Moving to Greece

Living in Greece as an expat

With its shimmering beaches, endless sunny days, rich cultural traditions and ancient historical sites, it’s no surprise that moving to Greece is an appealing prospect for many.

Many consider Greece to be the birthplace of Western civilisation. It is surrounded by Italy and the Ionian Sea to the west and Turkey and the Aegean Sea to the east. Greece has long been an attractive destination for its relaxed lifestyle and natural beauty.

The Greek cities that attract the most expats are Athens and Thessaloniki. Thessaloniki is well known for its high-tech industries and hosts the Thessaloniki Technology Park as well as the Thessaloniki Science Centre and Museum. While perhaps not as multicultural as Athens, it is still home to a large expat population.

Athens, known as ‘the City of the Gods’, is the birthplace of democracy where the monuments of Ancient Greece continue to dominate the city. It is also Greece’s financial capital and houses the headquarters of many of the multinational companies operating in the country.

Athens City Guide

Working in Greece

Having emerged from its far-reaching debt crisis, Greece is experiencing a slow but steady recovery. Be that as it may, the country still has a fairly high unemployment rate, and as such, jobs in Greece are scarce.

Traditionally, employment in Greece has been provided mainly by the service sectors, construction, telecommunications, agriculture, and shipping industries. You can also find employment in the education, healthcare, and IT sectors. Tourism also continues to be a thriving sector, with many opportunities for both locals and foreigners.

EU expats looking to work in Greece simply need to register their presence in the country with local authorities, while non-EU expats will need both a work permit and a visa to work in Greece legally. Your employer must first submit a work permit application, and once it is approved, you can apply for a national visa.

Working in Greece 
Visas for Greece

Greek culture

Greece’s social and economic problems can’t be denied. It is notorious for high levels of corruption in politics and business and complicated government bureaucracy. That said, Greece is a place of truly majestic beauty. Its people are warm and friendly. They value relationships, love food, and are proud of their culture and traditions.

The working culture in Greece is known for its traditional nature, with an emphasis on building relationships and respect for authority. In contrast, locals are often more relaxed about time. Meeting times frequently shift to accommodate the conversation, so this is something to be prepared for.

Local Culture in Greece

Finding accommodation in Greece

Greece offers a high standard of accommodation, with a variety of options to suit different preferences. You can find everything from city centre apartments to stone farmhouses in the countryside. Accommodation in the popular cities and islands like Athens and Santorini can go quickly, so it’s essential to have your documents ready before beginning the process.

Online property portals are the best place to start the search. Some expats may be lucky enough to work with relocation agencies, who do the research and shortlist apartments on their behalf, simplifying the process.

Advice on Renting Accommodation in Greece

Cost of living in Greece

Although living costs vary depending on location, the cost of living in Greece is typically low. The mainland is generally cheaper than the Greek islands when it comes to fuel and certain basic goods.

The countryside is cheaper than cities, but there is a much smaller range of products and services. Athens has a much higher cost of living than other parts of the country, largely due to its appeal as a tourist destination.

Cost of Living in Greece

Living in Greece with children

Greece is a safe country with excellent weather and friendly locals – a great place to raise a family. Greek hospitals and healthcare professionals offer a largely high standard of care, although the presence of some bureaucracy and corruption in public hospitals turns many expats to private healthcare.

The country also offers plenty of exciting activities for families. You can explore Greece’s beautiful ancient ruins or visit one of its stunning beaches for a fun family day out. It’s also easy to escape the city with a quick ferry ride to Santorini, Mykonos, or Paros for a family weekend getaway.

Healthcare and Health Insurance in Greece 
Safety in Greece

Finding a school in Greece

Expats who want to stay for the long term might consider enrolling their children in a public school, although Greek is a notoriously tricky language to learn. Otherwise, you can enrol your children at a private or international school in Greece. International schools typically offer exceptional educational standards, a wider variety of extracurricular activities, and globally recognised curricula, making them an excellent choice for expats.

Education and Schools in Greece

Getting around in Greece

If you’re moving to Athens or Thessaloniki, you’ll have access to an efficient metro system. Other parts of Greece typically rely on buses, trains, and ferries. Although driving may afford you more freedom, you’ll have to learn to drive defensively, as driving standards in the country may be unfamiliar.

Transport and Driving in Greece

Climate and weather in Greece

In general, Greece’s Mediterranean climate has warm summers and mild winters, although the northern parts of the mainland have colder winters and hot, humid summers. July and August are the hottest months of the year, and the span of October to February is rainy, interspersed with occasional days of mild winter sun and clear skies.

For expats who can afford it or those who are adventurous enough to take the plunge, Greece remains a popular destination for its high-quality lifestyle, ancient villages and hundreds of glittering islands waiting to be explored.

Climate Charts for Greece

Fast facts

Official name: The Hellenic Republic

Population: 10.4 million

Capital city: Athens (also the largest city)

Other major cities: Thessaloniki

Geography: Greece consists of the mainland, a peninsula on the southern tip of the Balkans, and 227 inhabited islands. There are thousands of uninhabited islands. One of the most mountainous countries in Europe, Greece’s highest point – the mythical home of the gods, Mount Olympus – is 9,573 ft (2,918m).

Neighbouring countries: The mainland borders Albania to the northwest, Macedonia to the north and Bulgaria to the northeast. The Ionian Sea is west of Greece, with the Aegean Sea towards the east.

Government: Unitary parliamentary republic

Major religions: Christianity (Greek Orthodox)

Main language: Greek, although English is also widely spoken.

Money: Greece uses the Euro (EUR), which is divided into 100 cents. Expats can open a bank account in Greece provided they obtain a Greek tax number (AFM). Although some may not offer services in English, ATMs are generally widely available.

Tipping: For restaurants, if there isn’t already a service charge, tips are normally 10 percent of the bill.

Time: GMT+2 (GMT+3 between the last Sunday in March and the last Sunday in October).

Electricity: 230V, 50Hz. European-style two-pin plugs are the most common.

Internet domain: .gr

International dialling code: +30

Emergency contacts: As with other European countries, the general emergency number is 112. For local services, dial 100 (police), 166 (ambulance), or 199 (fire).

Transport and driving: Driving is on the right-hand side of the road. Metro networks and intra-city bus systems are restricted to larger cities such as Athens and Thessaloniki. Intercity transport can be done via buses and trains. Commercial taxis are often available, and defensive driving is highly recommended. Travel between islands is usually via ferry.