Complete Guide to Moving to Greece in 2026: Cost, Visas, Healthcare, and Where to Live

Greece is having a moment. Once known primarily as a holiday destination — a place for island-hopping, ancient ruins, and ouzo at sunset — it is now emerging as one of Europe’s best-value living destinations. Athens’ cost of living runs 40–50% lower than Lisbon, a city that already feels cheap by Western European standards. Healthcare is affordable and accessible, the climate is textbook Mediterranean, and the government introduced a dedicated digital nomad visa in 2021.

The numbers tell a compelling story. A single person can live comfortably in Athens for under $1,800 a month. Thessaloniki is even cheaper. The Greek islands — from Crete to Corfu to Naxos — offer a pace of life that most people only experience on vacation. And unlike many Mediterranean countries, Greece is actively courting international remote workers and retirees with favorable tax incentives and streamlined visa pathways.

Whether you are a remote worker looking for a sun-drenched base, a retiree seeking affordable European living, or an entrepreneur drawn to Athens’ growing startup scene, Greece offers a quality of life that rivals Western Europe at a fraction of the price. This guide covers everything you need to know about moving to Greece in 2026 — the practical details that most expat guides leave out.

At WhereNext, we score every country across seven data-driven dimensions using institutional sources. You can explore the full Greece country profile for real-time data, or keep reading for the comprehensive breakdown.

Cost of Living: Athens, Thessaloniki, and the Islands

One of the biggest draws of moving to Greece is the cost of living. Compared to other Western European capitals, Athens is remarkably affordable — and secondary cities and islands offer even better value. Here is a realistic breakdown of monthly expenses across Greece’s most popular expat destinations.

Athens

Athens is the capital, the cultural epicenter, and the city with the best infrastructure for expats. A one-bedroom apartment in desirable neighborhoods like Koukaki, Pangrati, or Exarcheia runs €500–€900 per month. In central upscale areas like Kolonaki, expect €800–€1,100. Outside the center, rents drop to €400–€600.

Total monthly budget for a single person living comfortably in Athens: roughly $1,400–$1,800, including rent, groceries (€200–€280), dining out (€150–€250), transport (a monthly metro pass is €30), utilities (€80–€130), and internet (€25–€35). Compared to Lisbon, Athens offers similar or better quality for significantly less money.

Thessaloniki

Greece’s second city is a university town, a food capital, and increasingly a magnet for young expats and digital nomads. A one-bedroom in the center averages €400–€700 per month — roughly 20–25% less than Athens. The waterfront promenade, vibrant nightlife, and culinary scene rival any city in Southern Europe.

Total monthly budget for a single person in Thessaloniki: roughly $1,200–$1,600. Groceries, restaurants, and transport all run cheaper than Athens. Thessaloniki also has a thriving cultural scene, excellent coworking spaces, and a more compact, walkable layout.

Greek Islands

Living on the Greek islands is a dream for many, but the reality varies by island and season. Year-round livable islands like Crete (Heraklion, Chania) offer a full urban infrastructure with rents of €450–€800 per month. Smaller islands like Corfu, Rhodes, and Naxos are more seasonal — lively in summer, very quiet in winter.

Total monthly budget on the islands: roughly $1,500–$2,200. The premium comes from higher shipping costs for goods, limited competition among local businesses, and the need for a car or scooter. That said, the lifestyle payoff — crystal-clear water, slower pace, tight-knit communities — is hard to put a price on.

Small Cities (Peloponnese and Mainland)

For the most affordable living in Greece, the mainland delivers. Cities like Kalamata and Nafplio in the Peloponnese offer stunning coastal scenery, excellent food, and rents as low as €300–€500 per month. Total monthly budget: $1,000–$1,400. These areas are under the radar for most expats, which means fewer English-speaking services but also far more authentic Greek living.

Visa Options: How to Legally Move to Greece

Greece offers several visa pathways, and choosing the right one depends on your income source, net worth, and long-term plans. Here is a breakdown of the main options for people moving to Greece in 2026.

Digital Nomad Visa

Greece launched its digital nomad visa in 2021, targeting remote workers employed by or contracting for companies outside Greece. The income requirement is €3,500 per month (or €42,000 annually), which must come from employers or clients based outside of Greece. The visa grants a 12-month residence permit, renewable for an additional 12 months.

The headline benefit: a 50% discount on income tax for up to seven years. This makes Greece one of the most tax-efficient digital nomad destinations in Europe. You pay Greek income tax only on income earned while residing in Greece, and that tax is halved. Combined with the low cost of living, your effective financial position can be dramatically better than in most Western countries.

Requirements include proof of remote employment or freelance contracts, health insurance, a clean criminal record, and proof of accommodation in Greece. Processing typically takes 1–2 months.

Non-Lucrative Residence Permit (Financially Independent)

This is Greece’s pathway for retirees and people living on passive income — pensions, investments, rental income, or savings. You need to demonstrate a minimum income of approximately €2,000 per month (higher for families). The permit grants residency for one year, renewable annually, and provides a path to permanent residency after five years.

Unlike the digital nomad visa, this permit does not come with a tax discount. However, Greece’s standard cost of living means your passive income stretches significantly further than in most of Western Europe.

Golden Visa (Investment Visa)

Greece’s Golden Visa remains one of the most accessible investment-based residency programs in Europe. The minimum investment is €250,000 in real estate in most areas of the country. However, in prime areas — Athens, Thessaloniki, Mykonos, and Santorini — the threshold has been increased to €500,000 as of 2024.

The Golden Visa grants a five-year residence permit, renewable as long as you maintain the investment. It does not require you to live in Greece full-time, making it attractive for investors who want European residency without relocation. After seven years of legal residency (with time spent in Greece), you can apply for citizenship.

Freelance / Self-Employed

Freelancers and self-employed individuals can obtain residency through individual enterprise registration. This involves registering with the Greek tax authorities, obtaining a tax number (AFM), and demonstrating that your business activity contributes to the Greek economy. The process is more bureaucratic than the digital nomad visa but offers a permanent residency pathway.

EU Citizens

Citizens of EU and EEA member states have freedom of movement and can live and work in Greece without a visa. After three months, EU citizens should register with local authorities to obtain a registration certificate. This is straightforward and typically completed in a single appointment.

Healthcare: Public and Private Options

Greece’s healthcare system operates on two tiers: public and private. The public system — administered through ESY (the national health system) and EOPYY (the national health insurance organization) — provides coverage to all residents who obtain a social security number (AMKA). This includes expats with valid residency permits.

Once registered, you gain access to public hospitals, clinics, and subsidized medications. Public healthcare in Athens and Thessaloniki is generally good, with well-equipped hospitals and trained specialists. On the islands and in rural areas, facilities are more basic — serious medical cases are often transferred to mainland hospitals.

Where Greece truly shines is the affordability of private healthcare. A specialist consultation costs €30–€60. A private health insurance plan runs €80–€200 per month depending on age and coverage level. For Americans accustomed to $500+ monthly premiums with high deductibles, this is transformative. Private hospitals in Athens, such as Hygeia and Metropolitan, are modern and provide English-speaking care.

Expat tip: register for your AMKA (social security number) within 60 days of arrival. This is your gateway to the public healthcare system and is required for many administrative processes. The registration is free and can be done at your local Citizens’ Service Center (KEP).

Where to Live in Greece

Greece offers a remarkable range of living environments — from a major European capital to island villages where time seems to stand still. Here are the most popular areas for expats, with realistic assessments of each.

Athens

Athens is the obvious choice for most expats, and for good reason. It has the best infrastructure, the largest international community, the most coworking spaces, and direct flights to virtually everywhere in Europe. Within Athens, the most popular expat neighborhoods are:

• Koukaki: Just south of the Acropolis, walkable, full of cafes and tavernas. A local favorite that feels authentically Athenian. Rent €500–€800 for a one-bedroom.
• Exarcheia: The bohemian, countercultural heart of Athens. Street art, independent bookshops, cheap eats. Edgy but increasingly popular with younger expats. Rent €400–€650.
• Pangrati: Quiet, residential, with a village feel inside the city. Close to the National Garden and Panathenaic Stadium. Rent €500–€750.
• Kolonaki: Upscale, central, with designer shops and high-end dining. Athens’ most polished neighborhood. Rent €800–€1,100.

Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki is Greece’s second city and widely regarded as its food capital. The university (Aristotle University) gives it a youthful energy, and the waterfront promenade is one of the best urban public spaces in Europe. Rent runs €400–€700 per month for a one-bedroom, making it roughly 20% cheaper than Athens. Ideal for expats who want urban amenities without capital-city prices.

Crete (Heraklion and Chania)

Crete is the largest Greek island and the most livable year-round. It has its own airport, hospitals, universities, and a full urban infrastructure. Heraklion is the practical hub; Chania is the picturesque one, with a stunning Venetian harbor. Crete offers a slower pace without the isolation of smaller islands. Rent: €400–€700 per month.

Other Greek Islands (Corfu, Rhodes, Naxos)

Smaller islands are seasonal by nature. Summer brings tourists, energy, and higher prices. Winter is quiet — many businesses close, and the social scene contracts dramatically. Corfu in the Ionian Sea has a more temperate climate and a significant British expat community. Rhodes offers year-round mild weather and good healthcare for its size. Naxos is popular with families for its beaches and relaxed atmosphere.

Peloponnese (Kalamata, Nafplio)

The Peloponnese is Greece’s best-kept secret for affordable, beautiful living. Kalamata is a coastal city with excellent food (world-famous olives), a small airport, and rents starting at €300 per month. Nafplio is one of the most beautiful small towns in Greece — a former capital with Venetian architecture and a stunning harbor. These areas are under the radar for most expats, which means lower costs but fewer English-speaking services.

Taxes: What Expats Need to Know

Greece’s tax system uses a progressive income tax scale ranging from 9% to 44%. The first €10,000 of income is taxed at 9%, with rates increasing through brackets up to 44% on income above €40,000. This is comparable to most Western European countries and significantly lower at the bottom end than countries like France or Germany.

The standout incentive is the digital nomad visa tax discount: qualifying holders receive a 50% reduction on income tax for up to seven years. For a remote worker earning €60,000 annually, this translates to thousands of euros in savings compared to standard Greek rates — and dramatically less than you would pay in most US states.

Other tax considerations: Greece levies a property tax (ENFIA) on real estate owners, calculated based on property size and location. VAT is 24% (13% on food and basic goods). Greece has explored non-habitual resident tax schemes similar to Portugal’s, though these are more limited in scope.

For US citizens: you will still file US taxes regardless of where you live. The FEIE (Foreign Earned Income Exclusion) allows you to exclude over $126,000 of foreign-earned income in 2026, and the Foreign Tax Credit (FTC) prevents double taxation. Greece and the US have a bilateral tax treaty that provides additional protections. Consult an international tax advisor before making the move.

Internet and Infrastructure

Greece’s digital infrastructure has improved dramatically in recent years. In Athens and Thessaloniki, average internet speeds range from 50–100 Mbps, with fiber connections expanding rapidly and capable of 200+ Mbps. Mobile data is cheap — plans with 10GB+ of data start at €10–€15 per month from providers like Cosmote, Vodafone, and Wind.

Athens has a solid coworking scene: Impact Hub Athens, Stone Soup, The Cube, and several smaller spaces cater to digital nomads and remote workers. Thessaloniki is catching up with new spaces opening regularly. Many cafes in both cities have fast Wi-Fi and are comfortable for working.

On the islands, internet quality is improving but variable. Major islands like Crete and Rhodes have decent connectivity (30–80 Mbps in towns), while smaller islands may struggle with slower speeds and occasional outages. If reliable internet is critical for your work, stick to Athens, Thessaloniki, or major island cities — and always have a mobile data backup plan.

Culture and Lifestyle

Greek culture is one of the most compelling reasons to move here. The pace of life is distinctly Mediterranean — meals are long, socializing happens outdoors, and the concept of “siga siga” (slowly, slowly) permeates daily life. Outdoor café culture is a cornerstone of Greek social life, and the food is extraordinary: fresh, seasonal, and built around olive oil, vegetables, seafood, and grilled meats.

Greeks are famously warm and hospitable. Conversations with strangers are common, invitations to join meals are genuine, and there is a deep cultural emphasis on community and family. This warmth extends to expats who make an effort to engage with Greek life rather than existing in an expat bubble.

The honest caveats: Greek bureaucracy is legendarily slow. Getting residency paperwork, tax numbers, and bank accounts set up requires patience, multiple visits to different offices, and a tolerance for contradictory information. The language barrier is real outside Athens and tourist areas — English is widely spoken in central Athens and popular islands, but much less so in Thessaloniki neighborhoods, rural areas, and smaller islands. Learning basic Greek transforms the experience and earns genuine appreciation from locals.

Safety is a strong point. Greece is very safe by European standards, with low rates of violent crime. Petty crime exists in tourist-heavy areas of Athens (Monastiraki, Omonia) but is avoidable with basic awareness. The islands and smaller cities feel exceptionally safe, even late at night.

Is Moving to Greece Right for You?

Greece is an extraordinary destination, but it is not for everyone. Here is an honest assessment of who thrives here.

Greece is ideal for:

• Digital nomads and remote workers earning in USD, GBP, or EUR who want maximum quality of life per dollar spent
• Retirees with passive income who want affordable Mediterranean living with good healthcare
• People who value outdoor living, incredible food, and a relaxed pace of life
• Real estate investors looking at the Golden Visa pathway to European residency
• Anyone willing to navigate bureaucracy in exchange for a deeply rewarding lifestyle

Greece may not be ideal for:

• People who need everything to work seamlessly — Greek administrative systems require patience
• Those seeking a large, established English-speaking expat community (Portugal and Spain have larger ones)
• High earners who want the absolute lowest tax burden (standard rates are moderate; the digital nomad discount helps significantly)
• Anyone who cannot handle intense summer heat — Athens regularly exceeds 38°C (100°F) in July and August

Your Next Steps

Moving to Greece is one of the most rewarding decisions you can make — affordable living, extraordinary culture, and a climate that makes every day feel a little bit like a holiday. Here is how to move from reading to action:

• Explore Greece’s country profile — real-time data on cost, safety, healthcare, visas, and more.
• Compare Greece head-to-head — put Greece against Portugal, Spain, Mexico, or any other destination on the metrics that matter to you.
• Take the WhereNext quiz — 2 minutes to get a personalized country ranking based on your priorities.
• Do a trial run — spend 1–3 months in Greece before committing. Rent short-term in Athens or Crete, explore neighborhoods, test the internet, and experience the lifestyle across different seasons.

The data says Greece is one of the best-value destinations in Europe for expats. The question is whether it is the right fit for you. Start with the numbers, factor in your non-negotiables, and go experience it firsthand. The ouzo can wait — but probably not for long.