The Global Expat Hub
Greece
Islands, light and a 7% pensioner tax regime; the bureaucracy and job market are the trade-offs.
Your plan for Greece checklist · timeline · cost breakdown
Estimates for one adult before ongoing rent and living costs; couples and families scale up. Tap a plan for the full breakdown.
Top cities for expats in Greece
Costs and character vary significantly within Greece. Here are the cities our readers compare most.
Ancient history meets modern café culture — very affordable for a capital
Greece's second city — food-obsessed, university energy and great value
Crete's capital — year-round island living with beaches and history
Medieval walled city with a growing expat community and year-round sun
Greece by the numbers editorial estimates in US dollars
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🌤️ Climate
Mediterranean; long hot dry summers, mild wet winters. Northern Greece has real winters; the islands are windy.
Mean temperatures for Athens.
🌧️ Rain & snow
Rainfall about 400 mm (16 in) a year.
Snow Northern mountains; occasional in Athens.
⚖️ The law
Official legislationΕθνικό Τυπογραφείο (Government Gazette) ↗
OverviewLaw of Greece on Wikipedia ↗
Driving On the right. Licence rules →
🏛️ Taxes
Property tax ENFIA ~$2–13 per m² per year.
Local & regional income tax None regional.
🎓 University
Free for EU; non-EU pay $1.5–3k/yr at most public programmes.
📱 Phone & eSIM
Carriers Cosmote, Vodafone, Nova.
Average cost Local SIM or eSIM with generous data about $20/month; a 30-day travel eSIM (Airalo, Holafly, Saily and similar) around $15 for 10 GB.
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🎁 Schemes to attract expats
- 7% flat tax for foreign pensioners for 15 years
- 50% income tax exemption for 7 years for relocating employees
- Non-dom €100k flat tax for investors
- Golden Visa via property, higher thresholds in Athens
Figures are national averages for planning, not quotes; big cities run higher. Tax schemes change often and carry conditions. Verify before you rely on them.
Official sources for Greece embassies, warnings, law and reference
Government, intergovernmental and reference sites only; no reviews or opinion. Links open in a new tab.
Ratings & warnings independent
Follows your Mid-range tier partner listings match your budget
Services & daily life one labelled partner per page
Life in Greece faith, wellbeing, shopping and play
Holidays & festivalsNational holidays, closures and the festivals worth planning aroundSearch for jobs for free, or post a job — free.
Roles open to foreigners in Greece: remote work you can do from Athens, and in-person jobs with employers who hire from abroad. Searching for and posting expat jobs is always free, for job seekers and employers alike. Every listing stays live for 60 days.
Latest listings. Example listings shown until the first real posts go live.
See all jobs in Greece and post a job →
In the meantime, search these trusted remote job boards
Free to use. These are independent sites we like; opening in a new tab. Come back to post your own role here — posting is always free.
Frequently asked questions
Is Greece safe for expats?
Greece scores 76 out of 100 for safety on The Global Expat Hub, and 70 out of 100 for liveability — #20 of the 52 countries we cover. The full breakdown, including official warnings and regional differences, is on the safety page linked from this page.
What is the cost of living in Greece?
The Global Expat Hub estimates a mid-range lifestyle in Greece from around $1,800 per month. The figures are national averages for planning, not quotes — big cities run higher — and this page breaks costs down by tier and city.
Can I move to Greece?
Yes. The routes and incentives The Global Expat Hub lists for Greece include: 7% flat tax for foreign pensioners for 15 years; 50% income tax exemption for 7 years for relocating employees; non-dom €100k flat tax for investors; golden Visa via property, higher thresholds in Athens. Step-by-step visa and residency detail is on the visa pages linked from this page.
What is the best city in Greece for expats?
The top cities for expats in Greece profiled on this page are Athens, Thessaloniki and Heraklion. Athens is the capital. Each city profile includes typical rent and character to help you compare.