Living in Athens as an expat

If you’re moving to Athens, you’re sure to fall in love with this stunning cultural capital of Europe. One of the first things you’ll notice is the city’s unique mix of ancient and modern. The city’s architecture is marked by the imposing and beautiful Parthenon, which watches over Athens from the Acropolis. This ancient structure stands as a reminder of the past and places modern Athens in contrast with the empire of old.

As the capital of Greece, Athens sits right in the heart of the mainland, between the northern region of continental Greece and the southern Peloponnese. With a history stretching back thousands of years, it’s one of the key cities in the story of Western civilisation, and expats living here will feel that legacy every day.

Working in Athens

Although the job market in Greece has historically been known for high unemployment rates and limited opportunities for foreigners, the country’s economy is slowly improving and growing. Still, it’s best for expats to move to Athens with a job offer already in hand.

The Greek economy is largely service-based, so you can find a fair few opportunities in the tourism and hospitality sectors. Healthcare, education, and finance are also growing industries where expats can find employment opportunities. The city centre of Athens is vibrant and busy and is where most businesses and government organisations are based. There is a good chance that expats moving to Athens will end up working in this area of the city.

Non-EU expats must have both a work permit and a visa to work in Greece legally. The process can be lengthy and involved, as your employer will have to first apply for a work permit, after which you can apply for a national visa. EU expats can simply move to Greece, look for employment and notify officials of their presence within three months of arrival.

Working in Greece 
Visas for Greece

Lifestyle in Athens

One of the advantages of living in Athens is that there is always an array of things to see and do. Athens is home to both ancient and modern attractions, offering a variety of activities and weekend getaways within easy reach. The city also has myriad shopping opportunities, ranging from flea markets to luxurious boutiques, which are bound to satisfy shoppers of all kinds.

Nature lovers and fitness enthusiasts are also not left wanting, as the city boasts several gorgeous beaches and is surrounded by four mountains. You can find plenty of water sports activities as well as mountain biking and hiking opportunities.

Lifestyle in Athens 
Shopping in Athens 
See and Do in Athens

Finding accommodation in Athens

Finding accommodation in Athens can be challenging. The city is a tourism hotspot, which makes housing pricey and competition for suitable places high. Be that as it may, expats can circumvent the crowd and high prices by beginning their search during the low season when demand isn’t as high.

There are numerous vibrant areas in Athens, with options to suit families, single expats, as well as couples. The trendy and upscale Kolonaki is frequently ranked as one of the best suburbs in Athens, while Koukaki, Thiseio, and Pangrati are perfect for those who prefer more affordable accommodation away from the tourist areas.

Finding Accommodation in Greece

Cost of living in Athens

Although living in Greece is quite affordable by European standards, the cost of living in Athens is the highest in Greece, owing to its global appeal as a cultural and historical centre.

The cost of accommodation, groceries and eating out are all higher than in other mainland Greek cities, although expats on a budget will find that adopting local living standards can somewhat bring those costs down.

Cost of Living in Athens

Living in Athens with children

Greece is a family-friendly country, offering a rich cultural experience. Expats will have access to numerous museums and archaeological sites, with some, like the Acropolis Museum, offering child-friendly exhibits.

Families can also enjoy a fun family day out at playgrounds and picnic areas such as the Stavros Niarchos Foundation and Lake Voliagmeni. There are also plenty of beaches for children to enjoy. A weekend getaway to one of the Greek islands is also a quick ferry ride away.

Healthcare and Health Insurance in Greece

Finding a school in Athens

In addition to the standard Greek public schooling, there is a wide range of private schools in various languages spread across Athens. The language of instruction in public schools in Athens is Greek, making them largely unsuitable for expats.

International schools are often the best choice for expat families. These schools offer globally recognised curricula like the International Baccalaureate, British, and American systems and often teach in a familiar language and style. Fortunately, most of these schools are located in Athens, so expat parents will have a few options.

Education and Schools in Greece

Getting around in Athens

Thanks to Athens’s ideal location in Greece, those looking to make a trip further afield can do so easily – from here, most other places in the country can be accessed by train, plane, boat, or bus. Athens is also home to Greece’s oldest metro system, which makes getting around locally efficient.

Taxis also abound in the city, and they will be fitted with meters, making it easy to track the cost of your trip. Although expats can drive in Greece, it’s not recommended for new arrivals. Drivers in the country are notorious for erratic driving, which may be dangerous for those who are not accustomed to the driving habits in the city. If you do decide to get behind the wheel in Athens, we recommend driving defensively.

Transport and Driving in Greece

Climate and weather in Athens

Athens’s subtropical Mediterranean climate is sunny and hot, especially during the summer months of June to September, when heatwaves can push the mercury past 104°F (40°C). Winters can get chilly, especially at night, and snowfall is not unheard of.

Athens offers a good balance between urban and suburban life. In the space of an hour’s drive, you can find yourself surrounded by a completely new environment. Athens is a splendid destination for expats looking for a busy, diverse, and ever-expanding place to call home.

Climate Chart for Athens

The weather in Athens is temperate throughout the year, and sun worshippers will be right at home in the city. Athens has a subtropical Mediterranean climate with plenty of sunshine hours and little rainfall throughout the year.

Based on its annual average temperature, Athens is one of the hottest cities in Europe, particularly during summer, when temperatures regularly reach highs of 95°F (35°C). Heatwaves occur frequently and can push the mercury to 104°F (40°C) and beyond. Summer is from June to September, with July being the hottest month.

Winters are mild, although the nights can be chilly, so it’s best to have a jumper to hand. Some parts of Athens may experience snowfall, particularly in the north. Winter is the wettest time of the year, with December seeing the most rainfall.

Widely considered the birthplace of democracy, Athens is Greece’s central hub and has contributed much to art, theatre, architecture, philosophy, and politics. With such a storied history, it’s easy to romanticise day-to-day life in Athens, but what’s it really like to live there?

Below are a few pros and cons of moving to Athens for prospective expats to consider.

Accommodation in Athens

- CON: Much of the city’s accommodation is pricey

Being a tourism hotspot, Athens’s accommodation is more expensive than in other areas of Greece. Compared to other cities, there’s less value for money, and it can be tough to find something suitable.

+ PRO: Although harder to find, more affordable options exist

There are a few tricks that you can use to up your chances of finding a more budget-friendly place to live in Athens. Beginning your house search in the off-season will significantly reduce rental costs. A lot of accommodation stands empty during this time, which gives expats a bargaining chip that could be used to leverage a lower rental cost.

Accommodation in Greece

Lifestyle in Athens

+ PRO: Incredible historical sites

People come from all over the world to visit some of the world’s most ancient architecture and historical sites in Athens, but expats living there are lucky enough to have all this right on their doorstep. Exploring attractions in the city during the off-peak season is a great way to get to know the city.

- CON: Crowded during the holiday season

During the tourist season, Athens is flooded with visitors and can quickly become claustrophobic. Many locals find this an opportune time to take a getaway and escape the chaos.

+ PRO: Amazing food

Whether grabbing a quick bite to eat from a roadside stall or living it up in a fine-dining restaurant, Athens offers countless opportunities to sample authentically Greek food, and this is just one of many lifestyle perks of living here. High-quality, locally sourced ingredients such as fresh seafood, Greek cheese, and olive oil never disappoint and are available in abundance.

Lifestyle in Athens 
See and Do in Athens 
Shopping in Athens

Getting around in Athens

+ PRO: Robust public transport system

Home to the country’s oldest metro, Athens has a fantastic public transport system that includes trains, buses, and ferries, making it easy to travel locally and regionally.

- CON: Not the best city to drive in

Driving in Athens is not for the faint of heart. Expat drivers will have to contend with a host of challenges, ranging from massive traffic jams and erratic Greek driving to numerous extra expenses and a lack of parking, particularly in the city centre.

Transport and Driving in Greece

Cost of living in Athens

- CON: Expensive compared to other parts of Greece

While not the most expensive European capital, Athens is still far from the cheapest. The city’s status as a tourism hotspot drives the cost of living up, giving Athens the unfortunate title of Greece’s most expensive city.

+ PRO: Expats can save money by living like locals

Avoiding the tourist areas of Athens can go a long way towards keeping costs down. In particular, restaurants and shops close to tourist attractions often inflate their prices. You can save money by eating where the locals eat and shopping where they shop.

Cost of Living in Athens

The lifestyle in Athens is undoubtedly one of the city’s major perks. The city is a great springboard for travel throughout the country. During the warmer months, the Greek islands are popular for getaways, while the picturesque coastal towns and villages of the Peloponnese region are just an hour or two away.

In the summer, the Athens Riviera along the city’s southern coast is packed with beach lovers who don’t have to travel far to enjoy a day in the sun. There are numerous opportunities for entertainment and shopping in Athens too – the city has flea markets, modern malls, boutique shops, and a vibrant nightlife scene.

Shopping in Athens

For expats who love to shop, there are plenty of malls in the centre of Athens, as well as some gorgeous boutiques in the Kolonaki area. For those who prefer large malls and outdoor shopping centres, there is The Mall Athens, Golden Hall and Avenue Mall, all within minutes of each other in Marousi. Athens’s massive flea market in Monastiraki is also always worth a visit.

Shopping in Athens

Nightlife in Athens

The nightlife in Athens is exciting and vibrant. Known as the ‘new heart of Athens’, Agia Irini Square in Monastiraki used to be a flower and textile market. Today, it’s packed on the weekends, thanks to a resurgence of trendy bars, cafés, and restaurants in the area.

Another well-known nightlife spot in Athens is Psirri. This area is squeezed between Monastiraki and Omonia and attracts quite a crowd at night. The area hosts an array of venues offering Greek food, live music and local spirits like ouzo and rakomelo.

The city’s alternative edge, Exarchia attracts artistic, student and Bohemian crowds. The street art and graffiti-covered buildings house various grunge-chic bars and clubs, many of which play rock music. One of the most expensive suburbs in Athens, Kifissia has a distinct nightlife. The posh neighbourhood is dotted with upscale restaurants that are packed with a sophisticated crowd when the weekend comes around.

The southern suburbs of Athens are just steps away from the sea, so summer is the best time to hit the area’s glamorous open-air clubs. Glyfada, a large and upmarket neighbourhood, has numerous bars and restaurants that come alive on weekends.

Eating out in Athens

Eating out in Athens is a rich cultural and culinary experience. Expats will enjoy exploring Greek cuisine, which is world-famous for its fresh and locally sourced ingredients. Athens is home to more than 10 Michelin-starred restaurants, ranging from fine dining to casual eateries.

Until the opening of its metro station, Gazi was a worn-down immigrant quarter characterised by the steely remnants of a defunct gasworks factory. Artistic minds then took over and forged a creative space that highlights the area’s industrial history. Gazi is now lined with restaurants, bars and clubs, and in the thick of summer, it’s difficult to walk around without bumping into anyone.

One of the capital’s most upscale neighbourhoods, Kolonaki has its share of authentic tavernas, trendy bars, chic clubs, gourmet restaurants and atmospheric outdoor cafés. The cocktail bars on Skoufa are particularly popular with the after-work crowd.

Sports and outdoor activities in Athens

The history of sports in Greece dates back to ancient times, and fans can still attend international events at one of the five major venues in the Athens Olympic Sports Complex. Among these venues is the Panathenaic Stadium (Kallimarmaro), where the first modern Olympic Games were held in 1896.

Aside from this, riding clubs, football fields and basketball courts can be found throughout Athens. Mountain bikers, hikers, and trail runners take to Mount Immitos to get lost in the lush and scenic trails on the east side of the city. Water sports facilities line the southern suburbs of Athens, where the beaches are awash with people during the warmer months.

Meeting people and making friends in Athens

When initially moving to Athens, meeting people and making friends may be among expats’ top priorities. Building your own community in your new home can make the experience feel less isolating, and joining a local club or interest group is the best way to get started on meeting people and making friends in Athens.

Volunteering is another great way to make local connections while contributing positively to your community. Greeks are known for being friendly, especially towards expats, so you’re sure to make friends quickly in Athens.

Useful links

• Meetup – Athens
• SORBA Athens
• Caritas Athens
• Athens Watersports Club

Athens is the place to be for shopaholics. With various shopping avenues available, there is something for everyone. From fresh produce to locally made goods, expats can experience the authentic taste and culture of Greece.

If you revel in a good bargain and a vintage find, you should visit the abundance of flea markets. Conversely, those who prefer designer brands and high-end fashion will find Athens’s shopping centres and boutiques highly satisfactory.

Markets in Athens

Monastiraki Flea Market

Located in Old Athens, the Monastiraki Flea Market offers one of Athens's most eclectic shopping experiences. Locals and tourists love getting lost in the pedestrian streets of the market. One section is tightly lined with shops selling souvenirs emblazoned with ‘I Love Greece’, while others are filled with fantastic antiques and vendors selling artisanal Greek handicrafts.

On Sundays, when most shops in Athens are closed, the streets off Avissinias Square become an open flea market where people sell antiques and bric-a-brac items off tables and carpets.

Athens Central Market

The Athens Central Market, also known as Varvakios Central Market, is one of the best and cheapest places to buy fresh food and provides a lively, colourful experience. Walking through the lanes, you will find fresh meat and fish, bellowing vendors and endless Greek deli offerings.

Malls and shopping streets in Athens

Ermou Street

The largest outdoor shopping street in Athens houses recognisable international brands, including Mango, Marks & Spencer, Zara, and Sephora. These are interspersed with popular Greek shops like Tsakiris Mallas, Folli Follie and The Hondos Center.

The Mall Athens

When Athenians say ‘the mall’, there is only one they are referring to. The Mall Athens was built after the 2004 Olympic Games in the centre of Maroussi, an upmarket suburb in northern Athens. Situated close to the Neraziotissa station, its numerous levels contain plenty to keep shopping enthusiasts occupied, from clothing and department stores to entertainment facilities like a cinema and food court.

Kolonaki District (Voukourestiou Street)

Luxury lovers will enjoy Kolonaki District on Voukourestiou Street. Here, you can find shops for designer brands like Prada and Gucci. There are also beautiful art galleries and chic cafés that punctuate the luxury shopping experiences.

Boutique shopping in Athens

Expats who prefer poking in and out of boutique shops over the indoor constraints of a typical mall are in luck. Lovely neighbourhoods such as Kifissia, Halandri, and Glyfada are well-known shopping destinations with designer shops and locally owned businesses.

Kifissia and Halandri, in the northern suburbs, are popular for offering a day of shopping, eating, and drinking coffee. Lastly, Glyfada is the shopping centre in the south of Athens. A few minutes from the sea, the streets of this suburb are flanked by dozens of shopping choices.

A modern city built on ancient foundations, Athens provides plenty for expats to see and do. You can discover the city’s history in its museums and monuments, but you can also experience it in your daily interactions. Becoming immersed in the various attractions in Athens is a great way to get to grips with your surroundings and to make yourself feel at home.

Below are some of the best things to see and do in Athens.

Recommended attractions in Athens

Acropolis of Athens

Set higher than the rest of the city, the Acropolis is the heart of Athens. The perfectly sculpted ancient marble buildings and stunning views of the city provide a memorable experience. The most famous monument is the Parthenon, a testament to craftsmanship during the height of Ancient Greece’s power.

Acropolis Museum

The Acropolis Museum was built in the shadow of the Acropolis itself and is a landmark in its own right. The museum’s layout provides panoramic views of the city and leads visitors along its walkways to discover ancient relics from the surrounding archaeological sites. Thousands of fascinating artefacts are on display.

The National Archaeological Museum of Athens

The National Archaeological Museum is the largest of its kind in Greece and remains one of the world’s most prominent Ancient Greek museums. This museum is a must-see, with a rich collection of historical art dating back to the Prehistoric era.

Temple of Olympian Zeus

Construction on this remarkable ancient site first began in the 6th century BC. More than 600 years later, the 104-column temple was completed. During the Roman period, the temple was the largest in all of Greece. Although the temple later fell into disuse, it is still possible to visit the ruin, where 16 beautiful Corinthian columns remain standing.

Temple of Poseidon at Sounion

The Temple of Poseidon at Sounion was an important place of worship in Ancient Greece and is now a popular day-trip destination. Set on a cliff, this temple is dedicated to the god of the sea and provides breathtaking views of the ocean below.