For many people, living in Greece sounds like a dream. It's where you can enjoy the Mediterranean coastline, eat delicious food, and explore ancient ruins. However, it is very important to be aware of all the possible pitfalls when moving to a new country. Learn more about the advantages and disadvantages of moving to Greece in 2024

Greece is a dream destination for many expats. Its Mediterranean coastline, delicious cuisine, and rich history attract about 50,000 new residents a year. Most foreigners come from Albania, Germany, Georgia, Russia, and Romania. However, moving to Greece, as well as to any other country in the world, has both its advantages and disadvantages. Below, we will tell you about all the pros and cons of living in Greece.

In our previous article, we mentioned that there is a significant labor shortage in Greek agriculture.

Features of moving to Greece in 2024

If you are a citizen of the European Union, it is quite easy to move to Greece. Difficulties arise if you are a resident of a non-EU country. In this case, you will have to go through a longer and more complicated application process, especially for official employment.

Job search for expats in Greece

In 2024, foreign workers remain in demand in various industries in Greece. Popular areas include citrus and olive harvesting, as well as animal care on farms. These jobs usually do not require knowledge of local languages, which simplifies the employment process for foreigners.

Tourism remains the leading sector of the Greek economy, receiving visitors throughout the year. Those who dream of living in Rhodes and working in the tourism or hospitality industry have many opportunities to realize their plans. Hotels and travel agencies are constantly looking for new employees.

In addition to tourism, workers are in demand for cleaning houses, private villas and apartments, as well as for caring for the elderly. Although the salaries in these areas may be low (350-500 euros per month), the employment opportunity remains attractive to many.

For those seeking higher salaries (from €2,000), it is necessary to have relevant qualifications and work experience. This may include professional skills in hospitality, cooking, or other specialized areas.

Peculiarities of doing business in Greece

Despite the economic challenges faced by the republic in recent years, starting a business here remains relevant for many entrepreneurs. Although investors will have to deal with corruption, bureaucracy, and sometimes non-transparent legislation, it is still possible to find profitable niches.

Particular attention should be paid to the following sectors:

1. Agricultural sector;

2. Tourism;

3. Energy sector;

4. Food industry;

5. Pharmaceuticals;

6. Construction;

7. Medicine.

When choosing a region for doing business, you don't have to limit yourself to the capital. Thessaloniki, Patras, Piraeus and Crete are also attractive to investors.

To start your own business, you need to register with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, open a bank account, and register employees with the employment center. The most popular forms of company organization are LLCs and private limited liability companies.

Medical care in Greece

Among European countries, Greece has long lagged behind in terms of healthcare development. Until recently, its medical system was at the level of developing countries. However, in recent decades, the government has taken significant steps to improve this situation, raising the country's position in the rankings.

The peculiarity of medical services in Greece is the uneven distribution of the population. This leads to an overload of hospitals in Thessaloniki and Athens, while in smaller regions, such as the islands, there is often only one doctor for the entire population.

Today, Greece has 128 hospitals, 160 health centers, and hundreds of municipal and public clinics. Healthcare is one of the priorities of the country's economic development, and significant efforts are being made to improve access to and quality of healthcare services.

Cost of living in Greece in 2024

In the early 2000s, it was possible to find a job in Greece with a salary of 1,600-2,000 euros, which was quite favorable compared to other European countries. However, during the economic crisis, salaries began to gradually decline, which was one of the measures to overcome the debt crisis. These cuts hit hard workers in agriculture, manufacturing, and creative professions, affecting all segments of the population, including pensioners.

Despite the crisis, the expenditures of local residents remained at the same level. Mandatory expenses include health insurance and utility bills. An average family spends about a third of its income on various bills.

A family of three needs to set aside about 16% of their income for food. Thus, only 50% of the income is left for other needs. These data show that the crisis has significantly affected the financial situation of many Greek families, forcing them to plan their expenses carefully and save on many things.

For a better understanding of the cost of living in Greece, let's look at the approximate prices of basic necessities:

1. Bread - 0.8 euros;

2. Sugar - 1 euro;

3. Milk - 1 euro;

4. Fresh fish - 10 euros;

5. Meat - 8 euros;

6. Coffee (500g) - 7 euros;

7. Beer (0.5 liters) - 4 euros.

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To simplify the move to Greece, as well as facilitate the employment procedure, consult a migration specialist. We help to solve complex and simple issues for your comfort and safety in Greece.

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Benefits of moving to Greece in 2024

Greece is not only one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe, it is also a great country for migration, as the country has many advantages for expats:

1. Low cost of living. Compared to other European countries, the cost of living in Greece is quite low. Expats say that they have enough money to rent a house, buy food, and transport. The costs are higher only in popular tourist centers. Therefore, to save money when moving to Greece, choose small towns or rural areas;

2. Pleasant climate. Greece has good weather for most of the year. The country has an average of 250 sunny days a year. Of course, sometimes winters are cold and snowy, but they are usually mild. Summers are hot and dry, but cool breezes make the temperature more comfortable;

3. Friendly culture. Greeks are quite warm and friendly people, which makes most expats feel at home here. The culture in the country is fun and exciting. There are many holidays in the country, and the population is characterized by a high level of hospitality and social support;

4. Rich history. Living in Greece means passing by ancient ruins or cultural monuments every day. Thanks to its thousand-year history, every corner of the country holds many secrets;

5. Affordable healthcare system. In general, the healthcare system in Greece is highly developed. There are many public and private hospitals in the country. Thanks to the private insurance system, anyone in the country can get access to medical care in an emergency, so you don't have to worry about your health here;

6. Slow pace of life. Many expats note that the pace of life in the country is slower and without unnecessary fuss. The Greeks really appreciate simple human joys, such as spending time with friends or relaxing. Most expats in Greece achieve a healthy work-life balance;

7. Delicious cuisine. Greek cuisine is considered one of the most delicious in the world. The Mediterranean diet is synonymous with health, as it includes the consumption of large quantities of healthy vegetables, meat, and seafood. Greece has many national dishes that have a special flavor;

8. Low crime rate. Greece is an extremely safe country with one of the lowest crime rates in Europe. Violent crimes are quite rare. Thefts are most commonly reported in major cities and tourist areas. Most expats say they feel safe even when walking alone or at night. 

Disadvantages of moving to Greece in 2024

There are also some disadvantages to living in Greece:

1. The quality of medical services. There are some differences between private and public hospitals. In some institutions you can get services of lower quality and waiting time can be longer. There may also be difficulties in accessing healthcare services in rural areas. Language barriers are a common problem;

2. Difficulties in obtaining a visa. Wealthy expats have the right to obtain a "Golden Visa" - a five-year residence permit for the purchase of real estate. However, to apply for a visa, you need to be officially sponsored by a Greek employer. This involves a lengthy application process and may cause problems with finding a stable job until you find a sponsor;

3. Language barrier. Learning the language of the country you moved to is a good idea, but Greek is a complex language that bears little resemblance to most Germanic or Romance languages. It also requires learning a new writing system. There are significant differences between written and spoken Greek, which adds to the difficulty of learning;

4. The influx of tourists. No matter where you live, tourists visit almost every corner of the country. For example, Athens receives about 6 million tourists a year, while Heraklion and Rhodes receive 3 and 2.5 million, respectively. Tourists mean more people, more noise, which can sometimes annoy you;

5. A complex system of bureaucracy. Many expats who have settled in Greece have called the complex bureaucracy system the biggest disadvantage of living in the country. You can get bogged down in endless paperwork even if you are solving simple issues. A highly qualified lawyer can help you understand all the intricacies of Greek law;

6. Taxes. The tax system in Greece is complex and time-consuming. Even non-residents have to pay taxes in the country and there are additional rules for them. Even if you speak Greek at a basic level, it can be quite difficult to understand the intricacies of the Greek tax service without the help of a specialist;

7. Lack of infrastructure in remote regions. In general, Greece has an excellent standard of living and infrastructure development. However, if you move to a rural area or a remote island, you may have difficulties with medical and utility services and Wi-Fi.

We remind you! The Greek government plans to simplify the process of obtaining and extending a residence permit. The Minister of Migration and Asylum called 2024 the year of legal migration. Read more about what changes migrants should expect in Greece.

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To move, travel or work safely in a new country, you will need health insurance. You can apply for an extended policy on our website here.