General Info About Greece
Moving to Greece with Matrix Mobility, your expert partner for moving
If you’re an expat moving to the sunny Mediterranean or a Greek citizen moving abroad, moving to Greece is an exciting journey. Greece has a long history, a lively culture, and stunning scenery. Matrix Mobility’s friendly, professional team is here to help you move without any stress. Matrix Mobility is an expert at moving people to and from Greece. We know how to deal with the country’s complicated rules and visa rules that change all the time. We help with every part of your move to another country, from filling out immigration forms to getting settled in. If you’re moving to Greece from the US, the UK, or somewhere else, or if you’re a Greek citizen moving to another country, our full range of services and local knowledge will make sure that you and your family have a smooth move.
Requirements for visas and immigration
Greece is in the EU and the Schengen Area, so the rules for getting a visa depend on where you are from. Citizens of the EU and EEA can live and work in Greece without a visa, but they should register with the local authorities after they get there. Most of the time, non-EU citizens (like Americans, Canadians, and others) will need a visa or residence permit to stay for a long time. You need to get a National (Type D) Visa and a residence/work permit when you arrive if you plan to stay longer than 90 days or work. The most common types of visas are work visas (for people who have a job offer in Greece), student visas, the Greek Golden Visa for investors (who buy property), and the Digital Nomad Visa for remote workers who make more than €3,500 a month. These programs let people who aren’t from the EU live in Greece for a long time.
Matrix Mobility’s immigration experts know all about Greece’s immigration laws and will help you every step of the way, from getting the right documents to applying at the Greek consulate. We help you get all the paperwork you need, like visa applications, proof of funds, health insurance, and more. We also help you apply for a work permit in Greece. Greece’s bureaucracy can be slow, so it’s important to start early. With our help, you’ll be able to get through the process without any problems, and once your residency is approved, you’ll be able to travel freely in Schengen. (Visit the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs website for official visa information.)
Matrix Mobility can help Greek citizens who are moving abroad get the right visas for their new country and work with our global partners to handle work permits or residency applications in their new home country. We want to make the immigration process easier so you can focus on your new adventure.
Rules for Customs and Imports
When you move to Greece, you need to know the rules for bringing your household goods and personal items with you. The good news is that if you are moving to Greece permanently and have lived outside the EU for at least two years, you can bring your used household goods into the country without paying any taxes. To do this, you need to get a “household effects certificate” (also called a Certificate of Repatriation) from a Greek consulate. This certificate proves that you are a returning resident, which means you can bring in personal items and even a car without having to pay VAT or import duties. You must have owned the items for at least six months before bringing them into the country and within twelve months of moving. Our team will help you get this certificate and the other papers you need, like proof that you’ve been living abroad for two years, inventories, and so on.
Don’t worry if you don’t meet the duty-free requirements (for example, if you’re an expat from another EU country or don’t have a repatriation certificate). Matrix Mobility will still take care of all the customs clearance for you. Moving within the EU is easy because you don’t have to go through customs when you send personal items from one EU member state to another. When you send something from outside the EU, we make sure all the paperwork is in order. For customs, you may need a detailed inventory, a copy of your passport, and maybe a Greek tax number (AFM). People from other countries who are moving to Greece for work should know that VAT may apply to some imported goods. However, our customs brokers work to keep duties as low as possible and clear goods quickly.
Keep in mind that some things are not allowed or are limited in Greece. The Greek police need special permits to bring in guns. Bringing in a lot of alcohol or tobacco will cost you money, and some medicines (like codeine or tramadol) are not allowed without permission first. It’s also a good idea to not pack plant products or perishable items unless you have permission, as these items may be checked. Matrix Mobility will give you a full list of things to avoid and help you get any permits you need, like for your pets or valuable items. Our door-to-door international removals service will pack, ship, and deliver your things safely, and we will take care of Greek customs for you. (For more information, see Greece’s customs authority’s page on bringing household goods into the country duty-free.)
How Much It Costs to Live and Rent in Greece
One good thing about moving to Greece is that the cost of living is fairly low. In fact, Greece’s daily costs are lower than the average for Europe. Housing, transportation, and groceries are usually cheaper than in many Western European countries. Plus, Greece’s public healthcare system is free or cheap for residents, which helps them save money. In 2025, living in Greece will be about 20–30% cheaper than living in the UK or US on average. A single person can live well on about €1,000–€1,500 a month (not including rent), while a family of four might spend about €2,500–€3,500 a month all together. Keep in mind that prices are different in different places. For example, rents are higher in big cities, but smaller towns or islands can be very cheap.
Housing:
The cost of renting a home in Greece varies between cities and the countryside. A one-bedroom apartment in the centre of Athens, the capital and largest city, costs between €700 and €1,200 a month. Areas like Kolonaki or Glyfada in Athens are more expensive because they have more amenities and a lot of expats living there. Areas further out are cheaper. Thessaloniki, Greece’s second city, is a popular choice for expats because it costs a little less to live there than in Athens. Rentals there are often 10–20% cheaper than in the capital. Expats also love Heraklion (on Crete), Chania, and Patras, as well as smaller islands for those who want to live a more laid-back life. If you’re moving to a Greek island or a small town, you might be pleasantly surprised at how far your budget goes for rent and daily needs. Many expats and digital nomads say they can live comfortably on about €1,000 a month in these areas.
You might want to stay in temporary housing while you look for a permanent home when you get there. Matrix Mobility’s destination services include helping people find homes. We help them find safe, family-friendly neighbourhoods, set up viewing appointments, and negotiate rental contracts, which are usually in Greek. We also help with everyday things like figuring out how to set up utilities and read local lease agreements. If your furniture shipment arrives before you find a place to live, we can store it in our safe, climate-controlled warehouses until your new home is ready.
Things to Know About Living in Greece Culturally and Practically
Moving to Greece means getting used to some new ways of life and getting to know a rich culture. Here are some things that might help you get used to it:
Language:
Greek is the official language. English is spoken a lot in tourist areas and by younger Greeks, but learning a few basic Greek phrases will help you a lot in everyday life and the locals will appreciate it. It’s helpful to learn the Greek alphabet because most street signs and documents are written in Greek, often using the Greek alphabet. As part of our settling-in services, Matrix Mobility can help you find language classes or tutors.
Cultural Etiquette:
Greeks are known for being warm and welcoming, and the idea of “philoxenia,” or “friend to a stranger,” is something they are proud of. It’s not unusual for new friends to ask you out for coffee or a meal. Food and socialising are very important in Greek culture. In business settings, a firm handshake is a common way to say hello, but among friends, two kisses on the cheeks are common. Family is very important in Greece, and you’ll see that many businesses are run by families. If you want to fit in, you should show respect for Greek customs by saying “Χρόνια Πολλά” (Chronia Polla) on name days or going to local festivals.
Lifestyle and Leisure:
The Mediterranean climate makes Greece a great place to live. In the summer, it will be hot and dry, and in the winter, it will be mild, with some snow in the north. Casual but neat dress is fine; in business settings, dress is more formal, but many offices relax the dress code in the summer heat. In Greece, life often has a different rhythm. For example, it’s common to take a nap in the afternoon, and some stores close in the early afternoon and open again in the evening. It takes time for things to happen, so be patient (there’s a reason why people make fun of Greek bureaucracy). But you’ll also enjoy a relaxed atmosphere, with long coffee breaks at local kafeneia, busy open-air markets for fresh food, and evenings spent in tavernas by the sea.
Greece uses the Euro (€) as its currency, which makes it easier for people moving to the EU to do business. You need a tax number (AFM) and proof of address to open a bank account. Our team will help you with these things. Driving in Greece can be exciting. The main highways are in good shape, but the roads on the islands and in the mountains can be narrow. Greeks drive on the right. Greece accepts EU driver’s licenses, but non-EU licenses may need to be changed after a certain amount of time. In big cities like Athens, buses, the metro, and trams are all reliable ways to get around. You can also take a bus or ferry between cities to get to the islands.
Healthcare and Education:
Greece has a public healthcare system called ΕΣY, as well as a lot of private clinics. Most of the time, expats who work in Greece get public health insurance through their employer’s contributions. Adding private health insurance is a good idea if you want to see specialists or doctors who speak English more quickly. Greece has public schools where kids learn Greek and a lot of private or international schools (especially in Athens and Thessaloniki) where kids learn English or other languages. We help families who are moving find the right schools and doctors for their kids.
If you want to feel at home in Greece, you should embrace the Greek way of life by eating the local food (olive oil, fresh seafood, and of course, souvlaki and feta!), respecting siesta hours, and being interested in Greece’s rich history.
Matrix Mobility offers relocation services in Greece.
Matrix Mobility offers full-service relocation services to make sure your move to or from Greece goes smoothly. We can help you with every step of your move:
Pre-Move Consultation:
From the first time you start planning, we give you expert advice on how to move, when to do it, and what to expect. We do a needs assessment to make sure our services are right for you, whether you’re moving for a job or a new lifestyle with your family.
Packing and Moving Abroad:
Our trained packers use high-quality materials to make sure your things are safe during transport. We take care of International Removals from door to door, whether by sea, air, or road. We know how to get through ports and customs for moves to Greece. Our global network makes sure that your shipment gets to its destination safely when you move out of Greece. You don’t have to worry about anything because we take care of customs broking, paperwork, and delivery.
As we talked about, our immigration experts handle applications for work permits and visas. This includes making appointments at Greek embassies, getting the necessary paperwork ready, and talking to immigration officials. We also help HR departments in Greece make sure that foreign workers follow the rules when companies move.
Destination Services:
We help you and your family get settled quickly once you get to Greece. We help people find homes to rent or buy, schools to attend, and get settled in their new neighbourhoods. We also give tours of the area to show people where to find things like hospitals, shopping, and more. We also help people with local registrations, such as getting a tax number, registering with the local government, or getting a residence permit card. We can even help you set up your utilities and find help around the house if you need it.
Moving the Office:
Greece’s economy has chances in areas like IT, shipping, and tourism. Our Office Relocation service can help you move office furniture, IT equipment, and even whole corporate offices if your business is moving to Greece. We plan the move so that your business has as little downtime as possible. We take care of everything from packing up office files to setting up in the new place. Our Athens-based team has moved offices within the city and from other countries before, so your employees will have a smooth transition.
Storage Solutions:
Need to keep things? We have safe storage options in Greece that are perfect for short-term storage while you look for a new home or long-term storage of extra furniture. We keep an eye on and control the temperature in our warehouses 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so your things stay safe until you need them delivered. This is especially helpful for expats who might be renting a small flat at first or for Greeks who are moving abroad and want to keep their heirlooms at home.
Moving Pets:
Your pets are part of your family too! Matrix Mobility takes care of all the paperwork, vaccinations, and microchip requirements for pets moving to or from Greece. They also make flight arrangements. For instance, to bring a dog or cat into Greece from outside the EU, they need to have an ISO-compliant microchip, a rabies vaccination at least 21 days before travel, and either an EU pet passport or a health certificate. We help you through this process and can even set up transportation and customs clearance for your pet, making sure they have a safe and comfortable trip. When you get to Greece, pets from most countries don’t have to go through quarantine, so you’ll be able to be together right away in your new home.
Our relationship doesn’t end on moving day; we will still be there for you. We will still help you with anything you need after the move, whether it’s finding trustworthy contractors, learning about local services, or even getting tips on the best seaside tavernas! Our network makes sure that Greek clients who move abroad get help with their new country as well.
With Matrix Mobility’s full range of services, you can relax knowing that everything will go smoothly with your move to Greece. We take pride in giving each of our clients individual attention, understanding their culture, and providing the best care possible so you can start your new life in Greece on the right foot.
Are you ready to move to Greece?
Are you ready to go on your Greek adventure? Let Matrix Mobility do the hard work for you, both physically and mentally. With our knowledgeable staff on your side, getting a visa, packing up, and moving into your new Greek home will be much easier than you thought.
Call our Athens office or get a free moving quote today to start your move. We can help you with everything you need to know about moving to Greece, from the paperwork to finding the best schools and more.