Author: Sanne WesselmanA traveler, wanderer, digital nomad, and entrepreneur. and impressive gorges. The average rental price is around 7.40 per square metre. Crete is known as the cradle of Western civilization and has tons of impressive ruins and sites dating from the Bronze age, when the Minoan civilization thrived on the island. If your Husband is young and is not working just ensure he does not go out and party with the locals. kindest regards. 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. The overall economy on the island is strong relative to the rest of Greece. Shelters on Crete are full so contacting on is almost a pointless exercise. Nothing is wrong; it just takes a while. To be honest, I did not use any resources. But all in all, I can say I feel really safe living in Crete.. The quality of life in Crete is generally considered to be excellent. and a bus route around sitia etc as i dont drive. The largest is Crete, with an area of 8,260 square kilometres. Also is there a aldi or lydle in sitia area please. All legal residents are entitled to state-run healthcare. Come join the discussion about residency, taxes, documents, visas, travel, health care, finances, banking, classifieds, and more! There are also significant hospitals and medical centres in Heraklion, Rethymnon, Lassithi, Agios Nikolaos, Hania, and more. I am planning on moving permanently to Kefalonia Greece , with my partner. Because of the stunning countryside, both islands are a dream for anyone who likes outdoor activities. Driving on Crete is pretty infamous as terrifying and unpredictable. I dont know why they showed it but they know I am Asian (hahaha) so, dark skinned . The CIC (Cretan International Community) based in Rethymnon meet for coffee once a month and organise activities, trips, and expat support. Generally, all along the north coast of the island have excellent public transport, making it easier if you dont drive. Standard bank accounts are needed to become a Greek tax resident and will come with a debit card for payments. Visit the About Me page for more info. Both islands have so much to offer in terms of history and culture, so realistically, either island is great to visit as a tourist. Its in close proximity to the Greek islands and has good international connections. UK citizens can travel to Greece for up to 3 months without a visa. 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. The Best Places To Live In Greece For Expats, Living In Greece: Essential Expat Guide 2023, Greece: Visa & Residency Options For Non-EU Nationals, Living In Santorini: Expat Essential Guide, How do I become a resident of Crete non-EU citizens. You can expect to pay upwards of 130 per person per year, but this will depend on your age and any existing health conditions. Like most islands, Crete can be pretty expensive to get going and get set up. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 - Expatra Ltd. UK Company Number 09686420, Greece offers a wide range of destinations for expats, but all benefit from amazing weather and great food. Probably the most popular area for expats to move to is between Chania and Rethymnon, in an area known as the Apokoronas. So I need a long term residency permit. A loaf of bread in Greece will set you back around 0.80. really helpful guide thanks so much. While you might not have the data speeds youre used to, youll still have mobile signal regardless. For many people, living in Crete full-time is a dream come true. The people are cool. Greece has introduced a retirement income tax of 7%. My private pension pays me circa 1,500 a month , we have no other income . Crete has a varied landscape with mountains covered in tiny villages and hamlets contrasted by the larger towns such as Heraklion and Chania. Up to 20,000 youll pay 22% tax, up to 30,000 youll pay 29% tax, and up to 40,000 youll pay 37% tax. For example, you could do your main grocery shopping in Lidl supermarkets which saves you a lot of money. Food isnt overly expensive unless you are looking for something very specific. Not everyone knows how big Crete is. Can you help please? However, because Crete is an island, more oversized items must be shipped from the mainland, adding to the price. Would you be so kind as to clarify some points please . Youll find more private options available in urban areas, but there are still private hospitals in rural areas too. The proximity to amenities will cost you, but youll pay even more to be living just outside the tourist buzz in summer. To register with a doctor in Greece, youll need to complete a form with your insurance information (if applicable), your personal details, and your tax information. Specifically, youll need to live near a hospital if you want a full range of services available. It might leave you with a fairly steep initial moving cost, but overall, itll be cheaper than buying new on the island. Simple and extremely flavorful dishes, made exclusively with seasonal products. You will need your passport and proof of address and some additional documents. The basic requirements for a residence permit . Its a dream for lovers of seafood, but you also cant overlook things like gyros or souvlakis, two national delicacies. Not only will this help from the language side, but they will also ensure you dont overpay. For a flat in a decent part of Chania, or any other major town, youre looking at 350 per month for one bedroom. Simply put, you invest 250,000 in property in Greece and receive residency in 60 days. Humans have inhabited Crete since at least 130,000 years ago, during the Paleolithic age. However, once youve got everything sorted, its a reasonably inexpensive place to live. Generally speaking, the quality of healthcare in Greece is quite high. While you have to pay for refuse collection, your basic monthly outgoings for water, electricity, and such will be around 150 (130) a month. The daily cost of life on the island is pretty cheap, especially when it comes to fresh, locally-grown foods. It's an ideal place for those who love outdoor activities, such as hiking, swimming, and snorkeling. 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. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. The few exceptions to the rule are some of Heraklions suburban areas, which can feel unsafe after dark. There is a Facebook group called I want to live in Crete. If you only have under a year left, renew early before you leave. I am hoping to move to Greece in the near future on a FIP visa. When it comes to choosing which part you should move to, there are a few things that you need to consider. Expats living here won't have to deal with anywhere near the same amount of tourist footfall as in other parts of Greece. 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. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. Crete welcomed a brand-new hospital in Chania in 2000, and its still relatively modern and up to date. Mobile connections are mostly fine, although there may be connectivity issues in most rural areas. 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. As the capital city, Athens has everything you could need. You can access it online by typing in Xaniotika Nea, but you will then need to get the ads translated. Serenissima in Chania is a highlight. In the height of summer, you can enjoy upwards of 12 hours of glorious sun each day and average sea temperatures of 25 degrees. Emily always takes the scenic route to get to the heart of a country and when she isn't writing, she can be found outside with her two dogs Hugo and Suzette. Your email address will not be published. Nightlife here amounts to a good selection of bars and restaurants, but youd be pushed to find someone open for customers after 1 AM. That said, there are plenty of opportunities for vegetarians too, although Greece hasnt been subject to the same surge in vegetarianism as more cosmopolitan countries. What's more, for an expat with comfortable funds, life in Crete can be very affordable. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. Retiring in Crete Greece How to choose the best place to move to. 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. Living and working in Cyprus as an expat. The tourists usually go to the big beaches because they are not familiar with the island, expats who live here, know the small hidden spots, where they can go and have a swim and a picnic. However, planning for this can be challenging and confusing. Like this article about living in Crete? Crete is the largest Greek island and one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country. House prices are surprisingly low in Sparta, but this is mainly because of its remote location. Moving to Crete wont have the same culture shock as moving to somewhere like Japan. However, beaches like Balos, Elafonissi, and Falassarna still make Crete a perfect beachy location. You will need to apply while living in the country, so you may want to get a visa first. Greece offers many different atmospheres for living, and which is best will depend on your personal needs and goals. For things such as white goods for your kitchen, it is often cheaper to buy in mainland Greece and bring them back yourself on a car ferry than it is to buy them on the island. In this series, I interview people living all over the world but outside of their home country. You have to follow non-EU application procedures. If you want variety and nightlife and plenty to do, moving to Heraklion or the surrounding area would be ideal. Heraklion's Koules is a beautifully restored fortress surrounding the city's harbor, built by the Venetians in the early 13thcentury. This festival involves lots of ceremonies by the water, and youll find lots of swimming events. I already speak English 2 European languages and 1 Asian .. so thats a consideration. If you dont want to buy immediately and are looking to rent before taking the plunge, youll find more options in the larger towns. Whats it like to move to and live in Crete? If you plan to move to Crete, you may decide to head to one of the remoter places such as Sissi or Kato Zakros. For example, rent on an inner-city apartment in Greece will set you back about 335 (300), while rural rent on an apartment of the same size will be around 280 (250). Its safest to deal through an estate agent, as private rentals can often be a minefield for anyone not fluent in Greek. Cost of living in Crete in 2023 Cost of living in Crete (Greece) In the last decade, Crete has become the most favoured place of residence among Western expats, even more popular than Athens and Thessaloniki, especially among those who choose to retire in this country with a golden visa. Your email address will not be published. Its the tourism industry that attracts many expats to move to Crete, either for the summer season or for an indefinite period. There is a large British expat community there, in the villages of Plaka, Kokkino Horio, Kalyves and Almerida. Honestly, every part of Crete is an excellent place to live, but depending on what sort of lifestyle you want, you will want to choose a part of the island that matches your lifestyle. I try to help paint an honest picture of the ups and downs of life abroad, share tips about moving to the place the expat now calls home, and information about what to see and do here. Temperatures do dip as low as 2-3 degrees in the winter months, and there are occasional bursts of winter rain or snow. 470 reviews. Generally, this must be completed at the Greek consulate in your home country. International schools are found mostly in Athens, but also on Thessaloniki and Crete. But what is life in Crete like? Good luck and I would do it in a heart beat! 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. As with other countries, this is less true in more rural areas, but either way, some knowledge of Greek would be very useful. Long story short, I work for the US Government and have an opportunity to apply for a position in Souda Bay, Crete. Real Estate in Greece Real estate listings in popular cities and towns in Greece. The rainiest month of the year is December, when, on average, it rains for 11 days of the month. Just sent you the contact details, hope this helps. Eating out in a restaurant will be also cheaper. Great informative story/interview. Where are the best places to live in Greece? I think anyone looking for a calm relaxed lifestyle will enjoy retiring in Crete. many thanks Choosing just one favorite place to hang out in Chanias Old Town is difficult because there are tons of fantastic restaurants in Chania. Groups of expats can help provide practical support, such as finding a job and emotional support over coffee when the Greek bureaucracy gets too much. As far as work is concerned, it depends on which part of Crete you are coming to.