Looking back at ancient history, Greece has always been a glamorous city filled up with foreigners from different parts of the world. Known as the city of civilization, the country was and still is home to iconic art, artistic music, and vivacious politics. The capital city Athens is famous for its ancient worship of Greek gods such as Zeus, Poseidon, and the other twelve. In a country such as old as Greece, there is so much potential left undiscovered in the ancient walls of the cities.
Are you moving to Greece or thinking of relocating there?
If you are looking to enjoy the friendly climate of any country, the delicious delicacies made from the finest recipes, the homely feeling even when around strangers…then Greece is for you.
Before moving to Greece
Relocating to Greece isn’t so hard, you just must know a few things to help you during the process of moving. These things might seem a bit insignificant but they will go a long way in facilitating your residence in Greece. Some are so important that without them, you cannot travel. This guide lists six of the most important things you should know before moving to Greece.
Reason for Travelling
You must have a cogent reason for traveling to Greece if you want the embassy to issue you a visa. The most common reasons why most people travel to Greece include but are not limited to work, business, vacation, and studying. To be granted permission into the country, one should have a reason for traveling, without one; it makes it hard to know what type of visa to apply for.
Applying for a Visa
There are different types of visas depending on the length of stay, the purpose of stay, and the applicant’s citizenship. Usually, applications are made to the desired country’s embassy or consulate in one’s home country and after the visa is issued, the applicant can then travel. The cost of visas varies by type and country, thus it is advisable to hire an expert in the field or make careful inquiries to avoid scammers. Without a visa, non-EU citizens cannot gain entry into Greece. Although, this is quite different from a residence permit.
Provision of Authentic Travel Documents
To qualify for a visa, all applicants must provide some required documents. These documents such as a valid passport, birth certificate, financial statements, etc. must be accurate. Avoid submitting fake or forged papers to the embassy if you want to travel. It is important to keep the documents in good use state as poorly managed or manipulated documents reduce one’s chance of getting a visa.
Source of Subsistence
Anyone looking to reside in Greece for a long time should have a consistent source of income, as, without this, such applicant shall not be issued a visa, even students applying for study visas have to provide a financial statement of their current finances or that of their guardian. You can apply for a work visa while residing in Greece if you aren’t moving for employment or business purposes.
Accommodation
Make sure to have a comfortable place to stay during your stay in the country. You can book hotels if you have no family members or friends there. Having a place to stay shows the embassy that you wouldn’t become a burden to the country, hence increasing your chances of getting a visa. Also, make research on the cost of accommodations in the city of your choice to have an idea of the cost of living. Usually, the cost of an apartment in bigger cities such as Athens is higher than in other cities.
Sufficient Health Insurance
Health is of utmost concern to humans. To live in Greece, as an expat, you must have a health insurance policy planned out just in case of an emergency. There is no health insurance or free medical treatment for expats in the country, so avoid rushing there without proper planning. Think of your health and your well-being before relocating.
There is so much to know before leaving your home for Greece, but I can’t tell you everything. Some of you will have to learn while residing in the country. You have to learn to speak the language to be able to communicate and relate better with native citizens. However, it’s not so important as there are English speakers there too.
Wish you the very best on your relocation.
