As a Greek American who lived between New York and Athens for years, I get many questions about the reality of moving to, and living in, Greece. I would like to tackle the most frequent questions people ask me to create a little FAQ sheet for those considering a move to this popular sunny Mediterranean destination.
Is the cost of living really that cheap?
For people used to life in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and a handful of other countries, yes, the cost of living in Greece is relatively low. The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the center of Athens is 556 euros as of 2025, a number New Yorkers and Londoners can’t imagine in their wildest dreams.
While this might be all well and good if you’re a digital nomad working for foreign companies, keep in mind that the cost of living in Greece, as with most of the world, has become increasingly difficult to sustain for the average local. Meaning, if you are moving to Greece to work for a local company with a local income, you will probably still face cost-of-living challenges.
How does the digital nomad visa work?
In 2021, Greece introduced a digital nomad visa program to attract more international workers to the country. Under this program, you can apply for a visa that will let you stay in Greece for up to one year, as long as you meet certain requirements.
• First and foremost, you must be employed by a company, or operate a business, that is not registered in Greece; you cannot work for a Greek company.
• Second, you must be able to do your work with a laptop and Internet connection.
• Lastly, you need to show a minimum monthly post-tax income of 3,500 euros; if you plan on bringing immediate family members with you, that number increases to 4,200 Euros for you and your spouse, and an extra 525 Euros for each child.
Is Greek bureaucracy really that bad?
Yes and no.
While things have improved from the slow logjam that used to be the Greek bureaucracy in the 1990s, it still very much helps to “know a person” who can help you out and move things along. Preferably, this is someone high up in the bank or in public office you need to get your job done, or simply a friend who works in the office you need and can help expedite things.
The good news is that many government services have gone digital, and most Greeks use the Gov.gr app and/or website to file most of their paperwork without ever having to step foot in a government office building.
The bad news is, Greece still requires a lot more paperwork than the average Western European country. You will have to learn a whole new complex system of taxation, different obligations when owning property (including things like cars), and discover forms and documents you never knew had a reason to exist. Your priority should be finding an accountant and lawyer who are well- versed in both Greek bureaucracy and English.
Will I have problems communicating with people if I don’t speak Greek?
Unless you live in a rural area with a mostly older population, you’ll mostly be fine communicating in English.
These days, Greek students start learning English at 8-9 years old, and many are tested on their English proficiency to qualify for work in the tourism-oriented service industry or multinational companies.
However, learning a few words of Greek is always appreciated.
If you plan to be in Greece in the long term, you may want to learn the language anyway to better integrate into the country and move beyond expat circles. Otherwise, your close friends will likely be relegated to other foreigners and people who attended English-speaking schools in Greece; though many Greeks can understand and speak English well enough to communicate with English speakers, few are fluent enough to be comfortable speaking in English almost constantly.
How high is the tax burden in Greece?
Greek taxes get a bad rap, and the truth is, the country has a relatively high tax burden, particularly for high-income earners.
As of 2025, this is the tax rate breakdown for personal income taxes:
-Those earning between 0 and 10,000 euros: 9 percent
-Those earning between 10,001 and 20,000 euros: 22 percent
-Those earning between 20,001 and 30,000 euros: 28 percent
-Those earning between 30,001 and 40,000 euros: 36 percent
-Those earning 40,001 euros and more: 44 percent
However, since 2021, foreigners who relocate to Greece are subject to a 50-percent tax exemption for the first seven years of their residency.
This law was passed to attract more foreign residents, as well as Greek professionals who had left the country during the debt crisis.
How much is living in Greece like vacationing there?
This is the question I get the most often, and one that’s almost impossible to answer. In short, it’s quite different; as in any country, working a 9-5 job, creating social circles, navigating local paperwork, and maintaining a home is very different from lounging on the beach for a week.
Living in Greece, particularly in Athens, has its own set of challenges. The roads and sidewalks in the city are frequently the subject of resident complaints, as they’re not very well-maintained or planned out. Dealing with Greek bureaucracy and ever- changing laws regarding business and finances can be exhausting until you get into the rhythm of things and find people who can help you.
However, some of the things you loved about Greece on your vacation, you will still find (and love) when living there. That includes access to incredible history and natural beauty, an overall hospitable culture, great options for entertainment and nightlife, amazing food, and a generally safe country, especially in smaller communities and on the islands.
If you work for a company based in a higher-income country, you will also find that your income gets you much further in Greece than in your country of origin.
At the end of the day, choosing to live in Greece, with its pros and cons, is a very personal decision. The best way to prepare for a move is to be as realistic as possible about what life there will be like, and what adjustments you’ll need to make to thrive in the country.
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Read more about Greece here in Dispatches’ archives.
Joanna Kalafatis
Joanna Kalafatis is a Greek-American travel writer and actress who has lived in Greece, the U.S., and the UK, and currently resides in Athens, Greece. She wrote "Best of Greece" for Moon Travel Guides and has a travel blog at LosetheMap.com; her work has also appeared in Time Out New York, Business Insider, and Matador Network. Joanna has traveled to over 50 countries and plans to visit every destination in the world.
