If you find yourself in these areas, youre better off heading back to the town centres bright lights. You can also find me on YouTube. Hello. Both islands offer very traditional Greek food featuring lots of fresh tomatoes, feta cheese, lamb, olives, wine, and plenty of seafood. Im 74 and retired with a pension and social security in the USA. 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. Generally, this must be completed at the Greek consulate in your home country. As a result, you must have a Greek bank account and tax number to purchase a property. I am planning on moving permanently to Kefalonia Greece , with my partner. In January, we have some days when the temperatures can go as high as 25 degrees Celsius, and night temperatures are between 10 and 17 degrees Celsius. Lets talk about retiring in Crete Greece, and the cons and pros of living in Crete. Add in the historic interest and bustling nightlife, and its got the potential to be top of most peoples lists. Its very common for locals to watch you struggle with a few words and then just respond with perfect English. Visa And Residency Options In Greece For Non-EU Nationals. Although no simple list of pros and cons will ever be enough for making a decision about something like residency, it at least helps you get an idea of what its like to live in the country. Later Crete was ruled by Rome, then by the Byzantine Empire, the Andalusian Arabs, the Venetian Republic, and the Ottoman Empire. Pros and cons, residency and property matters, cost of living, and the most popular places to live. However, there are some quirks and abnormalities which are worth knowing before you go. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Author: Sanne WesselmanA traveler, wanderer, digital nomad, and entrepreneur. Age: 48 An example is IKA, which is the largest social security organisation in Greece and is for those in standard employment. Qualified UK citizens can apply for the S1 form which will grant them access to the Greece public healthcare system paid by the UK. This festival involves lots of ceremonies by the water, and youll find lots of swimming events. Everything then fell into place little by little, with time. Are utilities, mobile and internet connections reliable in Greece? 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. However, because Crete is an island, more oversized items must be shipped from the mainland, adding to the price. EU citizens must apply for a residence permit after three months, but this is more of a formality. The other main concern of expats is healthcare. 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. Hi Wondered about local taxes and costs for electric supplies? You should allow for extra time when meeting deadlines and dont try to do anything in a rush, especially in the summer. The rest has to be imported from the mainland. Everything goes on according to the Greek philosophy of siga siga which could be roughly translated as slow down. I do however have in excess of 50,000 disposable savings ( and funds under the golden visa threshold to purchase a property ). This is also the time of year for the olive harvests, which means long workdays and lots of meals with family, friends, and neighbours. Water sports (windsurfing, kitesurfing, kayaking) are potential activities to do in our vacation time. Of course, Heraklion in the east of Crete also has a large community of expats. My husband and I are holidaying in Crete this august but we are being drawn to moving there. My partner and I are moving to Heraklion at the beginning of next year with our 5 years old daughter. A common clich could be saying that I dont really enjoy the way locals drive. The only thing you really need to consider in terms of your own personal safety is pickpockets during the summer months. As with anywhere else, rental prices vary massively depending on the area. Crete being the largest island in Greece attracts lots of expats from other European countries and other parts of the world. It was accepted into the EU in 1981, and since then, the country has grown from strength to strength. As it is now Greece hosts many British expats, and I am sure more are looking to relocate to Greece. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 - Expatra Ltd. UK Company Number 09686420. Even though technically that is true, some of the bureaucrats here still ask you for one for certain things, like if you buy a car here you still have to get a residence permit. In the height of summer, you can enjoy upwards of 12 hours of glorious sun each day and average sea temperatures of 25 degrees. Theres not much that I dislike about the island. Any specific sites we can check? You will need your passport and proof of address and some additional documents. After you have applied for the alternative tax regime, the 7% tax rate will become effective the following tax year and will last for 15 years. However, you might want to consider professional help. Completing the paperwork on your own is possible, but remember that you can hire legal help to make things quicker and easier. If you dont want to live on the coast, moving into the mountains offers a range of outdoor activities. Otherwise it is paradise the beachs are excellent I was station in Greece in the early 90s. It rains very little in Crete. Here youll find a strong sense of community among expats from different countries. 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. Greece operates . Serenissima in Chania is a highlight. When it comes to my city, Chania, nothing beats the vibe of the old town. Ministry for Migration and Asylum website, compare international health insurance options, How To Access Healthcare When You Move Abroad. If youre from the UK and can apply for an S1 form , this will entitle you to state healthcare paid by the British government. Hi, we are planning to move to Crete within the next two years. Im looking for a guide to applying for the heating allowance. In the survey Expat Insider asked respondents to rate and provide information about how it is to live as expat in 65 countries around the world that are considered as key destinations for expats. However, I will still be being paid in the UK by a UK company. Simple and extremely flavorful dishes, made exclusively with seasonal products. These documents must be submitted to your local police station or the Aliens Police if youre based in Athens. 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. And Crete celebrates lots of religious holidays; there is basically one a month. Generally speaking, an expat with a monthly income of 2,000 will be able to live very comfortably almost anywhere in Greece. The Financially Independent Persons Visa will be your best route if you qualify financially. Required fields are marked *. JavaScript is disabled. Many expats opt for an international health plan. Access to these is comforting you age. Property value has gone up in recent years with an apartment in the city center of Chania costing anywhere between. 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. 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. Non-EU citizens do not have automatic rights to settle down in the EU. Long story short, I work for the US Government and have an opportunity to apply for a position in Souda Bay, Crete. Some things need to be bought on ferries from the mainland, so they can be pretty pricey. Driving on the island is another thing you will have to get used to, if you are the kind that screams at the driver next or in front of you, then I suggest you take some relaxation therapy before moving to Crete lol. For many people, living in Crete full-time is a dream come true. Had bern thinking of Greece as a retirement possibility from Hamburg Germany You can also find a robust and active community of expats in Agios Nikolaos in East Crete. House prices are surprisingly low in Sparta, but this is mainly because of its remote location. Could Crete Serve the Best Food in Greece? If you head into the larger towns like Chania and Heraklion, youll find you still feel very safe. 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. In this case, you can qualify for residency through investment (Golden Visa). I have found your website the most informative amidst a lot of confusing misinformation. The fourth-highest number of UK expats living inside its borders, with roughly 531,584 Brits calling Canada home. Of course, if you do this, you have to accept the risk. However, planning for this can be challenging and confusing. 47,401 posts. 1.10%. For UK citizens planning to relocate to Greece, it can make sense to take advantage of the three-month visa-free travel period to visit different areas of the country. A cinema ticket only costs around 7.50 and a bus ticket costs just 1.70. My problem is leaving Greece and returning every 3 months is expensive. These cookies do not store any personal information. really helpful guide thanks so much. Its safest to deal through an estate agent, as private rentals can often be a minefield for anyone not fluent in Greek. The rainiest month of the year is December, when, on average, it rains for 11 days of the month. All legal residents are entitled to state-run healthcare. You must look after your things of course, but you dont have to live in fear that you will be attacked. The cooler temperatures mean the winter months are often spent doing jobs that cant be done in the summer heat. 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. 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. I have read the basics. After that, you will pay normal Greece tax rates on your income. The weather in Crete is pleasant in winter, hovering at around 10 degrees, although some of the mountains will get a dusting of snow. Although making the jump to living in a new country can be daunting, its worth taking the chance if you can. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. After years of putting up with Milans rainy winters, I moved to Crete, Greece with my two kids where I write about the island for different media. There is a big US community thanks to the US military base in the Port of Souda, which is the biggest natural port in the Eastern Mediterranean. With ongoing activity and a strong sense of community, it is a pleasure to spend the winter months on the island. The pros of living in Santorini 1. If you are looking to move to Crete to enjoy the peace and quiet of your retirement years, then there is plenty to look forward to. Again, fees vary widely from school to school, but are more expensive than private schools. Chania in recent years has become kind of a hotspot for expats and digital nomads, which makes the atmosphere of the town feel alive and vibrant all year round.. 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! Just like everything else on the island, house prices can also vary massively. Hi everyone! Greece has no lower income tax threshold, meaning you pay tax on everything you earn. I already speak English 2 European languages and 1 Asian .. so thats a consideration. Cooler weather and fewer people mean youre more likely to see wildlife, so many people actually prefer the off-season months to the summer. and impressive gorges. we have one child thats still in primary and one thats just started secondary? You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Again, an estate agent can help ensure everything is above board. So I need a long term residency permit. In the summer months, when the middle of the day is very hot, many people take a long lunch. 1.15%. And Crete is also a popular retirement destination, attracting many nationalities. 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. I dont know why they showed it but they know I am Asian (hahaha) so, dark skinned . On January 6th, Crete celebrates Epiphany, the Holy Blessing of the waters. If you have any more questions about life here please post here and we will give you any advice we can. You can find all the details in our guide Greece: Visa & Residency Options for non-EU Nationals. Moving to Crete wont have the same culture shock as moving to somewhere like Japan. Anyway must watch more of your videos and read more here. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Excellent education, quality of life, welcoming communities and stunning outdoor scenery are just some of the main reasons why people choose to live in Canada as an expat. Youll find more private options available in urban areas, but there are still private hospitals in rural areas too. Hi Jonathan, you need to apply for a residence permit. 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. 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. So if you enjoy the outdoors, you will be right at home here in Crete. Crete is blessedly cooler (but still very warm), and in winter, the temperature drops, and you get a better winter season. Crete offers a very healthy, active lifestyle for those that wish to embrace the great outdoors. Well, one of the things that you will find frustrating is the paperwork, Bureaucracy is something that you will deal with and you will have to be very patient. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links, at no additional cost to you. Crete experiences warm weather even in the winter in comparison to other European countries. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Many expats report they feel safer walking at night on Crete than they did in the UK. To be totally honest, they are very similar with mountainous scenery, vineyards, and unique wildlife. You might be able to arrange a shorter let, but this will be on a case-by-case basis. To count as a permanent resident of Greece, you must have an address you live at for at least 183 days of the year. And, with such a big island, there are many unexplored roads to discover. If you are an expat living and working in Greece, you will be subject to Greek tax laws. The average cost per square meter in Crete is $1,900 per square meter which means you can likely find a comfortable two-bedroom apartment in a good area for under $156,000.You can learn more about purchasing real estate in Greece here. Retiring in Crete Greece How to choose the best place to move to. Your email address will not be published. Greece currently has an overall falling crime rate when charted over the last 10 years, with levels sitting lower than the UK or the USA. Here, she juggles being a solo mom, hosting culinary tours in the summer, translating, and writing for The Tiny Book and her other blogs. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Along with the glorious weather and amazing food, the pace of life is something many expats dream of in their retirement. Before we start, heres one piece of advice: Greece and therefore Crete follow the Greek Orthodox church. Owner of marketing company A to Z Marketing. You wont be short of medical care. Both the mainland and the islands essentially see 365 days of sunshine a year.