The Cost of Living in Greece in 2024

Our Property Guides Cost of Living Index has been released! It looks at data across 13 countries, comparing the prices of everyday essentials, a supermarket shop, healthcare, leisure activities and more. So, if you’re dreaming of a new life in sunny Greece, find out what to budget for and where your money will go further than back home.

It will come as no surprise that life in Greece is not just sunnier and more laid-back than in the UK but is also much cheaper! Overall, Greece was the 5th most affordable country (the UK was number 11). Greece was revealed to be particularly budget-friendly for travel, the costs of running a home and leisure.

Curious? Here are some highlights and insights from Julia, who helped us conduct our research. She has a particular soft spot for Greece, having called it home for many years.

Groceries

While your grocery basket will cost you a little less in Greece than it would in the UK, the difference is not super significant.

Laundry powder in particular can be quite expensive, but at least you don’t have to use a tumble dryer and can hang your clothes out to dry instead.

Having said that, here are some takeaways that might please you:

• If you have a taste for dark chocolate, you can get the equivalent of Green & Blacks for just 65p, 70% less than it would cost you in the UK.
• Like to follow your chocolate with a tipple of gin? That’ll cost you just £15 for a one litre bottle.

Here’s what Julia had to say about shopping in Greece,

“If you go into a Greek supermarket wanting to buy all the brands and products you are used to in the UK, you may be disappointed. Tea bags are particularly difficult to find and are expensive to buy online.

Once you discover the joys of eating like a local you will find your food shopping will be less.  A healthy Mediterranean diet of fresh local fruit, salad, vegetables and fish can work out quite cheap.

The first time I saw the local weekly market I was amazed at the size and quality of the produce. The tomatoes are huge. I soon realised why the local ladies had big bags on wheels. You can quickly fill a bag with fruit and vegetables, and it is easier to wheel it up the hill to your house.”

Travel

Greece turned out to be the second cheapest country for travel (Italy took the top spot).

Highlights:

• The cost of hiring a small car in Greece is just £21*! Perfect if you’re planning a viewing trip and want to explore your potential new neighbourhood. (This for Monday to Friday with no insurance or extras).
• An hour long train ride will cost you £15*. Plus, Julia says that KTEL Coaches and buses are popular and usually work out a bit cheaper.
• To get to the islands, you might need a domestic flight or ferry. Julia’s tip for finding cheap plane rides is to look out for those flying in the evening. Ferry prices are dependent on speed: the cheaper the ferry, the longer the journey.

Home

In this category, we looked at items such as the price of paint, the latest Alexa and furniture. Greece came out as the third most affordable country out of our 13.

Key points:

• With paint priced at £14* for a 2.5 litre of Dulux, you can make your new home feel like you without breaking the bank.
• It costs just £13* to hire a domestic cleaner, which is especially convenient if you’re planning to rent out your property as a holiday home.
• Given the energy crisis putting such pressure on prices here in the UK, we took the standard price per kilowatt-hour in each country and multiplied it by 100 to give a rough representative cost to heat and power a flat or small house for one week. This was £13* in Greece and £53 in the UK. Greece had the cheapest electricity out of all the European countries we looked at.

Some insight from Julia,

“Greece doesn’t have many cities with large stores, therefore a shopping trip to Athens or Thessaloniki may be needed. You’ll find IKEA stores dotted in these cities.

Although Amazon hasn’t yet fully set itself up in Greece yet, there is a Greek alternative. It is called Skroutz. They sell just about everything from technology to toys. However, you should take into consideration delivery charges.

While household bills do compare well with the UK, do watch out for the potential sky-high bill of having an air con whirring on all the time.”

Leisure

Out of the 13 countries we looked at, Portugal beat Greece as the third most affordable country for leisure, by just a few pennies.

For this category, we looked at the cost of a croissant in an independent coffee shop, half a pint of draft beer and a cinema ticket.

Highlights:

• You can pop to the cinema for just £5. Oppenheimer Barbie weekend forevermore.
• You can enjoy a three course meal at a local restaurant for just £16*. Plus, Julia shares that the ultimate takeaway snack in Greece has to be a Gyros. Meat, tomatoes, tzatziki, and a few chips tucked into a soft pita bread. Delicious! And only around €3.
• But a SuperMario Kart Deluxe 8 will cost you more than double what it would in the UK — but hey, you’re in Greece, there’s actual sunshine to enjoy!

Here’s what Julia shared with us,

“The cost of leisure activities will largely depend on how touristy the area is. With so much good weather you can enjoy many free activities outside, such as hiking, sunbathing and swimming in the sea.”

Healthcare

For healthcare, we looked at the cost of a basic dentist check-up, nappies, paracetamol and tampons. The total for these items is £50*, roughly £10 more than in the UK.

Julia said,

“Paracetamol costs about €2.20, which compares pretty well with most other European countries (its £3.49 in Italy). However, no one can beat the cheap prices in the UK. Therefore, many people coming to Greece will pop a box of paracetamol in their bag with the teabags.”

Other

In this category, we looked at things you might do every so often: buy a pair of jeans, spend a night at a mid-range hotel and get a men’s haircut.

Takeaways:

• Grab your new jeans and a fresh trim for prices a little under those you’d expect in the UK. Head to Athens for big brands you’ll recognise, such as Zara.
• Fancy a change of scene? Go to a mid-range hotel during the week for just £70. You may even be able to find a stay for less, dependent on the time of year.

Julia shares what it is like living without shops,

“When you live in a Greek village, miles away from a town with a good selection of shops, life can seem boring in winter. Mind you, you will spend less money and feel healthier for getting out and about, exploring the countryside and coast. Plus, the locals will realise that you are not just a tourist. Ask their advice on the cheapest places to eat and shop. A bit of local insight can save you a lot of money.”

 

Read the Cost of Living Index here.

• rounded to the nearest pound.