However, just like any other place on earth, Crete does have a few drawbacks, too. Some links on this website are affiliate links. You can find all the details in our guide Greece: Visa & Residency Options for non-EU Nationals. So keep it in mind. To avoid this its best to hire an accountant to take care of your annual tax returns. Re: Expats in Chania. Youll make social security contributions, usually around 10% of your declared income. A budget-conscious expat can live comfortably in Greece for no more than $2,000 a month. Even if the weather is not the best to swim in winter, theres something magical about visiting the pink sand beach of Elafonisi without the crowds, enjoying the uniqueness of the southern coast of Crete all alone.. Moving to Crete - Expat Forum For People Moving Overseas And Living Abroad Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Retiring In Crete Greece What Are The Cons And Pros? To count as a permanent resident of Greece, you must have an address you live at for at least 183 days of the year. The CIC (Cretan International Community) based in Rethymnon meet for coffee once a month and organise activities, trips, and expat support. My wife and I are living in Western Crete, close to the city of Chania. If youre someone who generally avoids walking at night, then public transport on Crete is considered safe although not necessarily reliable! Its fairly standard for expats to switch to a local private health insurance plan once their residency is confirmed. Hi, this might be helpful: https://kefaloniapulse.homeinkefalonia.properties/?p=41780. However, there are minimal crime reports, and very few people actually experience anything dangerous. kindest regards. Both the food and the vibe here are amazing. If you dont want to buy immediately and are looking to rent before taking the plunge, youll find more options in the larger towns. 1.10%. So be respectful and mindful of local traditions and culture. If you dont want to live on the coast, moving into the mountains offers a range of outdoor activities. You can check your options in our Living In Greece guide: https://expatra.com/guides/greece/living-in-greece-the-expats-guide/ in Residency for non-EU citizens section. Yes, the island is very safe all year round. Many non-EU citizens including Brits, USA citizens, etc., can stay in Greece for up to 3 months without a visa. . That said, the standard minimum rental contract is three years. The overall economy on the island is strong relative to the rest of Greece. 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. 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. That is not to say that you should be leaving your stuff lying around. If someone says theyll be there in the afternoon, ask for a specific time or be prepared; they could turn up at 7 PM. As with many European countries, Greece enjoys a relaxed way of life that might take some getting used to. English Expats In Crete, Greece If you are looking to connect with English expats in Crete, Greece, then this page brings together all the latest expat blogs Crete written by English bloggers, any interviews, articles and news items we have here at ExpatsBlog.com. However, while you are applying for your residency and visas, you will have to have private health insurance. Generally, this must be completed at the Greek consulate in your home country. Heraklion is Cretes capital, and so lots of expats here can help you will official and administrative tasks. Doing so can make sense if youre planning on splitting money between countries, but youll still need a specifically Greek account for things like paying tax and purchasing property. All legal residents are entitled to state-run healthcare. I have read the basics. We are both UK retired residents , and currently live there . Living in Greece : A Guide to Moving to Greece as an Expat : Expat Info It was accepted into the EU in 1981, and since then, the country has grown from strength to strength. I do however have in excess of 50,000 disposable savings ( and funds under the golden visa threshold to purchase a property ). The rainiest month of the year is December, when, on average, it rains for 11 days of the month. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. My problem is leaving Greece and returning every 3 months is expensive. Water sports (windsurfing, kitesurfing, kayaking) are potential activities to do in our vacation time. Crete also has several medical translators who can come to appointments with you and make sure you understand any prescriptions or procedures. 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. To open a standard bank account while youre living in Greece, youll need several documents from your home country, including. Greece Country Guide - Pros and Cons of Living in Greece 2023 Pin it! Expatriates in Greece: Quality and Cost of Living All Rights Reserved. If youre thinking of moving to Greece then renting a property can be a good idea before settling down permanently. However, if youre looking for a faced-paced lifestyle to keep you young, you might prefer one of the other islands or the mainland. Of course, when the tourist season comes, I always suggest people pay close attention to their surroundings, especially in very crowded areas. Its good to know beforehand what to expect. This is the best way to get in touch with the locals, learn about their lives on the island, and discover incredible places that not everyone knows about. Once completed, youll be given a list of available local doctors. Im looking for a guide to applying for the heating allowance. Driving on Crete is pretty infamous as terrifying and unpredictable. This is also the time of year for the olive harvests, which means long workdays and lots of meals with family, friends, and neighbours. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. And although Crete is known for its beaches and seaside towns, there is much more to this island. As a result, you must have a Greek bank account and tax number to purchase a property. Simple and extremely flavorful dishes, made exclusively with seasonal products. He writes for Expatra alongside a number of other regular clients. Add in the historic interest and bustling nightlife, and its got the potential to be top of most peoples lists. The climate here is primarily Mediterranean, meaning mild winters and warm summers. After years of teaching both English and Italian at the University of Buenos Aires, I traveled to Italy for a scholarship. The island is packed with tiny villages and really feels like a Greek island. At the moment information is coming in small doses when it comes to UK nationals settling in the EU. Crete is home to many expats from all over the world. Gabi has been living in Crete for the last five years. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Expats survey ranks Greece as one of the worst places to live as Expat I just booked a trip and upon arrival talked to locals to find a place to live. 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. Cyprus has slighter larger towns and can sometimes feel like one giant, spread-out city. 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. Greece operates . In the summer months, when the middle of the day is very hot, many people take a long lunch. Expats looking for a relaxed lifestyle could do a lot worse than living in Italy. However, there is very little support from other expats if you live in one of these regions. The only thing you really need to consider in terms of your own personal safety is pickpockets during the summer months. The Crime Rate In Crete, Is It Safe To Move To Crete? We have chosen Crete as we understand that it has the largest expat community of the greek islands. The area known as Apokoronas, situated between the major towns of Chania and Rethymnon, is home to the highest density of expats on the island. For example, rent on an inner-city apartment in Greece will set you back about 335 (300), while rural rent on an apartment of the same size will be around 280 (250). Because tourism is a major source of income in the country, English is fairly widely spoken. Both islands offer very traditional Greek food featuring lots of fresh tomatoes, feta cheese, lamb, olives, wine, and plenty of seafood. House prices are surprisingly low in Sparta, but this is mainly because of its remote location. Its no secret that Greece is an incredibly popular tourist destination. God bless. Greece has a fairly good national healthcare system, which you can enter after three months of residency. 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. And I dont know how well learning yet another language would fit in my life. If you plan on getting a car, which is recommended as public transport is good in the town but unreliable elsewhere, be ready for some strange driving. But what is life in Crete like? The daily cost of life on the island is pretty cheap, especially when it comes to fresh, locally-grown foods. Crete has a varied landscape with mountains covered in tiny villages and hamlets contrasted by the larger towns such as Heraklion and Chania. The largest is Crete, with an area of 8,260 square kilometres. Around coastal areas it can get quite humid at times, and snowfall is common on the mountains between November and May, but rare in the low-lying areas. The cooler temperatures mean the winter months are often spent doing jobs that cant be done in the summer heat. If youre from the UK and can apply for an S1 form , this will entitle you to state healthcare paid by the British government. Anyway, I hope you have enjoyed my article today, if so please leave me a comment below with your thoughts. My husband and I are holidaying in Crete this august but we are being drawn to moving there. 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. If you want to check it out more closely, visiting hours are 8.30 a.m. to 3 p.m. in winter and 8.30 a.m. to 7 p.m. in summer, every day except Mondays. I have lost my beneficy status. Something like childcare can also be pretty pricy, almost 300 per month, and there arent a vast number of options to choose from. Property value has gone up in recent years with an apartment in the city center of Chania costing anywhere between. Your email address will not be published. I am American and hoping to move to Crete soon: Chania praefecture probably but possibly Herakleion. Pros and cons, residency and property matters, cost of living, and the most popular places to live. There is something for everyone but only if you know where to look. 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. Life in Crete can be a contradiction when it comes to the cost of living. Of course, like all places, there are some slightly less-safe parts, but in general, Crete is the type of place you can spend an afternoon in your garden and not worry about locking your front door. The average rental price is around 7.40 per square metre. The island is rich in culture and is packed full of traditional Greek monuments, traditions, and festivals. 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. Home town: Buenos Aires, Argentina. The quality of services offered is of high standards, and my husband who is from Denmark says that the doctors here are very thorough and very attentive. Difficult to say what expats living in Crete think of it, maybe someone will come by and leave a comment. Didnt find what you were looking for or need further advice? 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. Choose 1 Nationalities Living in Crete, Greece English Latest Blogs by Expats Living in Greece more expat blogs Crete Whats it like to move to and live in Crete? Obviously, Greece has plenty of ancient historic monuments if thats your thing. After that, you will pay normal Greece tax rates on your income. Taxation of such kind is a highly complex matter and its best to consult a qualified tax advisor who understands international taxation rules and tax residency. Crete has a very low crime rate, and the Greek culture means that youre sure to get help as you age. City Guides | Travel the World | Living Abroad | Travel Guides | Adventure Travel | Digital Nomad Life | Valencia, Spain | California, USA | The Netherlands | How to Plan a Trip, I consent to the storage of my data according to the Privacy Policy, - From Short Trips to Traveling the World & Living Abroad -, Living in Cuba: Things You Want to Know Before Moving Here, A Perfect Catalina Island Day Trip the, Why You Shouldnt Buy Seashells or Take Them, A Moving Abroad Checklist: Things to Do Before You Move Abroad, Things to Know if You Want to Go Sailing in Greece, Why Moving Abroad is Such a Valuable Experience, Things to Concider Before Moving to Another Country. Not sure about your Freeview options, maybe this can help: TV http://britsincrete.net/lifestyle/day-to-day/452-non-uk-sky-tv Your email address will not be published. Youll find whole communities of expats sharing their knowledge and culture with other expats in tiny villages and pockets of the island. When it comes to my city, Chania, nothing beats the vibe of the old town. 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.
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