Moving to Greece: Residence, Housing and Relocation Guide

Choose your residence category first

Work, study, family, business and passive-income routes each have their own conditions and evidence. Your category also affects what you may and may not do — for example whether you can work locally.

If more than one category could apply to you, get advice before applying rather than after a refusal.

Mainland or island

• Island life changes logistics: ferries, seasonal prices and limited winter services
• Administrative offices and specialist healthcare are concentrated in larger cities
• Long-term rentals can be scarce where short-term tourism dominates
• Budget for travel to appointments if you settle somewhere remote

Housing search

• Expect competition in Athens and Thessaloniki; be ready to decide quickly
• Clarify deposit, agency fee, utilities and building charges in writing
• Check heating and cooling costs, which vary sharply by building
• Have someone who reads Greek review the contract before you sign

First weeks after arrival

• Local number and internet
• Tax and administrative identifiers required for everyday contracts
• Health cover appropriate to your status
• School admissions if you are moving with children
• Certified translations of any document you will need repeatedly

Where Movevia helps

Compare local providers for housing search, moving, translation, transport and orientation on the Greece country page, and compare independent immigration professionals through the expert matching flow.