battlemttravel

Hi,

Me and my fiance fell in love with Greece especially Santorini and even Athens too. So. as non-EU citizens, and without Greek ancestry as well ... Is it difficult for Americans to live and work in Greece? Just curious. Any and all help appreciated.

Also, pics of Santorini we took from early September - http://wp.me/p2R3AI-fR

Thanks,
J

Alec

Yes, quite difficult. Unless you have oodles of money to invest into the ailing Greek economy, chances of getting work permit (crippling unemployment rate there) and residence visa are remote.

brotherleelove2004

Alec has pretty much said it all.

sparkchaser

Agreed. Unemployment is so high that you had better be independently wealthy if you want to live there.

lincasanova

In Spain, and I asume in Greece it is similar, one needs to prove about 2,300E/person per month income and declaration of assets to be able to request a residency permit at the Embassy in your country. You can work on your own and pay into the self employed system. Needing a background check if neither is EU member. Really not as complicated as people make it seem. But time consuming as you need to wait for the visa approval before you can come over. Also will need proof of medical insurance.

nytraveler

Note that in europe private medical insurance is fairly rare and often very expensive.

You also need to look into the options of getting employment there - especially if you don;t speak Greek - and given the massive local unemployment.

Dukey1

Note that in the US private insurance is often very expensive, too

sparkchaser

<i>Note that in europe private medical insurance is fairly rare and often very expensive.</i>

And gets even more expensive when you get old.

bilboburgler

In terms of comparative costs, you will generally find (based on research with the Economist) that private medical costs in the US are far higher than in Europe. However, just about every other cost (and it is remarkable) in the US is far lower than northern European countries. But, of course, greece is not northern,

So to get comparible costs outside private medical services we need someone who visits Greece and US a lot. Anyone?

battlemttravel

Wow, thanks everyone for the replies! I am feeling as if Greece would be particularly tough. In terms of employment, we would be working with US companies and online businesses but the fact of proving an income per month seems daunting.

Does anyone here know of any Americans actually living in Greece? From what little we have researched it seems Spain would be an easier location for us to relocate. Do you all agree?

Thanks,
J

sparkchaser

Spain has very high unemployment as well. In July it was around 24%.

nytraveler

The cost referred to is not for the medical care - it is for the private medical insurance that every foreign resident is required to carry.

It is perfectly possible to live in either Spain or Greece - given sufficient financial resources. But for americans with no jobs (and relying on working for american companies) and not speaking the language to do either one is a complicated process. Also - american companies usually hire people in the US and transfer them - they don;t hire americans on the spot for a variety of complicated issues.

sparkchaser

<i>Also - american companies usually hire people in the US and transfer them - they don;t hire americans on the spot for a variety of complicated issues.</i>

Very true.

lincasanova

Coming to live in Europe seems to work well for financially stable families that can work from anywhere.. and are willing to hire professionals to help them with the bureaucracy and tax implications and are accepting of all those situations that entails.

One cannot come here HOPING to get a job to support themselves.