Living in Greece

Greece is a popular choice for expats. I have lived there for 24 years and can recommend it for its Mediterranean climate with hot summers and mild winters, affordable cost of living, friendly locals, and a rich history dating to the 5th century BC. It is an easy place to live if you speak English as the country’s booming tourist industry means that many locals speak English. Importantly, It is a relatively safe country to live in, with very little serious crime.

There is somewhere in Greece to suit everybody. If you are a city person head to Athens, a vibrant city with many restaurants, shops, ancient sites, and exciting nightlife. If you are looking for a more laid-back way of life, one of the islands may suit you better. Be aware that living in the major cities is more expensive than the remote islands.

You can discover ancient ruins in Greece, a delight for any history-lover. If your friends visit, there is always somewhere interesting to take them, though if you are looking for peace, there are many quiet beaches away from city life. Here, I’m going to give you a rundown of everything you need to know about living in Greece which should help you decide if it’s the country for you.

Everything You Need To Know About Living in Greece

Where Is Greece?

Greece is in southeastern Europe by the Mediterranean Sea.

Apart from the mainland, there are around 2.000 islands, of which 168 are inhabited.

The country is in an excellent position as it is easy to get to the rest of Europe, as well as being close to both Africa and Asia.

What Are The People Like?

The Greek people are friendly and welcome foreigners. They are family-orientated, and often extended families live together.

Most people follow the Greek Orthodox religion which is an important part of everyday life.

Religious holidays are fervently observed and Easter is the most important event in the year, far superseding Christmas.

However, be aware that it isn’t easy to conduct legal matters as the bureaucracy is complicated.

If you don’t speak Greek, you may run into problems, so it’s important to have a good lawyer.

What Is The Weather Like In Greece?

Greece has a Mediterranean climate with long hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters.

However, it is a big country and while somewhere like the island of Crete, the southernmost point of Greece, generally doesn’t have cold winters, you can often have snow on the mainland in the north of the country.

This is something to remember when you are deciding which part of Greece to choose to live in.

What Is The Food Like In Greece?

Greeks generally follow a healthy Mediterranean diet focusing on fresh vegetables and fruit, nuts, seeds and legumes.

Fish and seafood are eaten two to three times a week with a limited amount of meat, dairy and eggs.

The main fat source is olive oil, produced all over the country.

Wine is allowed in moderation, particularly red wine which is said to be good for the heart.

The emphasis is always on fresh seasonal local produce which is in abundance.

The national dish of Greece is moussaka, a baked aubergine casserole with a rich meaty sauce and topped with a bechamel sauce.

Other famous dishes include souvlaki and gyros, both popular throughout the country.

On the islands, you are likely to find many tavernas serving fresh fish caught the same day.

Vibrant Greek salads are always on the menu, as are many dips like taramosalata, tzatziki, and fava.

Vegetarians and vegans don’t need to feel left out as dishes such as briam, a vegetable stew like ratatouille, stuffed peppers and tomatoes, and imam bayildi which is a stuffed aubergine, can often be found on menus

You can find a wide variety of eating establishments in the country from reasonably priced tavernas to high-end restaurants in the major towns and cities.

In the tourist areas, there are international restaurants, including Italian, Chinese, and Indian.

Do I Need To Speak Greek?

Many people in Greece speak English, especially in the larger cities and in the tourist areas.

You can get away without speaking the language unless you are living in a remote area.

However, you may find that English isn’t always spoken in government departments so you may need a Greek speaker with you to help you negotiate all the pitfalls.

Having said this, speaking at least some Greek will enhance your experience of living in the country.

The locals appreciate it if you at least try to speak the language, however little it may be.

The Cost Of Living In Greece

Greece is one of the most reasonably priced countries in Europe when it comes to rent, property, utilities and transportation.

Groceries were very cheap but the cost of living crisis in Europe has meant that prices have risen even for local; products such as olive oil, which has drastically risen in price in the past year.

However, although prices are generally cheaper than in the rest of Western Europe, wages are not that high so it all levels out.

If you plan to work, don’t expect to earn as much as you would in the UK or the US.

If you are retiring and receiving good pensions you will probably fare better.

The location you are in also affects how much you are going to spend.

If you live in a major city or tourist area, be prepared to pay more for rent, property, eating out, and entertainment.

Utilities cost the same wherever you are.

Expect to spend between 150 and 300 euros a month depending on the size of your house and how much electricity, gas, and water you use.

Eating out varies in price. Expect to spend between 20 and 25 euros for two in a local taverna, while a mid-range restaurant costs between 40 and 60 euros.

Visa Options For Moving To Greece

If you are an EU citizen, you can move to Greece without getting a visa as there is free movement for EU nationals.

The same goes for citizens of the EEA and Switzerland.

It is more difficult if you are not from the EU as you have to apply for a Schengen visa to allow you to stay in the country for 90 days and then apply for a residence permit.

Residence permits are usually only given for employment purposes.

They are originally valid for one year and after that, they have to be renewed every two years.

Another way to move to Greece is through the Golden Visa scheme.

This gives you residence if you buy a property valued above a certain amount, government bonds, or make other economic investments.

Greece Taxpayer Identification Number

Once you move to Greece, you will need to get a taxpayers number, called an AFM.

You need this to open a bank account, buy or rent property, and pay for your utilities.

You will have to apply for this at your local tax office which is where some knowledge of Greek comes in useful.

However, if you are buying property, your estate agent or lawyer will usually do this for you, making life a lot simpler.

Opening A Bank Account In Greece

Once you have your AFM, the next step is to get a Greek bank account.

The most well-known banks in Greece are The National Bank of Greece.

Piraeus Bank, Alpha Bank, and Eurobank.

You need a Greek bank account to transfer money from your home country to buy your property.

In addition, if you get a job, your employer will pay your salary into your bank account.

A bank account is also useful for paying utility bills and you can set up direct debits to pay most bills.

It isn’t hard to open a Greek bank account. Generally, all you need is your passport and AFM.

However, some banks may want more information so always check before you go.

Buying A Property In Greece

There are plenty of estate agents in Greece and they will ensure that everything is done legally.

You are best off using an estate agent rather than trying to secure a private sale which can have many pitfalls.

When you purchase property, you must declare whether you’re going to live there, or if you are going to use it for investment purposes.

This is because property tax is charged, and this differs according to your reasons for buying the house.

Property tax can be paid in one lump sum or monthly for 10 months.

To purchase property, you need to have a Greek bank account and a tax identification number.

It is unlikely that a Greek bank will give you a mortgage so if you don’t have the cash, you can try to get a loan from an international lender.

Generally, a 10% deposit is required to secure a property.

On top of the price of the property, you will have to pay legal fees, as well as pay for a notary and surveyor.

Renting A Property In Greece

An alternative to buying property is to rent, which has the advantage of not having the hassle of selling up if you decide to move back to your home country.

Property can linger on the market for years which can make life difficult if you want to leave.

A rental contract usually lasts for three years. You might be able to get a shorter contract, but monthly payments can be higher.

A two-month deposit is usually required for rental.

You may have utility bills included in your rent but always check as if not, it can raise your costs considerably.

Also, check the contract to see if rent increases are going to occur during your rental.

Under the law, increases must be stated in the contract.

As with buying property, it is always best to use an estate agent when looking for a rental property.

They will ensure that everything is above board.

If you’re not fluent in Greek, this is the best route to take otherwise you could end up signing something you haven’t agreed on.

You do, however, have good renter rights in Greece. You can only be evicted for not paying rent and nothing else.

Getting A Job In Greece

If you don’t speak Greek, it can be difficult to get a job in Greece.

However, there are opportunities in the tourism industry for English speakers, but this is only seasonal so be prepared to work many hours during the summer to make up for the quiet months in the winter when there isn’t any work.

Some estate agents will employ English speakers to take foreigners to view properties as there are always people from other countries looking for new homes or holiday homes.

Another possibility is to work as an English teacher.

They are highly sought after but you do need to have the appropriate qualifications.

If you do speak Greek, however, you will be able to apply for other jobs as long as you have a work permit.

The minimum wage in Greece is only 758 euros per month which isn’t high for Europe, and it can be difficult to live on that amount unless you have savings.

Of course, there are better-paid jobs, but these require qualifications.

Paying Taxes In Greece

Taxation is high in Greece, standing between 9% and 44%.

You must pay tax if you spend more than 183 days in the country in a year, have a permanent address in Greece, work in any capacity, or have a company investment.

You have to declare any income from abroad as well.

However, if you are a non-resident and for example, just come to work in Greece in the summer you only pay tax on income earned in Greece.

There are four types of tax in Greece, the most significant being personal income tax.

However, there is also capital gains tax which covers the sale of property, inheritance tax, and taxes on lottery winnings.

There is also social security tax and VAT on goods and services.

Healthcare In Greece

There is both public and private healthcare in Greece.

Both citizens and residents have access to free or lower-priced healthcare.

The public healthcare system is called ESY and you are entitled to it as an EU citizen, an expat, or are unemployed.

If you work, your employer has to pay about 30% of your wages into the scheme.

Negotiating the public health service can be a minefield even if you speak some Greek.

It is very chaotic in the hospitals and, believe me, I could tell you a few stories about my experiences.

Luckily, in the major towns, most of the personnel speak some English, but in the more remote areas, this may not be the case.

A positive is that you don’t need a referral from your doctor to see a specialist.

However, there may be long waiting lists.

Many expats choose private health care as services are better and equipment newer.

You will also get seen much quicker.

Education In Greece

If you are moving to Greece with children, you will want to know about education.

It is obligatory for children aged from six to sixteen to go to school.

Children can also go to preschool and kindergarten.

Preschool starts at the age of two and a half while teenagers between 16 and 18 can go to a non-compulsory upper-secondary school and then onto university.

There are foreign language schools in the bigger cities such as Athens and Thessaloniki where different languages are spoken, such as English, German, French, and Japanese.

However, in most areas, your children will have to go to a Greek school.

It isn’t a bad thing as it will help them to learn the language and integrate them into the community.

It is much easier for children to learn a foreign language than for adults, so it shouldn’t be too difficult for them.

Mobile Phones And Internet Connection

The main providers of mobile phones are Cosmote and Vodaphone.

Coverage may vary in different parts of the country.

On the islands, both Cosmote and Vodaphone provide good coverage but in northern Greece, choose Cosmote.

Internet speeds vary but they have got better over recent years.

However, not all buildings have upgraded to faster speeds.

If you are renting a property you should check what the internet connection is especially if you rely on it.

Travel Connections And Travel Within Greece

The main entrance to Greece is Athens on the mainland, which has international flights year-round.

Other major cities like Thessaloniki also have international airports as do the bigger islands such as Crete and Rhodes.

However, the islands generally only offer international flights during the summer season.

In the winter, you have to transit in Athens. The national airline of Greece is Aegean.

Ferries service Greece between the islands and also internationally to Italy, Turkey, Cyprus, and Albania.

Public transport is good in the major cities in Greece. Athens has the metro, tram, and buses.

There is an excellent rail system on the mainland. On the islands, you have to rely on the bus which varies in service.

On the bigger islands, the buses are frequent but if you are on a remote island, they can be few and far between.

However, taxis are reasonably priced.