living in crete as an expat living in crete as an expat

The INCO, The Cultural Organisation of the Foreign Residents of Aghios Nikolaos, is very busy and an excellent resource for expats in the area. 4,923 helpful votes. So if youre thinking of setting up a business in Greece, it only makes sense if their corporation tax rate is lower. Greece is not known for having a fast bureaucratic system, so youll want to allow as much time as possible to get the paperwork sorted. I honestly believe that Im truly blessed for living here, and Im thankful for it every single day of my life.. hi, can anyone tell me what is involved in moving to Greece or where to get the information. There is a shortcut to residency in Greece, known as the Golden Visa program. Anyone working self-employed in Greece must pay their taxes up front, but these are then offset against your annual tax returns. Similarly, you can only be evicted for not paying rent, so renters generally have more rights in Greece than in countries like the UK or the USA. Qualified UK citizens can apply for the S1 form which will grant them access to the Greece public healthcare system paid by the UK. The cons of living in Greece 1. Greece currently has an overall falling crime rate when charted over the last 10 years, with levels sitting lower than the UK or the USA. But youll also find plenty of support. You will need your passport and proof of address and some additional documents. You can take language classes with other expats if you move to a large town. If you want to live in a proper city while still experiencing Greek culture, Heraklion is best for you. That said, there are plenty of opportunities for vegetarians too, although Greece hasnt been subject to the same surge in vegetarianism as more cosmopolitan countries. This is the best way to get in touch with the locals, learn about their lives on the island, and discover incredible places that not everyone knows about. One being, what kind of life are you looking to live in Crete? Similarly, food is generally less expensive. Crete is an island that takes life at its own, relatively slow pace. Hi Colin, property owners pay a very small Public Tax incorporated in the electricity bill payable every second month. Its the tourism industry that attracts many expats to move to Crete, either for the summer season or for an indefinite period. Even if the weather is not the best to swim in winter, theres something magical about visiting the pink sand beach of Elafonisi without the crowds, enjoying the uniqueness of the southern coast of Crete all alone.. I adore living steps from the sea, waking up every morning to the skyline of one of the prettiest cities in the country, Chania. Overall, Crete is one of the best islands to move to if you want a Mediterranean lifestyle. kind regards The south coast of the island is less busy with tourists in summer, which is fantastic. Of course, not everything is cheap, and some things cant be bought on the main island and shipped over. You can check the bus schedule here: https://www.ktelherlas.gr/en/. Also is there a aldi or lydle in sitia area please. hi there, I dont live in greece, but we are considering it too! As the capital city, Athens has everything you could need. Generally speaking, an expat with a monthly income of 2,000 will be able to live very comfortably almost anywhere in Greece. Of course, Heraklion in the east of Crete also has a large community of expats. Cyprus is also larger. In mainland Greece, earthquakes up to seven in magnitude have been recorded in the past, rising to up to 7.2 in islands like Crete. For example, utilities cost around 30% less, internet is 20% less, and renting an apartment in central Athens will set you back at around 670 compared to 3,150 in central London. Home town: Buenos Aires, Argentina. Report inappropriate content. The largest is Crete, with an area of 8,260 square kilometres. After his parents emigrated to France in January 2020, Jacob has a special interest in all things expat related and even plans to retire abroad himself someday. Retiring in Crete Greece How to choose the best place to move to. Another good thing about retiring in Crete Greece is the fact that Crete has a very low crime rate. Everything you need to know about living in Crete as an expat - the pros and cons, the cost of living, the best places to live, how to integrate better and much more. Crete is varied and diverse, meaning there really is a place for everyone. Crete being the largest island in Greece attracts lots of expats from other European countries and other parts of the world. I hope there might be a long-term American resident in Crete who would be willing to discuss various aspects of relocation there for a non-EU expat. Many people prefer retiring in Crete Greece because of the warm weather, and the relaxed atmosphere of the Cretan living. wondering about the daily earthquakes/tremors and what expats feel about these? Youll find more private options available in urban areas, but there are still private hospitals in rural areas too. 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.. Of course, like all places, there are some slightly less-safe parts, but in general, Crete is the type of place you can spend an afternoon in your garden and not worry about locking your front door. Lots of building, renovating, road repairs, shop changes, and more happen over the winter months giving the island a different kind of buzz. The other main concern of expats is healthcare. Although no simple list of pros and cons will ever be enough for making a decision about something like residency, it at least helps you get an idea of what its like to live in the country. The quality of life in Crete is generally considered to be excellent. Obviously, Greece has plenty of ancient historic monuments if thats your thing. Freestanding and semi-detached houses and cottages are also found throughout the country. If someone says theyll be there in the afternoon, ask for a specific time or be prepared; they could turn up at 7 PM. You can, of course, find online forums and ask for the advice of other expats, but if you want to meet up, join a community and take advantage of the network of expats living on Crete, you might want to be in an area with a higher percentage of expats. While villas and apartment blocks are common in the cities, stone farmhouses are popular in the countryside. Also, applicants must receive their pension from a country in a double taxation agreement with Greece. After this, you will need to apply for permanent residency. Hi, we are planning to move to Crete within the next two years. This was a great article I came across your video Black in Crete while scrolling YT. So thank you for all the information. The island does get a fair amount of rain, giving it the lush vegetation and ensuring it doesnt become desert in summer. So keep it in mind. Greece has a more complicated tax system than you might be used to. EU residents will generally face little difficulty with this process, but the same isnt always true for non-EU residents. If you plan to study or work in Crete, you will need to apply for an additional permit, but this is less urgent than securing your residency. If officials say theyll get back to you within five days and they dont, dont be surprised. However, I will still be being paid in the UK by a UK company. Both the mainland and the islands essentially see 365 days of sunshine a year. Are utilities, mobile and internet connections reliable in Greece? Groups of expats can help provide practical support, such as finding a job and emotional support over coffee when the Greek bureaucracy gets too much. If you want to check it out more closely, visiting hours are 8.30 a.m. to 3 p.m. in winter and 8.30 a.m. to 7 p.m. in summer, every day except Mondays. 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. The Greeks are very big on respecting their elders. For a flat in a decent part of Chania, or any other major town, youre looking at 350 per month for one bedroom. The overall economy on the island is strong relative to the rest of Greece. An alternative is to open an international bank account with a company like Barclays. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The best way to do this is with the Golden Visa as it brings a lot of advantages, but not everyone has the spare cash to invest. The Financially Independent Persons Visa will be your best route if you qualify financially. Depending on where in the country expats decide to live, the range of choices may differ. Agriculture is the most important industry on the island, with tourism being a close second. The town also has an annual carnival in August that shouldnt be missed. Generally speaking, the quality of healthcare in Greece is quite high. Because tourism is a major source of income in the country, English is fairly widely spoken. My partner and I are moving to Heraklion at the beginning of next year with our 5 years old daughter. After these three months are up, you must apply for a Registration Certificate (Veveosi Engrafis). Good luck and I would do it in a heart beat! For many people, living in Crete full-time is a dream come true. You can contact Jacob on LinkedIn: Jacob Powell. My problem is leaving Greece and returning every 3 months is expensive. Theres also a property tax that ranges from 0.001/m to 13/m depending on the area, property value, building date, etc. Im looking for a guide to applying for the heating allowance. Like many European countries, Greece offers a wide range of destinations, but all benefit from amazing weather and great food. 1.10%. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Cretes slow pace also applies to the bureaucracy system, so if you suffer from high blood pressure or are looking to get away from stressful paperwork, perhaps take up meditation or yoga while filling in all your official forms. Language can be a barrier at any age. A budget-conscious expat can live comfortably in Greece for no more than $2,000 a month. Read on to find out more about what you can expect from living in Greece and how to get settled in this amazing country. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. However, there is very little support from other expats if you live in one of these regions. Hi, my name is Rose and I welcome you to my website. Completing the paperwork on your own is possible, but remember that you can hire legal help to make things quicker and easier. Housing and utilities will be covered but I don't know if I can afford the rest of living expenses on my salary. Yes, there are three things that every visitor to Crete should do: 1. Many expats have already taken the plunge and headed to the stunning Greek island of Crete. Even the little villages have a smattering of expats, and the large town of Chania is just half an hour away by car. You will not save alot of money however it beats working at many places in the US. The ranking is based on 43 factors including quality of life, personal finances, cost of living, health care and education. Thanks. 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. Just sent you the contact details, hope this helps. I inherited my mothers house in Rhodos and I decided to spend most of my time living here. Crete is blessedly cooler (but still very warm), and in winter, the temperature drops, and you get a better winter season. really helpful guide thanks so much. After five years of this, youll be able to apply for full, permanent residency. However, there are several crucial differences that could impact your choice. Hi folks, sorry for a slow reply but I only just joined this forum. After you have applied for the alternative tax regime, the 7% tax rate will become effective the following tax year and will last for 15 years. You can find all the details in our guide Greece: Visa & Residency Options for non-EU Nationals. 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. UK citizens can travel to Greece for up to 3 months without a visa. Greek culture means evenings are spent visiting friends and drinking local Cretan wine in local bars and tavernas. As it is now Greece hosts many British expats, and I am sure more are looking to relocate to Greece. For things such as white goods for your kitchen, it is often cheaper to buy in mainland Greece and bring them back yourself on a car ferry than it is to buy them on the island. But with such a great outdoor lifestyle and so much fresh Mediterranean food on offer, chances are youll remain healthy and feel younger than your years. Expat Forum For People Moving Overseas And Living Abroad. If youre looking for a one-word answer, the answer is yes. Greece has no lower income tax threshold, meaning you pay tax on everything you earn. Not only will this help from the language side, but they will also ensure you dont overpay. Age: 48 So be respectful and mindful of local traditions and culture. To qualify, applicants must not have been tax resident for at least 5 of the previous 6 financial years. To be honest, I did not use any resources. Mobile connections are mostly fine, although there may be connectivity issues in most rural areas. I have lived here for 6 years now and I have not heard of any serious crimes, just some pick pocketing in Chania which happens a lot during the tourist season. If you want to brush shoulders with celebrities and live the high life on the island, the northeastern village of Elounda is a charming fishing village turned playground of the rich and famous. Everything goes on according to the Greek philosophy of siga siga which could be roughly translated as slow down. Crete offers a very healthy, active lifestyle for those that wish to embrace the great outdoors. Nothing is wrong; it just takes a while. But, other than that, theres not a lot to dislike about life in Chania, or Crete in general. When working out your budget, be sure to factor in legal, surveyor and notary fees, plus a minimum of 10% deposit. Or you can apply as a non-EU citizen and choose one of the options discussed in the guide. Once youve found an area right for your needs, the next logical step is to buy a property. Some of the main tourist attractions are closed for work in winter so there are few tourists and its a great time to explore the island, eat out and go shopping without being surrounded by tourists. As I mentioned in another article, always expect the unexpected when driving here in Crete. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Here youll be in the minority and will be surrounded by locals and other Greeks. Location has everything to do with how much you're likely to spend. But what is life in Crete like? There are also significant hospitals and medical centres in Heraklion, Rethymnon, Lassithi, Agios Nikolaos, Hania, and more. Utility bills are also lower in Greece. The landscape ranges from fertile coastal plains to rugged mountains and from busy metropolitan cities to quiet hillside villages. Life in Crete, Greece Name: Gabi Ancarola Age: 48 Home town: Buenos Aires, Argentina Her Story: "I was born in Buenos Aires where I graduated as a sworn translator. Required fields are marked *. Adrienne xx, Yes, theres Lidl in Sitia: Therisou, Agiou Nikolaou 1. km, Sitia 723 00, Greece Food isnt overly expensive unless you are looking for something very specific. But because I left in 2021 and didnt return until now. Lying in the deep south-east of Europe, Cyprus not only offers a lot of fun on vacation but has . 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? In January, we have some days when the temperatures can go as high as 25 degrees Celsius, and night temperatures are between 10 and 17 degrees Celsius. Didnt find what you were looking for or need further advice? Feb 22, 2023 The expat guide to moving and living in Italy. As you can imagine, the country offers amazing food and wine, a great climate, and rich history and culture. Speaking Greek will definitely make this easier, but dont move to Greece assuming youll easily find a job. If you love the idea of living on a Mediterranean island, you may also have considered moving to Cyprus. I just came back after four years, I don't envy you. These are particularly popular with expat families. Most rental agreements require a deposit equivalent to two months rent, and utility bills may or may not be included in the rental price. As to electric appliances, heres a Miele site for Greece with prices, they have a store in Heraklion, Crete: https://www.miele.gr/. I dont know why they showed it but they know I am Asian (hahaha) so, dark skinned . The basic requirements for a residence permit . Greece operates . So if you enjoy the outdoors, you will be right at home here in Crete. If you head into the larger towns like Chania and Heraklion, youll find you still feel very safe. You can expect to pay upwards of 130 per person per year, but this will depend on your age and any existing health conditions. If you plan to move to Crete, you may decide to head to one of the remoter places such as Sissi or Kato Zakros. 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. This can prove difficult in the first year because you need extra money available, but it gets easier once youre generating income. This interview is part of theAsk an Expat series. If you come from the UK, you can sometimes choose whether to pay your taxes in Greece or your original country. Once granted, you only need to renew it if your circumstances change, and you must fill out versions for both you and your children (if applicable). the people where very welcoming and warm, I worked in the tourist industry which was a lot of fun but it does die down in the winter and this is the hardest part but there is work and there are alot of English people stay all year round. A minimum of six months is required. It rains very little in Crete. Yes, the island is very safe all year round. here you will find very useful information, and tips about Crete. And I dont know how well learning yet another language would fit in my life. Don't leave home without it! Probably the most popular area for expats to move to is between Chania and Rethymnon, in an area known as the Apokoronas. You can find more about Cyprus in our Living In Cyprus The Expats Guide. Especially in Chania, the expat community is huge, and very active. 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. To open a standard bank account while youre living in Greece, youll need several documents from your home country, including. Water sports (windsurfing, kitesurfing, kayaking) are potential activities to do in our vacation time. The rest has to be imported from the mainland. The fourth-highest number of UK expats living inside its borders, with roughly 531,584 Brits calling Canada home. Generally, all along the north coast of the island have excellent public transport, making it easier if you dont drive. Hi Jonathan, you need to apply for a residence permit. Name: Gabi Ancarola Its very picturesque and has more small villages compared to the north. Its fairly standard for expats to switch to a local private health insurance plan once their residency is confirmed. we were looking at corfu but just found out that there is no international English speaking schools we can send our kids to. All Rights Reserved. The local paper here, Xaniotika Nea, has plenty of small ads advertising for chefs but it's all in Greek. Another good place to start is the GreeceMinistry for Migration and Asylum website. Whats it like to move to and live in Crete? Also buying fresh produce from the local farmers saves you a lot of money and you get fresh great quality products like organic eggs, fresh fruits, and vegetables, and things like honey. A decent bottle of local wine will only set you back around 4, and fresh bread costs under 2. Hi everyone! The low cost of living in Greece Greece enjoys a lower cost of living than some other countries, such as the UK. Agios Nikolaos General hospital, Sitia General Hospital, Rethimno General Hospital just to name a few, there are also small clinics all around the island and many Private hospitals. Read This, 10 Things You Might Hate About Living In Crete. Rose. Author: Sanne WesselmanA traveler, wanderer, digital nomad, and entrepreneur. Crete, Corfu and Mykonos are all hugely popular islands . 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. Over 1 million people live on the island for at least part of the year, while Crete is home to around 650,000. If youre retiring to Greece, you should take healthcare into consideration. Living and working in Cyprus as an expat. If you dont fancy a dip in the sold sea, its a great spectator event, and youll have a great time with all the food, wine, and music. The main reason behind moving to Crete was that Greece has always been my dream place to live, and after visiting the island summer after summer, I couldnt resist I had to stay.. Cyprus is also seeing more expensive fancy restaurants such as La Maison Fleurie pop up to cater to tourists while Crete restaurants focus on good, fresh, cheap food. Where are the best places to live in Greece? This might not be easy to understand if youre coming from a bigger city, but trust me, you do learn to enjoy it.. For example, utilities cost around 30% less, internet is 20% less, and renting an apartment in central Athens will set you back at around 670 compared to 3,150 in central London. This doesnt make a difference to your eligibility though. Probably the most popular area for expats to move to is between Chania and Rethymnon, in an area known as the Apokoronas. Guidance and information for UK citizens moving to Greece , US Embassy and Consulate in Greece: US citizen services . When buying a property you must declare whether its for residence or investment purposes. 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. Long story short, I work for the US Government and have an opportunity to apply for a position in Souda Bay, Crete.