If you head into the larger towns like Chania and Heraklion, youll find you still feel very safe. Whats it like to move to and live in Crete? Like many European countries, Greece offers a wide range of destinations, but all benefit from amazing weather and great food. If youre from the UK and can apply for an S1 form , this will entitle you to state healthcare paid by the British government. Crete is blessedly cooler (but still very warm), and in winter, the temperature drops, and you get a better winter season. I wonder if you can help me. Latest Blogs by English Expats Living in Greece Cariad in Crete Crete is varied and diverse, meaning there really is a place for everyone. I have 4 years left till I retire from the US Army and since you would be near the base you will be able to save alot of money. Its the tourism industry that attracts many expats to move to Crete, either for the summer season or for an indefinite period. American in Crete | Expat Forum For People Moving Overseas And Living As to electric appliances, heres a Miele site for Greece with prices, they have a store in Heraklion, Crete: https://www.miele.gr/. Because Crete is relatively relaxed, they sometimes dont respect even the most basic rules of the road. Anyway, I hope you have enjoyed my article today, if so please leave me a comment below with your thoughts. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The downside is that come summer, it is very touristy. This interview is part of theAsk an Expat series. Im 74 and retired with a pension and social security in the USA. I do however have in excess of 50,000 disposable savings ( and funds under the golden visa threshold to purchase a property ). Greece offers everything you could want from a new life abroad, including great weather and lower living costs. These are particularly popular with expat families. This gives you a chance to familiarise yourself with the area and with local regulations. Expat Places: Let's Move to Crete - TorFX These cookies do not store any personal information. The rainiest month of the year is December, when, on average, it rains for 11 days of the month. However, you might want to consider professional help. You can check the bus schedule here: https://www.ktelherlas.gr/en/. The police told me I had lost my rights and to go to the immigration/aslym center. Its good to know beforehand what to expect. International health insurance can be quite expensive. But the British Consulate said The system allows for permitted absences from your country of residence. All Rights Reserved. Many people, particularly the older generation, are strictly religious, and you could find yourself being judged for not respecting their religious holidays. 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. Applying for a residence permit will take some time. But thought it would be too difficult without the language etc. You moved to Crete without knowing the answers to the above questions, I wish you luck. Crete has a large number of expats who live on the island all year round alongside the local population, so although the months between November and May are quieter, there is still plenty to do. Greek culture means evenings are spent visiting friends and drinking local Cretan wine in local bars and tavernas. But with such a great outdoor lifestyle and so much fresh Mediterranean food on offer, chances are youll remain healthy and feel younger than your years. If you come from the UK, you can sometimes choose whether to pay your taxes in Greece or your original country. When it comes to pubs and drinks, I would have to say that Synagogi Open Bar, in the old Jewish quarter is just the best place with the best music and delicious drinks. 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. 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. Expatriates in Greece: Quality and Cost of Living Both the mainland and the islands essentially see 365 days of sunshine a year. These documents must be submitted to your local police station or the Aliens Police if youre based in Athens. You can access it online by typing in Xaniotika Nea, but you will then need to get the ads translated. 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. Is it a similar situation for us as with UK expats? A cinema ticket only costs around 7.50 and a bus ticket costs just 1.70. For many people, living in Crete full-time is a dream come true. My problem is leaving Greece and returning every 3 months is expensive. When it comes to choosing which part you should move to, there are a few things that you need to consider. Cyprus is also larger. Crete is an island that takes life at its own, relatively slow pace. 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. Report inappropriate content. While you have to pay entry, none of them is very expensive. Living in Greece: What is it REALLY Like (2023 Expat Guide) We have chosen Crete as we understand that it has the largest expat community of the greek islands. You can take language classes with other expats if you move to a large town. We are both UK retired residents , and currently live there . Everything goes on according to the Greek philosophy of siga siga which could be roughly translated as slow down. My husband and I are holidaying in Crete this august but we are being drawn to moving there. Would this meet the criteria for us both to gain a Type-D visa , and ultimately a full residents visa on arrival in Kefalonia . To qualify, applicants must not have been tax resident for at least 5 of the previous 6 financial years. Also, applicants must receive their pension from a country in a double taxation agreement with Greece. Hi, we are planning to move to Crete within the next two years. Anything over 40,001 is counted as the highest bracket of 45%. Gabi has been living in Crete for the last five years. Theres also a property tax that ranges from 0.001/m to 13/m depending on the area, property value, building date, etc. Hi I lived in Crete ( Elounda)for a number of years and totally enjoyed every minute of it. First off, Cyprus is both more extensive and more densely populated. 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. hope that helps! If you plan to study or work in Crete, you will need to apply for an additional permit, but this is less urgent than securing your residency. Greece, generally speaking, has an acceptable infrastructure for things like power and communications. However, there are minimal crime reports, and very few people actually experience anything dangerous. Again, an estate agent can help ensure everything is above board. Lots of building, renovating, road repairs, shop changes, and more happen over the winter months giving the island a different kind of buzz. The proximity to amenities will cost you, but youll pay even more to be living just outside the tourist buzz in summer. Lying in the deep south-east of Europe, Cyprus not only offers a lot of fun on vacation but has . The local paper here, Xaniotika Nea, has plenty of small ads advertising for chefs but it's all in Greek. Nov 10, 2014. Hi Gemma, the best way is probably to consult an immigration lawyer. I have a Greek residency permit (beige card) from when I lived in Greece in 2020 before brexit. I lived in Crete for 3 years with a Greek man about 28 years ago but have gone back frequently and have . While you have to pay for refuse collection, your basic monthly outgoings for water, electricity, and such will be around 150 (130) a month. 470 reviews. You can also find a robust and active community of expats in Agios Nikolaos in East Crete. Again, fees vary widely from school to school, but are more expensive than private schools. Like this article about living in Crete? 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. Its definitely worth checking what youll need before you move, so you dont end up paying for over-priced goods. Hello, anyone living in Crete from the uk with kids? A common clich could be saying that I dont really enjoy the way locals drive. Most rental agreements require a deposit equivalent to two months rent, and utility bills may or may not be included in the rental price. The basic requirements for a residence permit . Also if the UK company would have to pay tax in Greece? Thank you fir the information and the beautiful videos snd photos. It really depends on your preferences. I love the pace of life, the simple details that make every day different. The largest is Crete, with an area of 8,260 square kilometres. Living and working in Greece as an expat - Lingocruit Plaka and Kokkino Chorio a little east of Chania town have ex-pat communities. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Crete is an excellent island to live on too. 1.10%. A forum community dedicated to expatriates and enthusiasts. 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. But, one of my absolute favorites is The Well of The Turk, in the heart of the Turkish district of the Old Town. Specifically, youll need to live near a hospital if you want a full range of services available. To make sure you get the best value for money, compare international health insurance options from various providers to find the best deal. 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).