Moving to Greece Without Speaking Greek? Here’s What You Should Know
Learn moreFebruary 21, 2025
If you’ve already spent a summer island-hopping around Greece and chatting with friendly waiters while enjoying your meze, you might think that your timely ‘Kalimera’ or ‘efharisto’ is enough to get by. After all, almost everyone you met spoke English, right?
As a tourist, you can easily get by with a few polite phrases. But if you’re looking to put down roots and live in Greece full-time, you’ll quickly realize that English isn’t as universal as it seemed on your holiday.
Relocating to Greece involves an endless loop of mind-numbing bureaucratic processes, so if learning Greek is the last thing on your mind right now you’re not to blame. But once you’ve settled in and the paperwork dust has cleared, language barriers can quickly become a sticky point.
So, do you really need to speak Greek before moving? It depends! Knowing what to expect (and where English won’t help) can make all the difference.
It is true that most Greeks (under 40) will have a basic grasp of english. Kids are often taught in schools as a second or third language, and because tourism is a major industry, there’s a strong emphasis on early language education.
However, keep in mind that interactions are full of cultural nuances. Even if someone speaks English, they might not express themselves in a way that feels natural to you, especially if you’re looking to integrate into older demographics.
Misunderstandings and natural language barriers are bound to happen, but when they start piling up in every small interaction, it can get frustrating. Struggling to explain your coffee order, ask for directions, or confirm a simple delivery pick-up order gets tiring, fast. And in Greece, where word-of-mouth beats the internet, Google Maps won’t always be your best friend. Greece is one of those places where things still run offline for the most part. Need a quick recommendation? A quick Greek conversation will get you further than a Google search ever will.
In this case, learning even a little Greek can keep everyday life from feeling, well… all Greek to you.
Greece as a tourist and Greece as a place to live are two entirely different experiences.
A waiter in Santorini might chat fluently about the menu, but a house call from a local plumber or a question to a government worker may leave you staring into an unblinking set of eyes.
And it’s not just service providers. Road signs, public transportation schedules, and official documents are often only in Greek. While major highways have bilingual signage, many local roads, street names, and bus timetables are Greek-only.
Additionally, if you’re planning to continue your career or start working in Greece, knowing Greek can be a huge advantage. Most local businesses and professional environments function primarily in Greek. Even in English-speaking workplaces, being able to understand and communicate in Greek will help you build trust with colleagues, clients, and partners.
Work culture in Greece is heavily social. Business discussions often extend beyond office hours to lunches, coffees, and after-work meetups. Being able to participate in casual Greek conversations makes a big difference in forming connections and thriving in the professional world.
If you’re settling in a major city like Athens or Thessaloniki, or an expat-heavy island like Crete or Corfu, you’ll find plenty of English speakers in everyday services. Many expats live comfortably within these communities, forming friendships, finding support, and navigating life in Greece without needing much Greek at all.
If this works for you, there’s nothing wrong with that.
But if you ever find yourself wanting to move beyond the expat bubble—to form deeper connections with locals, participate in Greek traditions, or just feel a stronger sense of belonging, a few Greek lessons will take you far.
It’s not just about practicality (though it certainly helps with things like local recommendations and casual interactions). It’s about feeling at home. There’s something about being able to chat with your Greek neighbors or crack a joke with the stranger on the other end of the line.
Bonus: Knowing a bit of Greek also means you’re less likely to be quoted the “tourist price” at the market or unknowingly agree to something you didn’t ask for. Plus, there’s always a certain satisfaction in surprising someone who assumed you wouldn’t understand.
Moving to Greece comes with more than a fair share of bureaucratic hurdles, and if you’re handling your own paperwork, expect it to be almost entirely in Greek. Although we’d recommend saving your time and sanity and getting help from a professional team.
Immigration services, tax offices (DOY), municipal services, and public utilities rarely provide English translations, and while some employees might speak basic English, official processes assume fluency in Greek.
In many countries, you can handle most things through email or online forms. Not in Greece. If you’re setting up your bank account, chasing down paperwork, or even asking about your monthly bill, you’ll need to get on the phone. And if your Greek is limited, be prepared for a long, confusing, and often frustrating process.
Even if you’re lucky to get someone who does speak English, they might not be the one who can actually help you. Calls get transferred, lines get dropped, and without the right vocabulary, you could be stuck explaining your situation over and over again.
To be eligible for Greek citizenship as a non-EU citizen, you must have lived in Greece for at least seven years as a legal resident. But time alone isn’t enough.
You’ll need to prove your integration into Greek society, and that includes speaking the language.
The Greek government requires applicants to demonstrate:
If we’re being honest, relocating to Greece isn’t just about logistics. Whether you’re retiring and setting down roots for future generations or taking the next step in life while figuring out what’s next, moving comes with an emotional weight. There’s a big difference between visiting Greece and actually living here.
When you don’t speak the language, even the simplest interactions can feel like a reminder that you’re an outsider.
There’s comfort in familiarity, in knowing how things work. But, Greece offers something special: a slower pace, a warmth in its people, and a sense of belonging that grows over time.
For assistance planning your trip or exploring the possibility of permanent relocation, we are offering a free 15-minute consultation with Efi Kalogirou, founder of Definitely Greece. Efi has lived across 8 countries and 4 continents, relocating life, business and family in the process. She has local ties with the land and loves helping people experience the raw and unfiltered side of Greece.
At My Greek Expat Journey, we assist expats from around the world in obtaining their residency permits and with handling paperwork. With a trusted network of top-rated accountants and lawyers, we ensure a smooth process free from scams. Our transparent communication, up-front fees, and quick responses make relocating to Greece stress-free.
To schedule a discovery call with us, click here. Let us handle the details while you focus on enjoying your new life in Greece.
.svg)
