The quality of life in Crete is generally considered to be excellent. Probably the most popular area for expats to move to is between Chania and Rethymnon, in an area known as the Apokoronas. Greece, generally speaking, has an acceptable infrastructure for things like power and communications. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. really helpful guide thanks so much. Foreign citizens can move to Greece to live permanently. 470 reviews. If you are wondering about visas and residency, you are in the same boat as other non-EU nationals. Greece has some pretty amazing food. In the height of summer, you can enjoy upwards of 12 hours of glorious sun each day and average sea temperatures of 25 degrees. 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. EU citizens must apply for a residence permit after three months, but this is more of a formality. I honestly believe that Im truly blessed for living here, and Im thankful for it every single day of my life.. Apart from that, if you spend more than 50% of the year in Greece or have a permanent residential address in the country, you will be considered a Greek resident, and you will have to pay taxes from your income abroad too. Would this meet the criteria for us both to gain a Type-D visa , and ultimately a full residents visa on arrival in Kefalonia . Something like childcare can also be pretty pricy, almost 300 per month, and there arent a vast number of options to choose from. Living in Greece The weather is obviously a huge plus of living in Greece. The cooler temperatures mean the winter months are often spent doing jobs that cant be done in the summer heat. I am hoping to move to Greece in the near future on a FIP visa. 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. The islands are large enough to grow some foods themselves which are always fresh and delicious. Id suggest, however, to read as much as you can about living in Crete before making any decision. If you plan to move to Crete, you may decide to head to one of the remoter places such as Sissi or Kato Zakros. Probably the most popular area for expats to move to is between Chania and Rethymnon, in an area known as the Apokoronas. Most people who decide to retire in Crete prefer purchasing a property rather than renting one, although there are some who go for long term rent. Shelters on Crete are full so contacting on is almost a pointless exercise. Most expats who move to Crete in later life said their main concerns were the language barrier and healthcare. 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. As far as work is concerned, it depends on which part of Crete you are coming to. Most rental agreements require a deposit equivalent to two months rent, and utility bills may or may not be included in the rental price. So if youre thinking of setting up a business in Greece, it only makes sense if their corporation tax rate is lower. Living on either island is the dream for many. Do you want city living or countryside living? Driving on Crete is pretty infamous as terrifying and unpredictable. Position: Med Aide - PRN - Assisted Living in Crete (24hr/month) Overview: TABITHA'S. PURPOSE: We empower people to live joyfully, age gratefully. First off, Cyprus is both more extensive and more densely populated. Cyprus is also larger. Can you help at all? Even heading out to a local coffee store will only cost you 3 for a regular coffee. Its very common for locals to watch you struggle with a few words and then just respond with perfect English. But what are the opportunities for people looking to move there permanently? . Temperatures do dip as low as 2-3 degrees in the winter months, and there are occasional bursts of winter rain or snow. The Crime Rate In Crete, Is It Safe To Move To Crete? Crete is varied and diverse, meaning there really is a place for everyone. To be eligible for state healthcare, you must be a taxpayer and belong to a national healthcare organisation. Also, applicants must receive their pension from a country in a double taxation agreement with Greece. The island is packed with tiny villages and really feels like a Greek island. Once youve found an area right for your needs, the next logical step is to buy a property. However, Cyprus also has some more middle eastern and Turkish influences, youll definitely notice it if you choose to move to Northern Cyprus. A decent bottle of local wine will only set you back around 4, and fresh bread costs under 2. Hi Eirene, what a wonderful location you have chosen. 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. I lived in Crete for 3 years with a Greek man about 28 years ago but have gone back frequently and have . If you want variety and nightlife and plenty to do, moving to Heraklion or the surrounding area would be ideal. There are also significant hospitals and medical centres in Heraklion, Rethymnon, Lassithi, Agios Nikolaos, Hania, and more. After gaining his BA and MA in English Literature, Jacob decided to take his writing full time. Members Talk about Healthcare & Health Insurance in Greece Expats in Greece offer advice about healthcare in Greece. My husband and I are holidaying in Crete this august but we are being drawn to moving there. If you come from the UK, you can sometimes choose whether to pay your taxes in Greece or your original country. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Crete offers a perfect retirement place, because of the all year round living, online other Greek islands, Crete is not just a tourist destination, its also an ideal place to settle especially for pensioners. An alternative is to open an international bank account with a company like Barclays. Freestanding and semi-detached houses and cottages are also found throughout the country. 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. Nobody seems to know. hope that helps! Many expats opt for an international health plan. Either way, its worth it for the new life youll end up living. Hello, anyone living in Crete from the uk with kids? After five years of this, youll be able to apply for full, permanent residency. EU residents will generally face little difficulty with this process, but the same isnt always true for non-EU residents. In border areas, such as Rhodes and Crete, properties are restricted and your application must go through a committee. For example, you can choose beachside life, mountainside life or city life. The Living in Crete book The Living in Crete book is a valuable resource giving in-depth and detailed information - all that you need to know before and after a move to Crete or a property purchase - packed with information, advice, tips, useful local addresses, telephone numbers and links. Not only will this help from the language side, but they will also ensure you dont overpay. Crete is known as the cradle of Western civilization and has tons of impressive ruins and sites dating from the Bronze age, when the Minoan civilization thrived on the island. Some links on this website are affiliate links. Here, she juggles being a solo mom, hosting culinary tours in the summer, translating, and writing for The Tiny Book and her other blogs. There are few major towns in the mountains, so youll get lots of peace and quiet and can descend into the hustle and bustle of the coast when you need to. To make sure you get the best value for money, compare international health insurance options from various providers to find the best deal. You wont be short of medical care. 2 years ago. The weather is among the best in Europe. Generally walking or stumbling, the short distance home doesnt leave you feeling unsafe or glancing over your shoulder. 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.. I just booked a trip and upon arrival talked to locals to find a place to live. Your email address will not be published. We use cookies to enhance your experience. Unless youre retiring to Greece, setting up your own business, or have disposable income, you might find employment a challenge. Heraklion is Cretes capital, and so lots of expats here can help you will official and administrative tasks. Required fields are marked *. Either way, itll help to bring a translator along just to ensure there are no snags. Answer: Pros: The lifestyle is really relaxed and in accordance with Mediterranean culture (similar to Latin America locally). So thank you for all the information. 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). Obviously, the warm weather is one of the reasons why Crete is a favorite of many retirees from Europe, the US, Canada, and other parts of the world. Hi Wondered about local taxes and costs for electric supplies? Its no secret that Greece is an incredibly popular tourist destination. My wife and I are living in Western Crete, close to the city of Chania. 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. Whichever country you are moving from, you will need a nice, extended expiration date on your passport. The pros of living in Santorini 1. 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. Her love for adventuring was sparked during her time living and travelling in Canada as well as multiple trips across Europe. There is a shortcut to residency in Greece, known as the Golden Visa program. Another good place to start is the GreeceMinistry for Migration and Asylum website. Although there are some beaches, gorges, and cities that everyone wants to visit, it is always a good idea to explore places that most tourists do not visit. I also think its great to support the local farmers by purchasing their products directly from them. Shes written for Greek Reporter, published several travel guides about Greece, and had more glasses of frappe than any regular person would be able to handle. You can find more about Cyprus in our Living In Cyprus The Expats Guide. To qualify, applicants must not have been tax resident for at least 5 of the previous 6 financial years. Read This, 10 Things You Might Hate About Living In Crete. When it comes to choosing which part you should move to, there are a few things that you need to consider. Responsibilities: POSITION SUMMARY: Each CNA and Med Aide, regardless of title, enhances the living experience for Tabitha's Seniors/residents/clients (hereinafter, "Seniors/clients") by . The downside is that come summer, it is very touristy. Crete is home to many expats from all over the world. Id encourage you to discuss your circumstances with the Greek authorities. I truly want to thank you for your very rich, informative and helpful writings. As I mentioned in another article, always expect the unexpected when driving here in Crete. But youll also find plenty of support. Youll find more private options available in urban areas, but there are still private hospitals in rural areas too. Generally speaking, an expat with a monthly income of 2,000 will be able to live very comfortably almost anywhere in Greece. But the British Consulate said The system allows for permitted absences from your country of residence. Hello. You can expect to pay upwards of 130 per person per year, but this will depend on your age and any existing health conditions. Greece Expat Forum for Expats Living in Greece, Australia Expat Forum for Expats Living in AU, Britain Expat Forum for Expats Living in the UK, Dubai Expat Forum for Expats Living in Dubai, Spain Expat Forum for Expats Living in Spain, France Expat Forum for Expats Living in France. Crete is a great place to retire to at any age. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Required fields are marked *. Housing and utilities will be covered but I don't know if I can afford the rest of living expenses on my salary. 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? If you have questions or need more information about your Golden Visa options, we have a complete guide to EU Golden Visa Schemes and you can also contact us via our Advice page, we will be happy to help. Greece is an extremely vibrant country that is famed throughout the world for its year-round good climate, detailed history, beautiful architecture, and unique culture. The rainiest month of the year is December, when, on average, it rains for 11 days of the month. . However, if youre happy with more rural life, then living will be cheaper but youll have to acclimatise to a more laid-back lifestyle. Many people prefer retiring in Crete Greece because of the warm weather, and the relaxed atmosphere of the Cretan living. Chania is a beautiful old town but is much smaller than Heraklion in the east. I was born in Buenos Aires where I graduated as a sworn translator. Both islands have so much to offer in terms of history and culture, so realistically, either island is great to visit as a tourist. we have been to Crete a couple of time and have noticed that agios nikolaos seems to be very popular with expats and has many shops, it is beautiful! Visa And Residency Options In Greece For Non-EU Nationals. Im really confused what I need to do!! However, if youre looking for a faced-paced lifestyle to keep you young, you might prefer one of the other islands or the mainland. Life on an island tends to be calm and more relaxed than on the mainland. No matter where you are moving from, you will have to make some arrangements for healthcare in Greece. Crete being the largest island in Greece attracts lots of expats from other European countries and other parts of the world. Overall, Crete is one of the best islands to move to if you want a Mediterranean lifestyle. Life in the mountains is more similar to life in other Mediterranean countries, where the year is divided into growing and harvesting produce. 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. Keep an eye on your valuables in tourist spots such as The Palace of Knossos, and youll be totally fine. Whether youll prefer Cyprus to Crete is a matter of personal taste and what youve looking for in your new home.