How to Get an AFM as a Non-Resident in Greece
Learn moreJuly 6, 2024
If you're planning to move to Greece, there are many factors to consider before relocating.
Greece is renowned for its rich culture and history. It offers a great lifestyle for foreigners, including a lovely climate, stunning beaches, amazing archaeological sites, great food, and wine – all for a relatively low cost of living.
The mistake that many expats make is that they are so blindsided by all of the positive things that Greece has to offer, that they could be missing its downsides. Like any big move, it's important to weigh up the pros and cons of living in Greece before taking the leap.
According to a survey conducted by Expat Insider in 2017, Greece was ranked as the worst place in the world to live as an expat.
Here is a list of all the reasons why you should think twice before moving to Greece.
Greek is not an easy language to learn. Unlike other romance languages such as French and Spanish, Greek is the second most difficult language to learn, and according to Mondly.com, it takes roughly 1,100 hours to reach fluency. Not everyone in Greece speaks English, especially in the rural areas, so prepare to be lost in translation when you move to Greece.
Only 8% of the population of Greece is non-Greek. There are limited activities catered to foreigners, so chances are, you will get homesick quickly after your move to Greece. It is also difficult to make friends, due to the fact that Greeks tend to have their tight-knit social circles. While they are friendly, making long-term friendships can be really challenging in your new move to Greece.
Greek bureaucracy is a buzzword you will certainly hear as an expat. Simple tasks like opening a bank account or tax registration often spiral into mazes of paperwork, red tape, and extended waiting periods. This is why we have made services such as opening a bank account or obtaining a Greek tax number available on our website. Simply click on our homepage to purchase.
The income tax for employees who earn above €40,000 is 44%. For self-employed persons, they are expected to many social security fees each month to physically "exist" in Greece. However, there are a few ways you can reduce your taxes for instance, if you set up a business by declaring your expenses in your move to Greece. According to SalaryExplorer.com the median salary in Greece is €2,120 which means that 50% of the population in Greece earns less than that while the other half earns more than this amount.
It’s no doubt that Greece's economic crisis has cast a shadow on the country's affluence. According to Greekreporter.com, 98% of Greeks believe that corruption is “widespread” in the country, but with its latest Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) score, which is 52/100 (zero from being highly corrupt to 100 being very clean), from a mere 36/100 in 2019, means that things are slowly improving in the political sphere.
If you don’t speak Greek fluently, there are limited job opportunities if you’re looking for employment as a foreigner. However, there has been an increase in global investment in Greece, as well as international companies looking to hire English-speaking employees to fulfill different types of roles.
Strikes, demonstrations, and other vigorous civil protests are not uncommon in areas of Greece such as Athens. When this happens, the metro stations in those areas would usually close. For instance, the zones around Embassy Row, Panepistimio, Syntagma Square, and the Polytechnic and Aristotle Universities should be avoided if any unrest is on the horizon.
The country's political landscape has seen the rise of the neo-Nazi Party "Golden Dawn", marking a significant development to consider before planning your move to Greece. In the January 2015 election, they were the third most popular political party in the Greek parliament. Fortunately, its political leader was sentenced to more than 13 years in jail in October of 2020.
If you’re a non-EU citizen, then you’ll need to be sponsored by a Greek employers or seek additional visa programs if you are applying for a standard work permit in Greece. More on this here.
Now that we've gone through the disadvantages of living in Greece, there are many upsides to living there that one can't possibly ignore.
Although cost tends to vary from the islands to the mainland, it is typically cheaper and more affordable than the Northern European neighbors and the US. Transport, housing and basic goods are all reasonably priced. Read our other blog post here that highlights the cost of living in Greece.
The Greek locals are generally welcoming and hospitable. The culture is quite community-based, so a lot of families live close to each other or in the same apartment block. They are also very generous with their food portions, at restaurants, you'll find drinks and desserts on the house. Or, when visiting people's houses, you'll get endless tupperware of leftovers.
The Mediterranean climate offers sunshine all year round, and rain is little. In Athens alone, the average rainfall is only 365 millimeters. Winters are mild, and the hot summer weather is accompanied by a cool ocean breeze if you're by the sea.
Crime predominantly involves minor thefts, such as purse snatching and pickpocketing, whereas instances of violent crimes like physical assault still remain quite rare.
With a variety of dishes consisting of tasty meats and seafood, there is hardly a meal that isn't enjoyed. There is also never a shortage of fresh local produce. The "Laïki" or fresh farmer's markets, offer a range of fruits and vegetables, local products for a small price.
Greece stands out as a country with a lot to offer. With its delicious food, warm climate and hospitable locals, Greece provides all the necessary ingredients for high-quality living - all for a relatively low cost. That said, taking into account its negatives is important before making the big move.
While no destination is flawless, we hope that these insights will guide your decision-making process in your future relocation to Greece.
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