Greece
A solid all-round choice. Ranked 21 of 40, strongest on climate, softest on retiree visa.
- Healthcare 78
- Retiree visa 50
- Affordability 78
- Safety 76
- Climate 88
- Expat community 78
- Retirement visaYesFinancially Independent Person (FIP) national long-stay visa and residence permitglobalcitizensolutions.com
- Min incomeHigh (harder to meet)globalcitizensolutions.com
- Monthly budgetLower than the USnumbeo.com
- HealthcareGoodglobalcitizensolutions.com
- SafetySafecountryeconomy.com
- Top citiesAthens, Crete, Corfu
Good to know
- Good healthcare accessGreece has a universal public healthcare system called ESY (Ethniko Systima Ygeias) providing free or low-cost care to residents. The WHO once ranked Greece 14th globally for overall healthcare performance; quality is high in cities.globalcitizensolutions.com
- Dedicated retirement visaFinancially Independent Person (FIP) national long-stay visa and residence permitglobalcitizensolutions.com
- Low cost of livingCost of living (excluding rent) is about 23% lower than the US; including rent about 36% lower. A single person's estimated monthly costs are around EUR 784 excluding rent, and a family of four around EUR 2,767 excluding rent.numbeo.com
- Safe for retireesGreece ranked 40th of the countries measured in the 2024 Global Peace Index with a score of 1.793, up 17 places, reflecting a peaceful and stable environment.countryeconomy.com
- Comfortable climateThe climate is predominantly Mediterranean, with hot, sunny, dry summers and mild, wet winters where snow rarely lasts. Complex geography gives many micro-climates and local variations.en.wikipedia.org
- Established expat communityGreece is a popular retirement destination with a high English-speaking community; expat retirees concentrate around Athens, Crete, Rhodes, Santorini and Corfu. Greece scores 592 on the EF English Proficiency Index (rank 20, High band).ef.com
Watch out for
No cautions from the verified data.
Visa & residency
Financially Independent Person (FIP) national long-stay visa and residence permit
Minimum passive income of about EUR 3,500 per month for a single applicant, plus roughly 20% (EUR 700) for a spouse and 15% (EUR 525) per dependent child. Over USD 3,000 per month, so a high band.
For US and UK retirees this is the Greek national path, not EU freedom of movement. Enter on a long-stay visa valid up to 12 months, then obtain a temporary residence permit valid three years and renewable. Income must be passive (pension, rental, dividends); the permit does not grant labour market access. Path to permanent residency after five years.
Healthcare
Greece has a universal public healthcare system called ESY (Ethniko Systima Ygeias) providing free or low-cost care to residents. The WHO once ranked Greece 14th globally for overall healthcare performance; quality is high in cities.
Non-EU expats typically need private health insurance; public insurance (EFKA/IKA) does not cover private hospitals, and proof of health insurance is required for residence permits. Private facilities offer newer equipment and shorter waits.
Cost of living
Cost of living (excluding rent) is about 23% lower than the US; including rent about 36% lower. A single person's estimated monthly costs are around EUR 784 excluding rent, and a family of four around EUR 2,767 excluding rent.
Rent is roughly 66% lower than in the US. A one-bedroom city-centre apartment averages about EUR 484 per month and a three-bedroom about EUR 821.
Safety
Greece ranked 40th of the countries measured in the 2024 Global Peace Index with a score of 1.793, up 17 places, reflecting a peaceful and stable environment.
Climate
The climate is predominantly Mediterranean, with hot, sunny, dry summers and mild, wet winters where snow rarely lasts. Complex geography gives many micro-climates and local variations.
Community & language
Greece is a popular retirement destination with a high English-speaking community; expat retirees concentrate around Athens, Crete, Rhodes, Santorini and Corfu. Greece scores 592 on the EF English Proficiency Index (rank 20, High band).
Official language is Greek; English is widely spoken in cities and tourist areas.
Taxes
Greece offers a flat 7% tax on foreign-sourced income, including foreign pensions, for qualifying new tax residents, exhausting the tax liability on that income; it applies for up to 15 years and is paid in one instalment by the last working day of July. Application by 31 March of the tax year.
To use the pensioner regime the retiree must transfer tax residence from a country that has an administrative-cooperation (double taxation) agreement with Greece, and must not have been a Greek tax resident for five of the previous six years. US citizens remain taxed by the US on worldwide income.
Popular retirement spots
Where retirees in Greece tend to settle, and the honest reason why. Each note shows its source.
Athens
Greece's capital and largest city, with a hot-summer Mediterranean climate and over 3,400 years of history.
Crete
Greece's largest island, with a hot-summer Mediterranean climate, a long coastline and beaches, and a major tourism economy.
Corfu
Ionian island with a Mediterranean climate and many beaches, and a long-standing British connection since the 19th-century protectorate.
Questions about retiring in Greece
Answered from the verified data on this page. Every answer shows its source; anything we have not confirmed says so plainly rather than guessing.
- Does Greece have a retirement visa?
Yes. Greece offers the Financially Independent Person (FIP) national long-stay visa and residence permit.
globalcitizensolutions.com- Do EU citizens need a visa to retire in Greece?
No. Under EU freedom of movement, EU citizens may live and retire in Greece. You can stay up to three months without registering, then register with the local authorities for longer stays.
europa.eu- How much monthly income do I need to retire in Greece?
As a guide: Minimum passive income of about EUR 3,500 per month for a single applicant, plus roughly 20% (EUR 700) for a spouse and 15% (EUR 525) per dependent child. Over USD 3,000 per month, so a high band. Treat this as indicative and verify the current official figure before you rely on it.
globalcitizensolutions.com- Is healthcare good for expats in Greece?
Healthcare quality is rated good. Greece has a universal public healthcare system called ESY (Ethniko Systima Ygeias) providing free or low-cost care to residents. The WHO once ranked Greece 14th globally for overall healthcare performance; quality is high in cities. On cost: Non-EU expats typically need private health insurance; public insurance (EFKA/IKA) does not cover private hospitals, and proof of health insurance is required for residence permits. Private facilities offer newer equipment and shorter waits.
globalcitizensolutions.com- How expensive is it to retire in Greece?
Lower than the US. A comfortable single-retiree budget is Cost of living (excluding rent) is about 23% lower than the US; including rent about 36% lower. A single person's estimated monthly costs are around EUR 784 excluding rent, and a family of four around EUR 2,767 excluding rent.
numbeo.com- Is Greece safe?
Safe. Greece ranked 40th of the countries measured in the 2024 Global Peace Index with a score of 1.793, up 17 places, reflecting a peaceful and stable environment.
countryeconomy.com- What is the climate like in Greece?
The climate is Mediterranean. The climate is predominantly Mediterranean, with hot, sunny, dry summers and mild, wet winters where snow rarely lasts. Complex geography gives many micro-climates and local variations.
en.wikipedia.org- Where do retirees live in Greece?
Popular retirement spots include Athens, Crete and Corfu.
en.wikipedia.org
Compare Greece with its closest rivals
The three countries whose RetireScore sits nearest.
