Europe · Arrival Guide
Just Landed in Greece? Your First 7 Days
Greece runs on relationships, paperwork and patience in roughly equal measure. Once you land, your first real tasks are getting a Greek SIM, applying for an AFM tax number and finding a lawyer or accountant who can steer you through the bureaucracy, because almost nothing (rentals, bank accounts, utilities) happens without one. Athens and Thessaloniki are the main hubs; the islands are cheaper and slower but thin on services in winter.
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Athens
Euro (EUR)
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Getting your bearings in Greece
Your first weeks in Greece tend to swing between the sublime and the exasperating, often in the same afternoon. You will have a perfect two-hour lunch by the sea, then spend the next morning queuing at a tax office where the counter you need has closed for the day. Most newcomers land in Athens, a sprawling, layered city of nearly four million people where ancient marble sits beside graffitied apartment blocks, or in Thessaloniki, the more relaxed northern capital with a big student population and a celebrated food scene. Beyond the two cities, life splits into the mainland (Patras, Larissa, Ioannina, Volos) and the islands, from the Cyclades and the Dodecanese to Crete and Corfu, each with its own rhythm and, crucially, its own winter service levels.
The language reality is gentler than the alphabet suggests. In Athens, Thessaloniki and any tourist-facing area, younger Greeks speak good English and are happy to use it. Learning to read the Greek script, though, pays off fast: bus destinations, shop signs and official forms are often Greek-only, and even sounding out words helps you navigate. Rural offices, older officials and village life are where English thins out, which is precisely where a bilingual accountant or lawyer earns their fee.
The pace surprises people most. Shops shut for a long afternoon break outside the big cities, dinner rarely starts before 21:00, and August is effectively a national pause when Athens empties and half the businesses you rely on close for weeks. Bureaucracy is slow, inconsistent between offices and paper-heavy, so what should be a five-minute task can eat a morning. Set against that is a genuine warmth: strangers help, neighbours feed you, and once you are inside someone's circle, doors open that no form ever would.
Your first 48 hours
The essentials to sort out the moment you land in Greece.
- 1
Buy a local SIM at the airport or a phone shop
Cosmote, Vodafone and Nova have counters at Athens Airport and shops in every town. Bring your passport, as prepaid SIMs must be registered to your name under Greek law. A starter pack with a chunk of data costs around EUR 10-15, and topping up is easy at kiosks (periptera) and supermarkets. Having a Greek number matters because offices, banks and delivery drivers all expect to reach you locally.
- 2
Withdraw some cash
Use a bank-branded ATM (Piraeus, Eurobank, Alpha, National Bank) inside the terminal and decline the machine's currency conversion so you are charged in euros. Independent orange Euronet ATMs charge poor rates and stiff fees, and they are everywhere in tourist zones. Greece is still cash-friendly, so pull out enough for kiosks, markets and small tavernas that quietly prefer notes.
- 3
Get to your accommodation on a fixed fare
From Athens Airport, metro Line 3 runs to central Syntagma in about 40 minutes for a set airport fare, and the X95 express bus runs 24 hours to Syntagma for a low flat price. The official airport taxi tariff into the centre is a published flat rate (higher at night); agree it before you get in, or book via Uber or FREE NOW for a transparent price.
- 4
Start the AFM tax number process
The AFM (tax registration number) is required for a bank account, rental contract, phone contract and utilities, so it is the linchpin of settling in. Note the address of your local DOY (tax office) or, far more reliably, line up an accountant to obtain it on your behalf. Non-residents and newcomers often struggle at the counter alone, and a logistis makes the process painless.
- 5
Photograph and back up your key documents
Scan your passport, entry stamp or visa, and any residence-permit paperwork, then store copies in the cloud and on your phone. You will be asked for copies repeatedly, and public offices rarely accept anything digital-only. Make several physical photocopies early, because the print shop nearest a tax office always has a queue on the day you need it.
- 6
Set up gov.gr and TaxisNet access
Almost every modern government service, from tax filings to digital documents, runs through the gov.gr portal and your TaxisNet login. Your accountant usually helps you activate these credentials once your AFM exists. The gov.gr Wallet app can then store a digital ID and driving licence that Greek authorities accept, saving you carrying originals everywhere.
- 7
Find your nearest supermarket and street market
Chains like Sklavenitis, AB Vasilopoulos, Masoutis (north) and Lidl cover the basics affordably. For fresh produce, track down your neighbourhood laiki, the weekly open-air street market, where fruit, vegetables, fish and cheese are cheaper and better than any supermarket. Ask a neighbour which day it runs on your street.
Your first week checklist
- Buy and register a prepaid SIM (Cosmote, Vodafone or Nova) with your passport so you have a Greek number for every appointment and delivery.
- Book an accountant (logistis) or immigration lawyer in your first days, because they will obtain your AFM tax number and steer the whole paperwork chain.
- Apply for your AFM at the local tax office (DOY) or via your accountant, as it gates your bank account, lease, phone contract and utilities.
- Open a bank account (Piraeus, Eurobank, Alpha or National Bank) or lean on Revolut and Wise while the local account is set up.
- Sort out your AMKA social security number through a KEP citizen service centre once you have work or an insurance basis, so you can access public healthcare.
- Register on gov.gr and set up your TaxisNet credentials, the login that unlocks most online government services and digital documents.
- Buy an Ath.ena Card at a metro station if you are in Athens and load a monthly pass, or work out the KTEL coach and city bus routes in your town.
- Find a nearby supermarket (Sklavenitis, AB Vasilopoulos, Lidl or Masoutis) and a laiki (weekly street market) for cheap fresh produce.
- Photograph and back up your passport, entry stamp, visa and any residence paperwork, then make several photocopies to carry to offices.
Getting connected
Mobile coverage is strong in cities and most tourist islands, patchier in remote mountain villages and on tiny islands in winter. Prepaid SIMs from Cosmote, Vodafone or Nova are cheap and must be registered with your passport, and 4G/5G is widespread in urban areas. Home fibre is widely available in Athens and Thessaloniki, but installation can take one to three weeks after you sign up.
Typical cost: Prepaid SIM with data from around EUR 10-15; monthly contract plans with generous data run EUR 15-30, and home fibre broadband is typically EUR 25-40 a month.
Money & banking
The euro is used everywhere and cards are accepted in most city shops and supermarkets, though small tavernas, kiosks (periptera) and island businesses often prefer cash despite recent rules pushing card acceptance. Withdraw from bank ATMs (Piraeus, Eurobank, Alpha, National Bank), always decline dynamic currency conversion, and keep some notes on you at all times.
Opening an account: You need an AFM tax number, proof of address and your passport to open a resident account, and some branches ask for a residence permit too. Piraeus Bank, Eurobank, Alpha Bank and the National Bank of Greece (NBG) are the main options; digital banks like Revolut and Wise are widely used by newcomers to receive salaries and pay bills while a local account is arranged.
Cash: Greece is still notably cash-friendly. Carry euros for laiki markets, kiosks, rural tavernas, bakeries and small islands, where card machines are sometimes conveniently 'broken' or subject to a minimum spend of around EUR 5-10.
Tipping: Tipping is modest and optional. Rounding up or leaving 5-10 percent in a restaurant is normal and appreciated; a euro or two for taxi drivers and hotel staff is a kind gesture but never expected.
Registration & residency
Non-EU nationals must hold the correct entry visa or residence permit and register with the immigration authorities after arrival, with permit types covering work, family, digital-nomad, financially-independent-person (FIP) and study routes. EU/EEA citizens staying beyond three months should obtain a registration certificate. Everyone settling also needs an AFM tax number, and to work or use public health an AMKA social security number, so budget time for all three registrations rather than a single sign-up.
Deadline: EU/EEA citizens should register within three months of arrival. Non-EU residents must apply for their permit within the validity of their entry visa or on the timeline set by their specific visa type; there is no single universal deadline, so follow the terms attached to your visa.
Where: Residence permits and EU registration certificates are handled by the regional Migration Directorate (Aliens and Immigration Directorate); the AFM is issued by the local tax office (DOY) or online via AADE; and the AMKA is obtained through KEP citizen service centres or an insurance office. Many people use an accountant or immigration lawyer to coordinate the lot.
Documents to keep handy:
- Passport with your entry stamp or visa, plus several photocopies, as offices routinely keep paper copies.
- Your visa or residence-permit application paperwork (type D national visa, digital-nomad, FIP, or work permit documents as applicable).
- Proof of address such as a rental contract or a utility bill, needed for the bank and various registrations.
- Proof of private health insurance, generally required for non-EU residence applications.
- Passport-sized photographs and any apostilled or officially translated civil documents (birth or marriage certificates) you may need.
- Proof of funds or income (bank statements, employment contract) for residence and visa purposes.
Getting around
Athens has a clean, cheap metro, tram and bus network, with a single Ath.ena Ticket or reloadable Ath.ena Card covering all of them and a 90-minute integrated fare. Intercity travel uses the extensive KTEL coach network and the Hellenic Train rail line (Athens-Thessaloniki being the main route); ferries from Piraeus, Rafina and Lavrio link the islands.
From the airport: Athens International Airport (Eleftherios Venizelos) connects to the centre via Metro Line 3 (about 40 minutes to Syntagma) and the 24-hour X95 express bus. Official taxis charge a published flat day/night rate to the city centre; ride-hailing apps such as Uber and FREE NOW dispatch licensed metered taxis. In Thessaloniki, city buses (OASTH) and taxis cover the compact centre, and a metro line has opened to ease the traffic.
Finding a home
Most newcomers rent through Spitogatos and XE.gr or via local agents, and long-term flats are competitive in central Athens and Thessaloniki because so much stock has shifted to short-term holiday lets, tightening supply and lifting rents. You will need an AFM to sign a lease, contracts are registered with the tax authority (AADE), and viewings move quickly, so have your documents ready.
Typical rent: A one-bedroom flat runs roughly EUR 500-750 a month in central Athens, EUR 350-550 in the suburbs and provincial towns, and considerably more in prime districts like Kolonaki or Koukaki and on popular islands. Thessaloniki is generally a bit cheaper than Athens.
Deposit norm: Expect one to two months' rent as a deposit plus the first month upfront; agency fees, when charged, are typically around one month's rent. Many landlords still prefer bank transfers or cash and may ask for proof of income.
Healthcare
Greece has a public health system (ESY) alongside a large private sector. Public hospitals handle emergencies for everyone, but state facilities can be under-resourced with long waits, so many residents use private clinics, diagnostic centres (like Bioiatriki or Affidea) and doctors for routine and faster care.
How to access it: To use public healthcare you need an AMKA social security number, obtained through a KEP centre or your insurance provider once you are working or contributing to EFKA. In an emergency, call 112 or 166, or go to the on-duty (efimeria) hospital, as hospitals rotate which one takes emergencies on a given day.
Insurance: Non-EU residence applicants generally must show private health insurance to obtain or renew a permit. EU citizens can use an EHIC/GHIC for short stays, but anyone settling should arrange local private cover or register for public insurance through employment. Private policies for a healthy adult are relatively affordable compared with northern Europe.
Culture & etiquette
- Greeks are warm and hospitable; expect to be offered food, sweets or coffee, and accepting graciously is the polite response.
- Life runs late: dinner often starts after 21:00, and many shops close for a long afternoon break, especially outside the big cities.
- Learn a few words of Greek. 'Kalimera' (good morning), 'parakalo' (please) and 'efcharisto' (thank you) go a long way, even though English is widely spoken in cities.
- Name days are often celebrated as much as birthdays, and it is common to greet friends and colleagues on their saint's day.
- Coffee is a social ritual, not a transaction; sitting for an hour over a single freddo is completely normal and never rushed.
- When invited to someone's home, bring a small gift such as sweets, a dessert or flowers, and expect to be fed generously.
- Sunday is family day, and Greek Orthodox holidays like Easter (often on a different date to Western Easter) are major, so plan around them.
Things to watch out for
- Bureaucracy is slow and inconsistent between offices; bring every document, several photocopies, and expect to make repeat visits.
- Public offices, banks and many businesses close early and keep limited hours, so plan errands for the morning.
- August is effectively a national holiday: Athens empties, and many small businesses and services shut for weeks around the 15 August feast.
- Rules can be interpreted differently by different officials on different days, so patience and a bilingual helper save enormous frustration.
- Strikes (apergia) affecting transport, ferries and public services happen periodically and are usually announced in advance, so check before you travel.
Apps to download before you land
gov.gr / gov.gr Wallet
Government portal and digital ID/driving licence accepted by Greek authorities
Uber
Ride-hailing that dispatches licensed metered Athens taxis
FREE NOW
Booking metered taxis in Athens and Thessaloniki
Moovit
Live public transport routes and times across Greek cities
Ferryhopper
Comparing and booking ferries to the Greek islands
efood
Food delivery and groceries across Greek cities
Wolt
Food and grocery delivery, strong coverage in Athens and Thessaloniki
Where newcomers live
Where you settle shapes your whole experience. Athens ranges from grand central districts to leafy northern suburbs and the coastal Riviera, while Thessaloniki is smaller and walkable. Newcomers usually weigh commute, budget and how much short-term-let churn they can tolerate, since a lot of central stock has shifted to holiday rentals, tightening the long-term market and pushing rents up in the most convenient areas.
Koukaki (Athens)
Below the Acropolis and hugely popular with newcomers and remote workers; walkable, cafe-dense and well connected by metro, though prices have climbed sharply on the back of short-term lets.
Pangrati (Athens)
A leafy, residential central district around Mavili and the old stadium, loved for its neighbourhood feel, good tavernas and mix of locals and long-stay foreigners without the tourist crush.
Kolonaki (Athens)
The upmarket, embassy-heavy district beneath Lycabettus, with designer shops, smart cafes and the highest central rents; polished, central and expensive.
Glyfada (Athens Riviera)
Coastal southern suburb with beaches, marinas and a tram line to town; airy and family-friendly, favoured by those wanting sea and space over central grit.
Ladadika & Ano Poli (Thessaloniki)
Ladadika is the buzzy waterfront nightlife quarter, while Ano Poli is the atmospheric old upper town of Ottoman lanes and views; both anchor a compact, student-heavy city.
Chania (Crete)
For those choosing island life, this Venetian harbour town offers year-round services, an airport and a real local economy, making it far more liveable in winter than smaller islands.
What things cost
Greece is cheaper than most of western Europe, but Athens and popular islands have seen steep rent rises, and salaries are low, so the gap between locals and incoming remote earners is stark. Groceries, transport and eating out remain good value; imported goods, cars and heating in winter are where costs bite. The figures below are rough monthly guides in euros for a single person in Athens.
Staying safe & avoiding scams
Greece is a genuinely safe country by European standards, with low rates of violent crime; the risks you are most likely to meet are pickpocketing on the Athens metro (especially Line 3 to the airport and around Monastiraki and Omonia), petty theft in crowded tourist spots, and overcharging by the odd taxi or bar. Central Athens has some rougher pockets around Omonia and parts of Exarcheia late at night, so stay aware after dark and keep valuables zipped away, but daytime life across the city and islands is relaxed. Natural hazards deserve respect: summer wildfires and heatwaves are real, so follow local alerts and the 112 emergency-SMS warnings, and note that earthquakes, while usually minor, do occur.
Newcomers are common targets. Know these before you arrive — and read our guide to avoiding immigration scams.
Airport and Euronet ATM conversion trap
Independent (often orange Euronet) ATMs and card terminals push 'dynamic currency conversion' that quotes your home currency at a terrible rate while hiding the poor exchange. Always choose to be charged in euros, and use bank-branded ATMs (Piraeus, Alpha, Eurobank, NBG) for fair rates and lower fees. This is the single most common way newcomers lose money in their first week.
Taxi overcharging from the airport and Piraeus port
Some drivers claim the meter is broken, take long routes, or ignore the fixed airport tariff, and the same happens to arrivals at Piraeus port heading for a ferry. Insist on the meter or the published flat fare, know that a night tariff legitimately costs more, or book through Uber or FREE NOW for a transparent, pre-agreed price.
Bar and 'friendly local' clip joints
In parts of central Athens near tourist streets, a friendly stranger (sometimes posing as a fellow traveller) may invite you to a bar where drinks and unrequested 'company' end in a huge, aggressively enforced bill. Avoid drinks bought by strangers, unmarked venues and anyone unusually keen to lead you somewhere, and walk away if the situation feels off.
Rental deposit and fake-listing fraud
Some 'landlords' advertise flats they do not own, especially targeting foreigners arranging housing from abroad, and ask for a deposit before any viewing or signed contract. Never transfer money for a place you have not seen in person or via a trusted agent, insist on a registered lease, and be wary of prices that look too good for the area.
Frequently asked questions
What is an AFM and why do I need it first?
The AFM is your Greek tax registration number. You cannot sign a rental contract, open a bank account, get a phone plan, connect utilities or work without one, so obtaining it from the local tax office (DOY) or online via AADE, often through an accountant, is an early priority. Treat it as the master key to everything else.
AFM, AMKA, AADE, KEP: what is the difference?
The AFM is your tax number and AADE is the tax authority that issues it. The AMKA is your social security number, needed to work and use public healthcare. KEP are one-stop citizen service centres that handle many registrations and certificates, and are usually your friendliest counter.
Do I really need an accountant or lawyer?
For most non-EU newcomers, yes. A logistis (accountant) or immigration lawyer navigates the AFM, tax filings and residence paperwork far faster than you can alone, and they speak the bureaucratic language of the offices. Fees are modest against the time, errors and repeat visits they save you.
Can I get by with English?
In Athens, Thessaloniki and tourist areas, yes, as most younger Greeks speak good English. Village offices, older officials and rural life are another matter, and official forms are often Greek-only, so a translator or bilingual accountant is invaluable for anything involving paperwork.
Is it better to use cash or card?
Cards work in most city shops, restaurants and supermarkets, but always carry cash for kiosks, laiki markets, rural tavernas, small islands and situations where a card machine is conveniently 'not working'. A minimum card spend of a few euros is common in smaller places.
How do I find a long-term flat?
Start on Spitogatos and XE.gr, the main property portals, or work with a local agent. Central Athens and popular areas move fast and are squeezed by short-term holiday lets, so have your AFM and documents ready, and be prepared for a deposit of one to two months plus the first month upfront.
What is the deal with the August shutdown?
Around the 15 August feast, and often for much of the month, Athenians leave for the islands and villages, and many small businesses, doctors and services close for weeks. Plan any essential errands and appointments before or after August, because getting things done mid-month can be genuinely difficult.
How do I get to the Greek islands?
Ferries depart mainly from Piraeus, Rafina and Lavrio near Athens, and you can compare and book them on Ferryhopper or Blue Star and similar lines' sites. High-speed and conventional ferries serve most islands, though winter schedules thin out sharply, so check timetables carefully off-season.
Is Greece safe to live in?
Yes, Greece has low violent crime and is very safe day to day. The main risks are pickpocketing on the busy Athens metro and in crowded tourist areas, plus summer wildfires and heatwaves, so keep valuables secure and heed the 112 emergency alerts during fire season.
How do I access healthcare when I arrive?
For emergencies, call 112 or 166 or go to the on-duty (efimeria) hospital, which is free at the point of need. For routine care you will want an AMKA number for the public system once you are contributing, and most newcomers also carry private insurance, which non-EU residence applicants generally must hold anyway.
Planning the move, not just the landing?
This guide covers your first days on the ground. If you’re still weighing visas and pathways to Greece, start with a free eligibility assessment.
