This requires more documentation, however, including proof of funds and their source. I was born in Buenos Aires where I graduated as a sworn translator. From 2700 to 1420BC the island was the center of Europes first advanced civilization, the Minoans. Either way, its worth it for the new life youll end up living. 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. EU citizens must apply for a residence permit after three months, but this is more of a formality. Probably the most popular area for expats to move to is between Chania and Rethymnon, in an area known as the Apokoronas. Crete has a varied landscape with mountains covered in tiny villages and hamlets contrasted by the larger towns such as Heraklion and Chania. 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? Choose 1 Nationalities Living in Crete, Greece English Latest Blogs by Expats Living in Greece more expat blogs Crete 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. 1. For many people, living in Crete full-time is a dream come true. Greece is one of the best places to move abroad if you seek sunshine, a slower pace of life and a good value for money destination. It's an ideal place for those who love outdoor activities, such as hiking, swimming, and snorkeling. Crete offers a very healthy, active lifestyle for those that wish to embrace the great outdoors. Visit at Least One Archaeological Site. After living in Greece for at least three months, you can apply to the Greek Aliens Bureau via the online website. I have a Greek residency permit (beige card) from when I lived in Greece in 2020 before brexit. Didnt find what you were looking for or need further advice? Even the little villages have a smattering of expats, and the large town of Chania is just half an hour away by car. Home town: Buenos Aires, Argentina. Cons: In Greece, the closer you are to popular tourist centers, the higher the prices will be especially for prime accommodation, restaurant meals, and entertainment. Non-EU citizens do not have automatic rights to settle down in the EU. 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. 2 years ago. You can access it online by typing in Xaniotika Nea, but you will then need to get the ads translated. This shouldnt be a problem for expats looking for a more relaxed lifestyle, but if speed and efficiency are your top priorities, itll be worth relocating to a larger city like Athens. Crete experiences warm weather even in the winter in comparison to other European countries. I adore living steps from the sea, waking up every morning to the skyline of one of the prettiest cities in the country, Chania. 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. 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. Eating out in a restaurant will be also cheaper. Underneath the busy tourist industry is a super laid-back island. City Guides | Travel the World | Living Abroad | Travel Guides | Adventure Travel | Digital Nomad Life | Valencia, Spain | California, USA | The Netherlands | How to Plan a Trip, I consent to the storage of my data according to the Privacy Policy, - From Short Trips to Traveling the World & Living Abroad -, Living in Cuba: Things You Want to Know Before Moving Here, A Perfect Catalina Island Day Trip the, Why You Shouldnt Buy Seashells or Take Them, A Moving Abroad Checklist: Things to Do Before You Move Abroad, Things to Know if You Want to Go Sailing in Greece, Why Moving Abroad is Such a Valuable Experience, Things to Concider Before Moving to Another Country. As with other countries, this is less true in more rural areas, but either way, some knowledge of Greek would be very useful. Re: Expats in Chania. To be totally honest, they are very similar with mountainous scenery, vineyards, and unique wildlife. These cookies do not store any personal information. Heraklion is Cretes capital, and so lots of expats here can help you will official and administrative tasks. My husband and I are holidaying in Crete this august but we are being drawn to moving there. But thought it would be too difficult without the language etc. 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. Because Crete is relatively relaxed, they sometimes dont respect even the most basic rules of the road. 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. During this time you must also get a Greek tax number and a Greek bank account. Greece, generally speaking, has an acceptable infrastructure for things like power and communications. Greece has introduced a retirement income tax of 7%. Hi, we are planning to move to Crete within the next two years. There are also significant hospitals and medical centres in Heraklion, Rethymnon, Lassithi, Agios Nikolaos, Hania, and more. Expats looking for a relaxed lifestyle could do a lot worse than living in Italy. First off, Cyprus is both more extensive and more densely populated. hi, can anyone tell me what is involved in moving to Greece or where to get the information. Healthcare and health insurance in Greece. Cyprus is also larger. Greece has more archaeological museums than any other country in the world. Generally walking or stumbling, the short distance home doesnt leave you feeling unsafe or glancing over your shoulder. With ongoing activity and a strong sense of community, it is a pleasure to spend the winter months on the island. Otherwise, they will only tax your earnings inside the country. The ranking is based on 43 factors including quality of life, personal finances, cost of living, health care and education. This interview is part of theAsk an Expat series. If you are wondering about visas and residency, you are in the same boat as other non-EU nationals. You will need your passport and proof of address and some additional documents. You will need to apply while living in the country, so you may want to get a visa first. If you like the varying seasons, Crete is for you. Access to these is comforting you age. The island is packed with tiny villages and really feels like a Greek island. as well as having lots more info about living in Crete and Greece. And I dont know how well learning yet another language would fit in my life. Of course, you can find rather fancy meals in Crete too. So be respectful and mindful of local traditions and culture. Other things are also reasonably affordable on Crete. If your Husband is young and is not working just ensure he does not go out and party with the locals. As I mentioned in another article, always expect the unexpected when driving here in Crete. Simply put, you invest 250,000 in property in Greece and receive residency in 60 days. Over 1 million people live on the island for at least part of the year, while Crete is home to around 650,000. VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. However, because Crete is an island, more oversized items must be shipped from the mainland, adding to the price. International schools are found mostly in Athens, but also on Thessaloniki and Crete. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. There is a large British expat community there, in the villages of Plaka, Kokkino Horio, Kalyves and Almerida. 1.15%. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links, at no additional cost to you. This is also the time of year for the olive harvests, which means long workdays and lots of meals with family, friends, and neighbours. hi im wanting to retire from uk to sitia ,will i be able to get freeview and english tv, and will they come to install computor etc quickly lol. You can check your options in our Living In Greece guide: https://expatra.com/guides/greece/living-in-greece-the-expats-guide/ in Residency for non-EU citizens section. Hi Gemma, the best way is probably to consult an immigration lawyer. To avoid this its best to hire an accountant to take care of your annual tax returns. In border areas, such as Rhodes and Crete, properties are restricted and your application must go through a committee. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. 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. 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. Obviously, Greece has plenty of ancient historic monuments if thats your thing. After these three months are up, you must apply for a Registration Certificate (Veveosi Engrafis). Her love for adventuring was sparked during her time living and travelling in Canada as well as multiple trips across Europe. 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. If you want variety and nightlife and plenty to do, moving to Heraklion or the surrounding area would be ideal. 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. Property value has gone up in recent years with an apartment in the city center of Chania costing anywhere between. While you have to pay entry, none of them is very expensive. we were looking at corfu but just found out that there is no international English speaking schools we can send our kids to. Similarly, food is generally less expensive. Didnt find what you were looking for or need further advice? I found all this very interesting .I actually live in Cyprus do found your comparison very useful.life is good in Cyprus but in 14 years has changed s lot..There are new buildings everywhere and lots of people from third world countries, in addition to the Filipino and Sri Lankan maids. In the height of summer, you can enjoy upwards of 12 hours of glorious sun each day and average sea temperatures of 25 degrees.