Living in Greece: 16 Pros and Cons of Moving to Greece as an Expat

1. Residency is available with a Golden Visa program. Foreigners wishing to experience all the benefits of moving to Greece first-hand have several options to obtain residence permits there. For instance, they can get a long-term visa for financially independent individuals or the Golden Visa.

Greece Golden Visa Program

The Greece Golden Visa program allows foreign nationals to obtain residence permits in the country after investing in its economy. Different investment options include real estate purchases and acquiring timeshares for 10 years. The minimal investment under the program is €250,000.

2. Travel privileges for residents and citizens. Greece is a member of both the Schengen Area and the European Union. This means that residents of Greece can easily travel visa-free to the majority of countries in Europe, including France, Norway, the Netherlands, Germany, and others.

Greek citizens can enter 180+ countries around the world visa-free. These include the USA, the UK, and Australia.

3. Affordable living. According to Eurostat’s study in 2022, the price levels in Greece are 12% below the EU average.

Greek prices for consumer goods, utility, household appliances, and transport are similar to those in Slovenia, Malta, and Estonia. But living in Greece is more affordable than living in Italy, France, or Austria, while the quality of life is still high.

When comparing the cost of living in Greece to developed countries outside Europe, the difference is even more significant. For instance, prices on rent, public transportation and restaurants are 10—70% lower than in the US.

4. Tax incentives for new residents. Expats who move to Greece and become tax residents can claim a preferential tax regime.

Tax incentives are available to three categories of expats:

• foreign employees are exempt from paying taxes on half of their income for 7 years after obtaining residency;

• foreign retirees in Greece can pay a flat rate of 7% on all of their income for 15 years;

• high-net-worth foreigners who obtained residency after investing in real estate in Greece pay a lump tax of €100,000 regardless of their income.

5. Opportunities for profitable investments in real estate. Foreigners investing in real estate in Greece can expect to recoup 2—10% of their initial investment annually. Athens and Crete are the best places to lease an apartment because of the high demand and rental prices.

In Athens, on average, tenants pay €400—600 for a one-bedroom apartment per month and €800—1000 for a two-bedroom apartment.

Examples of properties in Greece

Greece, Athens

€342,000 — €476,000

Apartments in a new residential complex near the sea

67 m² — 106 m²

1—2

1—2

Greece, Chania

€418,000 — €865,000

Classic style villas overlooking the bay in Crete

108 m² — 213 m²

3—5

3—5

Greece, Athens

€376,000 — €447,000

Hotel apartments in the historical center of Athens

47 m² — 97 m²

1

1

6. Good weather all year round. The Mediterranean climate is one of the reasons expats from all over the world choose Greece.

The summers are hot and dry, with a mean temperature of +24°С in Athens and southern regions and a few degrees lower in the north.

Winters are mostly mild and wet; only the northern mountainous areas get strong snowfalls and wind.

7. Laid-back lifestyle. Greeks value a relaxed life pace, making it easy for expats to achieve a satisfying work-life balance and forget the hassle culture.

According to OECD’s Better Life Index, only 5% of employees in Greece tend to work long hours, which is twice as low as the average.

8. Affordable healthcare. Citizens and residents of Greece take advantage of an accessible healthcare system, where free public services are funded through the social insurance institute, and paid services are also available.

National healthcare provides free services to citizens of the country and expats who work for local employers. However, many prefer paid healthcare since private clinics and hospitals typically have newer equipment.

Private hospitals provide faster services while still being affordable compared to paid facilities in other EU countries. A visit from a private clinic’s doctor will cost a patient around €60—100.

9. English is a common language. An expat does not need to learn the Greek language to live comfortably in Greece. With over 50% of Greeks knowing English at some level, it is easy to communicate with locals here.

10. Welcoming people. Hospitality is one of the famous things about Greek people. Whether a tourist or an expat, a guest always gets a warm welcome here.

In Conde Nast Traveller’s Reader’s Choice Award, Greece has been named the third friendliest country in the world.

11. Healthy diet. Inspired by traditional Greek cuisine, the Mediterranean diet is known as one of the healthiest eating patterns. So it takes little effort to eat healthily when residing in Greece.

The Mediterranean diet implies having plant-based products, such as whole grains, vegetables, legumes, and seeds, as the foundation of the diet. Olive oil is the main added fat, while poultry, fish, seafood and dairy are in moderation. Red meat and sweets are consumed only occasionally.

12. Rich cultural heritage. Greece is renowned for its rich cultural heritage, which spans thousands of years and encompasses various civilisations.

Greece boasts a notable number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The 18 sites include the Acropolis of Athens, Delphi, Olympia, Meteora, and the archaeological site of Mystras.

The Old Town of Corfu is one of Greece's 18 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It represents a blend of Venetian, French, and British influences, reflecting the rich historical past of the region

Life in Greece could seem like a dream — and, for the most of it, it truly is wonderful. However, there are some drawbacks an expat should consider before making the final decision to move.

Bureaucracy is very common. Navigating administrative processes can be time‑consuming and frustrating. Residents complain that state services are not digitised and that every request to an administration has to be done in person. For instance, an expat looking to apply for a tax incentive cannot do so online and has to file the request in an office.

Business owners in Greece are also unhappy with the bureaucracy, as it can take months to obtain permission or a certificate from a tax office. This can slow down some vital processes for a business, such as getting a loan from a bank.

Finding work is a challenge. Even though the unemployment rates have been declining since 2013, it can still be quite challenging to find work in the country, especially for non-Greek speakers. While employment opportunities are available, competition can be fierce, and proficiency in the Greek language is often required for many job positions.

Expats who want to settle have to learn Greek. While knowing Greek is unnecessary to live comfortably in the country, expats looking to move there permanently will eventually have to learn the language. Basic knowledge of the Greek language is one of the requirements for foreigners obtaining permanent residency and citizenship.

Strikes and demonstrations are common. Greece is known for its culture of strikes and demonstrations, often used to express public grievances and disagreements. While these protests are usually peaceful and do not reach the proportions of those in France, they can occasionally disrupt daily life and public services.

Since the beginning of 2023, there have been at least four major protests in Greece with tens of thousands of participants. For instance, there was a 24-hour transportation strike in May when trains and ferries were not working.

Popular sites are crowded and expensive. High tourist demand impacts the local atmosphere and potentially increases prices and commercialisation. This is the case, for example, with the island of Santorini, which is often described as overrated and far too crowded to be enjoyable. For comparison, a dinner for two in a mid-range restaurant in Santorini will cost an average €50, which is 10% more expensive than in Thessaloniki.

While there are some drawbacks to living in Greece, a side-by-side comparison reveals that the advantages of residing there outweigh the challenges.

The conclusion is supported by the Expat Insider 2023 survey by InterNations, where Greece is recognised as a country where it is easy for foreigners to settle.

1. The pros of living in Greece include affordable cost of living, accessible healthcare, a laid-back lifestyle, beautiful scenery, and hospitable people.

2. Among the drawbacks of residence in Greece are overwhelming bureaucracy, overcrowded touristic places, and frequent public protests.

3. Foreigners looking to move to Greece can choose among several options for residency. For instance, they can invest in property and acquire a 5-year residence permit with the Golden Visa program.