Average cost of living in Greece

Greece attracts foreigners with its high quality of life at a lower cost. Living expenses are among the lowest in Western Europe and more affordable than in 58% of countries worldwide. Despite the reduced costs, Greece maintains EU-standard infrastructure, healthcare, and education.

The Greece Golden Visa offers foreigners the opportunity to live in the country for at least 5 years by investing in its economy. Investment options include purchasing property, securing a timeshare for tourist accommodation, opening a bank deposit, and more. The minimum investment is €250,000.

How to get a Greece Golden Visa

The average monthly salary in Greece is €2,440, while the national minimum wage is €830. Salaries typically range €620 to 10,900 and tend to be higher in major cities like Athens and Thessaloniki, compared to rural areas or smaller islands.

For basic living costs, a single person in Athens needs around €1,180 per month. The sum includes occasional dining at inexpensive restaurants, going out once a week, a fitness membership, and renting a one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre. In more affordable cities like Larissa, the estimated expenses are around €980 per month.

For high living costs, a resident of Athens may spend €2,250 per month. This includes dining out in mid-range restaurants half of the time, taking a taxi twice a week, a fitness membership, renting a tennis court on weekends, going out 3—4 times a week, and renting a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre. The similar lifestyle in Larissa would cost €2,090 per month.

Economic growth in Greece has gradually recovered since the financial crisis of the 2010s, driven by tourism, exports, and foreign investment, particularly in real estate. In 2023, Greece was rated the top-performing economy by The Economist in its annual ranking.

The unemployment rate in Greece was 9,6% in June 2024, showing improvement but still higher than the EU average of around 6%.

Safety. Greece ranks 40th out of 163 countries in the 2024 Global Peace Index. The country earned this place due to the high levels of safety and security, along with improved political stability and relations with neighbouring countries.

The things to be aware of in Greece are wildfires, extreme temperatures, petty crimes, and theft.

Healthcare in Greece is free for citizens and expats who contribute to the Social Insurance Institute. In terms of healthcare quality, Greece ranks ahead of Slovakia, Hungary, Poland, and the USA.

Greece is ranked 32nd out of 200 countries by life expectancy: 84 years for women and 79 for men. Greeks live longer than people in Cyprus, Germany, the USA, or the UK.

Education in Greece is free at all levels. The quality of education aligns with EU standards and ranks 33rd globally, higher than Italy, Luxembourg, or Malta.

Greek universities have a solid reputation, particularly in fields such as engineering, medicine, and social sciences. Seven universities in Greece are included in the QS World University Rankings in 2025.

Monthly rent in Greece starts at €397 for an apartment with one bedroom outside the city centre. The approximate rental cost for different types of apartments is the following:

• €397 — a one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre;

• €489 — a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre;

• €694 — a three-bedroom apartment outside the city centre;

• €833 — a three-bedroom apartment in the city centre.

This is an average value; you can find an apartment outside the city centre for €280 per month, but you also can find an apartment for about €600 per month. The price depends on your needs.

Prices for purchasing real estate start at €2,226 per m² for an apartment outside the city centre, and the median price for an apartment in the centre is €2,692 per m². The maximum value is €4,000 per m² for apartments outside the city centre and €4,500 per m² in the city centre.

Utility servicescost about €214 per month for an 85 m² apartment; the maximum value is €400. Unlimited Internet service with 60 Mbps is around €30 per month, with a maximum of €40.

Examples of real estate in Greece

Greece, Santorini

€388,000 — €905,000

Villa in a gated complex overlooking the sea and vineyards in Santorini

109 m² — 224 m²

3—5

2—4

Greece, Santorini

€505,000 — €550,000

Mediterranean style villa next to the sea in Santorini with guaranteed rent

84 m² — 94 m²

3

1

Greece, Kissamos

€830,000 — €1,550,000

Traditional style villas on the seafront in Crete, Greece

126 m² — 157 m²

3

3

Even if you prefer homemade food, you need to try Greek national cuisine. The gourmets recommend visiting restaurants: Tudor Hall with the view of the Acropolis, authentic Greek restaurant Lithos Tavern and Michelin-star restaurant Funky Gourmet.

Medium costs in the restaurants are:

• €15 — a meal in an inexpensive restaurant;

• €50 — a meal for two people in a mid-range restaurant;

• €9 — a meal in a McDonald’s.

A cappuccino costs €3.34, and a bottle of Coke or Pepsi is €2. A 0,33 bottle of water costs €0.5, and beer is around €4.5.

If you prefer home-prepared meals, welcome to the supermarket and let’s check your shopping list.

The average prices on groceries in Greece are the following:

• €1.52 — 1 litre of milk;

• €1.25 — a loaf of white bread;

• €2.22 — 1 kg of rice;

• €4.05 — 12 eggs;

• €12.44 — 1 kg of cheese;

• €9.42 — 1 kg of chicken fillets;

• €12.40 — 1 kg of beef;

• €1.83 — 1 kg of apples;

• €1.81 — 1 kg of banana;

• €1.30 — 1 kg of oranges;

• €1.90 — 1 kg of tomato;

• €1.12 — 1 kg of potato;

• €1.14 — 1 kg of onion;

• €0.93 — 1 head of lettuce.

These prices are also average: you can find a bottle of milk for €1.12 and €2, the maximum cost of red meat is €15, and a dozen eggs can be bought for €6. The exact prices depend on the region, brand, and store.

Prices in the drink department are the following:

• 1.5 litre of water for €0.78;

• a bottle of wine for €8;

• 0.5 litre of domestic beer for €1.67;

• 0.33 litre of imported beer for €2.41.

In general, imported groceries cost more than local, but there are a lot of local markets in Greece, where you can find not only perfect food but much pleasure in exploring the local culture.

Greece is a warm country, and locals mostly prefer a casual style. So, you will only need a few clothes if you want to live here and will not need warm apparel.

According to the sales volume, the most popular clothing shops in Greece are Zara, H&M, Bershka, Stradivarius, and so on. You can find all the necessary dresses in the shopping centres.

Here is how much a basic wardrobe would cost in Greece:

• €79.36 — a pair of jeans;

• €34.33 — a summer dress;

• €83.12 — a pair of Nike running shoes;

• €100.55 — a pair of men’s business shoes.

Large shopping centres in Greece are The Mall Athens, The Golden Hall, The Athens Metro Mall, The Mela Shopping centre, Talos Plaza, Mare West, and Mediterranean Cosmos.

Primary education is divided into kindergarten and primary school. Education in Greece, including preschool, primary and lower secondary education, is compulsory.

Kindergarten or preschool for one child costs around €370 per month. The average fees in private kindergartens are €4,000 annually.

Tuition fees in private schools range €4,000 to 14,000 per year, not including other expenses such as books, uniforms, or canteen meals.

The list of best international schools in Greece:

1. Byron College.

2. St Lawrence College.

3. Pierce.

4. St Catherine’s British School.

5. International School of Piraeus.

6. International School of Athens.

7. DES Schools.

8. Campion School.

9. ACS Athens.

10. Verita International School.

Public universities are free for Greek and EU students. Tuition fees for international students are €1,500—9,000 per year.

The QS World University Ranking includes the following Greek universities in its top 1,500:

1. National Technical University of Athens.

2. National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.

3. Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.

4. University of Crete.

5. University of Patras.

6. Athens University of Economics and Business.

7. University of Ioannina.

The Greek healthcare system has two elements: compulsory social insurance and private healthcare.

There are 130 hospitals and 200 primary health care centres. Foreigners with residency can use free healthcare benefits. Private institutions have newer equipment and shorter waiting times.

The best hospitals in Greece are AHEPA University Hospital, Children’s Hospital Agia Sofia, Aiginiteio University Hospital, Corfu General Clinic, Mediterraneo Hospital, Santorini Hospital, and General Hospital of Kefalonia.

The cost of visiting a private clinic is around €60—150. Specialist consultations may cost more, particularly in major cities like Athens or Thessaloniki. For more advanced or elective procedures, such as dental care or physiotherapy, the costs typically range €40 to 200.

Insurance is vital because it opens access to medicine services and helps save money for unexpected events. Medical insurance per person is around €300 per year. Basic plans that cover essential in-patient and day-patient care have monthly premiums starting at €30.

The most popular sports in Greece are football and basketball. Greeks also love athletics, handball, sailing, swimming, volleyball, water polo, and weightlifting. Greece has around 60 stadiums.

The average monthly fee for a fitness club is €43. Renting a tennis court for 1 hour is around €21.

Free activities to enjoy in Greece include visiting beaches, hiking, and nature walks, exploring neighbourhoods, visiting numerous religious sites, and enjoying the streets and architecture of Greek cities cost nothing.

Organised activities, such as excursions or museum visits, cost around €20—100 per excursion or €10—25 per museum ticket. A ticket to the cinema costs €8.

The minimum monthly cost for entertainment in Greece starts at zero, with free activities like beach visits and nature walks. The maximum cost can vary greatly, depending on personal preferences and activities.

10 top-rated places of interest in Greece are the following:

1. Acropolis, Athens — the symbol of Western civilization, dating from the 5th century BC.

2. Acropolis Museum, Athens — the most visited attraction in Athens, an ultra-modern building with great ancient treasures inside.

3. Santorini — the most dramatic Greek island, known for its cubic buildings, is very popular for weddings and honeymoons.

4. Mykonos — an island famous for classy seafood restaurants and a whitewashed Church of Panagia Paraportiani.

5. Delphi — a UNESCO World Heritage site with ruins of temples, theatres, and stadiums dating between the 8th century BC and the 2nd century AD.

6. Crete is one of Greece’s most popular holiday destinations, known for its archaeological sites, especially the Palace of Knossos.

7. Corfu — a UNESCO World Heritage site with a 16th-century fortress.

8. Meteora Monasteries — rocky monasteries with Byzantine frescoes and icons.

9. Rhodes Town is famous for its fortification system and streets of the old town.

10. Zakynthos is famous for a Shipwreck beach and Blue Caves.

Transport is a first necessity and the opportunity to see the country from all sides.

In Greece, you can use public transport or rent a car for independent travel. For island explorations, you need to use a ferry.

Here are transport prices in Greece:

• €1.20 — a one-way ticket for local transport;

• €30 — a monthly pass;

• €8—40 — a short ferry ride per person;

• €40—150 — a long ferry ride per person;

• €4 — taxi start;

• €1.10 — 1 km on the taxi;

• €15 — 1-hour waiting for a taxi;

• €1.89 — 1 litre of petrol;

• €27,000 — price for new Volkswagen Golf;

• €24,401 — price for new Toyota Corolla.

Monthly expenses for residents in Greece can vary significantly depending on the lifestyle and location.

Urban areas like Athens and Thessaloniki have higher expenses, with the cost of living for a single person exceeding €820. On popular tourist islands such as Mykonos and Santorini, expenses can be extremely high, especially during the tourist season.

The most affordable areas in Greece are typically those that are less touristy, rural, or located in smaller cities. Among such places are cities Larissa and Volos in the central region, Kozani and Kavala in the north, smaller islands like Naxos and Andros.

1. Residence permit by investment. The Greece Golden Visa allows investors to live in the country for at least 5 years. It takes at least 4 months to obtain residency.

The Golden Visa offers six investment options. The most popular option is purchasing real estate.

The minimum property investment is €250,000 for a property purchased for renovation or conversion into residential space. To buy a new property in most regions, an applicant needs to spend at least €400,000. The minimum investment for popular regions such as Attica, Thessaloniki, Mykonos, or Santorini is €800,000.

The Greece Golden Visa can be renewed an unlimited number of times. After seven years of residing in Greece, investors may apply for Greece citizenship if they pass an exam on the Greek language and culture.

2. For remote workers. To move to Greece on a Digital Nomad Visa, one needs to earn at least €3,500 per month from sources outside Greece. The visa is initially valid for 12 months and can be extended for up to three years. It typically takes a month to obtain the Greek Digital Nomad Visa.

3. For financially independent persons. To apply for the Greece Financially Independent Person Visa, foreigners demonstrate €24,000 in their bank account. Retirees need to receive €2,000 per month as a pension. The application fee is €1,000 for most applicants and €150 for retirees.

The permit is issued for two years and can be renewed.

4. By employment. To obtain a Greece residence permit as a foreign worker, one needs to provide an employment contract with a monthly salary of at least €830. The wage for a highly qualified employee must be 1.5 times higher than the country’s average gross annual salary.

The work residence permit in Greece is typically valid for one year and can be renewed.

5. By family reunification. Foreigners who are close relatives of a Greek citizen or legal resident can obtain a residence permit in Greece for one year. Eligible family members include spouses, children under 18, and parents. To prove kinship, applicants need to provide marriage or birth certificates.

Discover the advantages, terms, and details of the Greece residence-by-investment program

1. The monthly cost of living in Greece for one person is €809 without costs on rent, and the monthly cost for a family of four is €2,777.

2. One of the cheapest cities in Greece is Corfu: for a family of four, you spend €2,497 per month, for a single person — €710.

3. The most expensive city in Greece is Athens: for a family of four, you spend €2,845 per month, for a single person — €821.

4. The Golden Visa program allows one to get a Greek residence permit in 4 months with investments in the country’s economy €250,000+.