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Don't burn your bridges.
You won't really know if you want to make a permanent move until you have lived in Greece for a full year. The Winters can be quite bleak.Although the temperatures rarely get below 5 degrees C it can be very wet and windy. Also assuming most people will be living in or near a tourist resort, take into account that large towns apart, most shops and restaurants close in the off-season November through April. If you are the sort of person who needs a hectic social life maybe all year round living is not for you.
Many expats rent out their houses in Britain, giving them somewhere to return to if they decide not to stay in Greece.
Do try and learn the language
Although most Greeks over 50 years old speak fairly good English(it is taught in schools) it will help you immensley to have a basic grasp of the language. The Greek government runs free courses in Greek at local colleges and schools, all you have to do is sign up and go. It's fun and not as hard to learn as you might think.
Health matters
Greece is a member of the EC but has its own rules on health.
If you are drawing a State Pension you are entitled to all the health benefits available to Greek citizens.The only thing you have to pay for are prescriptions, however you can claim 75% of this money back at the IKA (HEALTH DEPT.) Office.
If you are employed in greece you will have to work a qualifying period to claim inclusion in the system. This is currently 2 years in a full time job or 2 seasons of 6 months if employed in the tourist sector.Please ensure that your employer registers you as working for them as this is not always the case. Your employer has to pay national insurance contributions for each worker, and some will try and avoid this expense by not registering you.
If you are under State pension age but not intending to work, private health insurance is available and I strongly advise anybody to get cover. At present I am 47 years old and my policy costs 750 euros per annum.This covers all my medical needs with the exception of dental work, which is fully privatised here, although cheaper than in the UK. Expect to pay around 40 euros for a filling, 120 euros for a root canal or extraction.
We have both had cause to use the local health ammenities and have found them to be excellent.
Work
Unless you work for a multi-national company or speak and write Greek fluently, your employment is lkely to involve the tourist trade.
Most Greeks working in bars,restaurants or car hire places are expected to work seven days or nights a week for the full 6 month season .The expectation for foreign nations is the same! Expect to earn the princely sum of around 600 euros per month(plus tips for waiters and barstaff). Although this seems very low remember the cost of living is much lower here, plus you'll be so knackered you won't have the time or energy to spend any of it!
Also once you have completed 2 full seasons of work you will be entitled to unemploment benefit in the 6 month off-season, this s currently @230 euro a month.
There are opportunities for self employment but the buliding trade is pretty much stitched up by the Albanians, although with a growing number of mainly British expats like to employ British workers.
Finally you could be a holiday Rep, there is a high turnover of staff in this sector but the money is rubbish. The pay is approximately 400 euros per month and you have to pay for your accomodation. Some companies will pay a small living allowance, maybe 20 euros a week. A rented room is around 120 euros per month.
The advantage of being a Rep is that you get a car for the duration and commission on any trips or car rentals yourholiday makers purchase.p
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