Moving to Greece
Sunshine, the Aegean Sea and some of Europe's most attractive tax regimes
Read the guideFactsheet: Greece
Greece is one of the most underestimated expat destinations in Europe, yet one of the most attractive for those who take the time to explore it. An EU member since 1981 and a Eurozone member since 2001, Greece offers an exceptional quality of life (crystal-clear seas, paradise islands, Mediterranean gastronomy, millennia of history) coupled with one of the lowest costs of living in Western Europe and several highly competitive tax regimes. The 7% flat tax on foreign income for retirees settling in Greece, the Non-Dom regime (art. 5C) exempting 50% of income for 7 years for new active residents, and the digital nomad visa created in 2021 make it a serious destination for retirees, freelancers and European entrepreneurs. In Athens, Thessaloniki, Crete or the Cyclades, Greece offers a remarkable range of lifestyles at a very reasonable budget.
Why choose Greece?
Greece combines exceptional advantages that few European countries can claim simultaneously: near-permanent sunshine, sea access, unparalleled history and culture, one of the lowest costs of living in the Eurozone, and tax regimes specifically designed to attract foreign expats and investors. Here is why Greece deserves a serious place in your expatriation planning.
Full freedom of movement for EU citizens, European legal protection, access to the single market and Schengen area. Eurozone: no currency risk.
Over 300 days of sunshine per year on national average. 16,000 km of coastline, hundreds of islands, mountains — a natural setting of incomparable diversity and beauty in Europe.
Foreign retirees settling in Greece for the first time benefit from a 7% flat tax on all their foreign income (pension, dividends, rental income) for 15 years. One of the most advantageous regimes in Europe.
New active residents (employees or self-employed) can benefit from a 50% exemption on their Greek income for 7 years, subject to conditions. A competitive regime to attract qualified professionals.
Since 2021, Greece has a specific visa for remote workers (non-Europeans), valid for 12 months and renewable. Ideal for testing expat life before applying for long-term residency.
Greece is 30 to 40% cheaper than Paris on national average. Housing, food, restaurants, transport — the real purchasing power of an expat is considerably increased.
Healthy and affordable gastronomy, relaxed pace of life, excellent tourist infrastructure, warm hospitality. Greece regularly appears in global quality-of-life rankings for retirees and nomads.
Visa & Residence
As a French citizen, EU free movement allows you to settle in Greece without a visa. Beyond 3 months, you must register with local authorities and obtain an AFM (Greek tax number). For non-European nationals, Greece introduced a specific digital nomad visa in 2021. The tax regimes (7% flat tax, Non-Dom art. 5C) are not visas but fiscal options accessible to Greek tax residents.
Digital Nomad Visa (for non-Europeans)
Greece launched in 2021 a specific visa for non-European remote workers employed by or contracting with employers/clients outside Greece. To be eligible, you must demonstrate a minimum net monthly income of 3,500 EUR and a documented remote work contract or self-employment activity. The visa is valid for 12 months and renewable once (24 months total). The application is made at the Greek consulate in your country of residence. As a French (EU) citizen, this visa is not necessary — free movement applies.
7% flat tax — Regime for foreign retirees (art. 5B)
This tax regime is for individuals receiving a foreign pension (including French retirees) who settle in Greece for the first time or after 5 years of absence. It allows a 7% flat tax on all foreign-source income (pension, dividends, foreign rental income) for a maximum of 15 years. The application must be filed with the AADE (Greek tax administration) before March 31 of the relevant tax year. This regime is incompatible with the Non-Dom art. 5C regime; you must choose. A Franco-Greek tax advisor is strongly recommended to optimize the choice based on your personal situation.
Non-Dom regime — 50% exemption (art. 5C)
This regime (introduced in 2020, amended in 2022) allows individuals who transfer their tax residence to Greece and who were not Greek tax residents for at least 5 years to benefit from a 50% exemption on their Greek-source income (salaries, self-employment income) for 7 years. This regime targets active professionals who settle in Greece and work on Greek territory. It combines with the standard ENFIA rate (Greek income tax, 9-44%); the taxable base is halved. The application is filed before March 31 with the AADE.
Cost of living
Greece is one of the cheapest countries in the Eurozone, with a cost of living generally 30 to 40% lower than Paris. Athens and Thessaloniki offer excellent value, with rents still very affordable compared to other European capitals. On the islands and in tourist areas, prices rise in summer but remain reasonable year-round for permanent residents. Food, restaurants and transport remain very accessible everywhere.
Estimated monthly budget: 1,200 - 2,000 EUR/month
📊 Taxation
The Greek tax system has evolved profoundly since the 2010 crisis. Several highly attractive special regimes have been introduced to attract investors and new residents. Outside these regimes, income tax (Enfomos Eisodimatos) is progressive from 9% to 44%. The France-Greece tax treaty prevents double taxation. VAT is 24% (standard rate). The islands benefit from a reduced VAT rate of 17%.
🚀 For entrepreneurs
Greece has made significant progress in simplifying business formation and attracting foreign entrepreneurs. The government has launched several initiatives: digital one-stop shop, reduced formation timelines, favorable tax regimes. Athens has an emerging startup ecosystem, still modest compared to Madrid or Lisbon, but growing rapidly. The Non-Dom art. 5C regime is particularly interesting for founders who settle there.
❤️ Healthcare
The Greek public health system (ESY, Ethniko Systima Ygeias) was severely weakened by the 2010 crisis but has gradually rebuilt. Athens and Thessaloniki have good-quality hospitals. Rural areas and small islands have more limited infrastructure. Private healthcare is well developed, of good quality and much cheaper than in France. For expats, private health insurance is strongly recommended upon arrival.
Where to live
Greece offers great diversity of lifestyles for expats. Athens, a metropolis in full revival, is the dynamic and cosmopolitan capital. Thessaloniki, the second city, attracts with its intense cultural life and very affordable rents. Crete offers an ideal compromise between infrastructure and island quality of life. The Cyclades and the Peloponnese attract those seeking natural beauty and year-round tranquility.
Drawbacks to know
Greek bureaucracy is notoriously slow and complex, a legacy of the 2010 crisis that reduced administrative staffing. Obtaining the AFM, registrations, various permits — expect significant delays and the help of a local advisor.
Fiber is well deployed in Athens and Thessaloniki but rare in rural areas and on small islands. 4G/5G mobile coverage is incomplete outside urban and tourist zones, a real obstacle for digital nomads.
The Greek economy is gradually emerging from a decade of crisis. Local salaries are among the lowest in the Eurozone (minimum wage ~830 EUR/month). Few opportunities for foreign employees seeking a well-paid local job.
Athens and southern Greece experience very hot summers: regularly 35 to 42 degrees Celsius in July-August. Record heat waves have hit Greece in recent years. Air conditioning is essential, an additional cost.
Greek is a difficult language for French speakers, with an entirely different alphabet. English is well spoken in major cities and tourist areas, but administration, contracts and deeper daily life require Greek or local assistance.
Living year-round on a small Greek island can be beautiful in summer and depressing in winter. Fewer services, many establishments closed off-season, reduced connections in bad weather. A lifestyle to test before committing permanently.
Frequently asked questions
How do you qualify for the 7% flat tax in Greece for retirees?
Is Greece really cheaper than other Eurozone countries?
Can you work remotely from Greece without a special visa?
Are the Cyclades and Greek islands livable year-round?
How do you obtain the AFM (Greek tax number)?
Do you need private health insurance to live in Greece?
Is Greece safe for expats?
Explore other destinations
Compare with other countries that might suit you.