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Living in Greece offers expats, retirees, digital nomads, and travelers an affordable, laid-back lifestyle with stunning scenery, rich history, and a warm Mediterranean climate. This guide covers everything you need to know, from the cost of living and visa options to healthcare, retirement planning, and moving logistics.
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You will also find essential insights into living in Greece as an American, tips for navigating local culture, and details about Greece’s healthcare system, health insurance, including international health insurance options. By the end, you will feel prepared to explore the best places to live in Greece and take the next steps toward your move.
Key Things to Know Before Moving to Greece
If you’re an expat, digital nomad, retiree, or other traveler preparing to live abroad in Greece, this useful guide will tell you what you need to know. We’ll discuss the cost of living in Greece, what it’s like living there as an American, retirement tips, and how to move to Greece.
It’s important to learn about the cost of living in Greece, and anywhere frankly, because you need to make sure you can afford it before you move. We’ve made your job easier by gathering that information for you.
Greece vs USA Cost of Living Comparison
It is 54% less expensive to live in Greece than living in the USA. The average cost of living for one person in Greece is $1,146/month while it’s $2,433/month in the USA. For a family to live in Greece, the average is $2,794/month vs $5,667/month to live in the United States.
The following estimates come from LivingCost.
Housing Costs in Greece vs USA
On average, it costs $546/month for one person to rent a home in Greece vs $1,552/month in the United States. For a family to rent housing in Greece, it costs about $985/month compared to $2,714/month in the United States.
Food Costs in Greece Compared to the USA
On average, food expenses for a month in Greece cost $427 whereas in the USA, it costs $618. Of course, it varies widely based on your eating habits and how often you eat out compared to buying groceries. In general, however, food expenses in Greece vs the USA are cheaper.
Average Groceries Breakdown:
- 1 qt of Milk: $1.72 in Greece vs $1.09 in the USA
- 1 lb of Bread: $1.26 in Greece vs $3.44 in the USA
- 2.2 lb of Rice: $2.48 in Greece vs $4.32 in the USA
- 12 Eggs: $4.07 in Greece vs $3.89 in the USA
- 2.2 lb of Cheese: $14.3 in Greece vs $13 in the USA
- 2.2 lb of Apples: $1.89 in Greece vs $5.02 in the USA
- 2.2 lb of Oranges: $1.31 in Greece vs $4.43 in the USA
Average Restaurant Breakdown:
- Lunch Menu: $15.7 in Greece vs $18.4 in the USA
- Dinner Menu: $48.3 in Greece vs $73.1 in the USA
- Fast Food Meal: $9.01 in Greece vs $10.5 in the USA
- Beer in the Pub: $4.44 in Greece vs $6.08 in the USA
Transport Costs in Greece vs USA
On average, public transportation expenses in Greece are cheaper than in the United States by almost a third. However, if you plan to drive your own car in Greece, gas costs twice as much in Greece as it does in the USA.
Transportation Fees Breakdown:
- Local Transport Ticket: $1.29 in Greece vs $2.38 in the USA
- Monthly Ticket for Public Transportation: $37.9 in Greece vs $71.8 in the USA
- Taxi Ride: $14.6 in Greece vs $18.4 in the USA
- Gas for ¼ gallon: $2.1 in Greece vs $0.99 in the USA
Salary Comparison: Greece vs USA
The average salary in Greece for a year was 18,951 euros ($20,867 USD) in March 2024. The average salary in the USA is $76,330 a year. Even though salaries in Greece are less than in the USA, cost of living is lower as well!
Life in Greece for Americans: What to Expect
If you’re an American who’s going to be living in Greece, you’ll want to be ready for a very relaxed lifestyle. The locals are friendly, the weather is lovely, and the food is delicious, although learning a bit of the local Greek is always wise to break down language barriers.
Common Characteristics Of Greek People:
- Positivity, regardless of their circumstances
- Devoted to their work
- Very happy and satisfied individuals
- Deeply loyal to familial and social groups
- Slow pace of life focused on human interactions
Some things to know about the country’s culture:
- The crime rate in Greece is quite low
- Greek cuisine is high in fresh vegetables, fish, and seafood, with little meat besides lamb
- Life on the water is very active with yachting, sailing, and boating between the islands
- Greece is generally quite affordable
- Depending on where you go, there should be many rental options
Healthcare and Health Insurance in Greece
Greece’s government operates the National Health System (ESY) that provides free or low-cost healthcare to Greece residents that qualify. Even as a foreigner or expat, you can qualify if you contribute to their social security system called AMKA or pay into the system.
If you don’t qualify for Greece health insurance, which is considered one of the best in the world, you can pay out of pocket for all visits, procedures, and medications, or you can get a private insurance plan. Private offices have better maintenance and newer facilities.
Pacific Prime offers excellent private health insurance plans in Greece and a variety of global plans. You’ll want to check out these options before you move overseas.
Studying in Greece: Education Guide for Expats
Education in Greece is strong, as they highly value learning in their culture. Many Greek universities teach many classes in English for a variety of degree programs. Many public universities don’t charge tuition, although some master’s programs do.
Famous subjects to study in Greece:
- Architecture
- Philosophy
- Politics
- History
- Medicine
Retiring in Greece From The USA: Visa, Taxes, and Requirements
Anyone from the USA can retire in Greece through the right procedures. US citizens can enter Greece for up to 90 days without a visa, but if you plan to retire there and stay longer than 90 days, you’ll need an entry visa. Once living in the country, you’ll apply for a residency permit.
To get a residency permit, you’ll need the following:
- Passport
- Proof of current medical insurance coverage in Greece
- Proof of an income of at least €2,000 monthly or €24,000 in your bank
The Greece Golden Visa is the most popular among retirees and investors because you can get this visa by investing €250,000 in the local real estate market. This permanent residency is valid for 5 years, and you can renew it indefinitely.
After living in Greece for 7 years with the Greece Golden Visa you can apply for citizenship.
Greece also has a retiree initiative to draw in retirees that promises if you shift your tax residence to Greece, you will be taxed a 7% flat tax rate.
To receive a full pension in Greece, you must be at least 62 years old and have completed 40 insurance years in Greece.
How to Move to Greece: Visas and Key Steps
The first step when moving to Greece from the USA is to get an entry visa to enter the country. This is required when you plan to stay in the country for longer than 90 days. Once you get to Greece, you will apply for a residence and work permit.
For some of the visas, such as the work permit, you will need to show proof of health insurance as a part of your application to live in Greece.
- Tourist Visa: This will let you travel and stay in Greece for a maximum of 90 days.
- Business Visa: This is for business-related trips to Greece.
- Work Visa: This is for expats who move to Greece for a job. You can’t apply for this visa until after you have signed a contract with your employer.
- Investment Visa: Expats are eligible for this visa if they buy a home in Greece for more than €250,000 or if they invest at least €300,000 in the Greek economy.
After entering the country and beginning to live there, you can apply for a permanent residence permit or a long-term residence permit. These need to be renewed every 5 years.
Some other steps you will need to consider when planning to move:
- If you want to rent or buy property
- If you will move your belongings or sell them and buy new ones once in Greece
- Which healthcare insurance you want
- If you will open a bank account in a local provider
- How to learn Greek
- Which schools your family will attend
Conclusion
Moving to the home of philosophers Plato, Socrates, and Aristotle may be your dream come true. You’ll be able to visit ancient Greek monuments like the Acropolis of Athens, Delphi, and the archeological dig of Olympia. These history-rich attractions will be incredible to see firsthand!
Now that you understand the basic cost of living in Greece, some characteristics of their culture, what it would be like to retire there, and how to move into the country, you are almost prepared for your flight.
Since it is so much cheaper to live in Greece than in the USA, we hope you’re able to live and/or retire in this calming, relaxed environment. If you’re not completely set on Greece, however, we encourage you to learn what it’s like to live abroad in Spain and Germany.
You might also find it beneficial to read our general guide for all you need to know when living abroad.
And always, you’ll want to look into healthcare options when living internationally, including international health insurance. Getting coverage from Pacific Prime will grant you peace of mind while you live your best adventure in Greece and make life-long memories!
Serena earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of British Columbia, Canada. As such, she is an avid advocate of mental health and is fascinated by all things psychology (especially if it’s cognitive psychology!).
Her previous work experience includes teaching toddlers to read, writing for a travel/wellness online magazine, and then a business news blog. These combined experiences give her the skills and insights she needs to explain complex ideas in a succinct way. Being the daughter of an immigrant and a traveler herself, she is passionate about educating expats and digital nomads on travel and international health insurance.
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