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+30 6977175045
Are you considering buying a house in Greece, but are you curious about the cost of living there? In this article we offer you an overview of the cost of living in Greece. Over the past ten years, these costs have been relatively low, mainly due to the influence of the economic crisis. However, now that the country is recovering, prices are slowly starting to rise again. Despite this, the cost of living in Greece remains quite reasonable compared to other countries.
According to the 2018 Mercer Cost of Living Survey, Athens ranks 112th out of 209 global cities, placing it significantly lower than other major European cities such as London, Paris and Milan. As in many countries, costs vary depending on location. In general, prices on the mainland are lower than on the Greek islands, especially for fuel and certain basic goods. Rural areas tend to offer cheaper options than urban areas, but with less variety in products and services. The most expensive areas on the mainland are in the northern and southeastern suburbs of Athens, while the most popular islands for tourists include Rhodes, Mykonos, Santorini, Corfu and Crete.
Regarding the cost of housing in Greece, during the economic crisis, prices for both renting and buying were on the low side. Although prices in Athens are now rising, prices for buying a house in Greece remain relatively cheap. Especially on the Greek islands, there are opportunities for buying affordable housing. View the range of houses in Greece here.
Greek cuisine is world famous and food in Greece is generally quite affordable, which makes for a perfect combination. On the other hand, the country has some of the highest VAT rates in the EU, which means that the prices of basic products are not always as low as one might hope. However, VAT on food is lower than on other goods, and the abundance of locally produced produce makes it easy to eat well and cheaply.
In terms of transportation, driving in Greece is known to be challenging and sometimes dangerous. For foreigners who want to drive their own car, having car insurance is absolutely essential. When renting a car, it is important to check what insurance is offered, as the cost of car rental can sometimes be higher than expected. An alternative is public transportation, with most people using buses or the metro in Athens. Prices are reasonable, but the bus can be a slow way to travel.
As for education, public education in Greece is taught in Greek. This is why many foreigners choose to send their children to private, English-language international schools. However, for those planning to stay in the country for a longer period, local Greek schools can be a good option. Private schools in Greece are more expensive than public schools, but some offer English-language education. Prices vary from school to school, and as children progress through their schooling, the costs increase.
An overview of the cost of living in Greece shows that prices can vary depending on the product and the provider. Below is a list of average prices in Athens, based on May 2019:
Eggs (dozen): €4
Milk (1 liter): €1.20
Rice (1kg): €1.70
White bread: €0.80
Chicken fillet (1kg): €7
Pack of cigarettes (Marlboro): €4.50
Furnished one-room apartment in the city centre: €470
Furnished one-room apartment outside the city centre: €320
Furnished three-room apartment in the city centre: €700
Furnished three-room apartment outside the city centre: €550
Mobile to mobile rate (per minute): €0.35
Internet (unlimited ADSL or cable – average per month): €25
Basic facilities (per month for small apartment): €140
Big Mac Meal: €7
Bottle of local beer: €4
Coca-Cola (330ml): €1.60
Cappuccino: €3
Three-course meal for two in a mid-range restaurant: €35
Petrol/gasoline (per litre): €1.55
Taxi fare (per kilometre): €0.80
Bus/train fare in the city centre: €1.40
Mobile to mobile rate (per minute): €0.35
Internet (unlimited ADSL or cable – average per month): €25
Basic facilities (per month for small apartment): €140