"Living in Crete. 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. 47,401 posts. Of course, after that, you will have to apply for a residence permit to stay in Greece as all non-EU citizens do. You aren't allowed to earn income unless you have a work visa. Providing youre willing to adjust to a Greeks pace of life and arent in a rush to get anything done, youll be pleasantly surprised about how good this actually feels. Generally, all along the north coast of the island have excellent public transport, making it easier if you dont drive. Name: Gabi Ancarola Cyprus has slighter larger towns and can sometimes feel like one giant, spread-out city. It's an ideal place for those who love outdoor activities, such as hiking, swimming, and snorkeling. This will hopefully give you time to work out where would be best for you to settle down. Even if this might sound contradictory, I enjoy driving in Crete. However, there are some quirks and abnormalities which are worth knowing before you go. While villas and apartment blocks are common in the cities, stone farmhouses are popular in the countryside. The Crime Rate In Crete, Is It Safe To Move To Crete? As with many European countries, Greece enjoys a relaxed way of life that might take some getting used to. Life in Crete moves at a slower pace than in other places, particularly when it comes to paperwork. Obviously, Greece has plenty of ancient historic monuments if thats your thing. Both islands have so much to offer in terms of history and culture, so realistically, either island is great to visit as a tourist. Yes, the island is very safe all year round. After gaining his BA and MA in English Literature, Jacob decided to take his writing full time. Expats living here won't have to deal with anywhere near the same amount of tourist footfall as in other parts of Greece. The downside is that come summer, it is very touristy. The internet cost is around 40 per month, and the speed doesnt compare to the internet in large cities. My partner and I are moving to Heraklion at the beginning of next year with our 5 years old daughter. Of course, you can find rather fancy meals in Crete too. Could Crete Serve the Best Food in Greece? If you find yourself in these areas, youre better off heading back to the town centres bright lights. Both violent crime and drug-related crime rates are considerably lower in Greece. The rainiest month of the year is December, when, on average, it rains for 11 days of the month. There is a website called 'Living in Crete' that answers all your questions on paperwork etc. Although life moves at a slower pace than in other places in Europe, Crete still has everything you need to live comfortably. Life on an island tends to be calm and more relaxed than on the mainland. Language can be a barrier at any age. Im looking for a guide to applying for the heating allowance. Probably the most active one in the winter is Kalyves as there is also a local Greek community which requires shops and services. Crete being the largest island in Greece attracts lots of expats from other European countries and other parts of the world. This means that if you want to go to any shops or visit anyone between 12-2 PM, call in advance to check its okay, or you might find the stores are closed and your neighbour is taking a nap. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. I am planning on moving permanently to Kefalonia Greece , with my partner. Gabi has been living in Crete for the last five years. In this case, you can qualify for residency through investment (Golden Visa). This will depend on which country has the lower tax rate, but be aware that youll be subject to the tax laws of the country in which your tax is paid. Greece uses the Euro, but living here is generally cheaper than in other European nations such as France or Germany. Other things are also reasonably affordable on Crete. So thank you for all the information. There is a big US community thanks to the US military base in the Port of Souda, which is the biggest natural port in the Eastern Mediterranean. Would you be so kind as to clarify some points please . The largest is Crete, with an area of 8,260 square kilometres. Read on to find out more about what you can expect from living in Greece and how to get settled in this amazing country. VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. Just sent you the contact details, hope this helps. Speaking Greek will definitely make this easier, but dont move to Greece assuming youll easily find a job. Cyprus does have a warmer climate, with summer temperatures averaging over 30 most days. UK citizens can travel to Greece for up to 3 months without a visa. I have 4 years left till I retire from the US Army and since you would be near the base you will be able to save alot of money. As to electric appliances, heres a Miele site for Greece with prices, they have a store in Heraklion, Crete: https://www.miele.gr/. Water sports (windsurfing, kitesurfing, kayaking) are potential activities to do in our vacation time. I think anyone looking for a calm relaxed lifestyle will enjoy retiring in Crete. I currently live in France, however as far as I am aware since 2005 Residence Permits are no longer required for any EU citizen living in any EU cousntry. Our historic center is really charming, with romantic cobblestone alleys, a magical Venetian harbor, and dozens of little bars and taverns serving fantastic local wines and tasty Greek food. Crete is home to many expats from all over the world. EU citizens must apply for a residence permit after three months, but this is more of a formality. Also unlike other European hospitals where you have to wait for a long time to be seen by a specialist, here the wait is not long at all. If youre someone who generally avoids walking at night, then public transport on Crete is considered safe although not necessarily reliable! Humans have inhabited Crete since at least 130,000 years ago, during the Paleolithic age. we have one child thats still in primary and one thats just started secondary? There is a large British expat community there, in the villages of Plaka, Kokkino Horio, Kalyves and Almerida. To make sure you get the best value for money, compare international health insurance options from various providers to find the best deal. Greece is a fantastic country. Another thing that you will find frustrating and I have mentioned this in my other article about moving to Crete, its the slow pace at what things are done, and the laid back attitude of the Greek people, although its a good thing, and that is one of the reasons you want to settle in Crete, it can get very frustrating when you have a leaking sink that needs to be fixed. However, beaches like Balos, Elafonissi, and Falassarna still make Crete a perfect beachy location. The weather in Crete is pleasant in winter, hovering at around 10 degrees, although some of the mountains will get a dusting of snow. If you plan to stay and/or work on the island for longer than 3 months, you need to sort out your residency. If you plan on getting a car, which is recommended as public transport is good in the town but unreliable elsewhere, be ready for some strange driving. hi there, I dont live in greece, but we are considering it too! Position: Med Aide - PRN - Assisted Living in Crete (24hr/month) Overview: TABITHA'S. PURPOSE: We empower people to live joyfully, age gratefully. The daily cost of life on the island is pretty cheap, especially when it comes to fresh, locally-grown foods. Rent can be anywhere between 400 to 800, again it depends on the size and style. Yes, indeed, Greece is a seismically active country, as the mainland and the islands are located along a boundary zone in the eastern Mediterranean, between the African Plate and the Eurasian Plate. However, Crete has more of a stereotypical Greek atmosphere. If you havent already fallen in love with one part of the island, wed recommend travelling around a bit until you find the place that steals your heart. Simply put, you invest 250,000 in property in Greece and receive residency in 60 days. In the survey Expat Insider asked respondents to rate and provide information about how it is to live as expat in 65 countries around the world that are considered as key destinations for expats. have you any Greek speaking friends who can do that? Your email address will not be published. Whats more, it prides itself on its local culture, meaning almost every restaurant is a local affair with good quality, locally sourced produce. This is a good way to fully immerse yourself in Greek culture. Of course, like all places, there are some slightly less-safe parts, but in general, Crete is the type of place you can spend an afternoon in your garden and not worry about locking your front door. Greece currently has an overall falling crime rate when charted over the last 10 years, with levels sitting lower than the UK or the USA. After these three months are up, you must apply for a Registration Certificate (Veveosi Engrafis). Of course, not everything is cheap, and some things cant be bought on the main island and shipped over. We use cookies to enhance your experience. But the British Consulate said The system allows for permitted absences from your country of residence. I dont know why they showed it but they know I am Asian (hahaha) so, dark skinned . In this series, I interview people living all over the world but outside of their home country. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Life on Crete moves at a slower pace than on mainland Greece or much of Europe, which can be very enjoyable and perfect for retirement. Greece enjoys a lower cost of living than some other countries, such as the UK. Food isnt overly expensive unless you are looking for something very specific. Underneath the busy tourist industry is a super laid-back island. When it comes to pubs and drinks, I would have to say that Synagogi Open Bar, in the old Jewish quarter is just the best place with the best music and delicious drinks. Probably the most popular area for expats to move to is between Chania and Rethymnon, in an area known as the Apokoronas. Generally, this must be completed at the Greek consulate in your home country. Just like everything else on the island, house prices can also vary massively. It also provides you with access to national healthcare and schooling. 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. The Greek authorities can refuse your residency for this. Many expats report they feel safer walking at night on Crete than they did in the UK. Crete is an excellent island to live on too. Everything you need to know about living in Crete as an expat - the pros and cons, the cost of living, the best places to live, how to integrate better and much more. The forms are relatively simple and require similar documents to the residency application. You can contact Jacob on LinkedIn: Jacob Powell. This was a great article I came across your video Black in Crete while scrolling YT. This is one of the Greek islands that I am considering for my retirement. Similarly, food is generally less expensive. Living on either island is the dream for many. Rent increases must be stated in the contract, so be sure to read the fine print. On January 6th, Crete celebrates Epiphany, the Holy Blessing of the waters. As the capital city, Athens has everything you could need. We have chosen Crete as we understand that it has the largest expat community of the greek islands. Although making the jump to living in a new country can be daunting, its worth taking the chance if you can. Crete being the largest island in Greece attracts lots of expats from other European countries and other parts of the world. Depending on where in the country expats decide to live, the range of choices may differ. We are both UK retired residents , and currently live there . But thought it would be too difficult without the language etc. It might leave you with a fairly steep initial moving cost, but overall, itll be cheaper than buying new on the island. If you like the varying seasons, Crete is for you. An alternative is to open an international bank account with a company like Barclays. Either way, itll help to bring a translator along just to ensure there are no snags. You might find this is provided through cellular means rather than phone lines, which might affect your internet speed. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 - Expatra Ltd. UK Company Number 09686420. If you want variety and nightlife and plenty to do, moving to Heraklion or the surrounding area would be ideal. These cookies do not store any personal information. To qualify, applicants must not have been tax resident for at least 5 of the previous 6 financial years. Also is there a aldi or lydle in sitia area please. If you plan to move to Crete, you may decide to head to one of the remoter places such as Sissi or Kato Zakros. Greece is not known for having a fast bureaucratic system, so youll want to allow as much time as possible to get the paperwork sorted. Pros and cons, residency and property matters, cost of living, and the most popular places to live. Its in close proximity to the Greek islands and has good international connections. I know that locals arent always the best drivers in the world, however, the impressive beauty of the mountain and sea landscapes around Crete really makes up for that. Everything goes on according to the Greek philosophy of siga siga which could be roughly translated as slow down. Its very common for locals to watch you struggle with a few words and then just respond with perfect English. 1. Crete; It's the biggest island in the country, and it offers a laid-back pace of life, a warm climate, and wonderful sandy beaches. The landscape ranges from fertile coastal plains to rugged mountains and from busy metropolitan cities to quiet hillside villages. However, just like any other place on earth, Crete does have a few drawbacks, too. Be patient and try to understand that the island sometimes works on what seems to be a different time schedule.