You might be able to arrange a shorter let, but this will be on a case-by-case basis. Any specific sites we can check? I am planning on moving permanently to Kefalonia Greece , with my partner. The CIC (Cretan International Community) based in Rethymnon meet for coffee once a month and organise activities, trips, and expat support. For example, youll have much better facilities (both public and private) in urban areas, so if you already have health issues, this can be an important factor. Crete is an island that takes life at its own, relatively slow pace. If you havent already fallen in love with one part of the island, wed recommend travelling around a bit until you find the place that steals your heart. Greece has no lower income tax threshold, meaning you pay tax on everything you earn. You can access it online by typing in Xaniotika Nea, but you will then need to get the ads translated. Once granted, you only need to renew it if your circumstances change, and you must fill out versions for both you and your children (if applicable). To open a standard bank account while youre living in Greece, youll need several documents from your home country, including. If you like the varying seasons, Crete is for you. Once completed, youll be given a list of available local doctors. Among the things I enjoy the most about life in Crete is the healthy and tasty Cretan diet. This will hopefully give you time to work out where would be best for you to settle down. Both violent crime and drug-related crime rates are considerably lower in Greece. Hi Colin, property owners pay a very small Public Tax incorporated in the electricity bill payable every second month. The cons of living in Greece 1. However, just like any other place on earth, Crete does have a few drawbacks, too. Living in Greece : A Guide to Moving to Greece as an Expat : Expat Info The expat community here is very interlinked, and although there is less of a sense of community than in other areas of Crete, the expats here will help you find anything from a job or a place to live to a date, or even a new dishwasher. We have some friends who long term renters. 4,923 helpful votes. Its no secret that Greece is an incredibly popular tourist destination. Your email address will not be published. Because tourism is a major source of income in the country, English is fairly widely spoken. Some things such as local foods are dirt cheap, making day-to-day life very inexpensive. However, I will still be being paid in the UK by a UK company. I have found your website the most informative amidst a lot of confusing misinformation. You can find practical support and answers to any questions you might have and events and activities organised by expats such as Coffee dates and trips to other islands. Latest Blogs by English Expats Living in Greece Cariad in Crete Underneath the busy tourist industry is a super laid-back island. Either way, itll help to bring a translator along just to ensure there are no snags. Of course, you can find rather fancy meals in Crete too. As a small island, Crete has a very strong sense of community and can often feel like a very large town where most people know each other. What is the best area in Crete to live in? In this series, I interview people living all over the world but outside of their home country. Is it a similar situation for us as with UK expats? The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. Living in Greece: The Ultimate Guide | GoVisaFree Thank you fir the information and the beautiful videos snd photos. Of course, not everything is cheap, and some things cant be bought on the main island and shipped over. After that, you will pay normal Greece tax rates on your income. Crete also has several medical translators who can come to appointments with you and make sure you understand any prescriptions or procedures. Add in the historic interest and bustling nightlife, and its got the potential to be top of most peoples lists. kindest regards. The daily cost of life on the island is pretty cheap, especially when it comes to fresh, locally-grown foods. Other things are also reasonably affordable on Crete. The weather is among the best in Europe. Food isnt overly expensive unless you are looking for something very specific. Living the Ultimate Greek Lifestyle in Heraklion, Crete Greece is one of the best places to move abroad if you seek sunshine, a slower pace of life and a good value for money destination. The quality of life in Crete is generally considered to be excellent. After these three months are up, you must apply for a Registration Certificate (Veveosi Engrafis). Otherwise it is paradise the beachs are excellent I was station in Greece in the early 90s. We plan to enroll her in the School of European Education of Heraklion and I was wondering if anyone has any impressions of them, as there is little info online. hi there, I dont live in greece, but we are considering it too! Of course, after that, you will have to apply for a residence permit to stay in Greece as all non-EU citizens do. As you can imagine, the country offers amazing food and wine, a great climate, and rich history and culture. If your propertys cadastral value is 2000,000 and over, there are additional rates from 0.10% to 1.15%, depending on the property price. Whats more, it prides itself on its local culture, meaning almost every restaurant is a local affair with good quality, locally sourced produce. We currently live in Australia. Home town: Buenos Aires, Argentina. For example, you can choose beachside life, mountainside life or city life. You will not save alot of money however it beats working at many places in the US. Generally speaking, an expat with a monthly income of 2,000 will be able to live very comfortably almost anywhere in Greece. Living In Greece: Essential Expat Guide 2023 | Expatra Jacob is a freelance writer based in Swansea, Wales. Youll find whole communities of expats sharing their knowledge and culture with other expats in tiny villages and pockets of the island. Theres also a property tax that ranges from 0.001/m to 13/m depending on the area, property value, building date, etc. The downside is that come summer, it is very touristy. If someone says theyll be there in the afternoon, ask for a specific time or be prepared; they could turn up at 7 PM. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Agriculture is the most important industry on the island, with tourism being a close second. Adrienne xx, Yes, theres Lidl in Sitia: Therisou, Agiou Nikolaou 1. km, Sitia 723 00, Greece Save. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. This gives Crete its rich history and traveling around the island youll see remnants of many of these periods. After you have applied for the alternative tax regime, the 7% tax rate will become effective the following tax year and will last for 15 years. Most rental agreements require a deposit equivalent to two months rent, and utility bills may or may not be included in the rental price. During this time you must also get a Greek tax number and a Greek bank account. We use cookies to enhance your experience. Hi folks, sorry for a slow reply but I only just joined this forum. Required fields are marked *. For example, we had a friend who felt dizzy and fell in her kitchen and when she was taken to the hospital, apart from treating her injuries, they also did lots of tests to determine the cause of her fall. Crete being the largest island in Greece attracts lots of expats from other European countries and other parts of the world. However, because Crete is an island, more oversized items must be shipped from the mainland, adding to the price. If your Husband is young and is not working just ensure he does not go out and party with the locals. Pros and cons, residency and property matters, cost of living, and the most popular places to live. Simple and extremely flavorful dishes, made exclusively with seasonal products. A budget-conscious expat can live comfortably in Greece for no more than $2,000 a month. here you will find very useful information, and tips about Crete. Even if the weather is not the best to swim in winter, theres something magical about visiting the pink sand beach of Elafonisi without the crowds, enjoying the uniqueness of the southern coast of Crete all alone.. Choose 1 Nationalities Living in Crete, Greece English Latest Blogs by Expats Living in Greece more expat blogs Crete Lying in the deep south-east of Europe, Cyprus not only offers a lot of fun on vacation but has . Whats it like to move to and live in Crete? I also think its great to support the local farmers by purchasing their products directly from them. we were looking at corfu but just found out that there is no international English speaking schools we can send our kids to. The advantage to this over standard citizenship application is that its generally quicker and saves a lot of paperwork. Expats looking for a relaxed lifestyle could do a lot worse than living in Italy. Your email address will not be published. If you dont take that job offer I would. Probably the most active one in the winter is Kalyves as there is also a local Greek community which requires shops and services. The town also has an annual carnival in August that shouldnt be missed. But what are the opportunities for people looking to move there permanently? There is a robust public healthcare system, but many expats opt for local private healthcare or for international health insurance simply to guarantee a higher standard. Greece uses the Euro, but living here is generally cheaper than in other European nations such as France or Germany. If you plan on getting a car, which is recommended as public transport is good in the town but unreliable elsewhere, be ready for some strange driving. I am American and hoping to move to Crete soon: Chania praefecture probably but possibly Herakleion. Many expats have already taken the plunge and headed to the stunning Greek island of Crete. This means that if you want to go to any shops or visit anyone between 12-2 PM, call in advance to check its okay, or you might find the stores are closed and your neighbour is taking a nap. Whether you choose to live in the most famous Blue Zone of the world, Ikaria, or in the capital, Athens, you will be surrounded by fantastic nature, mouth-watering dishes, unbelievable culture, tradition, and friendly people. The 9 Best Places To Live In Greece For Expats In 2023 Housing and utilities will be covered but I don't know if I can afford the rest of living expenses on my salary.