Properties in both Greece and Cyprus can be purchased in the name of a local or offshore company. Offshore companies used to purchase property in Greece have various financial advantages, as well as making a property easier to sell.

If a property in Cyprus is purchased via an offshore company exchange controls don't affect the sale of a property and full repatriation of funds is possible. In addition no Land Registry fees are payable, which can add up to a large saving. The shares of an offshore company can be used to secure a loan for the purchase of the property, the shares being charged to the bank in return for a loan equal to a percentage of the value of the property. Buying through an offshore company is also useful to avoid inheritance tax.

Buying a property through a local limited company ( which in turn could be owned by an offshore company) has some advantages, but is of little or no benefit to the average buyer.