Digital Nomads

Living in Greece as a Digital Nomad

The practical side of living in Greece as a remote worker: renting a flat, the AFM, phones and internet, ferries and island life, healthcare, community, Greek customs and staying safe.

Life in Greece is outdoors, social and unhurried. The practical side takes a little patience, especially paperwork and island logistics. This page covers the details.

Renting a Place#

  • Where to look. Spitogatos and xe.gr are the main portals; Flatio, Spotahome and Facebook groups list furnished mid-term rentals.
  • Timing. On the islands, long-term rentals are scarce in summer, when owners switch to holiday lets. Book early or rent from October.
  • Leases usually need an AFM tax number, a deposit of one or two months, and sometimes a Greek guarantor.
  • Check the air-conditioning, heating and internet connection.

Phones and Internet#

  • SIM cards: Cosmote, Vodafone and Nova sell prepaid SIMs; EU roaming rules apply.
  • Home internet: fibre in parts of the cities; VDSL in many older buildings; slower on small islands.
  • Apps worth having: FreeNow and Uber (taxis), Ferryhopper (ferries), OASA (Athens transport), efood and Wolt (delivery), and Viber, which many Greeks use.

Getting Around#

Athens has a metro, trams and buses; Thessaloniki opened its metro in late 2024. Taxis are cheap through apps. Ferries and domestic flights reach the islands; summer timetables are full and winter ones thin. On islands, rent a scooter or car.

Healthcare#

Private hospitals and clinics in Athens and Thessaloniki are good; public hospitals can be crowded. On small islands, health centres handle basics only. Pharmacies are everywhere and helpful. For emergencies, call 112 or 166 for an ambulance. Get health insurance, which the visa requires.

Community and Meeting People#

Athens has a growing nomad community with coworking events, Meetup groups and Facebook groups; Chania and Naxos have summer communities. Greeks are warm and hospitable, and learning a few words of Greek goes a long way.

Customs and Etiquette#

  • Late meals: dinner often starts at 9pm or later.
  • August is holiday month, with many businesses closed around 15 August.
  • Easter (Orthodox) is the biggest festival of the year, with processions and fireworks.
  • Churches: cover shoulders and knees.

Safety#

Greece is generally safe. The main risks are pickpockets in Athens’ metro and tourist areas, traffic, summer heatwaves, and wildfires. Follow fire warnings and stay out of the midday sun in July and August.

Emergency number: 112.

Everyday Life FAQs#

How do I find a flat in Greece as a digital nomad?

Use Spitogatos, xe.gr, Flatio or Facebook groups. Island rentals are easiest to find from October, when holiday lets end.

Is Greece safe for digital nomads?

Yes. Pickpocketing in Athens and summer heat and wildfires are the main concerns.

Do I need an AFM in Greece?

Yes, for leases, bank accounts, phone contracts and utilities.

Is the internet good in Greece?

Good in the cities and improving, but older buildings and small islands can be slower. Check before renting.