There are many reasons to love living in Greece. It’s an easy place to adopt a healthy lifestyle, the entire country is incredibly beautiful, with plenty to explore and enjoy, from ancient historical sites to sandy beaches.
Greek people are some of the friendliest, most helpful, and genuinely caring folks you’ll ever meet
Besides being one of the best in the world in terms of Sunshine ( 250+ days of sunshine or 3,000+ sunny hours a year ) , Greece has plenty more reasons to call it your new home!
Moving to Greece comes with several advantages that include:
- The option to travel without a visa to other European countries.
- Access to affordable national healthcare plans.
- Access to high salaries.
- The opportunity to live in one of the most well-developed countries globally.
- The opportunity to live in a safe country.
- A better work/life balance.
- Access to famous historical sights and green spaces.
Practical Information
Population: – Roughly 11 million
Capital: – Athens with a population of roughly 3.3 million
Official languages: – Greek (English is also widely spoken)
Currency: – Euro, €
Time zone: – GMT +2
Climate: – Mild Mediterranean: wet winters, hot, dry summers
Coastline: – 13,676 km
Islands: – About 6.000 with 170 inhabited
Country calling code: +30
Driving: – Right side
Public transport & healthcare
All large and medium sized Greek cities will have an adequate local bus system, but if you move to the countryside or to a small island your options become very limited. Athens has 3 metro lines and is in the process of constructing a 4th one while Thessaloniki will very soon have its own metro system. Athens has the added benefit of a suburban railway, a tram line as well as a great number of ferry boat lines connecting it to the Greek islands.
Both Athens and Thessaloniki have large well-connected airports near them for international and domestic flights
In Greece there is a public healthcare system that covers for free many health issues.
Availability of Utilities such as electricity, natural gas, water, internet and mobile connections
In terms of telecommunications, Greece, has an acceptable infrastructure with the large cities enjoying better broadband as well as 5G.
All cities have stable electricity
In many Greek cities water from the tap is of good quality and can be consumed
Natural gas is not available everywhere and even in the capital not all areas will be supplied
Eating out & Leisure activities
Due to the country’s climate, outdoor activities are a way of life for most Greeks. From sitting outside to drink a coffee or meeting your friends after 10pm for dinner to going to the sea for a swim. These kind of activities are available anywhere in Greece regardless of size. However, as the size of the city you choose increases so will the diversity of available options which can include cinema, sports, sea sports, motorsports, art & crafts activities amongst others. Athens and Thessaloniki never sleep and eating out even after 11pm is something considered normal.
Culture and Social Etiquette
Greeks have very strong ties to family. This is especially evident in young people, who tend to live with their parents until their late twenties and even into their thirties. This may be for financial reasons, or just because the parents cooking and clean laundry are not easy to part with.
While the majority of Greeks tend to be traditional, conservative, and support orthodox values, younger generations are more conscious of current social issues and even advocate for more inclusion and awareness.
Religion still plays a big part in Greek life although this is rapidly changing for the younger generations.
Greek Language and Socialization
Greeks are very friendly in nature and will often go out of their way to make themselves be understood, in whatever language or gestures necessary. Most people speak basic English, so the language barrier should not be too much of a problem. Many Greeks especially the younger generations will be happy to add you to their social circle which will open up a lot of socializing opportunities for you.
Learning Greek is one way to help you assimilate into the Greek ways and culture. Greeks are quiet in most situations in public. Listening to music or speaking loudly is usually frowned upon. However, going out to dinner or drinks, however, is a different story. Greek people tend to be more outgoing, relaxed, and a bit louder when out with friends.
Greek Cuisine
The country’s typical Mediterranean diet is both savoury and healthy. Olive oil, salads, cheese, and cooked vegetarian, meat or fish meals are staples in the Greek diet. Bread finds its way into most meals from breakfast to dinner, as an entrée, on the side.
Greeks typically eat three meals a day, breakfast, lunch and dinner. Dinner tends to be quite late in the day compared to other European countries. On a typical weekday, it can start anywhere between 20:00 and 23:00. While on weekends, it is not uncommon to have dinner as late as 24:00.
Driving in Greece
Driving is fairly easy on the highways but you should always be alert when driving within city limits. You will find a good number of well kept highways connecting most cities. Beware of the many and expensive tolls though. In smaller towns, you will find many narrow and winding roads where it’s not uncommon for two-way streets to have only room for one car.
