Your first step should be to hire a Real Estate Attorney. Best wishes, Lauren. We have moved to New York without any problems! These events created the modern Greek diaspora. There are a number of providers here – some Greek, some international. 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. You will find many job postings listed in Digital Nomad/Remote Working job boards and Facebook groups. Moving to Greece with pets in tow? Thank in Advance. But I really want this. Other ISPs in Greece worth noting are detailed below. In Athens for example, I live in Pagrati in the south of the city centre. Of course, we also have IKEA here which is a good place to buy your basics. My landlord says I need to have a vat number to get the gas account in my name. Some resources to consider are: A few random extra things that might be useful to know about moving to Greece are detailed below. And by comparing several quotes, we choose the best offer. That way, you can get a feel for what the country and culture are like. English Teachers and professionals can expect to earn around 1000 euros per month. I wanted to ensure that it covered every possible question that people may have before moving to Greece. When moving from Canada to Greece it is very important to choose the best overseas moving company. Determines if the user’s navigation should be registered in a certain statistical placeholder. And the economy is not doing all that well either. I will update this guide as and when something changes. You can check with your new neighbours to see where yours will be and when. I have lived here for the past three years now so I totally get the appeal. Removing to Greece has our special attention, as thousands of people from Canada arrange their removal to Greece every year. This allows the website to obtain data on visitor behaviour for statistical purposes. Before you take the leap and dive into the unknown, try to be as prepared as physically possible. At the moment, it is relatively easy for European Citizens to move to Greece. When I first arrived in Athens, you could easily rent a studio apartment in Athens for 200-250 euros a month, and a one-bedroom apartment for 450-500 euros. Have a residency in Greece, Is it as easy as you say. Electricity, water, building maintenance, and internet are the main bills that you will have to manage when you move to Greece. Marketing cookies: Marketing cookies are used to track visitors across websites. Note: Processes for obtaining residency and visas in Greece are expected to change in late 2020. For further details or to change your consent choices at any time - see our Cookies Policy. I am by no means fluent, however having a handful of phrases up your sleeve like “kalispera” (good evening! Does he mean an AFM number? No, it wasn’t easy and it was a painful process to get all the accurate information. Laiki are held once a week in each district. I’m a college student in the United States and after I graduate I want to move overseas to one of three European countries: France, Italy, or Greece. From there, the legal requirements for moving to the UK will vary according to your nationality. Your info is great. There are never any connectivity issues and the internet seems speedy enough for me. Just wondering what a good flat fee would be for my accountant yearly to be my rep. – I will be doing everything myself online. British people may still have to pay NI, Notify your bank that you are moving overseas. The average salary here is between 500-700 euros. Discuss this with the remover of your choice and ask him for more advice on how to save money best. If you think that something has been missed out of this guide, let me know and I’ll add it. Thank you so much for your tips.I will take any more if you have them. You should follow the advice of the Greek Government and your local authority. What are your opinions about this? There are probably lots of loose ends to tie up back at home too! I think a lot of people fall in love with the idea of moving here and do not fully educate themselves on the situation in Greece. Wind are another popular choice. In areas like Koukaki, Kolonaki, and Pagrati for example, you can find bustling piazzas filled with great shopping and homely tavernas. If you are an EU citizen, you should already have an EHIC card. However, you should make a plan and be aware of the country’s economic situation. Compare the Best & Cheapest International Movers and Save NOW up to 70% on Moving to the USA ! Great article! Send me a response and hope you can help me out further, I would appreciate that and I will buy you lunch. Each bank will also have a checklist of supporting documents that you need to take with you. Hey Melissa article is awesome I am curious I am a strict remote employee i have a decent paying job and wanted to look into moving to Greece next year how difficult of a process from the USA with an established job, Hi Melissa, you mentioned teaching english, what qualifications do you need to do this i.e. You barely ever have to venture into the centre. You can also read our Greece travel advicefor our latest guidance. Chosen your dream home and ready to move to Greece? That may sound good from the perspective of someone moving to Greece, but you should note that salaries in Greece are also much lower than what you may expect elsewhere. Life is so much better here than in our homeland Holland. Greece Golden Visa Scheme - What is it and Should you Apply? We would advise you to always compare moving companies, since every mover will charge a different fee. If you are a European citizen and you want to live in Greece, the process is pretty straight forward. How to Open a Bank Account in Greece - A Handy 2020 Guide, Living in Greece: Highlights and Irritations After…, Living in Athens: Reflections After 2.5 Years in the…, Renting a Car in Greece: Everything You Need to Know…, Within three months of arrival in Greece, you need to apply for a beige residency permit, Assess the various neighbourhoods in your chosen town/city, Find work or secure remote working opportunities, Make sure you have an EHIC card (EU citizens), Research and read everything you can about your new country, Invest in a comprehensive health insurance plan, Put your things in storage, sell them, or decide how to ship them to Greece, Cancel any unnecessary memberships from home – gym memberships, fitness classes, cinema passes, etc, Cancel your phone contract and ensure that your phone is unlocked, Read up on tax requirements – Some countries require that their citizens still pay taxes, even if they move overseas. You’ve done a great job with the article and I’d love to catch up with you. That said, having a basic grasp of Greek goes a long way. It’s a quirky district with lots of antique shops and eccentric coffee places so I fell lucky. ", "Our relocation to London went ultra-smooth and we saved quite some cash by requesting an offer from International Moving! Is this even possible? If you are hoping to move to a Greek island, keep in mind that a lot of the work in the hospitality sector is very seasonal. If you are renting an apartment, it is not uncommon for the landlord to keep the first three in their name. Used by the content network, Cloudflare, to identify trusted web traffic. (must have something to do with the friends I left behind. It is relatively difficult to move to Greece if you are not an EU citizen. I just plan to live there a couple of years and just experience Greek life. Sometimes you just need a little extra patience. The employees of such a company are familiar with the destination, so that there will be no unpleasant surprises for you. That’s why 90% opt for an acknowledged international removal company which specializes in removals to and from Greece. InterNations helps you connect and meet up with other Canadians in Greece, residing in Athens, Thessaloniki, Larissa and … The way of life on the islands is much different from that in the Greek cities. Determine in advance what goods you want to bring along and also ask yourself what you can do yourself. Double taxation laws between Greece and most countries protects you from having to pay tax in two different places. This doesn’t apply to large international chain stores in the cities. 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. The main phone companies in Greece are Vodafone, Cosmote, and Wind. European citizens do not need visas to spend a few months hanging out in Greece or working remotely. Natalie, HI Natalie, “ I would say, work opportunities if you don’t have anything like that, like a — digital nomad — is really hard. Feel free to use the Table of Contents above to navigate to the relevant sections. Before you think about buying a house here, you need to ensure that you have a Greek bank account and tax number set up. Thank you for this blog it’s super helpful. Things to Consider Before the Big Fat Greek Move. I strongly recommend using Spitogatos to search for apartments and houses. For more information on moving to Greece as an investor or entrepreneur, please visit the website of the Greek government’s Invest in Greece Agency. MOVING ACROSS THE WORLD AT 17 | From Greece to Canada itsalex01 Loading... Unsubscribe from itsalex01? Here’s what I wish I’d known about living in Canada before I boarded the flight from Mumbai to Toronto. Sometimes I find that branded products like cereal, condiments and snacks/chocolates are quite a bit more expensive in Greece due to the import taxes. Everything from Administrative assistant roles to global Project Manager positions can be found. Moving to Greece from Canada. Nearly everyone moves to Greece for emotional or sentimental reasons. Shipping Container Costs to Greece Greece is a tasty cultural cocktail, mixing together the traditions of Western Europe, the Mediterranean, the Balkans, and Turkey in one delightful blend. Look forward to your response. However, they are swamped with tourists during the summer months. To find apartment rentals in Greece, you can browse the properties on xe.gr or Spitogatos. I just use my computer for streaming Netflix, playing online chess (lol don’t ask), and working on this website and I never have issues. Disclaimer: High Heels and a Backpack is in no way affiliated with any of the businesses or companies mentioned in this post. This is kind of a grey area and some people choose to pay taxes to their own countries anyway. You should still use the above prices (250 for a studio, 500 for an apartment) as a ballpark idea of what you should be paying if you move to Athens, but be aware that prices are rapidly increasing. The average salary in Greece is around 600 euros per month. We thought Thessaloniki is a good hub with the airport etc. It was estimated that the cost of living in Athens was approximately 30% less than living in most European countries. Any help and guidance you can give is greatly appreciated. I think at some stage I could invest in a property but I would prefer to just rent for now. Some lovely independent interior shops to consider are Paraphernalia, DesignShop, Box Architects, Myran, El Greco Gallery, and Roma 5 Design. Specific terms vary from country to country. The economic crisis saw the prices of accommodation, in particular, crash to an all-time low. I recommend that you purchase a SIM from Cosmote. Clear health check (no contagious diseases, etc), Proof of employment (a signed contract is sufficient) OR proof of sufficient funds if unemployed/self-employed (4000 euros). If anyone needs anything, pls inbox me. It may be the case that you have to move from your home country to some form of temporary accommodation in Greece while you search for a longer-term rental or some property/land to purchase. I am with Forthnet and I find them pretty good. Many Greek banks charge pointless admin fees or high fees for international transfers and third-party ATM withdrawals. Used widely by Microsoft as a unique user ID. 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 will generally be much better off if you can pay your taxes to your home country, as Greek taxes are higher and small business owners get few tax breaks. She has lived in 5 countries: USA, Canada, Australia, Malaysia and now Greece. As I mentioned, I’ve been living here in Pagrati, Athens for the last three years now. It is possible to rent property directly with landlords, though you should triple check the price and obtain several quotes. Very helpful. Many of these places also offer delivery across the country. There are a lot of international people living in Greece. Fast, Easy & Free. If you are planning on moving to Greece with the intention of freelancing or becoming a Digital Nomad, try and build up contacts, clients, and experience as a side-hustle before leaving your full-time job. Cash is still king in Greece. This is comparable to the Mediterranean siesta. Removing to Greece has our special attention, as thousands of people from Canada arrange their removal to Greece every year. Regular socializing with fellow Canadians is an essential part of expat life and helps getting accustomed to the Greek way of life and mentality. There was a huge wave of migration to Australia, the United States, Canada and elsewhere at that time. I’ve been to Greece five times, but mostly in Athens. Or is just as easy doing it on a house on the beach in s. Argolis.. renting a car and going places(or taking ferry if possible)? i work w clay, I’m going to be applying for residency in the next few weeks and have everything lined up (have spoken with the guy in charge on the island I’m applying on and have my list of things he needs). These events created the modern Greek diaspora. I would come next week to Greece if I can find a place to rent and I am happy to pay 6 months in advance. Again, I refer you to the Facebook expat groups where people often list short term rentals. It’s advisable to shop at your local laiki agora for fresh produce rather than the supermarket since products are often fresher and cheaper. 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 unfortunate thing is that if you don’t meet that threshold, fall ill, or can’t work for whatever reason, you don’t get that money back. (Ceramic Stove, Televisions, DVD player, PS3, DeLonghi This is known as the “hospitality” route. Moving a Car from Sweden to Greek should not be a big issue. Already over 10,000 people have been relocated through our independent platform to the remotest corners of the world, including Greece. This is especially the case in big cities like Athens and Thessaloniki which are home to several inspiring boutique interior design stores. A visa or a promise of work is not required. Rental costs are obviously cheaper outside of the major cities and tourist destinations. If it is the AFM number am I better going to get that after I have applied for the EU certificate of extended stay? hi, thank you for your bligand advices about Greece How quickly can you go to the police office to get the beige residency? On the whole, food costs are cheaper in Greece. I’m currently working and living in Dubai, however i had enough of daily routine and life/work pressure. AFM (Arithmo Forologiko Mitro) is your tax number. Join groups on Facebook such as “Expats in Athens” to see if anyone is looking for an Au Pair or an English speaking nanny. 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 If moving internationally take special care when deciding which, if any, household appliances and electronic equipment to take with you. People come for 6 months, a year, two years and then leave. There is no coverage or insurance for foreign expats and the conditions at public hospitals and facilities are often extremely poor and unhygienic. Greece is great! The best one for you will vary depending on aspects such as your nationality and general health. Forthnet is the main internet provider in Greece. The economy in Greece has still not recovered fully. Cheers Hello there! Do as much research and reading about the place that you want to move to before you go. Used by Google AdWords to re-engage visitors that are likely to convert to customers based on the visitor’s online behaviour across websites. You will find many newly renovated apartments in Exarchia and Patissia and the prices can be super affordable. 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? Perhaps you could give me an idea of your budget and I can adapt that for 2 people? Or just have a coffee in general. Keeps track of special fonts used on the website for internal analysis. You can buy a prepaid SIM with a data/call/text bundle just as you would anywhere else. If you have not secured work and hope to do so on arrival, reach out to various people in advance. 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. If you’re considering a move abroad, you can find out more about moving to another country with our informative guides on relocating overseas and advice on international shipping. My name is Melissa and I’m a full time Travel Blogger from the UK . We would advise you to pay special attention to the following matters: International-moving-canada.com is part of Sirelo, "We had no idea what to do exactly. Many expats flock to Athens, thanks to its great location and proximity to both the islands and to other European countries. Does the area that you are considering have an expat community (if that’s important to you?). 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. Currently I’m in LA working on a project but I will be back in Athens in August. Can I go traveeling for a year come back and still be a greek resident? Quiet hours take place between 3 pm and 5 pm in the day time, and from 10 pm to 7 am in the evenings. Many operate on a very seasonal schedule. There are lots of things that you want to research before moving to Greece. Thank you. My thoughts were to live on one island for 6 months then move to the other island for 6 months. For a little initial food for thought and Greek travel inspiration, take a look at this three day Athens itinerary, or this guide to island hopping in Greece. It’s not uncommon for foreign expats to be quoted falsely higher prices. Cookies help us to distinguish you from other users of our website. I think that if you plan on living here in the long term, you should really make some effort to learn the language. After filling in the form you will get up to 5 free, non-obligatory quotes, either by phone or by e-mail. Registers a unique ID that is used to generate statistical data on how the visitor uses the website. Melissa Douglas is a British Travel Writer and Blogger based in Athens, Greece. Of course, there are plenty of forms to fill out, no matter what country you are moving … I am an American who is interested in moving to Greece (right now, I’m looking at Thessaloniki). Thanks for your comment. 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. Here, you can live in an adorable little Cycladic house and live out your own “Eat Pray Love” style story. The Greek capital is made up of lots of cute districts, each with their own unique personalities. However, if you spend more than six months of the year on Greek soil then you should pay taxes in Greece. Greek islands like Corfu and Rhodes have large expat and retiree populations, whereas some of the smaller Cycladic islands like Kea or Kythnos see only locals. For sale properties in Greece are listed on the same sites as rentals (i.e. I know a lot of people that prefer to drink bottled water. Day or night keep it if that’s important to you? ) to always compare moving companies Greece... Looking to make your new neighbours to see where yours will be back in Athens, day or.. Driving License we use in the Apostasy of this as obviously, I you! Unfortunately, educational standards in the public sector are generally not up to to! And I’ll add it and reporting information anonymously another country besides Greece – i.e island for 6 months my and. 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Working day European countries, so too is the Greek answer to relevant! Dry days and cool and mild winters year as he works abroad for!