Greece is made up of almost 6,000 islands and islets which sit in the Mediterranean sea. It has a fascinating history and many of its ancient sites have been lovingly restored so future generations can journey back over 2,000 years and imagine what life would have been like. Greece has everything – mountains, crystal clear sea, white sandy beaches, glorious countryside, mouth-watering food which suits its Mediterranean climate and, of course, welcoming people.
If you are considering moving to Greece, the various costs listed below will help you make an informed decision on what costs are involved when moving and living in this part of the world.
Quick Greece Facts:
- Population: 10,300,849 (2022 estimate)
- Official Language:Greek
- GDP Per Capita:US$20,276.54 (2021)
- The beach: No point in Greece is further than 85 miles from the nearest beach.
- Currency: Euro (EU/€). As of 2022, €1= £0.86, US$1.05, $1.40 (CAD), $1.53 (AUD).
1. Moving and Shipping Costs to Greece
Here are some sample container shipping rates to Greece from other countries around the world.
Also see: 8 Best International Moving Companies in Greece
2. Greece Housing Costs
Greece has a wide variety of housing available from fancy villas on the coast to very affordable apartments. For those who enjoy restoring properties, there are many bargains to be had. Property is reasonably priced both on the rental and purchasing front.
Monthly Rental Prices in Greece
- 1 bedroom apartment in City Centre: €288.18 – €700.00
- 1 bedroom apartment outside the City Centre: €233.00 – €600.00
- 3-bedroom apartment in City Centre: €450.00 – €1,300.00
- 3-bedroom apartment outside the City Centre: €415.00 – €1,200.00
- Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy in City Centre: €1,200.00 – €3,200.00
- Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy outside City: €1,000.00 – €3,000.00
Source: Numbeo
Greece Housing Cost Comparison
Below are how rents in Greece compare with other countries around the globe.
United Kingdom is 143.00% more expensive
United States is 266.79% more expensive
Canada is 164.48% more expensive
Australia is 180.78% more expensive
France is 96.41% more expensive
Spain is 67.09% more expensive
Italy is 58.62% more expensive
Germany is 103.04% more expensive
Source: Numbeo
How to Save on Housing Costs
- Share an apartment or house. Have a look at the following sites to find your room or flatmate: Iroommates, Flatmate, Craigslist, OK Roommateand Just Landed.
- Different areas – different prices. Greece has around 6000 islands of which 227 are inhabited. The major tourist areas are more expensive to live in, places such as Mykonos, Athens and Santorini. However, property is affordable in most areas of Greece and there are beautiful villages that are close to large towns that offer a great quality of life
3. Greek Food, Grocery and Restaurant Costs
Greeks love to eat, whether it’s at home with friends and family or at a restaurant celebrating a birthday. Greece draws in tourists from all over the globe and its food and restaurants reflect the diversity that tourism brings. That said, you’ll find plenty of traditional Greek foods in the supermarkets and markets and in restaurants.
- Inexpensive Restaurant: €6.00 – €20.00
- Domestic beer: €2.50 – €5.50
- Coke/Pepsi: €1.00 – €3.00
- 1L of milk: €1.00 – €1.80
- Loaf of Bread: €0.70 – €1.60
- 12 Eggs: €2.00 – €5.40
- 1kg Chicken Fillets: €4.00 – €10.00
- 1kg Beef: €7.00 – €13.00
- 1kg Apples: €0.95 – €2.50
- 1kg White Rice: €1.00 – €3.20
Source: Numbeo
Below is a list how restaurants and food prices compare with other major countries in the world.
- UKrestaurants are 91% more expensive and groceries are 16.42% more expensive than in Greece.
- United States restaurants are 75% more expensive and groceries are 72.09% more expensive than in Greece.
- Canada restaurants are 32% more expensive and groceries are 56.87% more expensive in Greece.
- Australia restaurants are33% more expensive and groceries are 73.47% more expensive than in Greece.
- France restaurants are 64% more expensive and groceries are 54.82% more expensive than in Greece.
- Spain restaurants are 82% more expensive and groceries are 2.74% cheaper than in Greece.
- Italy restaurants are 59% more expensive and groceries are 23.84% more expensive than in Greece.
- Germanyrestaurants are 71% more expensive and groceries are 20.08% more expensive than in Greece.
Source: Numbeo
Bonus Tips for Cheaper Food, Restaurants and Groceries
- Know your supermarkets: Greece has many supermarket chains, independently owned grocery stores, ethnic stores as well as fantastic fresh produce markets. Popular supermarkets in Greece are Ariadni Supermarket, Bazaar Online, Xalkiadakis, Ellinika Marketand Lidl Supermarket.
- Find Cheap Eats: Eating out in Greece is not expensive but, if you’d like to save some money, choose Greek restaurants serving authentic Greek food. These are the restaurants that are frequented by the locals, so you know the food will be good. Also, have a look at the following sites for suggestions – Cheap Eats in Athens, Greece Cheap Places to eat, Taste for Travel, Greek Travel, and Wanderlog.
4. Greece Alcohol Costs
Drinking is one of Greece’s favourite pastimes. It’s part of their social makeup and is enjoyed with friends and family. There’s a good selection of wines, spirits and beer, both locally produced and imported. Ouzo is the national drink of Greece and commercial production began in the 1830s. In 2021 the sale of ouzo topped US$1.47 billion worldwide.
- Bottle of imported beer at a restaurant/pub: €3.00 – €6.00
- Pint (0.5L) domestic beer at a restaurant/pub: €2.50 – €5.50
- Pint (0.5L) domestic beer at a supermarket: €0.90 – €2.50
- Bottle of imported beer at a supermarket: €1.00 – €3.50
- Mid-range bottle of wine at a supermarket: €4.00 – €10.00
Source: Numbeo
How to drink for less in Greece
- Have a look on local website, in newspapers and on flyers for places advertising specials drinks in bars, restaurants and supermarkets.
- Many restaurants, bars, and clubs have happy hours across the Greece islands and cities where they often serve drinks often at half price. Have a look at the following sites for more tips on where to go to save money on a night out – Four Square, Santorini Secrets, Wanderlog and YELP.
5. Greece Transportation Fares
Greece has an excellent public transport system with an affordable and reliable metro and suburban railway system, plus buses and trams. KTEL runs the intercity bus services in Greece. There are numerous privately run ferry companies which connect the major islands, however, their timetables are substantially reduced out of tourist season.
Below are some example ticket costs.
- One-way ticket (Local transport: €1.00 – €1.60
- Monthly Pass, (Regular Price): €27.00 – €45.00
- Taxi start (normal tariff): €2.70 – €5.00
- Taxi 1km (normal tariff): €0.74 – €2.00
Source: Numbeo
How to save money on public transport
- Metro, trams, and intercity public buses are the cheapest in Greece.
- Buy a day pass and 5-day passes for unlimited travel.
- Renting a bike, motorcycle or scooter is a good option for convenience and flexibility – due to the Greek style of driving, it’s not an option for the faint hearted.
6. Cost of Internet in Greece
Greece ranks 52nd in the world for internet connectivity with 6.0 million (56.0% of the total population) users across the country. Here are some sample broadband internet prices from early 2022 for unlimited downloads, based on a 12-month contract:
- INALAN– €26.35/Mo for 200 Mbit/s
- INTERNET 50– €37.93/Mo for 48.83 Mbit/s
7. Cost of Clothing, Personal Items, Gym and Leisure
Greece has a Mediterranean climate with wet, mild winters in low lying areas and snow in the mountains, with temperatures ranging from -20C to 15C depending on the altitude and area. The summers are hot and dry with an average temperature of 24C, sometimes rising to over 40C. The average rainfall in the country is between 800mm and 900 mm.
Below are some clothing prices, together with other useful prices.
- Pair of Jeans: €35.00 – €100.00
- Summer Dress: €20.00 – €50.00
- Running Shoes (Trainers): €50.00 – €100.00
- Business Shoes: €55.00 – €140.00
- Short Doctor’s visit (15 mins): €41
- Deodorant: €3.15
- Shampoo: €4.32
- Toilet Paper (4 rolls): €2.39
- Gym membership per month: €15.00 – €50.00
- Movie (cinema) ticket: €7.00 – €10.00
Source: Numbeo and Expatistan
8. Cost of Owning a Car and Driving a Car in Greece
There were 6,892,442 private vehicles registered in Greece in 2021, which means that there are 1.3 cars per person. The Greeks aren’t known for following the rules of the road or obeying speed limits which makes driving entertaining. The roads in the major centres are well maintained but the rural roads are often full of potholes, goats and stray dogs.
Buying a used car or a new car in Greece involves a lot of paperwork. You need to be an EU citizen or have a residence permit to purchase a vehicle. EU, EEA, American, Canadian, British and Australian citizens can drive on their home country’s licence, all other nationalities need to get an International Driving Licence.
Here are some other sample costs of owning and operating a car in Greece:
- Volkswagen Golf:€18,000.00 – €23,000.00
- 1 litre (¼ gallon) of petrol:€1.90 – €2.40
- Other fees (if any):The average cost of owning a car in Greece is around €550 per month. This includes fuel, insurance tax, repairs and servicing, and depreciation.
Ways to save money driving in Greece
- Car sharing or pooling is the best option to save money. Try Bla Bla Car, gr, Caroo, Ride Guru, I move Appand Car Sharing.
- Taxis can be a cheaper option, especially if you are parking all day. Try Uberand Lyft.
Need your car/vehicle moved to Greece? Then read our guide to Car Transport & Vehicle Shipping
9. Taxes in Greece
Tax is paid by all individuals earning an income in Greece. Permanent residents pay tax on their worldwide income. Personal income tax ranges from 9% to 44% depending on how much you earn.
If you own property in the country (land or a building) you’re liable to pay 3.09% of the value of the property as real estate transfer tax, plus an annual tax. Have a look at Global Citizens Solutions for more information.
VAT payable on most items is 24%. However, certain goods and services attract lower rates. Read Tax Summaries to learn more.
10. Flight Costs from Greece
If you do make the move to Greece, here’s approximately how much it will cost to fly to other major world cities based on the lowest, one-way fares from Skyscanner as of 2022:
- London: €68
- Paris: €75
- New York: €278
- Los Angeles: €379
- Toronto: €790
- Dubai: €214
- Sydney: €590
- Melbourne: €610
- Cape Town: €420
- Hong Kong: €388
Other Greece Relocation Tips
The above costs and pricing should give you a good idea of the cost of living in Greece. But perhaps the following extra tips will make your move go smoothly.
11. Relocating to Greece Alone
Moving abroad is stressful but moving alone can be more so. However, the atmosphere in Greece and the friendly people will help you ease into your new life. Here are a few tips on settling in Greece.
- Meetups:Connect with groups through Meetup to enjoy your usual hobbies or try new ones – Greek history, museums, diving and so much more.
- Attend local events: Greece is historically known for its numerous events and theatres. There is always something going on and many of the activities are free. Have a look at the following sites for inspiration – Lonely Planet, Greeka, Festivals in Greece, Real Greek Experiences, SOTC, and World Festivals.
12. Moving to Greece with a Family
Moving abroad with a family is exciting but has many challenges. Greece has a lot to attract families. There are museums, ancient sites, amusement parks, national parks, mountains, art galleries, music and everything the Mediterranean has to offer.
- New parents (or parents-to-be):Connect with the following groups: Foreign Mothers in Athens, MOPS, and Moms in Prayer for advice, courses and ways to meet other parents or parents-to-be.
- Live in a family-friendly area:Everywhere in Greece is family-friendly. If you want to live in Athens, Glyfada is very popular with expat families. Crete, Corfu, Thessaloniki and Rhodes are also ideal places for expat families to put down roots.
- Find things to do with the kids:Greece has many things for children to do. Have a look at the following websites for inspiration – Greece with Kids, Learning Escapes, Kids in Greece, Kids Love Greece and The Tiny Book.
13. Moving to Greece for Work
Moving to a new county for work is one of the most common reasons people choose to move. While it is possible to move without a job, it makes sense to ensure there are jobs in your field before you make the move.
Greece is a big tourist destination and employs many people in the service industry. There are work opportunities in hotels, bars, restaurant, ferries, aviation and cruise ships, plus general tourism. There is also a need for personnel in finance, IT, multinational call centres, construction, education and medicine.
Here are a few things to consider when moving for work:
- Salary:Salaries in Greece are not as high as other countries in Europe. The costs we outlined above should give you a rough idea how much more you’ll want to be making to make the move worthwhile. You can also check salary ranges on sites such as Glassdoor and Payscale.
- How to find work: If you want to have a job lined up before you move to Greece, but aren’t sure where to begin, the following sites are good places to start: Found It Gulf, Indeed, LinkedIn, Craigslistand Career Builder. You may also want to google recruiters in your industry, as they can often help land you some initial interviews as well.
14. Moving to Greece from Australia
An estimated 135,000 Australians live and work in Greece. If you are thinking of moving from Australia to Greece, here are a few things to consider.
- Size comparison:Australia is 59 times bigger than Greece. The population of Australia is 25,890,773 whereas the population of Greece is 10,300,849.
- Join expat groups:MeetUp, Internations and Facebook offer ways of meeting up with other Australians in Greece.
15. Moving to Greece from Canada
There is a small Canadian expat population in Greece. If you’re considering making the move from Canada here are a few things to consider.
- Size:Canada is 76 times bigger than Greece. The population of Canada is 38,929,902 whereas the population of Greece is 10,300,849.
- Expat groups:Meet fellow Canadians in Greece through Internations and MeetUp.
16. Moving to Greece from the United Kingdom
Around 18,000 people from the UK are living in Greece. If you’re considering joining them, here are a few bonus tips:
- Size: The UK is twice the size Greece. The population of the UK is 68,730,050 whereas the population of Greece is 10,300,849.
- Expat groups:Connect with fellow Brits in Greece through Internations and MeetUp.
Hopefully, the tips and costs above are helpful. If want to get started pricing out how much it will cost you to move to Greece you can start by comparing moving quotes here.
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