Chania is a beautiful old town but is much smaller than Heraklion in the east. Many non-EU citizens including Brits, USA citizens, etc., can stay in Greece for up to 3 months without a visa. Read This, 10 Things You Might Hate About Living In Crete. What is the best resource to find an honest real estate broker in Greece to work with an ex-pat on options to buy a home in Crete? Hi Jonathan, you need to apply for a residence permit. we were looking at corfu but just found out that there is no international English speaking schools we can send our kids to. 2 years ago. The average rental price is around 7.40 per square metre. After five years of this, youll be able to apply for full, permanent residency. What are some pros and cons about living in Chania, Crete, Greece as an Among the things I enjoy the most about life in Crete is the healthy and tasty Cretan diet. Read on to find out more about what you can expect from living in Greece and how to get settled in this amazing country. Hi Gemma, the best way is probably to consult an immigration lawyer. Non-EU residents must have a type D visa for working in Greece before applying for permanent residency. Its in close proximity to the Greek islands and has good international connections. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 - Expatra Ltd. UK Company Number 09686420, Greece offers a wide range of destinations for expats, but all benefit from amazing weather and great food. Here youll find a strong sense of community among expats from different countries. Living the Ultimate Greek Lifestyle in Heraklion, Crete Read on to find out more about what you can expect from living in Greece and how to get settled in this amazing country. Also unlike other European hospitals where you have to wait for a long time to be seen by a specialist, here the wait is not long at all. A loaf of bread in Greece will set you back around 0.80. You moved to Crete without knowing the answers to the above questions, I wish you luck. But because I left in 2021 and didnt return until now. The low cost of living in Greece Greece enjoys a lower cost of living than some other countries, such as the UK. Im looking for a guide to applying for the heating allowance. Whether you are visiting the island, living on the island or considering moving to Crete, I share lots of helpful information. Would this meet the criteria for us both to gain a Type-D visa , and ultimately a full residents visa on arrival in Kefalonia . Whether you choose to live in the most famous Blue Zone of the world, Ikaria, or in the capital, Athens, you will be surrounded by fantastic nature, mouth-watering dishes, unbelievable culture, tradition, and friendly people. Answer: Pros: The lifestyle is really relaxed and in accordance with Mediterranean culture (similar to Latin America locally). In my next article, I am going to go deeper in the cost of living in Crete, but I will mission that there are some measures that you can take to save money while living in Crete. A decent bottle of local wine will only set you back around 4, and fresh bread costs under 2. This doesnt make a difference to your eligibility though. Lets talk about retiring in Crete Greece, and the cons and pros of living in Crete. Not everyone knows how big Crete is. I enjoy hiking and taking photos of the incredibly diverse landscapes of Crete. Of course, Heraklion in the east of Crete also has a large community of expats. Add in the historic interest and bustling nightlife, and its got the potential to be top of most peoples lists. If youre thinking of moving to Greece then renting a property can be a good idea before settling down permanently. This interview is part of theAsk an Expat series. Crete has an amazing gastronomic tradition, so much so that there are people coming back to Crete year after year just for the sake of a small tavern, or even a certain dish., Also Read: Hidden Gems in Greece You Should Visit and Things to Know if You Want to Go Sailing in Greece. Overall, Crete is one of the best islands to move to if you want a Mediterranean lifestyle. Can you help please? Its a great time of year to bond with locals and make yourself a part of the community on Crete. After living in Greece for at least three months, you can apply to the Greek Aliens Bureau via the online website. Greece operates . Honestly, every part of Crete is an excellent place to live, but depending on what sort of lifestyle you want, you will want to choose a part of the island that matches your lifestyle. Along with the glorious weather and amazing food, the pace of life is something many expats dream of in their retirement. Evia, Greece's second largest island after Crete, is also open for business in winter, with many people going to its spas in towns like Aedipsos. Many people prefer retiring in Crete Greece because of the warm weather, and the relaxed atmosphere of the Cretan living. Generally, this must be completed at the Greek consulate in your home country. And although Crete is known for its beaches and seaside towns, there is much more to this island. Lots of building, renovating, road repairs, shop changes, and more happen over the winter months giving the island a different kind of buzz. Greece has more archaeological museums than any other country in the world. The advantage to this over standard citizenship application is that its generally quicker and saves a lot of paperwork. Driving on Crete is pretty infamous as terrifying and unpredictable. You can expect to pay upwards of 130 per person per year, but this will depend on your age and any existing health conditions. Required fields are marked *. A minimum of six months is required. Crete, Corfu and Mykonos are all hugely popular islands . Anyway, I hope you have enjoyed my article today, if so please leave me a comment below with your thoughts. I also think its great to support the local farmers by purchasing their products directly from them. Long story short, I work for the US Government and have an opportunity to apply for a position in Souda Bay, Crete. Greece has a more complicated tax system than you might be used to. Applying for a residence permit will take some time. There is a large British expat community there, in the villages of Plaka, Kokkino Horio, Kalyves and Almerida. The other main concern of expats is healthcare. A budget-conscious expat can live comfortably in Greece for no more than $2,000 a month. Shes written for Greek Reporter, published several travel guides about Greece, and had more glasses of frappe than any regular person would be able to handle. If you have any more questions about life here please post here and we will give you any advice we can. Eating out in a restaurant will be also cheaper. These are particularly popular with expat families. When buying a property you must declare whether its for residence or investment purposes. To avoid this its best to hire an accountant to take care of your annual tax returns. Access to these is comforting you age. Greece Country Guide - Pros and Cons of Living in Greece 2023 If you have questions or need more information, see our complete Guide to EU Golden Visa Schemes and options, or contact us via our Advice page, we will be happy to help. This shouldnt be a problem for expats looking for a more relaxed lifestyle, but if speed and efficiency are your top priorities, itll be worth relocating to a larger city like Athens. Hi Wondered about local taxes and costs for electric supplies? I lived in Crete for 3 years with a Greek man about 28 years ago but have gone back frequently and have . It was accepted into the EU in 1981, and since then, the country has grown from strength to strength. So be respectful and mindful of local traditions and culture. Crete is known as the cradle of Western civilization and has tons of impressive ruins and sites dating from the Bronze age, when the Minoan civilization thrived on the island. The overall economy on the island is strong relative to the rest of Greece. These documents must be submitted to your local police station or the Aliens Police if youre based in Athens. Nov 10, 2014. There is a big US community thanks to the US military base in the Port of Souda, which is the biggest natural port in the Eastern Mediterranean. Heraklion's Koules is a beautifully restored fortress surrounding the city's harbor, built by the Venetians in the early 13thcentury. Ampelakia is located in Thessaly, and this mountainous region means its fairly quiet with little tourism. Do you want city living or countryside living? But what is life in Crete like? Even though technically that is true, some of the bureaucrats here still ask you for one for certain things, like if you buy a car here you still have to get a residence permit. Another good place to start is the GreeceMinistry for Migration and Asylum website. However, once youve got everything sorted, its a reasonably inexpensive place to live. I have lost my beneficy status. Would you be so kind as to clarify some points please . The Greek authorities can refuse your residency for this. So thank you for all the information. Youd need about 5 hours to drive from one tip of the island to the other and still have plenty to see and do.. So keep it in mind. You can find practical support and answers to any questions you might have and events and activities organised by expats such as Coffee dates and trips to other islands. I have read the basics. That said, the standard minimum rental contract is three years. Some things such as local foods are dirt cheap, making day-to-day life very inexpensive. Adrienne xx, Yes, theres Lidl in Sitia: Therisou, Agiou Nikolaou 1. km, Sitia 723 00, Greece Here things move at a slow pace (siga siga) also someone who enjoys the outdoors, taking long walks, or hiking, Crete is blessed with beautiful beaches, gorges, and mountains. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Finally, I also like having tourists join my gastronomic tours of the city every summer, I have fun showing them the alleys of our charming old town and taking them on a savory journey among the staple dishes of our cuisine.. If you know what you are in for and have done plenty of research, moving to Crete may just be the best thing you do. As with anywhere else, rental prices vary massively depending on the area. Anything over 40,001 is counted as the highest bracket of 45%. Well, one of the things that you will find frustrating is the paperwork, Bureaucracy is something that you will deal with and you will have to be very patient. Retiring in Crete Greece How to choose the best place to move to. However, Crete has more of a stereotypical Greek atmosphere. Nestled in the foothills of Mount Taygetos, residents can enjoy the lush countryside, quiet living and close proximity to the sea. If you dont want to live on the coast, moving into the mountains offers a range of outdoor activities. many thanks Hi there, you can also check out the visa hunter blog, which has loads of useful links about moving somewhere, paperwork, useful contacts and stuff you have to consider before going in a foreign country (for each country separately). Just like everything else on the island, house prices can also vary massively. Didnt find what you were looking for or need further advice? Whichever country you are moving from, you will need a nice, extended expiration date on your passport. Speaking Greek will definitely make this easier, but dont move to Greece assuming youll easily find a job. Nightlife here amounts to a good selection of bars and restaurants, but youd be pushed to find someone open for customers after 1 AM. The Greeks are very big on respecting their elders. 47,401 posts. This gives Crete its rich history and traveling around the island youll see remnants of many of these periods. He lives with his partner and two dogs, Merlin and Matilda. Water sports (windsurfing, kitesurfing, kayaking) are potential activities to do in our vacation time. I spend most of my time living and working abroad and use this website to share "the good, the bad and the ugly" of traveling and living abroad. For many people, living in Crete full-time is a dream come true. Up to 20,000 youll pay 22% tax, up to 30,000 youll pay 29% tax, and up to 40,000 youll pay 37% tax. If you are from an EU country then you do not need a work permit.The best thing to do is to go over for a holiday and if you find a job ,stay and if you dont, go back! Plaka and Kokkino Chorio a little east of Chania town have ex-pat communities. Again, an estate agent can help ensure everything is above board. 4,923 helpful votes. However, beaches like Balos, Elafonissi, and Falassarna still make Crete a perfect beachy location. I inherited my mothers house in Rhodos and I decided to spend most of my time living here. Had bern thinking of Greece as a retirement possibility from Hamburg Germany American in Crete | Expat Forum For People Moving Overseas And Living . Most things are very similar to other European countries. Another good thing about retiring in Crete Greece is the fact that Crete has a very low crime rate. Of course, there is much on offer in terms of activities, sports and keeping fit and healthy. I found all this very interesting .I actually live in Cyprus do found your comparison very useful.life is good in Cyprus but in 14 years has changed s lot..There are new buildings everywhere and lots of people from third world countries, in addition to the Filipino and Sri Lankan maids. As far as work is concerned, it depends on which part of Crete you are coming to. This is something youd pay top dollar for in countries like the UK. It can depend on who you are talking to here, what mood they are in etc. These cookies do not store any personal information. Your email address will not be published. Crete is an island that takes life at its own, relatively slow pace. Required fields are marked *. Theres not much that I dislike about the island. If you love the idea of living on a Mediterranean island, you may also have considered moving to Cyprus. You will not save alot of money however it beats working at many places in the US. hi there, I dont live in greece, but we are considering it too! On January 6th, Crete celebrates Epiphany, the Holy Blessing of the waters. Emily always takes the scenic route to get to the heart of a country and when she isn't writing, she can be found outside with her two dogs Hugo and Suzette. My private pension pays me circa 1,500 a month , we have no other income . Its not surprising, that Greece is one of the best places to retire indeed. Apart from that, if you spend more than 50% of the year in Greece or have a permanent residential address in the country, you will be considered a Greek resident, and you will have to pay taxes from your income abroad too.

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