Greece is a beautiful location that offers many advantages to prospective expats. The abundance of delicious food, Mediterranean climate, and gorgeous scenery are enough to tempt people worldwide.
That said, there are still a few things to remember when planning a new life in Greece. Every country has benefits and drawbacks to consider, so it’s important to get a balanced view in order to make the correct decisions.
If you would like a removal service to Greece, contact Pinnacle Removals & Storage. Let’s take a look at what you need to know about living in Greece.
The Pros
1. Low Living Costs
Greece is a very affordable part of Europe to live in. The cost of living is quite low relative to other areas, and housing costs, groceries and everyday transportation are quite affordable.
If you want to maximise the amount of money you have available, your best bet is to live somewhere away from the tourist areas because the regular intake of visitors will drive up costs.
2. The Weather is Great
Considering that most people go to Greece for a holiday in the sun, it shouldn’t be a surprise that this is one of the sunniest parts of Europe.
Greece sees an average of 250 sunny days every year, and while winters can be challenging some years, most of the time, they are quite mild. Living near the coast also means there is usually a good breeze.
3. Greeks Are Very Friendly
Greek people have a reputation for being very friendly and often go out of their way to make sure that everybody feels welcomed from the beginning.
The culture is very engaging, and you are encouraged to participate in community events and holidays to integrate into the local area.
Greek culture is built around the idea of supporting each other, so not only will you get plenty of help from your neighbours, but you will be encouraged to help them in return.
4. History Buffs Will Love It
There is a colossal amount of history in Greece that is still readily accessible to interested parties.
There are many cultural sites or ancient ruins that are open to the public for a low admission cost and there are often hundreds, if not thousands of years of history preserved in these areas.
5. Healthcare is Good
Greece is one of the many places in Europe that practice a universal healthcare system. Emergency services are free to use, so if you break a bone or need an operation, you will not have to pay for it.
It’s worth noting there is a private healthcare system as well, and it is worth looking into because it does bring benefits you might not get elsewhere.
The Cons
1. Work Isn’t Plentiful
Greece has one of the highest unemployment rates in Europe, and this is likely a lingering consequence of the Greek economy's public crash a few years ago.
The country has rebuilt, but they are still heavily reliant on tourism and support from other countries. If you’re not an EU resident, you will probably struggle to get a job. You may also need to be able to speak Greek.
2. Sponsorships
One unique opportunity available in Greece is what we would call a “Golden Visa.” Basically, you can get a five-year renewable residency permit if you purchase a property.
However, to do this, you need to be officially sponsored by an employer in Greece, which is compounded by the country's lower employment rate.
3. Greek is Tough to Learn
Part of moving to any new country is learning the language, but Greek is one of the more difficult languages for a new person to master. It is very complicated in terms of both speaking and writing.
The issue comes from the fact that Greek is a language that isn’t very similar to traditional languages like English, which has many recognisable Germanic influences. Furthermore, there are massive differences between speaking Greek and writing it.
4. Bureaucracy is Slow
Unfortunately, bureaucracy is one aspect of Greek life that will undoubtedly prove annoying for the first few years. Local government and healthcare systems have a large amount of red tape and paperwork to access basic aspects of them.
You may find that it can take quite some time to set things up for your life, and this can quickly become frustrating. When you add in the fact that there are many complicated rules surrounding paying taxes, you find yourself in the midst of a system that is not very optimal.
5. Healthcare Can Vary
Universal healthcare in Greece is good, but the unfortunate truth is that the quality of healthcare you receive may vary from one place to the next.
More rural areas don’t have as many services, and they are often outdated in terms of technology and speed, so if you live in the country and need a doctor, it might be a little longer than you’re used to.
Wrapping Up Greek Life
Living life in Greece is something which a lot of people do every year, and it is a valid place to go and start a new life. We are not trying to dissuade you from living there. There are many benefits to starting a life in Greece, but there are things to watch out for.
Unless you have a clear life plan and a bit of money to support yourself when you first get there, you will find that life can be pretty tricky. It would be best to move to Greece only if you have a guaranteed job offer. It’s important to understand that it can take time to apply for things like visas and basic aspects of life, so you need a bit of patience.
Greece is one of those countries where we do recommend that you prepare to move there. It’s not as friendly to people who want to start a new life on a whim, so preparation is key. Pinnacle & Removals are happy to help with the moving process though, as we’ve moved people to Greece many times and we’re very familiar with the processes that go into it.
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