Greece

GRC

Greece offers EU residency through its Golden Visa programme at relatively accessible investment thresholds, combined with a low cost of living and a favourable tax regime for foreign retirees and high-net-worth individuals. Its Mediterranean climate and island lifestyle remain a strong draw.

Passport Rank

Visa-Free

189

destinations

Country Details

Capital: Athens
Currency: Euro (EUR)
Languages: Greek
Population: 10,720,000
Tax System: Residence Based
Dual Citizenship: Allowed
Naturalisation: 7 years
Schengen / EU: Schengen / EU
Climate: Mediterranean
English Proficiency Rank: #24

Greece offers a flat €100,000 annual tax on foreign-source income for high-net-worth individuals, and a 7% flat rate on all foreign pension income for retirees relocating to Greece.

Indices

Cost of Living

Safety

Healthcare

Quality of Life

157

Tax Summary

Tax System: Residence Based
Territorial Taxation: No — worldwide income taxed for residents
Naturalisation: 7 years of legal residency
Dual Citizenship: Allowed
Special Tax Regime: Greece offers a flat €100,000 annual tax on foreign-source income for high-net-worth individuals, and a 7% flat rate on all foreign pension income for retirees relocating to Greece.

Cost of Living by City

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Monthly cost of living per major city in USD: rent, groceries, utilities, transit pass
City	Rent 1BR centre	Rent outside	Groceries	Utilities	Transit pass
Athens	$950	$650	$300	$130	$30
Thessaloniki	$650	$420	$270	$125	$28
Rhodes	$750	$500	$290	$120	$25

Monthly USD figures. Typical central 1-bedroom rent, grocery basket for one, household utilities, monthly transit pass.

Climate

Athens

12°J

13°F

15°M

19°A

24°M

29°J

32°J

32°A

28°S

22°O

17°N

13°D

Rainfall range: 6–71 mm/month · Daylight 9h (winter) to 15h (summer)

Thessaloniki

6°J

8°F

12°M

17°A

22°M

27°J

30°J

30°A

25°S

18°O

12°N

7°D

Rainfall range: 23–68 mm/month · Daylight 9h (winter) to 15h (summer)

Heraklion

14°J

15°F

16°M

19°A

23°M

27°J

29°J

29°A

27°S

23°O

19°N

15°D

Rainfall range: 1–94 mm/month · Daylight 9h (winter) to 14h (summer)

Naturalisation Details

Residence Years: 7
Language Test: Yes (B1)
Civic Test: Yes
Oath Required: Yes
Dual Allowed: Yes
Fee: $700
Processing: ~36 months

Real Estate

Avg price/sqm (capital): $3,000
Transaction taxes: 8%

Foreign buyers: EU nationals unrestricted. Non-EU nationals may purchase freely except in border regions (frontier zones) which require special ministry approval.

International Schools

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International schools by city, curriculum, and annual tuition
School	City	Curriculum	Tuition (USD/yr)
American Community Schools of Athens	Athens	American	$14,000–$22,000
Campion School Athens	Athens	British	$11,000–$18,000

Daily Life Logistics

Internet

75 Mbps median

55% fibre coverage

eSIM: Cosmote, Vodafone GR, Wind Hellas

Driving

IDP required

Exchange eligible: EU member states, UK, Switzerland +3 more

Pet Relocation

Quarantine: none

Rabies titre not required

EU pet passport: accepted

Safety

GPI Rank

#60

Global Peace Index ranking (lower is safer)

Common Risks

⚠Bar scam in Athens Syntagma area
⚠taxi overcharging from Piraeus port
⚠counterfeit goods on islands
⚠distraction theft in Monastiraki

Examples of areas to avoid: Exarcheia late night (Athens), Omonia Square periphery at night

LGBTQ+ Legal Status

Same-Sex Marriage: Legal
Civil Partnerships: Recognised
Anti-Discrimination Law: Yes
ILGA Rank: #25

Religious Life

Halal Food: Widely available
Kosher Food: Limited
Prayer Facilities: Limited

Sample Citizenship Test Questions

Q1. What is the form of government in Greece?

Answer: Parliamentary Republic

Source: Greek Constitution Art. 1; YPESATH Naturalisation Guidelines

Q2. In what year did Greece become a member of the European Union?

Answer: 1981

Source: YPESATH Naturalisation Guidelines

Q3. What does the Greek flag symbolise with its blue and white colours?

Answer: The sky and the clouds, representing freedom won in the War of Independence

Source: YPESATH Naturalisation Guidelines

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