Life on Crete moves at a slower pace than on mainland Greece or much of Europe, which can be very enjoyable and perfect for retirement. 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. Internet Speed In Crete, Can You Work Remotely? Its very picturesque and has more small villages compared to the north. Greece operates . Cyprus is also larger. Life in Crete, Greece Name: Gabi Ancarola Age: 48 Home town: Buenos Aires, Argentina Her Story: "I was born in Buenos Aires where I graduated as a sworn translator. For example, you can choose beachside life, mountainside life or city life. In the height of summer, you can enjoy upwards of 12 hours of glorious sun each day and average sea temperatures of 25 degrees. An alternative is to open an international bank account with a company like Barclays. I spend most of my time living and working abroad and use this website to share "the good, the bad and the ugly" of traveling and living abroad. It rains very little in Crete. Generally, all along the north coast of the island have excellent public transport, making it easier if you dont drive. Feb 22, 2023 The expat guide to moving and living in Italy. Expat Forum For People Moving Overseas And Living Abroad. Cretes slow pace also applies to the bureaucracy system, so if you suffer from high blood pressure or are looking to get away from stressful paperwork, perhaps take up meditation or yoga while filling in all your official forms. The Crime Rate In Crete, Is It Safe To Move To Crete? Because of the long lunch break, afternoons in Crete can last until about 9 PM. I do however have in excess of 50,000 disposable savings ( and funds under the golden visa threshold to purchase a property ). Im really confused what I need to do!! In my next article, I am going to go deeper in the cost of living in Crete, but I will mission that there are some measures that you can take to save money while living in Crete. My private pension pays me circa 1,500 a month , we have no other income . The Greek authorities can refuse your residency for this. Crete is an excellent island to live on too. Again, an estate agent can help ensure everything is above board. 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. Many people prefer retiring in Crete Greece because of the warm weather, and the relaxed atmosphere of the Cretan living. However, planning for this can be challenging and confusing. Although major cities and tourist hubs generally work on a more British pattern of standardised hours, more rural areas often march to the beat of their own drum. Either way, its worth it for the new life youll end up living. My partner and I are moving to Heraklion at the beginning of next year with our 5 years old daughter. To learn more, read our guide How To Access Healthcare When You Move Abroad all you need to know about your post-Brexit healthcare options in Europe. Ministry for Migration and Asylum website, compare international health insurance options, How To Access Healthcare When You Move Abroad. 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. Quickly and easily find trusted moving, insurance, relocation and other providers with Expat Exchange's Moving Planner. Report inappropriate content. Greece offers everything you could want from a new life abroad, including great weather and lower living costs. 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. Living and working in Cyprus as an expat. Hi Wondered about local taxes and costs for electric supplies? Access to these is comforting you age. 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. . After years of teaching both English and Italian at the University of Buenos Aires, I traveled to Italy for a scholarship. Hi, we are planning to move to Crete within the next two years. While you have to pay for refuse collection, your basic monthly outgoings for water, electricity, and such will be around 150 (130) a month. 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. Although there are some beaches, gorges, and cities that everyone wants to visit, it is always a good idea to explore places that most tourists do not visit. Water sports (windsurfing, kitesurfing, kayaking) are potential activities to do in our vacation time. If your propertys cadastral value is 2000,000 and over, there are additional rates from 0.10% to 1.15%, depending on the property price. Expats In Crete, Greece If you are looking to connect with expats in Greece, then this page brings together all the latest expat blogs Greece written, any interviews, articles and news items we have here at ExpatsBlog.com. The island is rich in culture and is packed full of traditional Greek monuments, traditions, and festivals. Over 2 million. Heraklion's Koules is a beautifully restored fortress surrounding the city's harbor, built by the Venetians in the early 13thcentury. Although it varies by geography, average temperatures are around 30 degrees in the summer and 10 degrees in the winter. However, a lawyer might offer some kind of solution. This might not be easy to understand if youre coming from a bigger city, but trust me, you do learn to enjoy it.. Because Crete is relatively relaxed, they sometimes dont respect even the most basic rules of the road. 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. You can spend three months getting a feel for the island before you need to apply for residency. Can you help please? As it is now Greece hosts many British expats, and I am sure more are looking to relocate to Greece. I already speak English 2 European languages and 1 Asian .. so thats a consideration. If youre thinking of moving to Greece then renting a property can be a good idea before settling down permanently. Living in Greece The weather is obviously a huge plus of living in Greece. If you love the idea of living on a Mediterranean island, you may also have considered moving to Cyprus. Or you can apply as a non-EU citizen and choose one of the options discussed in the guide.
Your email address will not be published. I have lived here for 6 years now and I have not heard of any serious crimes, just some pick pocketing in Chania which happens a lot during the tourist season. This will depend on which country has the lower tax rate, but be aware that youll be subject to the tax laws of the country in which your tax is paid. Especially in Chania, the expat community is huge, and very active. However, it does tend to rain a lot there in winter. Speaking Greek will definitely make this easier, but dont move to Greece assuming youll easily find a job. Like this article about living in 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. Some things such as local foods are dirt cheap, making day-to-day life very inexpensive. Crete has an amazing gastronomic tradition, so much so that there are people coming back to Crete year after year just for the sake of a small tavern, or even a certain dish., Also Read: Hidden Gems in Greece You Should Visit and Things to Know if You Want to Go Sailing in Greece. I love the pace of life, the simple details that make every day different. Crete is blessedly cooler (but still very warm), and in winter, the temperature drops, and you get a better winter season. Its very common for locals to watch you struggle with a few words and then just respond with perfect English. Owner of marketing company A to Z Marketing. Youll find whole communities of expats sharing their knowledge and culture with other expats in tiny villages and pockets of the island. House prices are surprisingly low in Sparta, but this is mainly because of its remote location. 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. Its small enough to have a real sense of identity and community but large enough to have everything you could need- although some things come at a price. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. But because I left in 2021 and didnt return until now. 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. Most rental properties in the smaller villages are for short holiday lets in the summer, so you might find a reasonable price for the winter months but would have to move before tourists arrive. In the summer months, when the middle of the day is very hot, many people take a long lunch. as well as having lots more info about living in Crete and Greece. If you plan to stay and/or work on the island for longer than 3 months, you need to sort out your residency. 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. What is the best area in Crete to live in? You can join that to ask any questions you may have about life here including finding housing, getting a visa, etc., Also Read: A Moving Abroad Checklist: Things to Do Before You Move Abroad. Healthcare and health insurance in Greece. Either way, itll help to bring a translator along just to ensure there are no snags. It was accepted into the EU in 1981, and since then, the country has grown from strength to strength. Because tourism is a major source of income in the country, English is fairly widely spoken. Just like everything else on the island, house prices can also vary massively. I am sure one of the things that you will have on your mind as you consider retiring in Crete Greece, is the medical facility and the quality of the services offered. I ended up living in Milan for 22 years and enjoyed how easy it was to travel around the world from Europe.. Youll find more private options available in urban areas, but there are still private hospitals in rural areas too. In Athens, you can expect to pay around 9.50 per square metre, but only 5.25 per square metre in somewhere like rural Thessaloniki. Like many European countries, Greece offers a wide range of destinations, but all benefit from amazing weather and great food. Read on to find out more about what you can expect from living in Greece and how to get settled in this amazing country. wondering about the daily earthquakes/tremors and what expats feel about these? You will need to apply while living in the country, so you may want to get a visa first. Can you help at all? One being, what kind of life are you looking to live in Crete? The cons of living in Greece 1. If you only have under a year left, renew early before you leave. Required fields are marked *. Here youll be in the minority and will be surrounded by locals and other Greeks. Most of these villages have year round services but on a smallish scale. Also if the UK company would have to pay tax in Greece? You should allow for extra time when meeting deadlines and dont try to do anything in a rush, especially in the summer. Your email address will not be published. If officials say theyll get back to you within five days and they dont, dont be surprised. The island is packed with tiny villages and really feels like a Greek island. The rainiest month of the year is December, when, on average, it rains for 11 days of the month. This requires more documentation, however, including proof of funds and their source. Completing the paperwork on your own is possible, but remember that you can hire legal help to make things quicker and easier. Required fields are marked *. Expats looking for a relaxed lifestyle could do a lot worse than living in Italy. If Crete sounds like the place for you, jump on a plane or a boat, and find out! 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. 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 make sure you get the best value for money, compare international health insurance options from various providers to find the best deal. Of course, when the tourist season comes, I always suggest people pay close attention to their surroundings, especially in very crowded areas. Anyway must watch more of your videos and read more here. 47,401 posts. When applying for a residents Visa , do we again have to provide financial details to forfil the financial independent persons criteria or is it transferred from the Type-D application. Crete; It's the biggest island in the country, and it offers a laid-back pace of life, a warm climate, and wonderful sandy beaches. The CIC (Cretan International Community) based in Rethymnon meet for coffee once a month and organise activities, trips, and expat support. Select which of our trusted partners you would like to hear from and we'll do the rest. Ferry companies that connect mainland Greece to Crete: Crete schools with addresses and contact details , Crete hospitals, health centres, regional clinics and other information on healthcare . Applying for a residence permit will take some time. Life in Crete moves at a slower pace than in other places, particularly when it comes to paperwork. Greece uses the Euro, but living here is generally cheaper than in other European nations such as France or Germany. To be honest, I did not use any resources. However, while you are applying for your residency and visas, you will have to have private health insurance. Could someone confirm or deny this, or is this Greece making up it's own rules?? Hi Colin, property owners pay a very small Public Tax incorporated in the electricity bill payable every second month. You must look after your things of course, but you dont have to live in fear that you will be attacked. People may indicate one way and then turn another, drive up the other side of the road, stop to have a chat, or even crash traffic lights. An example is IKA, which is the largest social security organisation in Greece and is for those in standard employment. Moving to Crete wont have the same culture shock as moving to somewhere like Japan. 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. The best way to do this is with the Golden Visa as it brings a lot of advantages, but not everyone has the spare cash to invest. Hello. In this case, you can qualify for residency through investment (Golden Visa). Both violent crime and drug-related crime rates are considerably lower in Greece. After that, you will pay normal Greece tax rates on your income. Old buildings and village walls are the ones that get damaged, as the majority of the new builds are designed to withstand earthquakes, meaning that Greek cities and towns are less likely to experience serious structural damage. 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. If you want sun most of the year, perhaps living in Cyprus is more suitable. Many expats have already taken the plunge and headed to the stunning Greek island of Crete. Its definitely worth checking what youll need before you move, so you dont end up paying for over-priced goods. I wonder if you can help me. Guidance and information for UK citizens moving to Greece , US Embassy and Consulate in Greece: US citizen services . Both the mainland and the islands essentially see 365 days of sunshine a year. 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. Nightlife here amounts to a good selection of bars and restaurants, but youd be pushed to find someone open for customers after 1 AM. Over 1 million people live on the island for at least part of the year, while Crete is home to around 650,000. I was born in Buenos Aires where I graduated as a sworn translator. This means that if you want to go to any shops or visit anyone between 12-2 PM, call in advance to check its okay, or you might find the stores are closed and your neighbour is taking a nap. This gives you a chance to familiarise yourself with the area and with local regulations. Id suggest, however, to read as much as you can about living in Crete before making any decision. Thank you so much for reading and commenting, I really appreciate it. Theres not much that I dislike about the island. I also enjoy visiting the most popular beaches on the island, but off-season. . Here, she juggles being a solo mom, hosting culinary tours in the summer, translating, and writing for The Tiny Book and her other blogs. Choosing just one favorite place to hang out in Chanias Old Town is difficult because there are tons of fantastic restaurants in Chania. "Living in Crete. Save. here you will find very useful information, and tips about 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. Greece has a fairly good national healthcare system, which you can enter after three months of residency. 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. 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. hi there, I dont live in greece, but we are considering it too! Also if you like swimming and sunbathing, you are going to enjoy your retirement here on Crete because there are so many beaches, some big and some small, as you familiarize yourself with the island, you are going to find some really nice spots where you can enjoy swimming and relaxing even at the height of the tourist season. Whats more, it prides itself on its local culture, meaning almost every restaurant is a local affair with good quality, locally sourced produce.
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