If you’re moving to Greece from the UK with kids, one of your primary research areas will probably be the state of education in the country. Athens is also where the best healthcare can be found, so if that is on the … I am a British expat in Greece and I pay £50 per month for my policy. Greek healthcare is notorious for being among the worst in Europe. *touches wood*. The cookie enable user tracking by synchronising the ID across many Microsoft domains. Airbnb is currently not regulated in Greece. However, if you spend more than six months of the year on Greek soil then you should pay taxes in Greece. Life is so much better here than in our homeland Holland. If you have any questions or if you need a free consultation regarding immigration opportunities in Greece, feel free to contact us: You can buy a prepaid SIM with a data/call/text bundle just as you would anywhere else. The majority of businesses are closed on a Sunday. Emergency care in Greece is free of charge, regardless of your nationality. There is an element of personal preference involved when determining which may be the best option for you. Chosen your dream home and ready to move to Greece? ie still registered in the UK but pay taxes in Greece, or start it up as a new online business in Greece. For a western expat, these prices are not necessarily shocking. Your Greek employer may register you for an AMKA on your behalf. Does he mean an AFM number? Just I’ve never moved to a place without a job etc and this is a new experience for me. This is comparable to the Mediterranean siesta. Many of these places also offer delivery across the country. Some resources to consider are: A few random extra things that might be useful to know about moving to Greece are detailed below. Have a residency in Greece, Is it as easy as you say. Most small, independent stores close from 2.30 pm – 5.30 pm each day for a siesta. I’ve been to Greece five times, but mostly in Athens. This is considered a respectable middle-class salary in Greece. If it is the AFM number am I better going to get that after I have applied for the EU certificate of extended stay? This is even the case when comparing Thessaloniki to Athens. Get ready Greece ... Tommy Lee is moving in, IF President Trump is reelected next month -- but there's strong evidence it's an empty promise. You are mistaken if you think that you are going to be moving to Greece, living like a King, and spending almost nothing. Or is it a social security number? Cookies help us to distinguish you from other users of our website. The struggle to find work in Greece can be omitted if you are able to work remotely or online. My landlord says I need to have a vat number to get the gas account in my name. I can tell you all about the process for non-EU foreigners if you are interested. I felt 100% safe wandering all over Athens, day or night. they come and go. There are probably lots of loose ends to tie up back at home too! Once you have obtained the beige card how much time do you have to spend in greece to keep it? Spend a few weeks adventuring around the country, or a couple of days exploring the cities that interest you. Many Greek banks charge pointless admin fees or high fees for international transfers and third-party ATM withdrawals. I already have my AFM and E9 form and everything. We and our partners use technologies such as a cookies on our website to enhance your user experience, personalise content and ads, provide features, and analyse our traffic. This doesn’t apply to large international chain stores in the cities. Any help and guidance you can give is greatly appreciated. I haven’t gotten sick yet in three years of living in Athens! I’m about to move to Greece myself, and this is a very good help. I’ve lived here for three years though and I’ve never really felt overly frustrated with this. As an example, Forthnet plans start at €25 per month. Rental costs have soared over the last few years. Used widely by Microsoft as a unique user ID. If this is the case with your Greek home, make sure to take a meter reading for the electricity when you arrive. Melissa xo. You can also join Greece Facebook groups like Expats in Crete, Expats in Athens, etc, as people also often list properties there. hough the pay is much lower here as compared to other European countries, so too is the cost of living. Most non-Greeks move to be with a spouse, fiance(e), boyfriend/girlfriend or partner; many Greeks move back based on nostalgia and longing for the patrida, usually to an established family home, forgetting the financial and practical reasons their ancestors originally left. I just dont no where or how to start the process. Chances are, the sheer mention of it conjures up images of sipping coffee in quaint Athenian alleyways, relaxing on paradisiacal islands, and spending long summer nights drinking ouzo with friendly locals. If you’re moving to Greece, you may want to consider getting private healthcare insurance. A visa or a promise of work is not required. Many expats flock to Athens, thanks to its great location and proximity to both the islands and to other European countries. Tax MUST be paid in Greece if you are self-employed and you make money through Greek sources. No Obligations and 100% Reliable. The area that you stay in can really make or break your experience of living abroad. For sale properties in Greece are listed on the same sites as rentals (i.e. That way, you can get a feel for what the country and culture are like. I have just updated this post with some additional info 🙂 A lot of it depends on your nationality (for example it’s very easy for Europeans to come and work in Greece with no paperwork but not so much so for people from other nations). That’s why 90% opt for an acknowledged international removal company which specializes in removals to and from Greece. As an online nomad it’s a pretty easy transition for me as I’m already living out of my suitcase and no property in the UK – the only thing I haven’t got my head around yet is where I would register my business. If you move into your new Greek apartment and wifi isn’t already set up then you need ample servings of one thing: patience! Perhaps you could give me an idea of your budget and I can adapt that for 2 people? This guide aims to be your bible for helping you through all the boring admin that is involved with moving to Greece. We use cookies in order to give you the best experience possible. Simon. We thought Thessaloniki is a good hub with the airport etc. I am with Forthnet and I find them pretty good. Compare the Best & Cheapest International Movers and Save NOW up to 70% on Moving to the USA ! Of course, there are plenty of forms to fill out, no matter what country you are moving … No, it wasn’t easy and it was a painful process to get all the accurate information. Thank you so much for your tips.I will take any more if you have them. Sewerage systems in Greece are underdeveloped. It is Greece’s capital city and it’s where you’ll find all of your amenities within arm’s reach. You have a ton of great information. Click the green button below to consent to the use of this technology on our website. Discuss this with the remover of your choice and ask him for more advice on how to save money best. Hey there, This allows the website to obtain data on visitor behaviour for statistical purposes. Moving to Greece sounds romantic and idyllic. Well-known health insurance providers like AXA and Cigna Global operate in Greece. It is relatively difficult to move to Greece if you are not an EU citizen. Okay. I am by no means fluent, however having a handful of phrases up your sleeve like “kalispera” (good evening! Preference cookies: Preference cookies enable a website to remember information that changes the way a website behaves or looks, like your preferred language or the region that you are in. The day after landing? The movers will receive your quote request and will provide you with quotes. If you intend on staying here for longer than three months, you should register with the local authorities and get yourself a residency permit (more on that below). The average salary here is between 500-700 euros. If you are self-employed in Greece, the matter of taxes becomes somewhat tricky. In that time, you can remain in Greece and exit and re-enter the country as you like – just carry the blue slip with you to show that you are residing in the country. Spitogatos, XE, etc). InterNations helps you connect and meet up with other Canadians in Greece, residing in Athens, Thessaloniki, Larissa and … Keep in mind that most agencies in Greece charge fees for their services that are not returnable. This is a pain-free process. Sets a unique ID for the session. It’s all relative. There are a plethora of options available as far as healthcare insurance providers go. You can also register for your own AMKA number by heading to your local KEP/AMKA office. There are never any connectivity issues and the internet seems speedy enough for me. I think that if you plan on living here in the long term, you should really make some effort to learn the language. For starters if you have a family in Greece then they will help you get settled, they will take you to the proper authority or give Athens is also where you’ll find world-class museums and ancient historical sites. Generally speaking, moving to Greece as a third national country resident requires that you are either married to a Greek (spousal visa route), sponsored by a Greek company, or claiming citizenship through Greek parents. Thank in Advance. Obviously people live on the various Greek islands all year round. Applying for an AFM number should be one of the first things you do when you arrive in Greece. If you are self-employed, how good is the internet connection? With a plethora of high quality, locally sourced fruit, vegetables and meats available, it’s easy to eat healthy in Greece without having a sky-high food budget. You need a 121 form and go to IKA. We would advise you to always compare moving companies, since every mover will charge a different fee. You can drink the water in Greece. So I understand the whole concept of leaving the corporate slavery system and being self independent. I wish I had this information two years ago. English Teachers and professionals can expect to earn around 1000 euros per month. After filling in the form you will get up to 5 free, non-obligatory quotes, either by phone or by e-mail. Cash is still king in Greece. Im not moving to the republic just yet however I am staying for a few months and i happened to come across your blog – which i did find very informative. How quickly can you go to the police office to get the beige residency? You can find both International and Greek national banks here. If you can, plan a trip to Greece ahead of making the move. Or just have a coffee in general. If you have another thought as to how to come, please tell me. Things to Consider Before the Big Fat Greek Move. Honestly, I have found it relatively difficult to make friends in Greece at first as it seems a very transient place. You will receive the first contact within one working day. Greece is home to over 6000 islands. Greece has a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry days and cool and mild winters. I’m asking this because I’m not actually looking to work in Greece. You will often find that when you go shopping in independent stores, go to restaurants, or even visit the Doctors and Dentists, you will be offered a lower price if you pay in cash so that the person doesn’t have to pay tax. hi, thank you for your bligand advices about Greece EVERYONE needs to have an AFM number. You can also hire tutors for one-on-one learning. Depending on the size of the move it is often one of the first steps to pick out the right moving company. Greece is the home of rich Hellenic culture, compelling mythology, and the splendor of the Mediterranean Sea. I have an online job and want to set up shop here! This is not only crazy inflation, but it is a wider problem as many Greeks cannot afford to live in their own suburbs. This pushes up the rates and has also meant that it’s tricky to find apartments in some areas. Again, I refer you to the Facebook expat groups where people often list short term rentals. There are countless educated Greek people in Athens who have degrees and are fluent in numerous languages yet struggle to find work. Electricity, water, building maintenance, and internet are the main bills that you will have to manage when you move to Greece. Depending on where you are moving from, you may or may not need to get yourself a Greek Driving License. That said, having a basic grasp of Greek goes a long way. Here, you can live in an adorable little Cycladic house and live out your own “Eat Pray Love” style story. How did you learn the language? Notify your student loan company (if applicable). Geia sou! After five years of living in Greece with a beige residency permit, you are eligible to apply for permanent residency and obtain a blue permit. Once you have chosen where you want to live in Greece, start researching the various districts and neighbourhoods in your chosen town/city. If you have not secured work and hope to do so on arrival, reach out to various people in advance. Requirements for Australian citizens As part of the commonwealth, Australian citizens can apply for “right of abode” if they have a parent who was born in the UK or if they were a commonwealth citizen on December 31, 1982 and have continuously remained a commonwealth citizen since. What type of work would you be looking to do? Hi all! A lot of people seem to think of Greece as being the Wild West. In about three years, after I retire, my wife and I are hoping to move to an island in Greece, stay for one complete year, and then move back home. Natalie, HI Natalie, It is important to note that going through a letting agent via the above sites when moving to Greece means having to pay additional fees and a deposit. Lyndon Berchy. These are neighbourhood farmer’s markets. AFM (Arithmo Forologiko Mitro) is your tax number. Is this even possible? Specific terms vary from country to country. I think at some stage I could invest in a property but I would prefer to just rent for now. When you move to Greece, you will need to open up a Greek bank account. You can also read our Greece travel advicefor our latest guidance. Xe.gr is another option but I prefer Spitogatos. I will update this guide as and when something changes. Hi i live in the uk at the moment but i am seriously thinking of moving to greece rhodes with my family we have been a few times on holiday, We are thinking about moving out of the uk and decided greece, I always have ideas and love the out doors, For example i set up a volunteer organisation in wales that does various things, I would love to get a job in greece and bring new ideas to a company etc, I am also a fast learner when it comes to technology. Quiet hours take place between 3 pm and 5 pm in the day time, and from 10 pm to 7 am in the evenings. This way you can save up to 40%! When I arrived in Greece in 2017, the cost of living was much different from how it is now. If anyone needs anything, pls inbox me. If the idea of living a laid back life on a Greek island is something that appeals, you have a plethora of options available. Simply filling in our form could provide you with the contact details of up to 5 moving companies that could do your move. It’s important to build a social circle when moving abroad to make your new place feel like a home away from home. An AFM number is used for tax purposes, while the AMKA number is the Greek answer to the social security number. Ive noticed a significant price difference between Athens and Ermioni.. of course that being one is in the country lol If you do not have the answer and wish to ask your other half i wouldnt mind his take on it either. Since I cannot come as a tourist right now, I would think that gaining employment to have a work permit would be my way to come. You need this in order to work in Greece and to open up a Greek bank account. To find apartment rentals in Greece, you can browse the properties on xe.gr or Spitogatos. There are a number of providers here – some Greek, some international. What are your opinions about this? Would it be better economically.. for travel purposes and meeting people so on and so forth to live in the city like the two i mentioned above? Nearly everyone moves to Greece for emotional or sentimental reasons. Taxes for business owners and freelancers in Greece are very high. People with other nationalities can buy properties in Greece but there are some restrictions in place. Moving to Canada Moving can be very stressful for anyone and moving to a different country can be even more stressful because there are laws that must be followed when moving to a different country. I always say leave sleeping dogs alone, if you wake them up they will only bark at you. I would have to find work and school for my children. Airbnb may be the short-term solution that springs to mind, but I cannot emphasise enough just how extortionate some of the listing prices on there are versus actual costs of renting an apartment in Greece. The way of life on the islands is much different from that in the Greek cities. Through filling in our quote form you can receive free quotes from up to 5 different moving companies. If you make money online from other countries (the USA, the UK, etc), things get tricky. Before you think about buying a house here, you need to ensure that you have a Greek bank account and tax number set up. For all of these reasons, self-employed people moving to Greece really do need to seek accounting advice. To calculate each city's Price Index value, we start by assigning a value of 100 to a central reference city (that happens to be Prague). The documents that you need for your beige residency permit when moving to Greece are: If you are moving to Greece to live with a Greek partner and your name is not on any of the bills, you can have your partner attend your residency permit appointment with you to state that you are living with them. She writes for numerous high profile travel publications across the globe - including Forbes Travel Guide, Matador Network, The Times of Israel and The Huffington Post. We use four types of cookies, which we describe in this section. If you live in Rhodes though, there are no import taxes and so that’s a nice little extra perk to living on a beautiful Greek island. My thoughts were to live on one island for 6 months then move to the other island for 6 months. Just head into one of the local phone stores with your passport. I strongly recommend using Spitogatos to search for apartments and houses. You will find many newly renovated apartments in Exarchia and Patissia and the prices can be super affordable. People come for 6 months, a year, two years and then leave. I am not moving, but I am planning a vacation there. Once you apply for the beige residency permit, you will be provided with a little blue note that states that your application is being processed. Laiki are held once a week in each district. I know a lot of people that prefer to drink bottled water. You must provide an estimate as to how much money you expect to make that tax year. Moving to Crete This Moving to Crete page is from the Living in Crete section of the Completely Crete website. It is important to speak to the Greek Consulate in your home country if you plan on moving to Greece from a third national country. All ready for moving to Greece? There are lots of excellent stores for buying furniture in Greece in order to decorate your new place. Form you will need a 121 form and go to the other island for 6 then. Has attracted tourists and expats for centuries moving to greece from canada promising a world of stunning,... Account in my name the stunning coastlines and cerulean waters of the or! Soared over the last few years ago to permanently retire imperative that can... Has attracted tourists and expats for centuries, promising a world of stunning landscapes, gorgeous,... Perhaps you could give me an idea of your budget and I loved Chania and Rhodes accurate information home! Greece to Canada itsalex01 Loading... 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