Moving to Greece from the UK: a complete guide

Dreaming of moving to warm, sunny Greece? You’re not alone, since over 17,000 Brits already call this stunning country their home.¹ In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about moving to Greece from the UK, including the cost of living, what has changed for Brits after Brexit and much more.

We’ll also point out a cost-effective way to manage your money across borders from the money services provider Wise. Open a Wise account and you can send money between the UK and Greece for low fees and the mid-market exchange rate.

Want to take your savings with you? Wise can also help you with large transfers.

Table of contents

Can you move to Greece from the UK? Moving to Greece from the UK after Brexit² How to get a Greek visa?² How to move to Greece from the UK? What’s the cheapest way to get to Greece from the UK? Options for retiring in Greece Retirement visas⁷ Pensions⁸ Living in Greece - what you need to know Cost of living - how much money do you need to move to Greece?¹⁰ Healthcare system¹¹ Opening a Greek bank account¹² Finding a job in Greece Renting or buying property in Greece Checklist for moving to Greece from the UK Save on your relocation costs to Greece with Wise

Can you move to Greece from the UK?

Yes, you can move to Greece from the UK, but it might be more complicated than before.

Due to Brexit, the status of UK nationals in Europe has changed. However, there are still many options for moving to Greece from the UK.

Moving to Greece from the UK after Brexit²

Any UK national who wishes to stay in Greece longer than 3 months needs to apply for a visa. One of them is the Type D long-stay visa. There are three different types of the D visa - employment, student or family reunification visa.

A growingly popular route is the Golden visa, which requires you to invest in property in Greece in exchange for a residence permit. You can qualify by investing from €250,000 to €500,000, depending on the location of the property. There’s also an option of investing in government bonds, private equity or real estate shares.

Another option is the digital nomad visa which is valid for one year. It’s made for remote workers who wish to live and work in Greece temporarily. There are certain requirements, such as earning at least €3,500 a month and having health insurance.³

How to get a Greek visa?²

In order to get a Greek visa, you must submit your visa application in person. Depending on the visa type, you need to prepare different documents in advance.

For example, a work contract that is verified by a public authority is necessary for the employment D visa. The study D visa requires proof of university enrollment and the family reunification D visa requires proof of family affiliation with a Greek citizen.

The digital nomad visa application should include proof of remote work, proof of income and evidence of sufficient health insurance cover. You’ll also need proof of your address in Greece.³

Before applying for any visa, make sure you check for any possible changes to the application process.

How to move to Greece from the UK?

The first step to moving to Greece from the UK is figuring out the route you want to take. If you want to invest in a property and money is not an issue, the Golden visa is one of the easiest paths.

The employment visa is an option even for those who don’t have a job lined up in advance. Unlike some other EU countries, Greece allows UK nationals to actively search for jobs and attend interviews during their 90-day visa-free stay. So, you could travel to Greece as a tourist and secure a job.⁴

The other long-stay visa types require more preparation and time, so make sure you start preparing your application in advance.

What’s the cheapest way to get to Greece from the UK?

The most convenient and often cheapest way to get to Greece from the UK is by plane. At the moment, the cheapest month to fly is May, when you can get a one-way ticket for only £13.⁵

The average ticket prices are higher and it’s not always possible to find a good deal. A more realistic price you can expect to pay is between £80 and £100 for a one-way ticket.⁶

📚 Read more: How to use the UK-issued Wise card abroad?

Options for retiring in Greece

Whether you’re approaching retirement or just planning ahead, you might be considering Greece as a potential retirement destination. There are so many reasons to retire in Greece, from the climate and food to the rich culture.

But how easy is it to retire in Greece? Here are the things you should be aware of:

Retirement visas⁷

There is no specific retirement visa for Greece, you just have to show you’re financially independent to get a residence permit. The minimum income you need in order to qualify is €2,000 per month. If you’re bringing your spouse or children along, your income will need to be up to 15% higher.

The permit is valid for 2 years and it can be renewed.

Pensions⁸

If you end up retiring in Greece, you can also claim your UK state pension there. It can be paid into your UK bank account or your new Greek account, in which case you’ll be paid in euros. You can also choose how often you’ll get paid - anywhere from 4 to 13 weeks. Make sure you contact the International Pension Centre to get the most recent information.

Living in Greece - what you need to know

Here are some basic facts for you to know about Greece if you’re considering moving there:

• Currency - Euro (EUR)
• Main languages - Greek
• Population - 10,309,645⁹
• Number of British expats - around 17,000¹

Cost of living - how much money do you need to move to Greece?¹⁰

Ahead of moving to another country, it’s good to know what you can expect when it comes to living costs.

In general, the cost of living in Greece is lower than in the UK. On average, you’ll pay almost 60% less for rent and around 13% less for groceries. However, the prices can depend on the city you live in.

Let’s take a look at a few average prices for common spending categories in Greece, compared with the UK:

• A three-course meal for two costs around £43 in Greece, while it’s £60 in the UK
• A loaf of bread is around £1.08, compared to £1.22 in the UK
• A draught beer is around £3.9, compared to £4.5 back in the UK
• A monthly public transport pass is approximately £26, compared to £68 in the UK
• Rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre is around £433, compared to £1,059 in the UK
• Utilities for a typical apartment are around £183 a month, compared to £251 in the UK

If you want to buy an apartment, this is also more affordable in Greece. For instance, the price per square metre to buy a city centre apartment is over 50% lower than in the UK.

Healthcare system¹¹

Both expats and Greek citizens have access to free or affordable healthcare in Greece. State healthcare includes things like medical equipment, specialist care, lab services and hospitalisation. Emergency services are free.

Around 15% of Greek citizens also have private health insurance. By paying extra, you’ll have access to dental care and even certain plastic surgeries.

Expats who work in Greece and pay taxes can use all healthcare benefits, either full or subsidised.

Opening a Greek bank account¹²

After moving to Greece from the UK, opening a Greek bank account should be next on your list of priorities. Having it is essential for everything from paying rent and utility bills to everyday expenses. The process itself is not complicated and it begins with getting a Greek tax number also called AFM number (Arithmo Forologiko Mitro).

Other required documents can vary by bank, but most ask for your passport, proof of address and proof of salary. It’s advisable to do your own research on banks in Greece and see which one’s the best for you. You can also ask them whether they have some specific requirements.

And, as an alternative to a bank account, check out the Wise account. You can send, receive, and spend in multiple currencies, including British pounds and euros. It’s not a bank account but offers many similar features.

Learn more about the Wise account 💰

Finding a job in Greece

In order to get a residence permit in Greece, you must have a source of income. However, you can start looking for a job in Greece on your initial 90-day stay and even attend interviews. That way you might have a good job in place when it’s time to apply for residence.⁴

If you’re the entrepreneur type, you can consider starting a business in Greece. You can do so as a foreign citizen, as long as you have a Greek Tax Identification Number (TIN) and the required visa.¹³

Renting or buying property in Greece

Finding a place to live is one of the most important things when starting a life in a new country. Whether you’re renting or buying property in Greece, deciding on a suitable apartment will most likely require patience.

Even when it comes to renting, you should consider hiring an estate agent. This way, an expert can help you find just what you’re looking for. If you’d like to get an idea of the apartment offer in Greece, these are some popular property websites:

• Spitogatos
• Hellenic Realty
• Tospitimou
• XE.gr
• A Property in Greece

Since the UK left the EU, buying property in Greece is more difficult than before. You can buy a home, but you may need to prove your connection to Greece and your intent for property use.¹⁴

Also, British buyers are now eligible for the Golden Visa scheme, since they’re not EU citizens anymore. If you spend at least €500,000 on property in Athens, Thessaloniki, Mykonos, and Santorini or €250,000 outside these areas, you can get a residence permit for you and your family.²

📚 Read more: How to transfer large amounts of money from the UK?

Checklist for moving to Greece from the UK

Let’s go through the most important steps of moving to Greece:

• Go through available visa options, gather your documents and apply for your visa
• Start researching jobs, unless you already have a position secured or want to wait until you arrive
• Find a place to live - this may also require you to travel to Greece to view properties
• Do some research and get quotes for shipping your belongings to Greece
• Look into banks in Greece, find some that suit you and see if they let you open an account before arriving
• Look into taking out a private health insurance policy
• Tell HMRC that you’re leaving the UK
• Book your flight

Save on your relocation costs to Greece with Wise

Before moving to a new country, you’re likely to have lots of costs to cover. Some of these, such as real estate costs, visa application fees and rental deposits, will need to cross borders.

Open a Wise account and you can send money between the UK and Greece for low, transparent fees and the mid-market exchange rate. It’s not a bank account but offers many similar features.

You can also use Wise once you arrive in your new home. For starters, you can spend in EUR from the moment you step off the plane using your contactless Wise card. It works in 150+ countries and automatically converts your pounds to the local currency whenever you spend, only adding a tiny, upfront currency conversion fee.

Sign up with Wise today 💰

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Sources used:

1. Statista - British citizens in EU countries
2. Compare My Move - Moving to Greece from the UK
3. Wise - Greece digital nomad visa
4. Indeed - A guide to working in Greece
5. Skyscanner - London to Greece
6. Skyscanner - Flights from London to Athens
7. Immigration Greece - Retire to Greece
8. Gov.uk - State Pension if you retire abroad
9. Worldometers - Greece population
10. Numbeo - Cost of living in the UK compared to Greece
11. Global Citizen Solutions - Greece healthcare system
12. Get Golden Visa - How to open a bank account in Greece
13. Wise - How to start a business in Greece from the UK
14. Wise - Buying property in Greece

Sources last checked on date: 25-Apr-2024