So, you’re planning on moving to Greece? What an exciting time for you! But of course, along with dreaming about how to spend your days in this Mediterranean paradise, you’re also wondering about the nuts-and-bolts.
How will you get a job? How does renting work? What’s daily life like?
This article has answers to all your most practical questions about moving to Greece from the US.
Greek Visas and Residence Permits
As a US citizen, you can enter Greece visa-free for up to 90 days. But anything longer than that requires a Type D national visa and residence permit—something you’ll usually need in hand before the move.
Luckily, there are lots of options:
| Visa Type | Purpose | Requirements |
| Work Visa | Employment | Job offer, EU labor approval |
| Golden Visa | Investment residency | Real estate investment (€250k+ minimum) |
| Retirement/FIP Visa | Retirees/passive income | Monthly passive income ~€3,500+ |
| Digital Nomad Visa | Remote work | Income proof (~€3,500/month) |
| Student Visa | Education | Acceptance letter, funds proof |
| Family Reunification | Family/spouse | Proof of relationship, documents |
The Golden Visa is popular among investors. Learn more about the Greek Golden Visa here.
But as you can see, there are so many potential visas. That’s why we created a guide to keep them all straight. Learn more about Greek visa options here.
Cost of Living in Greece
We go into great detail on this subject in our post here about the cost of living in Greece. Still, it’s worth considering briefly here.
Greece offers a substantially lower cost of living compared to the US, generally 30–40% less.
Monthly average costs come out to:
- Single person: €1,000–€1,500 excluding rent
- Family: €2,000–€2,500 excluding rent
Let’s break down exactly what your costs could look like month to month:
| Expense | Athens | Thessaloniki | Smaller towns |
| Rent (1-bedroom) | €500–€700 | €350–€500 | €300–€400 |
| Utilities | €100–€200 | €100–€150 | €100–€150 |
| Groceries | €200–€300 | €150–€250 | €150–€250 |
| Public Transit | ~€30/month | ~€25/month | ~€20/month |
Healthcare in Greece
Healthcare is a bright spot in Greece. The country’s healthcare is affordable and high quality. The public system (ESY) provides low-cost medical services.
If you’re employed with a Greek company, your contributions via social security give you access to public healthcare with an AMKA (social security number).
Still, expats often supplement with private insurance for quicker access and English-speaking services. But this is much cheaper than what you would pay in America. Costs are roughly €50–€200 per month.
Employment and Job Market in Greece
Greece really struggled from the 2009 financial crisis. And though they’ve been on a long rebound, their unemployment rates are still higher than the US, and salaries lag far behind.
That means Greece’s job market can be challenging. And for an American, it can be really hard to get a local job because employers have to sponsor your work permit. Part of that process is showing proof that an EU candidate couldn’t fill the role.
This means Americans are either self-employed, digital nomads, or highly specialized. The EU Blue Card is an option (requiring higher education and a higher salary to qualify), but this is pretty rarely used in Greece.
Finding work is easier if you know Greek, but many English-speaking jobs exist, particularly in tourism and tech.
Greek Banking and Finances
You’ll first need an AFM (tax number) to handle finances. It’s required to sign a lease, get utilities linked, buy a car, open a bank account, and even land a job. So, first and foremost, get your AFM!
The next step is usually opening a Greek bank account. That requires your passport, proof of address, and AFM. Greek banks (Alpha Bank, Eurobank) offer accounts with IBANs and online banking, and almost all of them now offer English support—but it’s worth double-checking how good said support is before making your decision.
As part of the Eurozone, Greece uses the Euro (€) for transactions. Cash remains more common than in the States, though card payments are increasingly accepted. Keep euros on hand, especially for small transactions.
Use services like Wise or Revolut for international transfers—it’s much cheaper than bank wires.
Housing and Accommodation in Greece
While homeownership is still the norm in Greece (about 60%), it’s been on a multi-decade decline.
Today, especially in cities, renting is common. And you can find affordable apartments available in most areas. Athens city-center rents range around €500–€700/month for one-bed apartments, and things get much cheaper on certain islands and in rural areas.
When you search, make sure you know exactly what’s included—many apartments come unfurnished. It’s not uncommon for apartments to lack common appliances. Also, be mindful of older buildings lacking modern amenities like insulation or central heating.
You’ll need some cash on hand for the process. Deposits typically equal 1–2 months’ rent.
Daily Life and Integration into Greek Culture
Adjusting to Greek life involves embracing a relaxed pace—”siga-siga” means “slowly.” Initially, bureaucracy might feel slow. Trust us, patience helps. Living in a culture of hurry (the one that dominates most US cities) tunes your nervous system to rapid movement and racing from one thing to the next. While letting go of this often proves very challenging for the client we work with, they also report that it is the biggest gift a move to Greece gives them.
So, in short, it might be hard to slow down, but it’s worth it.
To help you integrate a bit more, we recommend getting involved with your community—and there’s lots of that in Greece. Join local groups, festivals, or expat networks (InterNations, Facebook groups).
You’ll find that common customs include lot’s of warmth, like greeting shopkeepers and neighbors warmly, saying “kalimera” (good morning).
Through the process, you should expect some homesickness. Many find it helps to maintain connections back in the States through regular calls and to celebrate American holidays. Balance expat friendships with local connections for some sense of familiarity, which can help keep your head from spinning, especially in the early going.
Καλώς ήρθατε στην Ελλάδα—Welcome to Greece!
Life in Greece is so full of promise. The beauty, deep past, and relaxing day-to-day life are transformative. The challenges—like dealing with bureaucracy, adjusting to a new culture, and learning a new language—are totally outweighed by the rewards of this new life.
Soon enough, we’re pretty sure you’ll want to become a dual citizen. If that’s the case, check out our full guide on how to become a Greek citizen.
