So how can you make your dream of living on a Greek Island like Santorini, Mykonos, Crete, Corfu, Rhodes or any other of the Greek Islands a reality?
Living on a Greek Island is a dream for many, and there's good reason:
Who could fail to love the romance of Santorini, the rugged beauty of Skopolos and Naxos, the style of Skiathos and Paros and the sophistication of Mykonos?
No one can deny the friendliness of Samos, Lesvos and Chios, the warmth of Rhodes, Kos and Kalimnos and the cosmopolitan feel of Corfu, Zakynthos and Kefalonia. It is little wonder that so many people love the Greek Islands.
Things to consider if you're planning on living on a Greek Island.
Citizens of the European Union (EU) can live and work in Greece without needing a visa or work permit.
However,
any EU citizens planning to stay more than 3 months will need a
Residence Permit. This is a formality and is easy to obtain once in
Greece.
Non EU citizens need a residence permit to stay over 3
months, and must show, among other things, proof of financial support
from outside Greece.
Non EU citizens need a work permit to work for an employer in Greece, Opening a bar ,shop or restaurant has other complications!
Greece has over 6,000 islands scattered over the Ionian and Aegean seas, most uninhabited. 227 have people on them and these are the seven main groups:
The Ionian Islands are found in the Ionian Sea and contain the islands of Corfu, Ithaca, Kefalonia, Paxi, Antipaxi, and Zakynthos, amongst others.
The Cyclades consists of 56 islands. The well-known ones being Antiparos, Delos, Ios, Mykonos, Naxos, Paros, Santorini (Thira).
The main North Eastern Aegean Islands are Thassos, Lesvos, Limnos, Samos, and Chios.
The Sporades main islands are Skiathos, Skopelos, and Skyros.
The Argo-Saronic Islands of Greece are made up of the main islands of Angistri, Aegina, Poros, Salamina and Hydra.
The main Dodecanese islands of Greece are Kos, Patmos, Rhodes, and Symi.
Crete is the largest of the Greek isles and lies furthest south and consequently more expats enjoy living in Crete. Smaller islands close to Crete are Chrissi Island, Gavdos and Spinalonga (Kalydon).
Many Islands
of Greece are only sparsely populated and lack the infrastructure to maintain
comfortable ex-pat living, except for those aspiring to be hermits.
A
population of about 10,000 is a good indicator of amenities sufficient
to meet the needs of modern, comfortable living such as property
choices, broadband Internet connection, good health care facilities and
all year round shops, restaurants and services.
These are our top
twenty islands which best meet the criteria for Greek Island
Living for ex-pats: Aegina, Andros, Chios, Corfu, Crete, Kalymnos,
Kefalonia, Kos, Lefkada, Lesvos, Limnos, Mykonos, Naxos, Paros, Rhodes,
Samos, Santorini (Thira), Syros, Thassos and Zakynthos.
Armed
with your EU citizenship or Residence Permit you now have to decide if
you want to live all year on a Greece isle, or just visit in summer as
your permanent vacation destination.
Do you want a permanent home or a holiday home?
Remember
that the hot, sunny beach resort with the fabulous fish tavernas and
friendly bar owners you loved so much on your vacation will probably be a
different place in the winter. The weather can be cold and very wet and windy on
some islands.
Some places shut up in winter too. Most
restaurants, tourist shops and bars will close after October. Getting
around is harder too, with air and ferry service being reduced.
Try before you buy
is perhaps the best advice, giving you the chance to test the area and lifestyle
without committing yourself and regretting it later.
If you are planning on
living on a Greek Isle permanently, there are obviously many things to
consider. Dealing with day to day things and bureaucratic formalities
might put some people off, such as dealing with utility companies,
setting up bank accounts, transferring money, residency and tax matters.
Don't be put off worrying about bureaucracy as any problems can
be overcome. A little red tape is a small price to pay for living on a wonderful
Greek Isle!
Living on a Greek Island is a real
possibility for anyone drawing a pension, because the cost of living is
low. You can make a small income go much further than in the UK,
Australia, or the USA. Locally produced food is cheap and widely
available, rents and property costs are good too.
The internet
now gives opportunities to everyone to develop an online business,
enabling people to work from home, earning money from their computers.
Never before has it been so possible for so many to Live the Dream!
Want to discover even more of what Crete has to offer?
Explore hidden gems, must-visit spots, and insider tips below!
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