Japan
→
Greece
Moving from Japan to Greece
Immigration, Relocation & International Moving
Why People Make This Move
Why People Are Moving from Japan to Greece
The Japan to Greece corridor, while smaller in volume than some Asian corridors, reflects specific and growing connections between these two nations – particularly in maritime shipping, investment, and lifestyle migration.
Matrix Global Mobility manages this corridor from its Athens office, with full operational control from immigration consultation through to household delivery.
The maritime connection is foundational. Greece is the world’s largest shipowning nation, and Japan is a major shipbuilding and maritime finance centre. This creates a steady flow of Japanese maritime professionals, shipbuilders, and financial specialists to Piraeus and Athens for operational roles, joint ventures, and industry collaboration. Japanese shipping companies maintain offices in Piraeus, and the professional exchange between Tokyo and Athens in the maritime sector is well-established.
Investment migration is growing. The Greek Golden Visa programme attracts Japanese investors seeking EU residency at a competitive investment threshold. For Japanese families, the programme offers Schengen zone access and a European base – valuable for business, education, and lifestyle diversification. Greece’s cultural heritage, which enjoys particular admiration in Japan, adds an emotional dimension to the investment decision.
Lifestyle migration represents an emerging trend. Japan’s intense work culture, high cost of living in Tokyo, and ageing population contrast with Greece’s relaxed Mediterranean pace, affordable living, and outdoor lifestyle. A growing number of Japanese retirees and lifestyle migrants are choosing Greece – particularly the islands – as a place to enjoy a different quality of life.
The Digital Nomad Visa has created a new pathway for Japanese remote workers. Japan’s technology and creative industries produce professionals with location-independent skills, and Greece’s combination of EU connectivity, time zone compatibility with Asian markets (a manageable 6–7 hour difference), and low cost of living makes it an attractive base.
Cultural appreciation flows both ways. Greek history and philosophy are widely studied in Japan, and Japanese tourists are significant visitors to Greece. This cultural familiarity reduces the perceived distance of the move.
IMMIGRATION
Immigration Requirements: Japan to Greece
Japanese nationals can enter the Schengen zone visa-free for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. However, employment, investment-based residence, and long-term stays require specific authorisation.
Type D National Visa (Εθνική Θεώρηση τύπου D)
Required for any stay beyond 90 days or for employment purposes. Japanese applicants submit their Type D visa application at the Greek Embassy in Tokyo. This visa covers employment, investment-based residence, company formation, family reunification, and independent financial activity. Processing time: typically 30–60 days.
Residence Permit (Άδεια Διαμονής)
After entry on a Type D visa, the applicant applies for a residence permit at the local Aliens Bureau (Υπηρεσία Αλλοδαπών και Μετανάστευσης). Initial permits are issued for one to two years and are renewable.
A.F.M. Tax Number (Αριθμός Φορολογικού Μητρώου)
Required for employment, property transactions, bank accounts, and all administrative interactions. Registered at the local tax office (Δ.Ο.Υ.).
AMKA Social Security Number (Αριθμός Μητρώου Κοινωνικής Ασφάλισης)
Required for healthcare, employment, and pension contributions. Registration at KEP (Citizens’ Service Centres).
Golden Visa (Χρυσή Βίζα)
Japanese nationals investing EUR 250,000 or more in Greek real estate (EUR 500,000 in high-demand zones) receive a five-year renewable residence permit with Schengen zone access. The Golden Visa does not require physical residence and does not authorise employment.
Digital Nomad Visa
For Japanese remote workers with location-independent income of at least EUR 3,500 per month from non-Greek sources. Grants residence for up to two years.
Family Reunification
Spouses and dependent children of residence permit holders can apply for reunification. Each family member requires their own visa and permit. Timeline: approximately 2–4 months.
Matrix Global Mobility’s immigration compliance team in Athens manages every stage – from document preparation in Japan to application submission and follow-up with Greek authorities.
RELOCATION
Relocation Essentials: Living in Greece After Japan
The transition from Japan to Greece involves significant cultural, linguistic, and lifestyle adjustments – but the contrasts are often precisely what motivates the move.
Housing in Athens and Thessaloniki
Greece’s rental market is dramatically more affordable than Tokyo. A two-bedroom furnished apartment in central Athens ranges from EUR 700 to EUR 1,300 per month – compared to equivalent spaces in central Tokyo costing EUR 1,800–EUR 3,000+. Greek apartments are generally larger than their Japanese counterparts. Matrix’s destination services team conducts accompanied housing searches and handles lease negotiations in Greek.
Cost of Living
Greece is substantially more affordable than Japan, particularly for housing, dining, and transportation. Groceries are moderately cheaper. The most dramatic savings are in housing and dining – eating out in Athens costs roughly half what equivalent dining costs in Tokyo.
Healthcare
Greece’s public healthcare system (ΕΟΠΥΥ) is accessible to all registered residents. Private healthcare is affordable – annual policies range from EUR 400 to EUR 1,000. Japanese families accustomed to Japan’s excellent healthcare system will find Greek private facilities adequate, though the administrative experience differs.
Education and Schools
Athens offers international schools with English-language curricula: the American Community Schools of Athens, Campion School, and St. Catherine’s British School. Tuition ranges from EUR 8,000 to EUR 18,000 per year. There is no dedicated Japanese school in Athens, though the Japanese community maintains informal educational connections. Families seeking Japanese curriculum continuity may need supplementary arrangements.
Language and Culture
Greek is the official language. English is widely spoken in Athens and professional settings. The cultural adjustment is substantial – Japanese and Greek societies differ significantly in social norms, communication styles, and daily rhythms. However, both cultures share deep respect for history, hospitality traditions, and appreciation of food. Many Japanese relocators find Greek warmth and informality refreshing after Japan’s more structured social environment.
Climate
Greece’s Mediterranean climate – hot, sunny summers and mild winters – contrasts with Japan’s varied and often humid conditions. Tokyo’s hot, humid summers and cold winters give way to Athens’ dry heat and mild winters. Most Japanese families welcome the abundant sunshine and outdoor lifestyle.
MOVING
Moving Your Household: Japan to Greece
An international household move from Japan to Greece covers approximately 12,000–14,000 kilometres by sea, making it one of the longer maritime corridors.
Transit and Shipping
Sea freight from Yokohama or Tokyo ports to Piraeus takes approximately 30–40 days depending on routing. Most shipments transit through the Suez Canal or around the Indian subcontinent. FCL and LCL options are available. Air freight for urgent consignments takes 2–3 days at significantly higher cost.
Customs Clearance
Japanese export customs are efficient and well-documented. On the Greek side, personal effects of individuals establishing residence are exempt from import duty and VAT, provided goods have been owned and used for at least six months. Electronics and high-value items require itemised declaration. Matrix manages all customs documentation at both ends.
Insurance
Matrix provides all-risk marine insurance for the full transit, covering door-to-door from the origin in Japan to the destination in Greece. Comprehensive coverage is strongly recommended given the extended transit.
Prohibited and Restricted Items
Greece enforces EU phytosanitary regulations. Certain food products, plants, and wooden items without phytosanitary treatment may face restrictions. Matrix provides a detailed prohibited items list during the pre-move survey.
As a FIDI-FAIM certified and IAM Trusted Moving Company, Matrix maintains full operational oversight – from the pre-move survey in Japan to final delivery in Athens. The company’s international moving division coordinates with vetted origin agents in Japan.
Matrix manages relocations and international moves between any two countries worldwide through its vetted partner network, maintaining full operational oversight on third-country and fourth-country services.
THE CORRIDOR
How Matrix Manages the Japan to Greece Corridor
Matrix Global Mobility is a FIDI-FAIM certified global mobility company that manages end-to-end relocations from Japan to Greece, covering immigration compliance, corporate relocation, and international household moving. With its Athens office coordinating every stage, Matrix handles moves from Tokyo, Osaka, and Yokohama to Athens, Thessaloniki, and across Greece for multinational corporations, maritime industry transfers, and private clients. As an IAM Trusted Moving Company and a Full Member of the European Relocation Association, Matrix delivers this corridor with the same operational precision it applies across its 100+ country network worldwide.
Corridor Ownership
This corridor is managed by Matrix’s Athens office, coordinating with vetted origin partners in Japan.
Scoping & Dedicated Coordination
The process begins with a consultation to scope the assignment: immigration pathway, household goods volume, family composition, and timeline. Matrix assigns a dedicated move coordinator in Athens as the single point of contact.
Origin and Destination Execution
On the origin side, Matrix works with its vetted partner agents in Japan for the pre-move survey, packing, loading, and export documentation. Japanese origin services are known for exceptional quality and precision. The Athens team handles immigration applications, housing search, school enrolment, tax registration, and settling-in support. One coordinator, one file, one line of accountability from Tokyo to Athens.
Corporate Programme Support
For corporate clients, Matrix provides full cost estimates, exception management, and policy counselling – the operational backbone that corporate mobility managers and RMC partners require for compliant, auditable relocations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Japanese citizens need a visa to live in Greece?
Japanese nationals can visit Greece visa-free for up to 90 days. Employment or residence beyond 90 days requires a Type D National Visa (Εθνική Θεώρηση τύπου D) applied for at the Greek Embassy in Tokyo, followed by a residence permit. Matrix’s immigration compliance team manages the complete process.
How long does a household move from Japan to Greece take?
A standard move from Tokyo to Athens takes approximately 6–8 weeks door to door: 1–2 weeks for packing and export in Japan, 30–40 days of maritime transit, and 3–5 days for customs clearance and delivery in Greece. Air freight reduces transit to 2–3 days at higher cost.
What is the cost of living in Athens compared to Tokyo?
Athens is substantially more affordable. Housing costs are 40–60% lower than central Tokyo, and apartments are generally larger. Dining out costs roughly 50% less. Groceries are moderately cheaper. The overall cost differential allows a significantly higher quality of life per unit of expenditure.
Can Japanese remote workers apply for a Greek Digital Nomad Visa?
Yes. The Digital Nomad Visa is available to non-EU nationals earning at least EUR 3,500 per month from non-Greek sources. It grants residence for up to two years. Japanese technology and creative professionals with qualifying income can apply. Matrix handles the application.
Is there a Japanese community in Athens?
The Japanese community in Athens is small but active, with cultural events, informal social networks, and connections through the Japanese Embassy. Athens does not have a dedicated Japanese school, but the community provides educational and cultural support for families. International schools offer English-language education.
What about the maritime industry connection?
Greece and Japan have a strong maritime connection – Greek shipowners and Japanese shipbuilders collaborate extensively. This creates a professional corridor between Piraeus/Athens and Tokyo/Yokohama for maritime professionals. Matrix manages these corporate transfers with specialised understanding of the maritime industry’s requirements.
Does Matrix handle both the move and the immigration process?
Yes. Matrix Global Mobility manages immigration compliance, corporate relocation and destination services, and international household moving as integrated services. For the Japan to Greece corridor, every stage from visa application in Tokyo to household delivery in Athens is managed by the Matrix Athens team.
Start Your Move
Ready to move from Japan to Greece?
Matrix Global Mobility manages every component of your relocation to Greece – from immigration compliance and housing to international moving and settling-in.
Also covered by Matrix