits new large‑scale development; target buyers are professionals, investors and lifestyle purchasers.
North East coast (Kassiopi, Kalami, Barbati) — Seaside villages with steep terrain and luxury villas on promontories. Proximity to pebble beaches and clear waters makes this area attractive to buyers seeking premium lifestyle properties and higher price per sqm. Development intensity is moderate; accessibility by road is good and safety/livability scores are high.
South and West coast (Gouvia, Dassia, Ipsos, Benitses, Moraitika) — Clustered resorts with denser apartment stock, marina facilities (Gouvia Marina) and easier access to Corfu Airport. These neighborhoods combine holiday rental potential, newer apartment blocks and family‑oriented residential zones; target buyers include holiday investors and families seeking convenience.

• Typical neighborhood distinctions and buyers:
  • Corfu Town Old Town — Investors and cultural buyers
  • Gouvia / Kontokali — Marina users and families
  • Paleokastritsa / Agios Gordios — Villa buyers and nature lovers
  • Kassiopi / Kalami — Luxury coastal buyers and repeat tourists

💶 Property prices in Corfu — market overview and price segmentation

Corfu’s price structure is layered: the Old Town commands a premium, established resort belts take a mid‑to‑high segment, and inland or secondary villages sit in the affordable bracket. Average island prices are generally below top Cycladic islands but above many mainland rural areas.
Approximate price ranges by district (guidance):

• Corfu Town (Old Town / central): €2,000–€4,500 / m² for apartments and renovated townhouses; prime historic units can reach higher levels.
• Gouvia, Dassia, Kontokali: €1,300–€2,500 / m² for apartments; modern complexes and sea‑view units at the upper end.
• Paleokastritsa, Agios Georgios, Agios Gordios: €1,800–€3,800 / m² for villas and quality houses.
• Kassiopi, Kalami, Barbati: €1,800–€4,000 / m² for premium villas and sea‑front plots.

Price segmentation by property type:

• Apartments (resale) — €1,200–€3,500 / m²
• New build property in Corfu (off‑plan) — €1,600–€4,000 / m², VAT applies on new builds
• Villas and luxury houses — €2,000–€6,000+ / m²
• Commercial / retail units in town centers — variable, often priced by footfall and tourism seasonality

Recent dynamics show steady interest and selective appreciation in coastal and Old Town stock; short‑term rental demand supports higher yields in key micro‑locations.

🚗 Transport and connectivity for buyers considering property in Corfu

Corfu International Airport (Ioannis Kapodistrias, CFU) is within a short drive of Corfu Town and the busy east coast resorts, delivering seasonal international flights and year‑round connections to Athens. Average drive times: Airport to Corfu Town ~10–15 minutes, Airport to Dassia/Gouvia ~5–10 minutes depending on traffic.
Ferry connectivity links Corfu to Igoumenitsa (mainland) and nearby islands such as Paxos and Lefkada via local routes; typical ferry crossings to Igoumenitsa are around 1.5–2 hours depending on vessel. The island lacks rail or metro; public mobility relies on KTEL buses (island network) and an expanded taxi fleet.
Roads are generally well‑maintained on main routes with occasional bottlenecks in high season. Car ownership is common; drive times across the island rarely exceed one hour, which keeps daily commutes manageable for residents.

🏥 Urban infrastructure and amenities near Corfu property for sale in Corfu

Corfu Town concentrates health, education and retail facilities: the General Hospital of Corfu (regional hospital) and private clinics serve medical needs; pharmacies and specialist clinics are in the town center. Ionian University maintains faculties and a cultural presence on the island, contributing to a small academic community.
Primary and secondary education is provided through municipal schools across the island; international schooling options are limited compared with major European cities, so many expatriate families favor private tutoring or international boarding for older children. Supermarkets (e.g., AB Vassilopoulos, Lidl), local markets and shopping strips support daily living; larger retail centers are in Corfu Town and busy resort hubs.
Leisure infrastructure includes marinas (Gouvia Marina), golf‑related leisure activities in development, diving centers, sailing clubs, and popular beaches such as Glyfada and Paleokastritsa which anchor seasonal demand for shoreline property.

📈 Economic environment and development drivers for real estate investment in Corfu

Tourism is the dominant economic engine for Corfu, with high‑season peaks and a long shoulder season, driving demand for holiday lets, boutique hotels and related services. Hospitality brands and resort investments strengthen local employment in construction, hospitality and services.
Ports and marinas are important: the Port of Corfu handles passenger ferries and private berths, while Gouvia Marina is a regional nautical hub supporting yacht tourism and marina‑side development. Business activity clusters around retail, small manufacturing (food, olive oil) and service industries; recent infrastructure investments improve visitor flows and support longer tourist seasons.
Public and private investment in resort upgrades, boutique hotel conversions and marina facilities continues to attract investors looking for rental yield and capital-growth opportunities in both existing stock and new developments in Corfu.

🏘️ Property formats and housing types available in Corfu — new developments and resale

Buyers will find a mix of resale property in Corfu and new developments in resort belts and near transport nodes. Resale stock includes restored Venetian townhouses, Gouvia apartments and family houses inland. New build property in Corfu often comes as boutique villa complexes, small block apartments or resort‑linked residences offered off‑plan or as turnkey units.
Architectural character ranges from listed Venetian facades in the Old Town to contemporary minimalist villas on coastal slopes. Building density is highest in the east‑coast resort strip and Corfu Town, while west coast and inland areas preserve lower density and stricter planning controls.
Project scales are usually modest: most residential developments are under 50 units, with resort conversions or hotel‑led developments by established hospitality groups taking larger footprints. Buyers should evaluate energy efficiency, seismic compliance and local planning permissions when comparing new builds vs resale property in Corfu.

🏗️ Developers and notable new developments in Corfu

Established hospitality groups and boutique developers are the most visible names on the island, often driving demand for adjacent residential property. Real, verifiable projects and operators in Corfu include:

• Ikos Dassia — a major luxury resort development that elevated nearby accommodation standards and boosted local service employment.
• Domes Aulūs Corfu — part of Domes Resorts’ portfolio offering high‑end resort facilities that influence local rental dynamics.
• Gouvia Marina — marina redevelopment and ongoing leisure infrastructure upgrades that support marine tourism and premium waterfront property.
  Construction quality across these projects tends to be high, with international hotel standards, modern MEP installations and landscaped grounds; residential developers typically offer warranties, energy ratings and staged handovers. For bespoke residential projects, local architectural firms and licensed contractors deliver small‑scale developments with Mediterranean materials, stone facades and private pools.

💳 Mortgage, financing and installment options for buying property in Corfu

Greek banks provide mortgages to foreign buyers, though typical loan‑to‑value (LTV) for non‑resident applicants is lower than for residents. Common financing patterns:

• Loan‑to‑Value for non‑EU buyers: typically up to 60–70%
• Down payment / deposit: commonly 30–40% for non‑residents
• Loan duration: up to 20–25 years depending on borrower profile
• Indicative interest rates: market‑linked, commonly in the range of 3–5% depending on credit history and currency

Developer installment plans are frequent for off‑plan property in Corfu: deposits of 10–30% followed by staged payments tied to construction milestones; some developers and sellers offer longer interest‑free instalments to attract foreign buyers. Banks and international lenders can provide bridging finance or euro‑denominated mortgages; prospective buyers should secure pre‑approval and confirm currency risk management.

📝 Property purchase process in Corfu — step‑by‑step practical roadmap

Buyers typically start by obtaining a Greek tax number (AFM) and opening a local bank account; engaging a licensed lawyer early is essential for due diligence on title, planning permissions and encumbrances. A standard sequence:

• Reserve the property with a preliminary agreement and a deposit (commonly 5–10%)
• Conduct due diligence: title search, encumbrance check, building permits, energy certificates
• Sign a private purchase agreement with defined payment schedule and penalties for default
• Complete transfer at a notary, pay relevant taxes and register ownership at the Land Registry (Ktimatologio)

Payment methods vary: bank transfers, developer escrow accounts and staged payments are common. Buyers should budget for transaction costs: legal fees, notary fees, land registry charges and taxes.

⚖️ Legal aspects, taxes and residence options for foreign buyers of real estate in Corfu

Foreigners, including non‑EU nationals, can acquire property in Corfu; coastal plots may be subject to special planning constraints or additional permits in some zones, so legal review is mandatory. Tax rules depend on whether the purchase is resale or new build: resale transactions typically incur a transfer tax and registration fees; new builds are often subject to VAT (commonly 24%) on top of the contract price.
Greece has historically offered a residence‑by‑investment (Golden Visa) program that grants a residence permit upon meeting a property investment threshold (widely known and used by many buyers), but thresholds and conditions can change; verify current criteria with immigration counsel. Buyers must also register for local property taxes (ENFIA or successor levies) and comply with annual tax declarations if generating rental income.

🎯 Property use cases and investment strategies for real estate investment in Corfu

Corfu suits multiple buyer profiles, each aligning with districts and property formats:

• Permanent residence and relocation

  • Corfu Town, Kontokali — apartments or family houses close to schools, hospital and services

• Holiday home and second residence

  • Paleokastritsa, Agios Gordios, Glyfada — villas and seaside apartments with private access

• Short‑term rental investment

  • Old Town, Dassia, Kassiopi — apartments and small villas optimized for summer lets; expected gross yields 4–7% depending on seasonality

• Long‑term rental and local housing

  • Gouvia, Benitses — mid‑range apartments serving local workforce and longer‑stay tourists

• Premium lifestyle purchases and capital growth

  • Kalami, Kassiopi — luxury villas, private plots and bespoke developments with higher capital appreciation potential

• Practical investor checklist:

  • Assess seasonality of rental demand for chosen district
  • Verify planning constraints on renovations
  • Compare off‑plan incentives (installment plan, furnished delivery) versus resale immediate income

Corfu’s market is nuanced: matching micro‑location, property type and target use case is essential for predictable ROI and rental yield.

Buying property in Corfu brings access to an island where heritage, tourism infrastructure and diverse micro‑markets create multiple paths to ownership — from turnkey apartments in Corfu Town to private villas along the Ionian coastline. A careful combination of legal due diligence, realistic financing expectations and a chosen use case will position any buyer—private or institutional—to make an informed purchase and enjoy the practical and lifestyle benefits the island provides.