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Settling In

Settling In

How to Find a Doctor in Greece

Greece's doctor-search system runs through two government portals but the English-language hub only gets you halfway. Here's how to use the search tools once you're past the introduction page.
Settling In

Financial Case for Retiring in Greece

Minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis discusses Greece's investment-grade recovery, falling debt, stable banks, and the 7% flat tax regime shaping long-term retirement planning for foreign residents.
Settling In

Property Transfer Tax May Hit 15%

Greece's Prime Minister has proposed raising the property transfer tax for non-EU buyers from 3% to 15% but no draft law exists yet.
Settling In

12 Guides to Bypass Greek Bureaucracy

An AFM before a lease, an AMKA before a doctor, a login before anything else: the order matters. Twelve guides lay it out so nothing gets stuck waiting on something else.

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Settling In

People We Met for You: Experts Talking

Exclusive interviews and testimonials with the professionals who know Greece best — authentic insights into infrastructure, the property market, and the reality of relocating.
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The Settling In section outlines the official administrative and legal procedures required to establish residency in Greece, offering retirees a clear view of both statutory requirements and bureaucratic realities. All information is drawn directly from official government frameworks, ministerial decrees, and public authority protocols, verified through direct interviews with legal specialists and tax experts.

Articles address the core administrative steps of relocation, ranging from selecting visa pathways and securing a tax number (AFM) to registering for public healthcare, opening local bank accounts, and understanding property tax obligations (ENFIA).

To help retirees navigate state bureaucracy with confidence, coverage provides step-by-step guidance on dealing with public offices, managing statutory compliance, and fulfilling annual reporting duties. Sourced from verified legal sources, this section delivers reliable, non-commercial advice for setting up long-term life in Greece.

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Settling In

Buying Property in Border Areas

Lawyer Alex Kassandrinos explains why buying property in Greece’s border regions can become a complex legal process for non-EU foreign buyers.
Settling In

Breaking the No Bill, No Service Cycle

Proving your Greek address is a confusing first hurdle for newcomers. This guide explains valid proof, required timing, and how to break the "no bill" cycle.
Settling In

Keep More of Your Pension Income

Greece offers foreign retirees a flat 7% tax on all foreign-source income for up to 15 years. Here is what you need to know before making the move.
Settling In

It is A Blessing to Live in the Heart of the Country

Governor of Central Greece Fanis Spanos makes the case for the region as the country's best-kept secret: natural beauty, low costs, and easy Athens access, without the crowds.