Moving to Greece

Moving to Greece

If you are planning on moving to Greece, whether to Athens, Thessaloniki or one of the Greek Islands, Britannia Movers International has the expertise and the local knowledge to tailor the move to your specific needs.

	Importing Personal Effects to Greece As Greece is a full member of the EU, you can import most of your household goods easily and without paying customs, provided that you have already paid VAT on them. To enter Greece you will simply need a valid passport, an inventory, and a customs declaration form.
	Prohibitions and Restrictions In general it is in your interest not to import the following items: Firearms & ammunition Inflammable goods & substances Plants & plant material Foodstuffs, perishables or otherwise Narcotics and dangerous goods Offensive materials Alcohol & Tobacco
	Transit Times Transit times can vary subject to the method of transport chosen, size of your consignment and the final destination. Britannia will advise you once this information is established.
	Bar Coding All Groupage consignments will be bar coded before they are loaded into the shipping container. This will ensure that no items are left at origin.
	Domestic Pets Britannia can recommend a specialised shipper of animals to assist you in sending your family pet(s) from home to home. They will coordinate all documentation and necessary veterinary procedures. Find out more about pet transport.
	Moving Motor Vehicles to Greece Importation of motor vehicles to Greece will be subject to compliance, it is probable that duty and tax will apply.
	Currencies Direct When you are making international payments for individuals you can benefit from Currencies Direct expertise in seeking the best possible rate, whether you are sending or receiving foreign currency. Currencies Direct can help to protect you from exchange rate fluctuations and save you time and money on international payments. Currencies Direct offers : International payments Regular Overseas Transfers Prepaid Currency Card Forward Contracts More info on Currencies Direct website.

Moving to Greece With Britannia

• Your Move to Greece– Britannia has a dedicated network of removers who will assist you with moving to Greece. We provide computer tracking and bar coding, to ensure a safe and reliable removal service. Your household goods can be transported to Greece by land, in sea containers or by air, and transit times will vary depending on the size of your consignment.
   
• Packing & Delivery – Our trained packers can pack and wrap all your items to ensure that they are transported safely. If you choose a full door to door service, Britannia will deliver the goods to your new home. If you've ordered a packing service, we will unpack all your personal goods professionally, removing all used packing materials from the site.
   
• Additional removal services – Britannia can provide a variety of additional services when moving to Greece. We are authorised to provide a comprehensive insurance, can arrange storage prior to delivery, and can also take care of your pet transport.

If you are interested in moving to Greece, get an online removal quote, and read more about our European removals, and our additional moving services, like pet transport or money transfer.

Living in Greece

While moving permanently to Greece from the UK might be less common and could even seem like a surprising idea, many EU citizens looking for something different decide to live in Greece. Greece is a well-known tourist hotspot, and a great place to travel for those who want to delve into Western history or who are just looking for a relaxing holiday on a sandy beach. Expats moving to Greece will be relocating to the cradle of Western civilization, and a country that is regarded as one of  the most comfortable and attractive destinations in Europe.

Greece is located on the southernmost tip of the Balkan Peninsula, extending into the Mediterranean, Ionian and Aegean Seas. Greece has one of the longest coastlines in the world, and its main peninsula is surrounded by a vast number of smaller islands, including Crete, Corfu and Paros. Greece is a developed country, ranking consistently high for quality of life. The Greek economy has faced a severe crisis in 2010, and unemployment levels  have increased, which also resulted in reduced job opportunities for expats. There are some growing industries, however, such as tourism, telecommunications, or agriculture, where those moving to Greece can find employment opportunities.

While you should take into account the relatively unstable economy when moving to Greece, it is a diverse and beautiful country, with a warm and sunny climate, sandy beaches, amazing landscapes, rich culture and history, and a more relaxed pace of life.

Interesting Facts About Greece

• Athens, the capital of Greece is one of the oldest cities of Europe.
• Greece is one of the leading producers of olives in the world.
• Greek is one of the oldest languages in Europe.
• 80% of the Greek terrain is mountainous and there are over 3000 islands surrounding the main peninsula.
• The Ancient Greek civilisation consisted of Southern Italy, the coastal areas of Turkey, with colonies in North Africa, Spain and France.

Tips About Moving to and Living in Spain

• EU citizens can work in Greece without having to obtain a residence permit or work permit.
   
• Greek is the official language in Greece. English is understood and widely spoken, but if you are planning to stay for a longer period, it might be useful to learn Greek.
   
• All residents paying social security have access to public healthcare. The quality of public healthcare will depend on your exact location, and you might consider paying for private healthcare insurance, especially if you are moving to a rural area.
   
• Living and housing costs in Greece are lower than in the UK, but wages can also be substantially lower.
   
• If you are moving to Greece with your children, you should consider education opportunities. There are some international schools in Athens and Thessaloniki, but there are no full time international schools on the islands.
   
• Think about job opportunities before moving to Greece, especially if you haven't secured a job from the UK. 

Moving to Greece brochure