Thinking about moving to Greece in 2026? Greece is an increasingly popular destination for people looking for a Mediterranean lifestyle, relatively affordable living costs, access to the European Union, a warm climate and a slower pace of life.
Whether you are moving to Greece for work, study, retirement, family reasons, business, remote work or simply a new lifestyle, planning your relocation carefully can make the process much easier.
This guide explains the main things you should know before relocating to Greece, including visas and residence permits, housing, employment, taxes, healthcare, transportation, banking, everyday costs and settling into Greek life.
The first step when planning a move to Greece is determining whether you need a visa or residence permit.
The rules are different for EU/EEA/Swiss citizens and third-country nationals.
If you are a citizen of a country outside the EU/EEA/Switzerland, you normally need to determine which Greek visa and residence-permit category applies to your reason for moving.
Possible routes can include residence for employment, study, family reunification, financially independent persons, investment and other specific categories.
Greece's Ministry of Migration and Asylum provides information about residence permit categories and supporting documents for third-country nationals.
Preparing documents before leaving your home country can save considerable time after arrival.
Depending on your situation, you may need documents such as:
Documents issued abroad may need official translation, certification, apostille or other authentication depending on the document and the procedure.
Finding accommodation is one of the most important parts of moving to Greece. Rental prices vary significantly between Athens, Thessaloniki, smaller mainland cities and the Greek islands.
When renting, check the full monthly cost rather than looking only at the advertised rent. Ask about utilities, heating, electricity, internet, building charges, deposit requirements and any agency fees.
You can also compare the expected housing budget using our Greece rent prices guide .
If you are moving to Greece for employment, it is generally better to understand your employment and residence requirements before relocating.
Greece has employment opportunities across services, tourism and hospitality, trade, manufacturing, construction, transport, healthcare, education, information and communications, finance and other sectors.
Current Enterprise Greece data shows that services represent the largest part of the Greek labour market, while trade, manufacturing, accommodation and food services, transportation, education and healthcare are also significant areas of employment.
Athens has the country's largest concentration of businesses and employment, while Thessaloniki is another important economic and university centre.
See our dedicated guide: Jobs in Greece for Foreigners .
If you move to Greece for work, business, property, taxation or other activities, you may need a Greek AFM (Tax Identification Number).
The AFM is an important identification number for dealing with Greek tax administration and many financial or administrative procedures.
The Greek government provides an electronic process for requesting an AFM and obtaining the relevant credentials, with identification completed electronically or through the tax office depending on the procedure.
If you are relocating permanently, determine whether you need to register as a Greek tax resident and obtain professional tax advice where appropriate.
AMKA is Greece's Social Security Registration Number and is used for employment and social insurance purposes.
The Ministry of Labour states that AMKA is used for people who work or are insured or intend to work in Greece.
Third-country nationals with the appropriate residence status may also have specific procedures for obtaining or activating an AMKA.
Having the appropriate tax and social-security registrations is an important part of setting yourself up for employment and everyday administration in Greece.
Greece has a public healthcare system alongside a large private healthcare sector. Your access to healthcare depends on your residence, employment, insurance and personal circumstances.
If you are moving from another EU country, investigate the applicable EU healthcare rules before relocation rather than assuming that your existing coverage will automatically continue indefinitely.
Greece can be less expensive than many Western and Northern European countries, but costs vary considerably by city and lifestyle.
Housing is usually one of the biggest expenses, especially in central Athens and popular tourist destinations.
Your monthly budget should normally include:
Read our detailed: Monthly Expenses in Greece
You can also see: Rent Prices in Greece
Transportation options depend heavily on your location.
Athens has the most extensive urban public transportation network in Greece, including metro, buses, trolleybuses and other services.
Thessaloniki has an expanding urban transport network and is particularly suitable for people who want to live without depending entirely on a private car.
Outside the largest urban centres, buses and private vehicles can become more important. On some islands, transportation options vary significantly according to the season.
Before choosing a home, consider the distance between your accommodation, workplace, school, supermarkets and public transportation.
Opening or using a Greek bank account can make everyday life easier after moving. The exact requirements depend on your residence status and the bank.
You may be asked for documentation such as:
Before choosing a bank, compare account fees, online banking, international transfers, debit cards and foreign-currency services.
Greece has several mobile and telecommunications providers offering prepaid, contract and broadband services.
If you are moving permanently, compare:
Greece is home to universities and higher-education institutions in cities including Athens, Thessaloniki, Patras, Heraklion and other locations.
International students should prepare:
Students should also research rent, transportation and food costs before choosing a university city.
Families need to consider more than just rent and employment.
Athens offers the widest range of international services, schools and employment opportunities, although family housing costs can be higher in popular areas.
Greece offers very different lifestyles depending on where you live.
English is widely used in tourism, business and many international environments, but learning Greek can make everyday life much easier.
Even basic Greek can help when dealing with:
If you plan to live in Greece long term, learning the Greek alphabet and basic conversation is a valuable investment.
One of the major attractions of Greece is its combination of Mediterranean climate, history, food, outdoor activities and relatively relaxed lifestyle.
If you are relocating internationally, decide whether it is cheaper to ship your existing belongings or purchase furniture after arriving.
Before shipping:
| Before Moving | After Arrival |
|---|---|
| Check visa/residence requirements | Complete residence formalities |
| Find temporary accommodation | Register your address where required |
| Research jobs | Complete employment registration |
| Prepare documents | Apply for AFM if required |
| Research housing | Set up utilities |
| Research healthcare | Arrange healthcare/insurance |
| Prepare finances | Set up banking if needed |
| Compare cities | Obtain AMKA where applicable |
| Arrange international move | Get mobile and internet services |
It is generally advisable to have an emergency fund before relocating.
Your initial expenses may include:
If you do not already have a job in Greece, maintaining several months of living expenses as savings can provide additional financial security while you search for employment.
Yes. Greece allows foreign nationals to live in the country under various immigration and residence categories. The requirements depend on nationality, purpose of stay and individual circumstances.
EU citizens have free-movement rights and can generally enter Greece with a valid ID card or passport. Longer stays are subject to the applicable EU residence conditions and administrative requirements.
Depending on nationality and the purpose and duration of the stay, a non-EU citizen may need a visa and/or residence permit. Greece has different residence categories for employment, study, family and other purposes.
Greece can be attractive for people who value Mediterranean climate, outdoor living, history, food, beaches and European Union access. However, employment opportunities, salary levels and housing costs should be carefully evaluated before relocating.
Living costs vary substantially by location. Athens and popular tourist destinations can be significantly more expensive than smaller cities and some mainland areas. Read our monthly expenses guide for detailed estimates.
Athens is generally one of the more expensive places to live in Greece, particularly for housing. It also has the country's largest employment market and a wider range of services.
In many cases, yes. Housing can be cheaper than in central Athens, although the actual cost depends on neighborhood, apartment size and lifestyle.
Many people living, working or conducting financial and tax-related activities in Greece need a Greek Tax Identification Number (AFM). The exact requirement depends on your circumstances. The Greek government provides an electronic AFM application process.
AMKA is Greece's Social Security Registration Number. It is used for employment and social-security purposes and can be required for people working or insured in Greece.
Yes, but the rules depend on your nationality and immigration status. EU citizens benefit from EU free-movement rules, while third-country nationals generally need the appropriate authorization and residence status for employment.