Moving to Greece as an American
The US-citizen's guide to Greece — the 7% flat tax that draws American retirees, the 50% break for remote workers, the digital-nomad and Golden visas, EU-standard healthcare, and how far your dollars go.
Build your Plan B for Greece
A personalized plan for your situation: which visa you qualify for, your US-citizen tax outlook, a budget in dollars, and a 90-day move timeline.
Cost of living vs the US
Bottom lineGreece runs roughly 28% cheaper than the US overall — everyday costs about 22% lower and rent about 64% lower (Numbeo, June 2026). Athens is the priciest base; Thessaloniki, the mainland, and many islands are cheaper, with housing the biggest saving over the US.
| Category | Greece vs the US |
|---|---|
| Overall cost of living (incl. rent) | ≈ 28% cheaper |
| Rent | ≈ 64% cheaper on average |
| Everyday costs (ex-rent) | ≈ 22% cheaper |
| Setting | Athens pricier; islands & north cheaper |
Visa options for US citizens
Key for AmericansKey insightThree routes suit most Americans. The Digital Nomad visa needs about €3,500/month net from remote work; the FIP (Financially Independent Person) visa needs the same from passive income (it's the retiree route, with no working in Greece); and the Golden Visa grants residency for a real-estate investment of €400,000 or €800,000 depending on location.
| Route | Best for (Americans) | Requirement | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Digital Nomad | Remote workers | ≈ €3,500/mo net income | Foreign employer/clients only |
| FIP (Fin. Independent) | Retirees, passive income | ≈ €3,500/mo passive | No work in Greece |
| Golden Visa | Investors | €400k or €800k real estate | No income/stay minimum |
2026 changeAs of February 2026 (Law 5275/2026), you can no longer file the Digital Nomad application from inside Greece — you must apply at a Greek consulate before traveling. Family members add 20% to the income requirement for a spouse and 15% per child. Permanent residency comes at 5 years; citizenship eligibility at 7.
- The Golden Visa's €800k tier covers Attica/Athens, Thessaloniki, Mykonos, Santorini, and islands over ~3,100 people; €400k elsewhere
- The FIP bans working in Greece but allows foreign/passive income — the classic retiree fit
- EU residency means Schengen travel; you can later naturalize after 7 years (with Greek-language and civics tests)
What it means for your US taxes
Key for AmericansRead this firstGreece is one of Europe's most tax-attractive moves for Americans — but the headline breaks are GREEK tax, and you still file (and may owe) US tax. Qualifying foreign retirees pay a flat 7% on foreign income, including pensions, for 15 years; new resident remote workers can get a 50% income-tax exemption for 7 years. A US–Greece treaty and the Foreign Tax Credit keep you from being taxed twice.
Watch outThese regimes are elective and conditional: you must transfer Greek tax residency, not have been a Greek tax resident for 5 of the last 6 years (7% and 50% regimes), and apply on time. The 7% is a Greek rate — your US return still reports the pension, with the Foreign Tax Credit offsetting Greek tax. There's also a non-dom €100,000 lump-sum option for high-net-worth movers investing €500k+.
- The 7%/50%/€100k regimes reduce GREEK tax — they don't remove US filing or US tax
- Standard Greek rates run 9%–44% if you don't qualify for a special regime
- FEIE excludes earned income ($130k 2025 / $132.9k 2026); FBAR/FATCA still apply — use a US–Greece preparer
Healthcare vs the US
Key insightGreece offers EU-standard care at far below US prices. Legal residents who contribute to EFKA can use the public ESY system, and many expats add affordable private insurance for faster access and English-speaking doctors, concentrated in Athens and Thessaloniki. Visa applicants must show private health cover.
Getting there & first steps
Key insightFlights from the US East Coast run about 9–11 hours, usually with one connection (some seasonal nonstops to Athens). After you arrive, the first moves are getting your AFM (tax number) and AMKA (social-security number), opening a Greek bank account, and registering your residence — Greek paperwork rewards patience.
Greece for Americans: pros & cons
Pros
- A 7% flat tax on foreign pensions for 15 years — one of Europe's best retiree deals
- A 50% income-tax break for new residents/digital nomads (7 years)
- About 28% cheaper than the US; rent ~64% lower
- EU residency, Schengen travel, and famous islands and climate
- A US tax treaty and EU-standard healthcare
Cons
- The 7%/50% breaks are GREEK tax — you still file and may owe US tax
- The Digital Nomad/FIP visas need ~€3,500/mo net; from Feb 2026 you apply from a consulate
- Greek bureaucracy is famously slow; the language helps a lot
- Standard income-tax rates are high (up to 44%) outside the special regimes
- 9–11 hours and usually a connection to reach the US
Where Americans settle
Detailed, data-backed guides for the destinations Americans choose most.
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Verified against official sources. Every figure on this page is checked against primary US (IRS, State Dept., SSA) and Portuguese (AIMA, Autoridade Tributária) government sources and dated. Maintained by the Plan B Atlas editorial team.
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