You can check the Hellenic Police website and the Ministry for Migration and Asylum website for relevant information in English. Its implementation may also require the adoption of further legislative measures in the months ahead. As of 1 January , all UK nationals will be able to travel to and from Greece and the rest of the EU Schengen Area, with a valid passport, visa-free, for up to 90 days in any day period, for purposes such as tourism or business.
This is a rolling day period. But they must have at least 6 months left on an adult or child passport to travel to most countries in Europe. This requirement does not apply if they are entering or transiting to Greece and are in scope of the Withdrawal Agreement.
To stay for longer, work, study or for business purposes in Greece, UK nationals who are not covered by the Withdrawal Agreement will need to meet the entry requirements set out by the Greek Immigration Code. UK nationals and family members not covered by the Withdrawal Agreement. Under these rules you may be eligible for a specific residence permit e. Even though entry requirements may be different, you will have options to stay in the country for more than 3 months for tourist, business purposes, study or work.
You may need to acquire a national visa to be able to do so. Please note that after the end of the transition period British citizens will be allowed to visit any EU country for tourist or business purposes, visa-free, for 90 days within an day period. From 1 January , UK nationals who do not fall under the personal scope of and are not covered by the Withdrawal Agreement will have the same status regarding rights of residence as other third country nationals.
They can enter and reside in Greece on the basis of the Migration Code or the Free Movement legislation. Even though entry requirements may be different, there are still options to stay in the country for more than 3 months. Please note that after the end of the transition period UK nationals will be allowed to visit any EU country for tourist or business purposes, visa-free, for 90 days within an day period. It is not allowed to work or pursue economic activity without a national visa or a residence document.
Given the temporary nature of your stay in Greece, you can obtain, from the Greek consular authorities a national entry visa as a financially independent person. After receiving the national visa and upon your entry in Greece, you will be able to apply for a two-year residence permit. The validity of the residence permit is not affected by temporary absences not exceeding six months a year. It is important to note that this type of national visa does not give its holder the right to any form of work.
Given the temporary nature of your stay in Greece, you can obtain from the Greek consular authorities a national entry visa as a financially independent person. UK nationals who reside in Greece as financially independent persons may change the purpose of their residence and be subject to the investment activity, in accordance with the above-mentioned Law. You may find relevant information on the website of Enterprise Greece: Residence Permits — Enterprise Greece — The official investment and trade promotion agency of the Greek state.
UK nationals who exercised their right to reside in Greece in accordance with Union law before the end of the transition period and continue to reside here thereafter, fall under the personal scope of and are beneficiaries of the Withdrawal Agreement. If you are a UK national and you and your family members are already resident in Greece and wish to remain after the end of the transition, you are covered by the provisions of the Withdrawal Agreement for as long as you remain resident in Greece.
You simply need to follow the steps below:. The application process for UK nationals and their family members to acquire the new residence document required by the Withdrawal Agreement in Greece will begin on 1 st of January and will provisionally end on 30 June Relevant announcements will be published soon at the Hellenic Police website.
For a full list of supporting documents please check the Hellenic Police website. Proceed with all supporting documents to submit your application for the new residence document new biometric ID card to the relevant competent authorities.
The competent authorities for issuing residence documents to UK nationals and their family members in Greece are the following:. For a list of competent police stations in Attica and Thessaloniki, please check the Hellenic Police website.
For a list of competent regional police authorities, check the Hellenic Police website. The competent one-stop authorities of the Directorates of Aliens and Migration of the Decentralized Administrations of Greece, in whose territorial jurisdiction the applicants reside. A letter of invitation for registration will be sent out to all third country nationals, family members of UK nationals, already holders of registration documents prior to the end o the transition period.
After submitting your application and upon its approval, you will receive the certificate of submission of the supporting documents acknowledgment of receipt. Keep this, as it will be necessary when you cross borders, for fingerprinting for the new biometric card and in case you need to address to public authorities, for certain services e.
Eligible for residency UK nationals and family members UK and third country nationals will acquire their new biometric permit after submitting fingerprints and once it is printed. If you are eligible for permanent residence you have completed five years of continuous and lawful residence in Greece you will receive a biometric residence permit valid for ten 10 years, renewable.
If you are not eligible for permanent residence you have not completed five years of continuous and lawful residence in Greece , you will receive a biometric permit valid for five 5 years, renewable.
They also support local good causes. Full details can be found on their web-site www. ISKA website details and membership www. East Crete. INCO was formed in to represent the interests of all of the foreign residents in the town and the surrounding villages.
See their website for more information: www. Other Groups. Bringing together those in need in Crete with those who can offer help. Wondering how to cope with cancer or bereavement and how to find your way through the system in Greece? Another good place to start is the Greece Ministry for Migration and Asylum website. No matter where you are moving from, you will have to apply for health care in Greece. Qualified UK citizens can apply for the S1 form which will grant them access to the Greece public healthcare system paid by the UK.
If you are not eligible for the S1 form, you will need to obtain private health insurance to be able to get residency. If you are looking to move to Crete to enjoy the peace and quiet of your retirement years, then there is plenty to look forward to. Crete is a great place to retire to at any age.
Of course, there is much on offer in terms of activities, sports and keeping fit and healthy. Most expats who move to Crete in later life said their main concerns were the language barrier and healthcare. Language can be a barrier at any age. Like most of Europe, locals on the island generally speak English for tourists and are more than happy to help out if you try to speak in Greek to begin with.
You can take language classes with other expats if you move to a large town. There are also significant hospitals and medical centres in Heraklion, Rethymnon, Lassithi, Agios Nikolaos, Hania, and more. Crete also has several medical translators who can come to appointments with you and make sure you understand any prescriptions or procedures. The Greeks are very big on respecting their elders. Life on Crete moves at a slower pace than on mainland Greece or much of Europe, which can be very enjoyable and perfect for retirement.
Some things such as local foods are dirt cheap, making day-to-day life very inexpensive. However, because Crete is an island, more oversized items must be shipped from the mainland, adding to the price. For things such as white goods for your kitchen, it is often cheaper to buy in mainland Greece and bring it back yourself on a car ferry than it is to buy it on the island. Most expats say this is something they get used to very quickly, and they can efficiently work out the cheaper option.
However, planning for this can be challenging and confusing. The daily cost of life on the island is pretty cheap, especially when it comes to fresh, locally-grown foods. Other things are also reasonably affordable on Crete. Just like everything else on the island, house prices can also vary massively. In the smaller villages, you can find huge villas which attract A-list celebrities and have a matching price tag.
Most rental properties in the smaller villages are for short holiday lets in the summer, so you might find a reasonable price for winter months but would have to move before tourists arrive. Like most islands, Crete can be pretty expensive to get going and get set up.
If you love the idea of living on a Mediterranean island, you may also have considered moving to Cyprus. To be totally honest, they are very similar with mountainous scenery, vineyards, and unique wildlife. Living on either island is the dream for many. However, there are several crucial differences that could impact your choice. First off, Cyprus is both more extensive and more densely populated.
Over 1 million people live on the island for at least part of the year, while Crete is home to around , Cyprus is also larger. Cyprus does have a warmer climate, with summer temperatures averaging over 30 most days. Crete is blessedly cooler but still very warm , and in winter, the temperature drops, and you get a better winter season. If you like the varying seasons, Crete is for you.
If you want sun most of the year, perhaps living in Cyprus is more suitable. Because of the stunning countryside, both islands are a dream for anyone who likes outdoor activities. There are loads of hiking and mountain biking trails, wildlife hot spots, and beaches. However, beaches like Balos, Elafonissi, and Falassarna still make Crete a perfect beachy location.
Both islands offer fantastic tasty local foods and drinks. The islands are large enough to grow some foods themselves which are always fresh and delicious. The rest has to be imported from the mainland. Both islands offer very traditional Greek food featuring lots of fresh tomatoes, feta cheese, lamb, olives, wine, and plenty of seafood.
Cyprus is also seeing more expensive fancy restaurants such as La Maison Fleurie pop up to cater to tourists while Crete restaurants focus on good, fresh, cheap food. Of course, you can find rather fancy meals on Crete too. Serenissima in Chania is a highlight. Both islands have so much to offer in terms of history and culture, so realistically, either island is great to visit as a tourist. However, Crete has more of a stereotypical Greek atmosphere. The island is packed with tiny villages and really feels like a Greek island.
Cyprus has slighter larger towns and can sometimes feel like one giant, spread-out city. Cyprus and Crete are both home to large communities of expats, which shows precisely how wonderful both islands are to live on.
Crete is home to many expats not only from the UK but from all across Europe. If you plan to move to Crete, you may decide to head to one of the remoter places such as Sissi or Kato Zakros.
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