Map of the top 50 countries, outside Greece and Cyprus, with th…
Extent of the empire of Alexander the Great
Topographic map of Greece.
Porträt Mikis Theodorakis, Oktober 2004 - Photo: Guy Wagner
Parthenon from west
Santorini: Ia with view at Venetian castle ruins

Greece

Mediterranean Sea
Climate
EUR
Currency
Moderate
Safety
Moderate
Cost of Living
Greek
Language
Country Information Greece

Greece, located in southeastern Europe, is a country with a rich and complex geographical landscape. Situated at the southern tip of the Balkan Peninsula, it encompasses a mainland and approximately 6,000 islands and islets scattered across the Aegea...

Cost of Living
vs EU Average12% more expensive
Rent
€525Apartment (1 bedroom) in City…
Meal
€16.50Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant
Groceries
€1.50Milk (regular), (1 liter)
Transport
€1.30One-way Ticket (Local Transpo…
Read the full cost-of-living guide

Your Greece Roadmap

40+ page relocation analysis tailored to your profile.

  • Custom Tax & Cost Projection
  • District Matching for your Lifestyle
  • Vetted Local Partner Directory

With a safety index of 54/100, Greece offers moderate safety conditions for expats and their families.

Entry Requirements & Visa Options

Greece, as a Schengen Area member, allows visa-free entry for citizens of over 60 countries, including the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, and many others, for tourism, business, or short visits up to 90 days within any 180-day period. Travelers must possess a passport valid for at least 3 months beyond their planned departure from the Schengen Area, proof of onward travel, sufficient funds, and accommodation details. No visa-on-arrival is available; entry is strictly visa-free for eligible nationalities.[1][4][5] From...

Visa-free entry: 90 days
Digital Nomad Visa: 6 months
Work permits available
Investment visa from .
Read full guide

Discover Cities in Greece

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Location Intelligence for Greece
Cost of Living52.5

12% above EU avg

Safety53.8

17% below EU avg

Quality of Life142.7

8% below EU avg

Purchasing Power68.4

Near EU average

Baselines based on EU averages. Source: Numbeo indices.

Capital

Athens

Timezone

UTC+02:00

Area

131,990 km²

Population

10,715,549

Greece shows a purchasing power index of 68/100, indicating good economic conditions for expats.

Economic Overview in Greece

GDP

$219.07B

HDI

0.9

Quality of Life

62/100

+19 vs NYC

Purchasing Power

28/100

-14 vs NYC

Understanding the economic landscape is essential for evaluating living costs and opportunities in Greece. This comprehensive overview covers key financial indicators including cost of living, housing markets, income levels, and fiscal policies that shape daily life and long-term financial planning.

Comparison data legendCompare:
Greece
Continent Avg

Cost of Living Index

Moderate

Moderate costs (CPI: 53.4). Groceries (50.8), restaurants (58.8), and rent (12.7) are affordable relative to NYC baseline=100, with regional variations.

Housing Market

Poor

Property prices average 12.1 years of household income. Low rent index (12.7) offers affordability, especially outside Athens.

Average Income Levels

Poor

Purchasing power index of 67.1 indicates below-average buying power. Unemployment at decade-low supports steady income growth.

Tax System

Moderate

Progressive income tax 9-44%, VAT 24% standard (13-6% reduced), property tax ENFIA annual. Fair system with regional variations, ongoing evasion challenges.

Business Environment

Moderate

Ease of doing business improved (World Bank legacy rank ~79/190); strong growth (2.1-2.2% GDP 2025-26), EU funds aid startups, bureaucracy persists.

Social Security

Good

Universal healthcare via ESY, generous pensions (23.7% GDP social spending), unemployment benefits up to 24 months. Comprehensive welfare state covers families.

Work & Business in Greece
Business ClimateSee full guide for details
Work PermitsRequirements vary by nationality
Key IndustriesExplore opportunities
Read full guide
Education SystemInternational schools, universities & curricula
Explore Guide
Climate

Greece features a predominantly Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters, influenced by its diverse topography including mountains, islands, and coastlines. Regional variations include more continental conditions in the north with cooler winters and occasional snow, while southern and island areas remain milder.

Climate
Mediterranean, Continental
Summer
25–35°C
Winter
5–15°C
Sunshine
3200+ hrs/yr

3 distinct climate regions — see full guide for details

Read full guide
Demographics in Greece

Life Expectancy

81.1

Population

10,715,549

Religions

Islam
2%

Ethnic Composition

Greeks
N/A
What Expats Say About GreeceBETA

Research in Progress

We're currently analyzing expat perspectives for Greece. Check back soon for insights from real experiences!

We're gradually rolling out this feature and continuously improving the insights. The data is based on real expat discussions and will become more comprehensive over time.

Transportation & Infrastructure in Greece
Public TransitAvailable in major cities
AirportsInternational connectivity
InfrastructureRoad & rail networks
Read full guide
Social Integration in Greece
Expat CommunityActive communities available
Cultural IntegrationTips & resources
Language BarrierSee guide for details
Read full guide
Retirement & Benefits in Greece
Retirement VisaCheck eligibility
Healthcare AccessPublic & private options
Pension RecognitionSee guide for details
Read full guide
Political Landscape & Stability

Greece operates as a parliamentary republic with President Konstantinos Tasoulas as head of state since February 2025 and Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis leading the New Democracy government since 2023. The unicameral Hellenic Parliament features New Democracy's majority amid opposition shifts including Syriza's decline. Recent fiscal expansions aim to support households while addressing economic recovery.

System
Parliamentary Republic
Stability
Moderate
Democracy
Flawed Democracy
Legal System
Civil law system
Read full guide
Environment & Sustainability in Greece
Air QualitySee detailed assessment
Green SpacesParks & nature areas
SustainabilityEnvironmental policies
Read full guide
Greece flag
Greece at a Glance

Capital

Athens

Languages

Greek

UN Member

Yes

Quick Facts for Greece

Population

10,715,549

Currency

EUR

Timezone

UTC+02:00

Calling Code

+30

Week starts on

Monday

Gini Coefficient

32.9 (2018)

Traffic side

right side

Location

Data Source: Safety, crime, and quality metrics are sourced from Numbeo, a crowd-sourced global database of reported data.

All scores are relative comparisons on a 0-100 scale, where 50 = global average. Higher scores mean better than average, lower scores mean worse than average.