I just booked a trip and upon arrival talked to locals to find a place to live. Medication and pharmacies are fairly standard across the country, although you may have to visit a hospital for more specialised medication. Its fairly standard for expats to switch to a local private health insurance plan once their residency is confirmed. Moving to Crete wont have the same culture shock as moving to somewhere like Japan. There is a robust public healthcare system, but many expats opt for local private healthcare or for international health insurance simply to guarantee a higher standard. Here is a quick rundown of the best places to live in Greece. I am hoping to move to Greece in the near future on a FIP visa. Hi folks, sorry for a slow reply but I only just joined this forum. Depending on where in the country expats decide to live, the range of choices may differ. I also enjoy visiting the most popular beaches on the island, but off-season. 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. Its a great time of year to bond with locals and make yourself a part of the community on Crete. Greece enjoys a lower cost of living than some other countries, such as the UK. Expat Forum For People Moving Overseas And Living Abroad. Retiring In Crete Greece What Are The Cons And Pros? As I mentioned in another article, always expect the unexpected when driving here in Crete. Hi Wondered about local taxes and costs for electric supplies? 1.10%. Life in Crete can be a contradiction when it comes to the cost of living. The advantage to this over standard citizenship application is that its generally quicker and saves a lot of paperwork. Anything over 40,001 is counted as the highest bracket of 45%. Could Crete Serve the Best Food in Greece? 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. I have a Greek residency permit (beige card) from when I lived in Greece in 2020 before brexit. Ministry for Migration and Asylum website, compare international health insurance options, How To Access Healthcare When You Move Abroad. Greece has some pretty amazing food. Like most of Europe, locals on the island generally speak English for tourists and are more than happy to help out if you try to speak in Greek, to begin with. But, other than that, theres not a lot to dislike about life in Chania, or Crete in general. Crete is varied and diverse, meaning there really is a place for everyone. Do you want city living or countryside living? Hello. However, you might want to consider professional help. Im 74 and retired with a pension and social security in the USA. Any other useful information you could provide , would be greatfully recieved . Position: Med Aide - PRN - Assisted Living in Crete (24hr/month) Overview: TABITHA'S. PURPOSE: We empower people to live joyfully, age gratefully. 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. 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. Some links on this website are affiliate links. I enjoy hiking and taking photos of the incredibly diverse landscapes of Crete. The people are cool. For a flat in a decent part of Chania, or any other major town, youre looking at 350 per month for one bedroom. Another good thing about retiring in Crete Greece is the fact that Crete has a very low crime rate. The basic requirements for a residence permit . You have to follow non-EU application procedures. To avoid this its best to hire an accountant to take care of your annual tax returns. Report inappropriate content. 2 years ago. 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. The Greek authorities can refuse your residency for this. You wont be short of medical care. I hope there might be a long-term American resident in Crete who would be willing to discuss various aspects of relocation there for a non-EU expat. Mobile connections are mostly fine, although there may be connectivity issues in most rural areas. As with anywhere else, rental prices vary massively depending on the area. Shes written for Greek Reporter, published several travel guides about Greece, and had more glasses of frappe than any regular person would be able to handle. Greece is an extremely vibrant country that is famed throughout the world for its year-round good climate, detailed history, beautiful architecture, and unique culture. Thanks for the interesting article. Owner of marketing company A to Z Marketing. Here, she juggles being a solo mom, hosting culinary tours in the summer, translating, and writing for The Tiny Book and her other blogs. Crete experiences warm weather even in the winter in comparison to other European countries. There is something for everyone but only if you know where to look. Is it a similar situation for us as with UK expats? Living the Ultimate Greek Lifestyle in Heraklion, Crete 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. Crete being the largest island in Greece attracts lots of expats from other European countries and other parts of the world. Hi Colin, property owners pay a very small Public Tax incorporated in the electricity bill payable every second month. If you do choose to help these animals, be prepared that you may end up surrounded by animals looking for food. If you are from an EU country then you do not need a work permit.The best thing to do is to go over for a holiday and if you find a job ,stay and if you dont, go back! Its in close proximity to the Greek islands and has good international connections. Heraklion's Koules is a beautifully restored fortress surrounding the city's harbor, built by the Venetians in the early 13thcentury. These cookies do not store any personal information. Retiring in Crete Greece How to choose the best place to move to. The largest is Crete, with an area of 8,260 square kilometres. 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. However, there are some quirks and abnormalities which are worth knowing before you go. Youll find whole communities of expats sharing their knowledge and culture with other expats in tiny villages and pockets of the island. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. You can find practical support and answers to any questions you might have and events and activities organised by expats such as Coffee dates and trips to other islands. 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). Community boards online offer a solid tie to other expats, with plenty of people looking for English-speaking work. Life in the mountains is more similar to life in other Mediterranean countries, where the year is divided into growing and harvesting produce. Just like everything else on the island, house prices can also vary massively. You can check the bus schedule here: https://www.ktelherlas.gr/en/. If you dont fancy a dip in the sold sea, its a great spectator event, and youll have a great time with all the food, wine, and music. However, the cost of living is definitely higher in cities, particularly ones with a lot of tourism. Hi, this might be helpful: https://kefaloniapulse.homeinkefalonia.properties/?p=41780. we really like Chania but from the research weve done, Heraklion is the only area with the schooling we need? You moved to Crete without knowing the answers to the above questions, I wish you luck. 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. Home town: Buenos Aires, Argentina. Some of the main tourist attractions are closed for work in winter so there are few tourists and its a great time to explore the island, eat out and go shopping without being surrounded by tourists. If you come from the UK, you can sometimes choose whether to pay your taxes in Greece or your original country. Copyright 2018-2022. If Crete sounds like the place for you, jump on a plane or a boat, and find out! Its the tourism industry that attracts many expats to move to Crete, either for the summer season or for an indefinite period. Nobody seems to know. I do however have in excess of 50,000 disposable savings ( and funds under the golden visa threshold to purchase a property ). I ended up living in Milan for 22 years and enjoyed how easy it was to travel around the world from Europe.. Eating out in a restaurant will be also cheaper. Greece has a more complicated tax system than you might be used to. To be eligible for state healthcare, you must be a taxpayer and belong to a national healthcare organisation. There are few major towns in the mountains, so youll get lots of peace and quiet and can descend into the hustle and bustle of the coast when you need to. This is something youd pay top dollar for in countries like the UK. Living in Greece The weather is obviously a huge plus of living in Greece. Monthly payments will often be lower if you commit to a longer contract, however. However, if youre looking for a faced-paced lifestyle to keep you young, you might prefer one of the other islands or the mainland. Living in Crete, Greece - Interview With an Expat - Spend Life Traveling VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. Many people prefer retiring in Crete Greece because of the warm weather, and the relaxed atmosphere of the Cretan living. Lets talk about retiring in Crete Greece, and the cons and pros of living in Crete. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Finally, Crete is home to lots, and we mean lots, of stray animals. This might not be easy to understand if youre coming from a bigger city, but trust me, you do learn to enjoy it.. Can you help please? The visa will allow you to stay in Greece for more than 90 days, and that way, you can live in the country for the duration of the application process. Not everybody knows that Crete has a mountainous landscape made of high peaks (that even get snow in the winter!) I have found your website the most informative amidst a lot of confusing misinformation. Hi, we are planning to move to Crete within the next two years. Among the things I enjoy the most about life in Crete is the healthy and tasty Cretan diet. The local paper here, Xaniotika Nea, has plenty of small ads advertising for chefs but it's all in Greek. The average rental price is around 7.40 per square metre. Because of the long lunch break, afternoons in Crete can last until about 9 PM. Thanks. Retiring In Crete Greece What Are The Cons And Pros? 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, How do I become a resident of Crete non-EU citizens. hi there, I dont live in greece, but we are considering it too! However, there are several crucial differences that could impact your choice. If you like the varying seasons, Crete is for you. 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. 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. 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. Once granted, you only need to renew it if your circumstances change, and you must fill out versions for both you and your children (if applicable). We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links, at no additional cost to you. Most expats who move to Crete in later life said their main concerns were the language barrier and healthcare. The weather is among the best in Europe. Your email address will not be published. This gives you a chance to familiarise yourself with the area and with local regulations. Cyprus and Crete are both home to large communities of expats, which shows precisely how wonderful both islands are to live on. Probably the most popular area for expats to move to is between Chania and Rethymnon, in an area known as the Apokoronas. As it is now Greece hosts many British expats, and I am sure more are looking to relocate to Greece. 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. Crete is known as the cradle of Western civilization and has tons of impressive ruins and sites dating from the Bronze age, when the Minoan civilization thrived on the island. I intend to live in Greece to work and purchase property. hi, can anyone tell me what is involved in moving to Greece or where to get the information. Even heading out to a local coffee store will only cost you 3 for a regular coffee. The weather in Crete is pleasant in winter, hovering at around 10 degrees, although some of the mountains will get a dusting of snow. Expats In Crete, Greece Simple and extremely flavorful dishes, made exclusively with seasonal products. In mainland Greece, earthquakes up to seven in magnitude have been recorded in the past, rising to up to 7.2 in islands like Crete. If you only have under a year left, renew early before you leave. If you choose to live outside the major towns of Heraklion and Rethymnon, you will find winter a great time to explore the local area. Of course, after that, you will have to apply for a residence permit to stay in Greece as all non-EU citizens do. Thank you for the comment. really helpful guide thanks so much. It can be distressing to see them starving, and many people find it off-putting. All legal residents are entitled to state-run healthcare. Crete offers a perfect retirement place, because of the all year round living, online other Greek islands, Crete is not just a tourist destination, its also an ideal place to settle especially for pensioners.