Unlike some of the smaller islands, Crete doesnt become a ghost town during the winter months. Generally, this must be completed at the Greek consulate in your home country. All legal residents are entitled to state-run healthcare. I have read the basics. kind regards A cinema ticket only costs around 7.50 and a bus ticket costs just 1.70. Also buying fresh produce from the local farmers saves you a lot of money and you get fresh great quality products like organic eggs, fresh fruits, and vegetables, and things like honey. The island is home to many expats from all across Europe and the rest of the world, meaning anyone looking to move to Crete in the future will find a warm welcome and plenty of support. Driving on the island is another thing you will have to get used to, if you are the kind that screams at the driver next or in front of you, then I suggest you take some relaxation therapy before moving to Crete lol. The tourists usually go to the big beaches because they are not familiar with the island, expats who live here, know the small hidden spots, where they can go and have a swim and a picnic. When working out your budget, be sure to factor in legal, surveyor and notary fees, plus a minimum of 10% deposit. If you are not eligible for the S1 form, you will need to obtain private health insurance to be able to get residency. In fact, in some areas such as Hora Sfakion and Souda, plenty of people head out to the local market or pop to their neighbours for coffee without locking up. Visit the About Me page for more info. Just sent you the contact details, hope this helps. The Greek authorities can refuse your residency for this. Here is a quick rundown of the best places to live in Greece. At the moment information is coming in small doses when it comes to UK nationals settling in the EU. After living in Greece for at least three months, you can apply to the Greek Aliens Bureau via the online website. I truly want to thank you for your very rich, informative and helpful writings. Eating big Mediterranean meals by the sea sounds extremely indulgent, but not only is great food relatively affordable in Crete; it's everywhere too. Here youll be in the minority and will be surrounded by locals and other Greeks. Subscribe. The overall economy on the island is strong relative to the rest of Greece. This shouldnt be a problem for expats looking for a more relaxed lifestyle, but if speed and efficiency are your top priorities, itll be worth relocating to a larger city like Athens. During this time you must also get a Greek tax number and a Greek bank account. Its definitely worth checking what youll need before you move, so you dont end up paying for over-priced goods. As far as work is concerned, it depends on which part of Crete you are coming to. Youll make social security contributions, usually around 10% of your declared income. Once youve found an area right for your needs, the next logical step is to buy a property. Cyprus has slighter larger towns and can sometimes feel like one giant, spread-out city. Honestly, every part of Crete is an excellent place to live, but depending on what sort of lifestyle you want, you will want to choose a part of the island that matches your lifestyle. Probably the most popular area for expats to move to is between Chania and Rethymnon, in an area known as the Apokoronas. The only thing you really need to consider in terms of your own personal safety is pickpockets during the summer months. Greece is one of the best places to move abroad if you seek sunshine, a slower pace of life and a good value for money destination. and a bus route around sitia etc as i dont drive. As with anywhere else, rental prices vary massively depending on the area. I'm new here. Owner of marketing company A to Z Marketing. and impressive gorges. For example, utilities cost around 30% less, internet is 20% less, and renting an apartment in central Athens will set you back at around 670 compared to 3,150 in central London. Your email address will not be published. Its very common for locals to watch you struggle with a few words and then just respond with perfect English. The Greeks are very big on respecting their elders. Answer: Pros: The lifestyle is really relaxed and in accordance with Mediterranean culture (similar to Latin America locally). 2 years ago. To make sure you get the best value for money, compare international health insurance options from various providers to find the best deal. Both islands offer very traditional Greek food featuring lots of fresh tomatoes, feta cheese, lamb, olives, wine, and plenty of seafood. Crete is an excellent island to live on too. we were looking at corfu but just found out that there is no international English speaking schools we can send our kids to. British citizens who had lived in the EU pre-Brexit had a certain time window to settle their status and it looks like you missed it. By continuing to visit this site you agree to our use of cookies, Moving To Crete Health And Senior Care In Crete. To register with a doctor in Greece, youll need to complete a form with your insurance information (if applicable), your personal details, and your tax information. Crete experiences warm weather even in the winter in comparison to other European countries. The island does get a fair amount of rain, giving it the lush vegetation and ensuring it doesnt become desert in summer. 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. Water sports (windsurfing, kitesurfing, kayaking) are potential activities to do in our vacation time. Read on to find out more about what you can expect from living in Greece and how to get settled in this amazing country. My problem is leaving Greece and returning every 3 months is expensive. For example, you could do your main grocery shopping in Lidl supermarkets which saves you a lot of money. Members Talk about Healthcare & Health Insurance in Greece Expats in Greece offer advice about healthcare in Greece. Eating out in a restaurant will be also cheaper. Hi there, you can also check out the visa hunter blog, which has loads of useful links about moving somewhere, paperwork, useful contacts and stuff you have to consider before going in a foreign country (for each country separately). If you dont take that job offer I would. Other than tourists related petty crimes, I have not heard of severe crimes. Many non-EU citizens including Brits, USA citizens, etc., can stay in Greece for up to 3 months without a visa. Medication and pharmacies are fairly standard across the country, although you may have to visit a hospital for more specialised medication. If youre thinking of moving to Greece then renting a property can be a good idea before settling down permanently. You can find more about Cyprus in our Living In Cyprus The Expats Guide. Stray cats and dogs are familiar sights in the centre of large towns and even in small villages. Everything then fell into place little by little, with time. 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 only have under a year left, renew early before you leave. Save. Crete being the largest island in Greece attracts lots of expats from other European countries and other parts of the world. There is plenty of fresh food grown on the island, and the Greek diet is well-known for its fish, simple dishes, and fresh produce. Is it a similar situation for us as with UK expats? I was just wondering if you know anything about the tax situation between Greece and the UK. The expat community here is very interlinked, and although there is less of a sense of community than in other areas of Crete, the expats here will help you find anything from a job or a place to live to a date, or even a new dishwasher. Either way, itll help to bring a translator along just to ensure there are no snags. Crete has a varied landscape with mountains covered in tiny villages and hamlets contrasted by the larger towns such as Heraklion and Chania. Greece has a fairly good national healthcare system, which you can enter after three months of residency. The capital city of Greece, Athens, is an obvious choice for expats. Don't leave home without it! As to electric appliances, heres a Miele site for Greece with prices, they have a store in Heraklion, Crete: https://www.miele.gr/. Another thing that you will find frustrating and I have mentioned this in my other article about moving to Crete, its the slow pace at what things are done, and the laid back attitude of the Greek people, although its a good thing, and that is one of the reasons you want to settle in Crete, it can get very frustrating when you have a leaking sink that needs to be fixed. Greece enjoys a lower cost of living than some other countries, such as the UK. Greece has a more complicated tax system than you might be used to. Even the little villages have a smattering of expats, and the large town of Chania is just half an hour away by car. Its good to know beforehand what to expect. Similarly, food is generally less expensive. 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. I lived in Crete for 3 years with a Greek man about 28 years ago but have gone back frequently and have . Comment with your question below, and we will do our best to help. Gabi has been living in Crete for the last five years. If Crete sounds like the place for you, jump on a plane or a boat, and find out! Food isnt overly expensive unless you are looking for something very specific. The island is packed with tiny villages and really feels like a Greek island. Even if this might sound contradictory, I enjoy driving in Crete. Before we start, heres one piece of advice: Greece and therefore Crete follow the Greek Orthodox church. Now because of the current situation of Britain leaving the EU, Brits might have it rough when it comes to retiring in Crete and Greece at large. have you any Greek speaking friends who can do that? the site of the Regional Directorate of Primary and Secondary Education inCrete, administration of the 7th Ministry of Health of Crete, https://expatra.com/guides/greece/living-in-greece-the-expats-guide/, http://britsincrete.net/lifestyle/day-to-day/452-non-uk-sky-tv. Just like everything else on the island, house prices can also vary massively. Here, she juggles being a solo mom, hosting culinary tours in the summer, translating, and writing for The Tiny Book and her other blogs. Its fairly standard for expats to switch to a local private health insurance plan once their residency is confirmed. Hello. Groups of expats can help provide practical support, such as finding a job and emotional support over coffee when the Greek bureaucracy gets too much. Thank you fir the information and the beautiful videos snd photos. Providing youre willing to adjust to a Greeks pace of life and arent in a rush to get anything done, youll be pleasantly surprised about how good this actually feels.