With a cost-of-living index of 51, Greece is cheaper than in other European countries. Although salaries are low compared to those in the rest of Europe, the quality of life is still high. The reason behind this is the overall low cost of services.
Moreover, much like anywhere else, it depends on where you live in Greece. For example, basic goods and fuel are more expensive on the islands than on the mainland. Furthermore, life in the countryside is cheaper than in cities. However, the number of available products and services tends to be less in the countryside. Rent excluded, the average monthly living cost for a single person in Greece is around €778.1. Whereas a family of four might need about €2,743.5 per month.
What to Discover in This Guide?
How Much Do You Need to Live Comfortably in Greece?
The average monthly living expenses for an individual in Greece are only 778.1€ per month, excluding rent. On the other hand, for a family of four, living expenses rise to € 2,743.50 per month.
For accommodation, you can pay around €479.68 in a one-bedroom apartment, while €840.27 in a three-bedroom apartment in the city centre. If you prefer affordable living, you can move to Greece for €383.89 for a bedroom and €678.58 for three three-bedroom apartment in the city centre.
In general, you must be ready with a budget of approximately €1,500 to € 2,500, which is pretty low compared to the US, where the monthly cost starts at around $4,641.
Cost of Living in Greece: Top 6 Main Life Expenses
1. Accommodation Costs in Greece
It is important to note that accommodation prices in Greece decreased considerably during the economic crisis. Although they have started to recover slightly, the rental and purchase prices are still quite affordable.
Given the number of properties available, it would be convenient for expats to apply for the Greece Golden Visa program. As one of the most preferred paths in the EU, the Greek Golden Visa is an easy way to get residency and citizenship status during these sensitive times in the country.
Moreover, property prices in Greece are currently very attractive. The average apartment price in the city center ranges from €2,000 to € 5,000 per m2. Outside the city center, you can buy property in Greece for between € 1,200 and €3,500 per m2.
Rental prices are also not expensive compared to those of other European countries. For example, in cities like Athens or Thessaloniki, you pay a monthly rent of €400-700€ for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center. In comparison, a three-bedroom apartment can cost about €600- €1,300 per month.
Outside the city center, expect to pay €200-400 for a one-bedroom apartment. For a three-bedroom apartment, this ranges from €350 to € 800 monthly.
2. Internet & Utility Fees
The monthly internet fee is around €191.62 €. For a 915 m2 apartment, you’ll pay between €120 and €309 for utilities, such as electricity, gas, and water. This number depends on the size of your house, the season, and your level of usage.
3. Cost of Food in Greece
It is reasonable to say that food is relatively cheap for expats. Furthermore, the VAT rate for food is lower than for other goods. You can also find locally grown foods easily in the country. You can see the average costs of some foods and drinks in the tables below:
| Category | Price (€) |
|---|---|
| A dozen eggs | 3.88 |
| Onion (1kg) | 0.47 |
| A loaf of white bread | 1.12 |
| Milk (regular, 1 liter) | 1.50 |
| Rice (white, 1kg) | 1.02 |
| Chicken fillets (1kg) | 4.11 |
| Apples (1kg) | 0.83 |
| Potatoes (1kg) | 0.50 |
| Water (1.5-liter bottle) | 0.78 |
| Bottle of wine (mid-range) | 8.00 |
| Cigarettes 20 pack (Marlboro) | 4.80 |
| Local cheese (1kg) | 5.50 |
| Three-course meal | 50.00 |
| A bottle of local beer | 5.00 |
| Soft drink (330 ml) | 2.06 |
| Cappuccino | 3.44 |
4. Healthcare Costs in Greece
You can access both public and private healthcare services in Greece. As an expat, you can find an English-speaking staff in general, whether you visit a public or a private healthcare institution. Keep in mind that your chances of finding English-speaking doctors are higher if you are in the city center.
Public Healthcare Facilities
Public healthcare is free for all citizens and residents of Greece. You can access public healthcare whether you are an expat, an EU citizen, or unemployed. Additionally, you don’t need a referral from your GP to meet with a specialist. Yet, there might be long waiting lists for that reason.
As an expat, you can have free access to state healthcare if you pay your contributions to public healthcare insurance. It’s important to note that you need to have a Social Security number to access public healthcare. Expats can also benefit from international healthcare insurance, which will reduce waiting times.
Private Healthcare Facilities
Private healthcare facilities, on the other hand, have newer equipment than public healthcare facilities. Also, the chance of finding English-speaking staff is higher in private healthcare institutions, and you will probably get quicker access to your treatment.
The cost of private health insurance depends on some criteria, such as your age, area of coverage, co-insurance, country of residence, and so on. Most people choose to buy private health insurance because it covers all expenses.
Finally, in Greece, an average family doctor check-up without private insurance will cost around €60-€150. A six-day course of cold medicine costs approximately €6, whereas an antibiotic prescription without insurance costs approximately €5- €15.
5. Transportation Costs in Greece
You can easily travel throughout the big cities in Greece thanks to the reasonable costs of public transportation. There are city buses in most cities, and there is a metro system in Athens.
If you plan to drive your own car as an expat, you have to get car insurance. If you plan to hire a car, it is advisable to check the type of insurance offered, because hiring costs can be high.
Below is the table of transportation and vehicle prices.
| Category | Price (€) |
|---|---|
| Gasoline (1 litre / 0.25 gallon) | 1.82 |
| Monthly transport costs | 30 |
| Bus ticket, single-use | 1.20 |
| Taxi tariff (8 km / 5 miles) | 15 |
| Toyota Corolla (new) | 25,000 |
| VW Golf (new) | 24,263 |
6. Education Costs in Greece
Public, private, and international schools are available for citizens and residents of Greece. However, only private and international schools teach in English and other languages. On the other hand, public schools are free, yet they only provide education in the Greek language.
International schools cost between €8,000 and € 14,000 per school year. The costs vary depending on the school, the student’s age, and grade.
University education is free for Greek and other EU citizens, up to a master’s degree. Non-EU students, on the other hand, pay a yearly tuition fee of around €1,500.
You can find the average cost of education in Greece in the table below:
| Category | Cost (€) |
|---|---|
| Preschool / Kindergarten (monthly) | €370 per month |
| Private School for Lower Grades (yearly) | €8,000 |
| University Tuition Fee | €1,500 – €2,000 |
Cost of Living Comparison: Is It Cheaper to Live in Greece or the USA?
There are around 24,748 American expats in Greece, which corresponds to 0.25% of the total population, a noticeable presence given Greece’s demographics. Although many reasons exist for this trend of “Americans moving to Greece”, one is the low cost of living, balanced with the high quality of life compared to the US.
In the US, a family of four spends almost $4,230.6, excluding rent, while in Greece they can spend only €2,743.5, which is almost half. Food costs in Greece, compared to the USA, average $427, rising to $618 in the US.
This drastic difference between monthly living costs also reflects itself in any other way, as you can see in the table below:
| Category | The US | Greece |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly costs for a family of four | $4,230.60 | €2,743.50 |
| Monthly costs for a single person | $1,173.30 | €778.10 |
| Meal for two at a mid-range restaurant | $75.00 | €50.00 |
| Basic utilities | $210.40 | €191.62 |
| Rent per month in the city centre | $1,743.65 | €479.68 |
| Monthly net salary | $4,273.58 | €991.33 |
Get Golden Visa: Your Advisory Firm for Greece Golden Visa
As one of the leading Greece Golden Visa advisory firms worldwide, we help many investors and their families find the best property in Greece at Get Golden Visa. With our office in Athens, we tailor solutions to your needs.
To start your Golden Visa journey in Greece, fill in the contact form below. So that our team can help you as best we can.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Cost of Living in Greece
Is healthcare free in Greece?
Yes, it is free for Greek citizens and residents. Expats can benefit from it once they register themselves and get their Social Security numbers.
How much is rent in Greece in US dollars?
For a one-bedroom apartment in the city center of Greece, you can expect to pay around $558.74, while it is around $446.51 outside the city center. On the other hand, for a 3-bedroom apartment, you can pay $977.02 in the city center and $786.87 outside the city center.
How much money do I need to get residency in Greece?
There are a few options for obtaining residency in Greece. Initially, you can get residency by purchasing a property worth at least €250,000 through Greece Golden Visa. This is primarily suitable for large families and investors.
On the other hand, if you have passive income, you can apply for the FIP Visa, which requires a monthly income of €3,500. People who want to retire in Greece on a budget mostly prefer this path. Lastly, if you are a digital nomad, you can think of getting a Greek Digital Nomad Visa via a monthly income of €3,500.
How much income do I need to retire in Greece?
You can retire in Greece with a monthly income of €800 to €2,500. Note that this income is calculated covering the basic life expenses.
What is a good salary in Greece per month?
The national minimum wage in Greece is €830, while the average monthly salary is around €2,440. However, what defines “a good salary” to you depends on your expectations for life itself.
Where is the cheapest place to live in Greece?
Among Greece’s cities, Larissa stands out as the cheapest place to live in Greece. It consistently shows one of the lowest overall living costs and rents, well below those in major cities like Athens and even Thessaloniki.
Is it expensive to live in Greece as an expat?
Greece is a perfect place to live as an expat, with a 30% lower cost of living than many other EU countries.
What is the cost of international schools in Greece?
The cost of international schools in Greece ranges between €8,000 and €14,000 per school year.
