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Cost of living in Greece: Food, transport, and more
Cost of living in Greece: updated guide to expenses, housing, food, transport and tips to plan your stay in this Mediterranean country.
Thanks to its Mediterranean climate, history, cultural heritage and more affordable prices than most European countries, this destination attracts people wanting to live here for a while. But what’s the cost of living in Greece? If you’re thinking about moving here, let’s clear your doubts with an updated guide about the main expenses you’ll face when living in this country.
We’ll look at the prices of different long-term rentals, such as apartments, colivings or hotels. We’ll also talk about food, available transport types with their fares, healthcare services you can choose, and fun leisure activities in Greece. Finally, it’s important to include internet costs in your budget and see which option works best. So, if you’d like to live this Greek adventure, keep reading!
Average cost to stay in Greece
The cost of living in Greece regarding accommodation depends on factors like the city you choose, such as Athens, Thessaloniki, or islands like Santorini or Paros. Prices rise in tourist areas, but if you don’t mind smaller cities like Kilkis, you’ll notice lower rents.
To plan your monthly budget, you also need to know what type of accommodation you prefer, traditional options like apartments, or cheaper alternatives like colivings. Let’s review the housing options available in Greece:
- Standard hotel: On Paros island, Siroco’s Rooms & Studios offers studios from $37 (€32) per night, while Hotel Perissa in Santorini starts at $1,270 (€1,100) per month for a double room.
- Furnished apartment: On Propestar, one-bedroom apartments start at $462 (€400) in Stavropoulou, $1,040 (€900) in Marni, Athens, and from $1,390 (€1,200) in Kalypsous.
- Coliving: A top choice for digital nomads. In Greece, options are affordable. Golden Angel Co-Living Villa, in southern Athens, has rates starting at $690 (€596) per month.
Cost of food
Do you like cooking? If so, this is a great way to save money, as a week’s worth of shopping at the supermarket will always be cheaper than eating out. The cost of living in Greece is affordable when it comes to food, especially basic and fresh produce. You’ll find chains like Lidl or Sklavenitis, with prices such as:
- Pasta (500 g): €1.38 ($1.50)
- Eggs (12 units): $3.92 (€3.92)
- Whole milk (1 litre): €1.79 ($1.79)
- Beef (1 kg round): €5.60 ($5.60)
- Chicken (1 kg pack): €4.47 ($4.47)
- Chocolate (Dolce Gusto pods, 16 units): €3.70 ($4.00)
- Coffee (pods or ground): $4.00 (€3.70)
If you prefer eating out or want to taste Greek gastronomy, you’ll find reasonable prices if you avoid touristy areas. For example, in Athens, you can eat at a traditional taverna like Oikonomou, where you’ll find dishes such as:
| Type of Meal | Dish | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Breakfast | Cappuccino coffee + pastry or toast | $4.00 (€3.45) |
| Food | Souvlaki, grilled meat served in pita with tzatziki and salad + drink | $13.00 (€11.25) |
| Dinner | Moussaka, classic Greek dish with aubergine, minced meat and béchamel | $15.00 (€13.00) |
Typical menu from a local restaurant in Greece.
Transport prices in Greece
If you’re a digital nomad with a Greek digital nomad visa for remote work, a student joining a Greek institution, or a slow travel tourist, you’ll need to know transport costs in Greece. You’ll use it to reach a coworking space, your university, or to visit Athens’ most beautiful places.
Public transport in Greece
In big cities like Athens or Thessaloniki, you can take a bus or metro for $1.30 (€1.20) per single ticket valid 90 minutes. You can also get 24-hour passes for $4.40 (€4.10) with unlimited rides, or 5-day passes for $8.80 (€8.20).
Rent a bike
A greener way to explore coastal and tourist cities is cycling. In Athens, trekking bike rental costs $57.85 (€50) for two days or $145 (€125) for 7 days. In Zakynthos or Kos, rates start at $23.15 (€20) for two days. If you like exploring slowly at your own pace, this option works perfectly.
Taxi and Uber, a more comfortable choice
You can also take a taxi or Uber, though Uber only works in Athens. It’s quicker and more comfortable, but more expensive. For example, from the airport to central Athens, a taxi flat fare is about $46.00 (€40), slightly cheaper with Uber.
Ferries to explore the islands
You’ll probably want to visit iconic Greek islands such as Mykonos, Santorini, Syros, or Paros. From Athens, main ferries start at $46.00 (€40) per trip to the most popular islands. Prices vary depending on season, route, and ferry speed. Cheaper options exist, like San Lorenzo Ferries, offering $23.15 (€20) return between Piraeus and Aegina.
Buy a new vehicle
If you plan to buy a new vehicle while living in Greece, for example, an Opel Corsa-e costs about $40,500 (€35,000), with state incentives of up to 15% discount. You’ll also need to add mandatory expenses:
- Petrol: $2.06/litre (€1.75/litre).
- Diesel: $1.84/litre (€1.60/litre).
- Electric charging: $0.27-$0.65/kWh (€0.25–€0.60).
- Technical inspection: About $57.85 (€50) every two years.
- Mandatory insurance: Basic third-party cover costs about $230 (€200) yearly, full cover from $580 (€500).
Healthcare costs
When planning a move abroad, people often forget healthcare expenses. The cost of living in Greece regarding healthcare can be free if you’re a legal resident with an AMKA number (Greek social security), or an EU citizen with a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). You must apply for this card in your home country, so we recommend starting the process before your trip.
What happens if you don’t have AMKA or EHIC? Then you need an international health insurance covering consultations, emergencies, hospitalisation, or surgery. The price depends on your medical history and age, but a basic plan with Cigna Global costs about $100 (€85) monthly, while full coverage starts at $400 (€345). Here’s a table of private healthcare costs without insurance:
| Medical services | Approximate cost without insurance |
|---|---|
| General medical consultation | $45–85 (€40–75) |
| Consultation with a specialist | $85–160 (€75–140) |
| Dentist consultation | $30–80 (€25–70) |
| X-ray | $30–75 (€25–65) |
| Day of hospitalisation | $160–325 (€140–280) |
| Appendicitis surgery: | $1,600 (€1,380) |
| Paracetamol (500 mg): | $4.90 (€4.25) |
| Ibuprofen (400 mg): | $4.50 (€3.90) |
Private healthcare service rates in Greece.
Internet and call plan prices
The cost of living in Greece also includes essential expenses like internet connection. The main providers are Cosmote and Vodafone, offering plans from $35 (€30) monthly with 50 Mbps for home internet, and mobile plans from $23 (€20) per month with 300 GB.
If you need reliable and secure coverage, the best choice is Holafly monthly plans. You can choose different subscriptions guaranteeing 5G coverage nationwide with no extra roaming fees. With the unlimited plan, you can connect several devices at once from just $50.50 (€43.70) per month, with no contract. You can also get the Holafly eSIM for Greece for short stays, with unlimited data only for the days you need. You can activate them quickly from the app to stay connected from day one:
Important: If you are a frequent traveler and want to stay connected without worrying about expensive roaming or looking for a new SIM at every destination, Holafly’s subscription plans are for you. With a single eSIM, enjoy internet in more than 160 countries for a fixed price and no surprises on your bill. Travel without limits and connect easily and securely! 🚀🌍
Leisure and entertainment costs in Greece
Living in Greece means enjoying plenty of leisure activities, especially discovering the country’s rich historical heritage, a major attraction for many travellers. Prices vary depending on city and season, but here’s an approximate guide:
- Cinema: a ticket costs $11 (€10).
- Theatre: A ticket for the National Theatre of Greece costs about $28 (€25).
- Netflix: subscription from $8.00 (€6.99) monthly.
- Zoo: An adult ticket starts at $13 (€12).
- Acropolis of Athens: $23 (€20) general admission, $12 (€10) for students or young EU citizens.
- Acropolis Museum: Ticket costs $11 (€10).
- Delphi ruins: Between $14 and $17 (€12–€15).
- Knossos Palace (Crete): Entry costs $17 (€15).
In summary, the cost of living in Greece in 2025 is quite affordable compared to Western Europe. If you live in a smaller, less touristy city, you can manage comfortably with a monthly budget of about $1,390 (€1,200). That includes a furnished apartment, basic food, public transport, internet and phone services, leisure, and private health insurance. However, if you choose Athens, you’ll need a bigger budget, especially for rent. So, are you ready to move to Greece?
Frequently asked questions about the cost of living in Greece
Yes, it has a Mediterranean climate, great food, safety, efficient services, and affordable prices to live without a high budget.
Only if you’re from a non-EU country or lack residency. However, you can also get one to avoid delays in free public healthcare.
Living costs for rent in Greece are about $462 (€400) in less touristy areas, or from $1,040 (€900) in central Athens.
Prices vary depending on distance and season, but a ferry ticket to popular islands like Santorini or Mykonos costs between $35 and $70 (€32–65) per trip in economy class.
