There is a large British expat community there, in the villages of Plaka, Kokkino Horio, Kalyves and Almerida. The other main concern of expats is healthcare. Access to these is comforting you age. Hi everyone! Could someone confirm or deny this, or is this Greece making up it's own rules?? Life in Crete can be a contradiction when it comes to the cost of living. 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. Similarly, Poligiros sits about an hours drive from Thessaloniki, which has an international airport with good connections. 47,401 posts. Hi Wondered about local taxes and costs for electric supplies? You can contact Jacob on LinkedIn: Jacob Powell. Like this article about living in Crete? To register with a doctor in Greece, youll need to complete a form with your insurance information (if applicable), your personal details, and your tax information. Long story short, I work for the US Government and have an opportunity to apply for a position in Souda Bay, Crete. Expats looking for a relaxed lifestyle could do a lot worse than living in Italy. Some things need to be bought on ferries from the mainland, so they can be pretty pricey. Copyright 2018-2022. Here driving can get very interesting, so you must be prepared for anything when on the road. Generally speaking, an expat with a monthly income of 2,000 will be able to live very comfortably almost anywhere in Greece. For example, you could do your main grocery shopping in Lidl supermarkets which saves you a lot of money. However, the island is large enough to have everything you might need. The people are so friendly. An example is IKA, which is the largest social security organisation in Greece and is for those in standard employment. In the survey Expat Insider asked respondents to rate and provide information about how it is to live as expat in 65 countries around the world that are considered as key destinations for expats. The Greek authorities can refuse your residency for this. Anyway must watch more of your videos and read more here. 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. Even the little villages have a smattering of expats, and the large town of Chania is just half an hour away by car. Evia, Greece's second largest island after Crete, is also open for business in winter, with many people going to its spas in towns like Aedipsos. It rains very little in Crete. Most rental properties in the smaller villages are for short holiday lets in the summer, so you might find a reasonable price for the winter months but would have to move before tourists arrive. If you love the idea of living on a Mediterranean island, you may also have considered moving to Cyprus. For UK citizens planning to relocate to Greece, it can make sense to take advantage of the three-month visa-free travel period to visit different areas of the country. As a result, you must have a Greek bank account and tax number to purchase a property. The cost of living is fair although its higher than the cost of living in mainland Greece. I adore living steps from the sea, waking up every morning to the skyline of one of the prettiest cities in the country, Chania. We plan to enroll her in the School of European Education of Heraklion and I was wondering if anyone has any impressions of them, as there is little info online. Greek culture means evenings are spent visiting friends and drinking local Cretan wine in local bars and tavernas. 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. If youre retiring to Greece, you should take healthcare into consideration. In Athens, you can expect to pay around 9.50 per square metre, but only 5.25 per square metre in somewhere like rural Thessaloniki. The capital of Greece, Athens, is named after the goddess Athena. Before we start, heres one piece of advice: Greece and therefore Crete follow the Greek Orthodox church. Doing so can make sense if youre planning on splitting money between countries, but youll still need a specifically Greek account for things like paying tax and purchasing property. Like many European countries, Greece offers a wide range of destinations, but all benefit from amazing weather and great food. For a flat in a decent part of Chania, or any other major town, youre looking at 350 per month for one bedroom. In the height of summer, you can enjoy upwards of 12 hours of glorious sun each day and average sea temperatures of 25 degrees. However, planning for this can be challenging and confusing. JavaScript is disabled. The weather is among the best in Europe. Retiring in Crete Greece How to choose the best place to move to. Let us know if you need legal advice and help with this, we can recommend somebody to help you. 1. It can depend on who you are talking to here, what mood they are in etc. When it comes to pubs and drinks, I would have to say that Synagogi Open Bar, in the old Jewish quarter is just the best place with the best music and delicious drinks. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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. I spend most of my time living and working abroad and use this website to share "the good, the bad and the ugly" of traveling and living abroad. Chania in recent years has become kind of a hotspot for expats and digital nomads, which makes the atmosphere of the town feel alive and vibrant all year round.. As more tourists head to the island, incidences of petty crimes like this do arise, but they generally target tourists who carry around larger amounts of cash for holiday spending. Cooler weather and fewer people mean youre more likely to see wildlife, so many people actually prefer the off-season months to the summer. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. I have lost my beneficy status. However, it does tend to rain a lot there in winter. Its very picturesque and has more small villages compared to the north. many thanks The west part of the island, especially the northwest near Chania, is stunningly beautiful, has the best beaches, and is thriving and bustling all year round. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Lots of building, renovating, road repairs, shop changes, and more happen over the winter months giving the island a different kind of buzz. He writes for Expatra alongside a number of other regular clients. Depending on where in the country expats decide to live, the range of choices may differ. Its certainly not a bad place to enjoy a glass of wine after a long day. However, Cyprus also has some more middle eastern and Turkish influences, youll definitely notice it if you choose to move to Northern Cyprus. It was accepted into the EU in 1981, and since then, the country has grown from strength to strength. My husband and I are holidaying in Crete this august but we are being drawn to moving there. Nov 10, 2014. Unfortunately, we cannot help you here as we are not tax specialists. These documents must be submitted to your local police station or the Aliens Police if youre based in Athens. iI went out for a holiday when I was 18 years old and just never really came home again.i have been backwards and forwards a few times over the years but I always end up going back.If you stay longer than 6 months then you will need a residence permit which you can obtain from your local police station.you will need to open a bank account and have enough money to live on if you are not working.The life in greece is fantastic but wages are a lot lower than in the UK.Good luck! Greece offers many different atmospheres for living, and which is best will depend on your personal needs and goals. Both the mainland and the islands essentially see 365 days of sunshine a year. Anything over 40,001 is counted as the highest bracket of 45%. If you do choose to help these animals, be prepared that you may end up surrounded by animals looking for food. Similarly, food is generally less expensive. And Crete is also a popular retirement destination, attracting many nationalities. However, there is very little support from other expats if you live in one of these regions. While you might not have the data speeds youre used to, youll still have mobile signal regardless. When it comes to choosing which part you should move to, there are a few things that you need to consider. The tourists usually go to the big beaches because they are not familiar with the island, expats who live here, know the small hidden spots, where they can go and have a swim and a picnic. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Monthly payments will often be lower if you commit to a longer contract, however. You can find all the details in our guide Greece: Visa & Residency Options for non-EU Nationals. Greece enjoys a lower cost of living than some other countries, such as the UK. Driving on the island is another thing you will have to get used to, if you are the kind that screams at the driver next or in front of you, then I suggest you take some relaxation therapy before moving to Crete lol. Youll make social security contributions, usually around 10% of your declared income. Had bern thinking of Greece as a retirement possibility from Hamburg Germany the site of the Regional Directorate of Primary and Secondary Education inCrete, administration of the 7th Ministry of Health of Crete, https://expatra.com/guides/greece/living-in-greece-the-expats-guide/, http://britsincrete.net/lifestyle/day-to-day/452-non-uk-sky-tv. kind regards we really like Chania but from the research weve done, Heraklion is the only area with the schooling we need? Greece uses the Euro, but living here is generally cheaper than in other European nations such as France or Germany. Home town: Buenos Aires, Argentina. In this interview, Gabi shares her experiences and practical tips for anyone who is moving to Crete or is simply interested in knowing more about life in Crete. Can anyone tell me what might be a good approximate cost for all the following in Crete???? document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 - Expatra Ltd. UK Company Number 09686420. This is a good way to fully immerse yourself in Greek culture. Living in Greece The weather is obviously a huge plus of living in Greece. 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. Pros and cons, residency and property matters, cost of living, and the most popular places to live. The forms are relatively simple and require similar documents to the residency application. Heraklion's Koules is a beautifully restored fortress surrounding the city's harbor, built by the Venetians in the early 13thcentury. However, while you are applying for your residency and visas, you will have to have private health insurance. hi, can anyone tell me what is involved in moving to Greece or where to get the information. It might leave you with a fairly steep initial moving cost, but overall, itll be cheaper than buying new on the island. Although major cities and tourist hubs generally work on a more British pattern of standardised hours, more rural areas often march to the beat of their own drum. The Best Places To Live In Greece For Expats, Living In Greece: Essential Expat Guide 2023, Greece: Visa & Residency Options For Non-EU Nationals, Living In Santorini: Expat Essential Guide, How do I become a resident of Crete non-EU citizens. Required fields are marked *. The quality of services offered is of high standards, and my husband who is from Denmark says that the doctors here are very thorough and very attentive. This means that if you want to go to any shops or visit anyone between 12-2 PM, call in advance to check its okay, or you might find the stores are closed and your neighbour is taking a nap. I truly want to thank you for your very rich, informative and helpful writings. Even heading out to a local coffee store will only cost you 3 for a regular coffee. Greece: Visa & Residency Options for non-EU Nationals, compare international health insurance options, The Expat Guide To UK Pensions Abroad: Understand Your Options, The Essential Guide To Cost-Effective International Removals, https://kefaloniapulse.homeinkefalonia.properties/?p=41780. Although making the jump to living in a new country can be daunting, its worth taking the chance if you can. At the moment information is coming in small doses when it comes to UK nationals settling in the EU. Of course, there is much on offer in terms of activities, sports and keeping fit and healthy. Visa And Residency Options In Greece For Non-EU Nationals. Good luck and I would do it in a heart beat! If officials say theyll get back to you within five days and they dont, dont be surprised. The Crime Rate In Crete, Is It Safe To Move To Crete? Hi, this might be helpful: https://kefaloniapulse.homeinkefalonia.properties/?p=41780. 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. I live in the western end near Chania and there are a number of big hotels and holiday concerns which are hiring at the moment for the 2009 summer season. Hello, anyone living in Crete from the uk with kids? hi im wanting to retire from uk to sitia ,will i be able to get freeview and english tv, and will they come to install computor etc quickly lol. Community boards online offer a solid tie to other expats, with plenty of people looking for English-speaking work. British citizens who had lived in the EU pre-Brexit had a certain time window to settle their status and it looks like you missed it. Cyprus has slighter larger towns and can sometimes feel like one giant, spread-out city. Both islands have so much to offer in terms of history and culture, so realistically, either island is great to visit as a tourist. Once completed, youll be given a list of available local doctors. Could Crete Serve the Best Food in Greece? To make sure you get the best value for money, compare international health insurance options from various providers to find the best deal. Not everybody knows that Crete has a mountainous landscape made of high peaks (that even get snow in the winter!) Hi I lived in Crete ( Elounda)for a number of years and totally enjoyed every minute of it. Also if you like swimming and sunbathing, you are going to enjoy your retirement here on Crete because there are so many beaches, some big and some small, as you familiarize yourself with the island, you are going to find some really nice spots where you can enjoy swimming and relaxing even at the height of the tourist season. This was a great article I came across your video Black in Crete while scrolling YT. Because Crete is relatively relaxed, they sometimes dont respect even the most basic rules of the road. I have a Greek residency permit (beige card) from when I lived in Greece in 2020 before brexit. Nobody seems to know. If you come from the UK, you can sometimes choose whether to pay your taxes in Greece or your original country. Expats living here won't have to deal with anywhere near the same amount of tourist footfall as in other parts of Greece. Greeces current corporate tax rate is 24%, which has been reduced from 28%. Non-EU citizens must go through a more thorough immigration process. Nothing is wrong; it just takes a while. 4,923 helpful votes. However, there are minimal crime reports, and very few people actually experience anything dangerous. Crete offers a very healthy, active lifestyle for those that wish to embrace the great outdoors. International health insurance can be quite expensive. Underneath the busy tourist industry is a super laid-back island. and impressive gorges. Emily always takes the scenic route to get to the heart of a country and when she isn't writing, she can be found outside with her two dogs Hugo and Suzette. During this time you must also get a Greek tax number and a Greek bank account. 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. Hi Gemma, the best way is probably to consult an immigration lawyer. Old buildings and village walls are the ones that get damaged, as the majority of the new builds are designed to withstand earthquakes, meaning that Greek cities and towns are less likely to experience serious structural damage. I also think its great to support the local farmers by purchasing their products directly from them. Don't leave home without it! To make sure you get the best value for money, compare international health insurance options from various providers to find the best deal. VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. A common clich could be saying that I dont really enjoy the way locals drive. As with other countries, this is less true in more rural areas, but either way, some knowledge of Greek would be very useful. For example, we had a friend who felt dizzy and fell in her kitchen and when she was taken to the hospital, apart from treating her injuries, they also did lots of tests to determine the cause of her fall. Because of the long lunch break, afternoons in Crete can last until about 9 PM. Subscribe. 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.