Greece at a glance
| Entry | Schengen 90/180 · ETIAS not yet live |
|---|---|
| Retiree route | FIP permit · Financially Independent Person |
| Base | NSA Souda Bay · Crete |
| Time zone | UTC+2 · Currency: euro |
| Cost of living | Roughly USD 1,500–2,000 a month outside central Athens and the big tourist islands. |
| Money · language · time | Euro (EUR) · Greek · UTC+2 (summer UTC+3) |
Entering Greece
Schengen rules: 90 days in any 180 without a visa. The EU Entry/Exit System is running. ETIAS pre-travel authorization has not started yet and no firm date has been set.
Long-stay and retirement visas
- Financially Independent Person (FIP) residence permit: a national (Type D) visa from a Greek consulate, then a residence permit in Greece. No work allowed. Guides quote different income floors (about EUR 2,000 or EUR 3,500 a month for the main applicant, plus 20% for a spouse and 15% per child). Confirm the current figure with the consulate.
- Golden Visa through property investment. Minimums were raised in 2023 and 2024 and vary by region.
- Spouses of Greek or EU citizens use family routes.
VA care and benefits in Greece
No VA medical facility. Care for service-connected conditions is reimbursed through the Foreign Medical Program. VA doesn't list an FMP toll-free number for Greece, so use the FMP contact options on va.gov. The Social Security Federal Benefits Unit is at the U.S. Embassy in Athens. Greece is on VA's international direct deposit list.
Vets in Greece are already in the group
Ask about visas, hospitals and FMP claims from people who've done it there.
Healthcare
Public hospitals are uneven and short-staffed, especially on the islands. Most expats use private clinics in Athens, Thessaloniki or Heraklion plus private insurance, which the FIP permit requires. TRICARE Overseas (Eurasia-Africa) for military retirees.
Where veterans live
- Chania, Crete: Near NSA Souda Bay, the main U.S. military community.
- Athens: Capital, embassy, best hospitals.
- Thessaloniki: Second city, lower rents.
- Nafplio / Peloponnese: Small-town coast within reach of Athens.
Cost of living and property
Roughly USD 1,500–2,000 a month outside central Athens and the big tourist islands. Costs vary a lot by city and lifestyle, and health insurance is extra.
U.S. citizens can buy. Property in designated border areas (including some islands) needs extra approval. Use an independent lawyer and check the title at the land registry (Ktimatologio).
Watch out for
State Department advisory: Level 1, exercise normal precautions. Wildfires in summer, ferry and tourist-season crowds, and slow bureaucracy. Ask a tax adviser about Greece's flat-tax option for foreign pensioners before you move.
Veteran organizations
None confirmed. Ask at NSA Souda Bay's retiree or MWR office about local veteran groups. See all veteran organizations abroad.
Common questions
Does Greece have a retirement visa?
Not by that name. Retirees use the Financially Independent Person (FIP) permit, which needs steady passive income and private health insurance. Income figures differ between sources, so confirm with the Greek consulate.
Can I use the base at Souda Bay as a retiree?
Retiree access depends on U.S.-Greek agreements and the installation commander. Contact NSA Souda Bay's Pass and ID office before you plan around it.
Where do I get Social Security help in Greece?
The Federal Benefits Unit at the U.S. Embassy in Athens.
Last reviewed November 2026. See something out of date? Tell us.
