Greece is an ideal destination for vacations, but not only. This country is also ideal for long-term living, especially if you like the sun. Indeed, the country does not lack assets to attract expatriates in search of warmth but not only. Gastronomy, taxation, cost of living, real estate and more, there are many reasons to take the plunge and move to Greece. In recent years, Greece has been attracting more and more foreigners, and everyone will find their own reasons to live there. In order to better prepare your expatriation project and to see if the Hellenic Republic can meet your expectations, I’m Lisbob, the expats assistant, and I will reveal the 10 best reasons to live in Greece.
1. Cost of living
This is one of the most important factors to consider when relocating to Greece, and one of the most attractive for those considering living in Greece. Indeed, whatever the good you consume, it will surely be cheaper than in other countries. Greece is among the countries with a low cost of living and a satisfactory level of development.
Rental properties are much cheaper than in other countries, and will allow you to have on average an apartment almost twice as big for the same price. You will be able to live in Greece with a better standard of living than in France or United-Kingdom, even if you only have a modest income.
Here are my 10 good reasons to live in Greece
2. Gastronomy & Food
Greece is internationally renowned for its cuisine, which goes far beyond the simple feta, tomato and olive salad. Far from clichés, its gastronomy is rich in vegetables, fish and seafood. The Greeks also use mixtures of aromatic herbs little known and used in other countries.
One of the secrets of its gastronomy and the longevity of its inhabitants is the quality of its products. Fresh produce has much more flavor than imported products. You will be surprised to rediscover the taste of some very simple products like tomatoes or zucchini.
Unlike in Western Europe, fresh products are much cheaper at the market than in the supermarkets. Catering in Greece is cheap compared to the rest of Europe, and it is not because it is of lower quality. The hospitality of the Greeks can be felt through their restaurant services, where it is customary to offer guests a complimentary after-dinner drink at the end of your meal, such as a shot of ouzo or tsipouro.
In short, expatriates looking for authentic and Mediterranean flavors will find what they are looking for in Greece.
3. Numerous destinations at your fingertips
Did you know that there are over 6,000 islands in Greece? Although this figure includes many islets, there are more than 107 inhabited islands in Greece. Living in Greece will allow you to have easy access to many paradisiacal islands surrounded by crystal clear turquoise waters. The Greek islands are places of incredible beauty. Living in Greece also means having the time to discover all these places.
Each island has its own signature; some will be more suitable for those who like to explore nature, seek peace and quiet, or on the contrary wish to enjoy musical entertainment and participate in festive events.
By living there, you will have the opportunity to discover the islands in a more authentic way, out of the tourist season. You can take your time to learn the customs and traditions of each island. The islands are generally divided into clusters, which you can visit in turn within a few hours. From Athens, you can easily go to most of the islands, either by boat or by plane.
When we think of Greece, we classically imagine the image of small houses with white facades and blue shutters, overlooking an incredible view where the sea shines. This image does not correspond so much to continental Greece but is very faithful to that of the islands.
4. Weather
By moving to Greece, you will have much more time to relax and enjoy the environment around your place of living. Greece may not be the ideal place for the job market, but it offers an exceptional living environment. The climate is really pleasant, the winters are mild and the summers start early in the year. If you want to have a good time, you are not concerned with the work aspects so you can fully enjoy the country.
Greece is one of the sunniest countries in Europe, and it is the only country in Europe where you can find chameleons in the wild. If you want to live in the sun while avoiding rainy seasons like in tropical regions, Greece is a very good compromise.
5. Greeks speak English!
One of the main barriers to expatriation in Greece is the language. Not everyone had the chance to learn Greek at school, and the alphabet is too different from ours to be understood by novices. Even more so for a start in adulthood where it is not necessarily motivating to have to learn a whole new language and way of writing.
Fortunately, however, and although Greek is a relatively difficult language to learn, Greeks generally speak English well. In fact, it seems to be one of the most English-speaking countries in Europe. This will be very useful in your daily life and in your administrative procedures. So even if you don’t intend to learn Greek (and I understand you), a little effort to learn English, if you don’t speak it already, should make your integration much easier. Greeks are also rather friendly and welcoming and will easily help you in case you have a problem, or just need directions.
6. Real estate market
The economic crisis in Greece is still with us, but it does open up opportunities in the real estate market. Indeed, in Greece properties are particularly cheap and it is even one of the countries where real estate is the cheapest per square meter in Europe. It is therefore possible to find village houses for modest prices, but there are also great offers in the big Greek cities.
For the same price as in Western Europe, you will have much larger and more luxurious properties. The formalities to become a homeowner are not the easiest in Greece, even more so when you don’t speak the language. Lisbob therefore strongly recommends that you are accompanied by professionals and that you have a lawyer throughout this procedure in order to avoid any form of fraud.
You can fill out our property form to let professionals handle the search for your ideal property on our website and application, by clicking here.
7. Heritage and history
How can we talk about Greece without mentioning its exceptional heritage? Between the capital Athens, and its acropolis, the cities of Troia, Thessaloniki, Meteora, or Mount Olympus, Greece is simply a giant open-air museum that will delight expatriates in search of adventure and discovery.
The remains of ancient civilization are visible throughout the country, and Greece is even one of the countries in the world with the most monuments listed by UNESCO. In short, if you love ancient cultures and civilizations, Greece is the perfect country for any explorer at heart.
8. Beautiful landscapes
Greece is known for its islands, but it is actually a very mountainous country. You will often be surrounded by mountains when you are at the beach. Whether on the islands or on the mainland, you will find breathtaking landscapes, and living in Greece allows you to discover all these places out of Homeric tales.
Although the climate is dry, it is not a desert, which means that the vegetation remains rich. The simultaneous presence of the sea, the mountains and the ancient ruins creates a special atmosphere that is rarely found elsewhere. By going to the less touristy islands, you will discover unique places, where nature is untouched.
9. Quiet lifestyle
Greece is a country that is particularly well suited to relaxation. There is a kind of tranquility, especially in the islands where everything seems to be in slow motion. It can be annoying for some paperwork or when you order work, but it is nice to live in an environment where people are not in a hurry.
There is a real culture of tranquility, of terrace cafes, so much so that a national siesta has been established, where most stores are closed between 2 and 5 p.m. (during the hot seasons). It is true that the summers are particularly hot and that this reduces mobility; the nap is not a superficial luxury but a need in this country.
10. Taxation
Since 2020, Greece has been offering a new tax regime, which is particularly interesting. This new tax system offers an even lower rate than the RNH tax status in Portugal (10% tax free for 10 years). Greece has decided to compete to attract foreigners and has therefore introduced a flat tax rate on foreign income of 7% for a period of 15 years.
This new regime was created to attract new foreigners to Greece, in order to inject capital into the country. Lisbob cannot repeat it enough, this tax system should not be the main criterion in your choice of installation, but is an asset to be taken into account, at the risk of being disappointed and seeing your project fall through. This status should be seen as the icing on the Greek cake!
Of course there are other reasons to live in Greece such as the quality of health care, its beaches or the hospitality of the Greeks, but you must make your own idea and especially leave to live in Greece for good reasons!
