Moving to Greece is easier when lengthy preparations begin before departure and the first month is reserved for establishing everyday life. Documents, school admissions, property purchases and pet travel can require considerably more time than arranging flights.
After arrival, the main priorities are usually housing, a Greek tax number, digital tax access, banking, insurance and utilities. The exact sequence depends on residence status and what has already been completed. A property investor may arrive with several registrations in place, while someone starting employment will have different social-insurance requirements.
Start With Residence and Family Priorities
Before booking a permanent move, confirm the legal basis for living in Greece and the activities it permits. Residence permission, employment rights and tax residence are separate questions.
Eligible non-EU nationals may consider employment, remote-work, financially independent or investment routes. A permit suitable for maintaining a European base may not provide the employment rights needed for a local job.
Golden Visa Greece offers five-year renewable residence through qualifying investment, without a minimum stay requirement for maintaining investor status. Special property categories start from €250,000, while standard purchases require €400,000 or €800,000 depending on location. Property eligibility needs to be established before committing capital.
For families, school availability should be considered alongside immigration planning. The preferred school may influence both the moving date and the neighbourhood search.
Several Months Ahead: Schools, Property and Pets
Private and international school research should ideally begin six to twelve months before the intended move. Popular year groups can have waiting lists, and applications may involve reports, references, assessments or interviews.
Ask shortlisted schools about availability, required documents, admission deadlines and additional learning support. Once the options are clearer, compare realistic commuting times before choosing housing.
Property buyers should also begin several months ahead. Legal and technical checks, funding arrangements and transaction preparation can extend beyond the expected timetable. Temporary accommodation provides flexibility if completion takes longer than planned.
Pet travel requires an early country-specific check. Dogs, cats and ferrets generally need identification and a valid rabies vaccination. Where antibody testing is required, the sequence can include a blood sample at least 30 days after vaccination and a three-month wait from sampling before entry.
Preparation can therefore take four months or longer. Final health certificates may have short validity periods, so the pet file needs another review shortly before departure.
60–30 Days Before Moving: Organise Documents
Collect records that may be difficult to obtain once abroad. Depending on the household and residence route, these can include:
- Passports and residence documents
- Birth, marriage and other civil-status certificates
- Criminal-record certificates where required
- School reports, diplomas and vaccination records
- Medical reports and prescriptions
- Financial statements and evidence of income
- A specifically drafted power of attorney, if needed
Authentication and translation requirements vary. Not every foreign document needs an Apostille, and not every translation format will be accepted. Confirm the receiving authority’s requirements before preparing the complete file.
Check document validity periods as well. Obtaining a time-sensitive certificate too early can mean repeating the process.
Keep originals together and organise secure digital copies by purpose. Identity, residence, banking, property, healthcare and education folders make repeated requests easier to handle.
Prepare Banking and Insurance Before Departure
For a property purchase or large transfer, prepare evidence explaining the origin of the money. Banks may request tax returns, employment records, company documents, sale agreements or other supporting material.
Check transfer limits, fees and identification requirements before moving funds. Allow time for compliance questions rather than assuming every payment will be immediate.
Keep existing bank accounts, phone numbers and two-factor authentication active during the transition. Losing access to a verification message can interrupt an otherwise straightforward transaction.
Confirm health insurance appropriate to the residence route and personal circumstances. Anyone receiving ongoing treatment should carry recent reports, prescriptions and sufficient medication for the transition, subject to applicable transport rules.
Days 1–7: Establish Your Administrative Base
A Greek mobile number is useful for appointments, deliveries and service providers. Keep the previous number active while overseas accounts still depend on it.
Next, confirm whether an AFM has already been issued. This Greek tax identification number is used for property, rental, banking and other procedures. Investors often obtain it before arrival.
Where needed, arrange the AFM through the appropriate procedure. Remote identification or authorised representation may be possible, depending on the circumstances.
TAXISnet credentials provide access to tax and connected digital services through myAADE. The AFM is the identifier, while the login enables online action. Both should be stored securely.
Days 8–15: Housing, Banking and Utilities
If renting, check that the electronic lease declaration accurately reflects the agreement and complete any required tenant response. Confirm the address, rent and other details before relying on the record for administrative purposes.
A Greek bank account can simplify local payments, although requirements vary between institutions. Expect requests for identification, AFM, address, tax-residence information and income or professional records.
Once housing is secured, arrange electricity, water and internet. Obtain recent bills and meter details from the owner. Remote workers should check connectivity at the exact address and retain mobile data as a temporary backup.
Days 16–30: Healthcare and Everyday Arrangements
Confirm how healthcare will work under the household’s status. Residence permission does not automatically establish entitlement to every public service.
AMKA, the social-security number, is particularly relevant to employment and social insurance. It is not an automatic first-month requirement for every investor or foreign resident.
Progress school registration, identify suitable healthcare providers and review driving-licence rules. Recognition of a foreign licence depends on its issuing country and the holder’s residence circumstances.
The first month does not need to resolve every administrative issue. Its purpose is to establish reliable housing, communications, financial access and healthcare arrangements, with remaining procedures clearly identified and scheduled.
