Also, applicants must receive their pension from a country in a double taxation agreement with Greece. Either way, its worth it for the new life youll end up living. Location has everything to do with how much you're likely to spend. If you live in Crete all year and dont need to find everything into a two-week holiday window, youll find yourself enjoying the temperate winter months as much, if not more, than summer. have you any Greek speaking friends who can do that? VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. You wont be short of medical care. It can depend on who you are talking to here, what mood they are in etc. Again, an estate agent can help ensure everything is above board. However, beaches like Balos, Elafonissi, and Falassarna still make Crete a perfect beachy location. You can also find me on YouTube. Stray cats and dogs are familiar sights in the centre of large towns and even in small villages. Anyway, I hope you have enjoyed my article today, if so please leave me a comment below with your thoughts. Latest Blogs by English Expats Living in Greece Cariad in Crete As with other countries, this is less true in more rural areas, but either way, some knowledge of Greek would be very useful. You simply make your choice and proceed from there. Hi, my name is Rose and I welcome you to my website. Most rental agreements require a deposit equivalent to two months rent, and utility bills may or may not be included in the rental price. The fourth-highest number of UK expats living inside its borders, with roughly 531,584 Brits calling Canada home. You can find more about Cyprus in our Living In Cyprus The Expats Guide. Heraklion's Koules is a beautifully restored fortress surrounding the city's harbor, built by the Venetians in the early 13thcentury. The island is rich in culture and is packed full of traditional Greek monuments, traditions, and festivals. Or you can apply as a non-EU citizen and choose one of the options discussed in the guide. Anyone working self-employed in Greece must pay their taxes up front, but these are then offset against your annual tax returns. I try to help paint an honest picture of the ups and downs of life abroad, share tips about moving to the place the expat now calls home, and information about what to see and do here. Both islands offer very traditional Greek food featuring lots of fresh tomatoes, feta cheese, lamb, olives, wine, and plenty of seafood. 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. Crete is the largest Greek island and one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country. Whether you choose to live in the most famous Blue Zone of the world, Ikaria, or in the capital, Athens, you will be surrounded by fantastic nature, mouth-watering dishes, unbelievable culture, tradition, and friendly people. Could someone confirm or deny this, or is this Greece making up it's own rules?? Because of the stunning countryside, both islands are a dream for anyone who likes outdoor activities. hi there, I dont live in greece, but we are considering it too! Among the things I enjoy the most about life in Crete is the healthy and tasty Cretan diet. Both the food and the vibe here are amazing. Theres not much that I dislike about the island. When it comes to choosing which part you should move to, there are a few things that you need to consider. wondering about the daily earthquakes/tremors and what expats feel about these? Crete is an excellent island to live on too. There is a large British expat community there, in the villages of Plaka, Kokkino Horio, Kalyves and Almerida. Expats in Greece offer advice about healthcare, hospital visits, emergency rooms visits, finding a doctor and buying health insurance in Greece. To be honest, I did not use any resources. You will need your passport and proof of address and some additional documents. Didnt find what you were looking for or need further advice? For UK citizens planning to relocate to Greece, it can make sense to take advantage of the three-month visa-free travel period to visit different areas of the country. As I mentioned in another article, always expect the unexpected when driving here in Crete. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Even though technically that is true, some of the bureaucrats here still ask you for one for certain things, like if you buy a car here you still have to get a residence permit. If youre retiring to Greece, you should take healthcare into consideration. Unlike some of the smaller islands, Crete doesnt become a ghost town during the winter months. The closest airport is in Volos, around 90 minutes away, meaning you still have good international connections but can enjoy some peace and quiet too. Rose. The prospect of living in Greece is inviting for many expatriates. Thank you for the comment. Of course, after that, you will have to apply for a residence permit to stay in Greece as all non-EU citizens do. However, planning for this can be challenging and confusing. Serenissima in Chania is a highlight. So thank you for all the information. Some things need to be bought on ferries from the mainland, so they can be pretty pricey. The Crime Rate In Crete, Is It Safe To Move To Crete? Greece is not known for having a fast bureaucratic system, so youll want to allow as much time as possible to get the paperwork sorted. iI went out for a holiday when I was 18 years old and just never really came home again.i have been backwards and forwards a few times over the years but I always end up going back.If you stay longer than 6 months then you will need a residence permit which you can obtain from your local police station.you will need to open a bank account and have enough money to live on if you are not working.The life in greece is fantastic but wages are a lot lower than in the UK.Good luck! Along with the glorious weather and amazing food, the pace of life is something many expats dream of in their retirement. Anyway must watch more of your videos and read more here. Like most islands, Crete can be pretty expensive to get going and get set up. And although Crete is known for its beaches and seaside towns, there is much more to this island. the people where very welcoming and warm, I worked in the tourist industry which was a lot of fun but it does die down in the winter and this is the hardest part but there is work and there are alot of English people stay all year round. However, you might want to consider professional help. Rent increases must be stated in the contract, so be sure to read the fine print. But a modest, modern house will set you back around 250,000. And, with such a big island, there are many unexplored roads to discover. An example is IKA, which is the largest social security organisation in Greece and is for those in standard employment. You will not save alot of money however it beats working at many places in the US. I wonder if you can help me. Also many Americans complain that they want to get back to the US it takes a certain kind of person to appreciate what Greece has to offer. If officials say theyll get back to you within five days and they dont, dont be surprised. as well as having lots more info about living in Crete and Greece. The overall economy on the island is strong relative to the rest of Greece. The islands are large enough to grow some foods themselves which are always fresh and delicious. Its no secret that Greece is an incredibly popular tourist destination. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Here youll find a strong sense of community among expats from different countries. Simple and extremely flavorful dishes, made exclusively with seasonal products. Healthcare and health insurance in Greece. All legal residents are entitled to state-run healthcare. Life in Crete moves at a slower pace than in other places, particularly when it comes to paperwork. I already speak English 2 European languages and 1 Asian .. so thats a consideration. After his parents emigrated to France in January 2020, Jacob has a special interest in all things expat related and even plans to retire abroad himself someday. You can, of course, find online forums and ask for the advice of other expats, but if you want to meet up, join a community and take advantage of the network of expats living on Crete, you might want to be in an area with a higher percentage of expats. It also provides you with access to national healthcare and schooling. Can you help at all? If youre from the UK and can apply for an S1 form , this will entitle you to state healthcare paid by the British government. The town also has an annual carnival in August that shouldnt be missed. There is a shortcut to residency in Greece, known as the Golden Visa program. Evia, Greece's second largest island after Crete, is also open for business in winter, with many people going to its spas in towns like Aedipsos. The largest is Crete, with an area of 8,260 square kilometres. Even the little villages have a smattering of expats, and the large town of Chania is just half an hour away by car. This can prove difficult in the first year because you need extra money available, but it gets easier once youre generating income. My partner and I are moving to Heraklion at the beginning of next year with our 5 years old daughter. It's a good place to come if you're determined to learn the local lingo and get involved with the local community, because there's not such an international crowd as elsewhere. Whats more, it prides itself on its local culture, meaning almost every restaurant is a local affair with good quality, locally sourced produce. Jacob is a freelance writer based in Swansea, Wales. In this interview, Gabi shares her experiences and practical tips for anyone who is moving to Crete or is simply interested in knowing more about life in Crete. The Best Places To Live In Greece For Expats, Living In Greece: Essential Expat Guide 2023, Greece: Visa & Residency Options For Non-EU Nationals, Living In Santorini: Expat Essential Guide, How do I become a resident of Crete non-EU citizens. I just came back after four years, I don't envy you. I am hoping to move to Greece in the near future on a FIP visa. The average rental price is around 7.40 per square metre. Yes, there are three things that every visitor to Crete should do: 1. On January 6th, Crete celebrates Epiphany, the Holy Blessing of the waters. The daily cost of life on the island is pretty cheap, especially when it comes to fresh, locally-grown foods. You can also find a robust and active community of expats in Agios Nikolaos in East Crete. The downside is that come summer, it is very touristy. Depending on where in the country expats decide to live, the range of choices may differ. Cyprus is also larger. . Position: Med Aide - PRN - Assisted Living in Crete (24hr/month) Overview: TABITHA'S. PURPOSE: We empower people to live joyfully, age gratefully. The few exceptions to the rule are some of Heraklions suburban areas, which can feel unsafe after dark. Yes, the island is very safe all year round. Just sent you the contact details, hope this helps. After years of teaching both English and Italian at the University of Buenos Aires, I traveled to Italy for a scholarship. Cyprus has slighter larger towns and can sometimes feel like one giant, spread-out city. My private pension pays me circa 1,500 a month , we have no other income . Greeces current corporate tax rate is 24%, which has been reduced from 28%. The people are cool. hi im wanting to retire from uk to sitia ,will i be able to get freeview and english tv, and will they come to install computor etc quickly lol. Select which of our trusted partners you would like to hear from and we'll do the rest. You can expect to pay upwards of 130 per person per year, but this will depend on your age and any existing health conditions. Foreign citizens can move to Greece to live permanently. I enjoy hiking and taking photos of the incredibly diverse landscapes of Crete. For example, youll have much better facilities (both public and private) in urban areas, so if you already have health issues, this can be an important factor. To qualify, applicants must not have been tax resident for at least 5 of the previous 6 financial years.