Housing Costs in Greece
Based on where you live, the cost of living in Greece differs significantly.
What You'll Actually Pay:
- One-bedroom Apartment in City Centre: €487.95 (₹54,124.39 approx.)
- One-bedroom Apartment Outside City Centre: €387.94 (₹43,031.08 approx.)
- Three-bedroom Apartment in City Centre: €831.07 (₹92,183.95 approx.)
- Three-bedroom Apartment Outside City Centre: €668.90 (₹74,195.73 approx.)
The Extras Nobody Warns You About:
- One to two months' rent is paid as a security deposit.
- First month's rent is usually paid in advance.
- An agency fee is usually around one month's rent.
- In addition, there are other expenses like parking fees.
Utility Bills
If you live with a housemate, splitting the utility bills is a huge benefit. You will be able to halve the expense with a housemate.
- Electricity: €30 to €40 (₹3,327.66 - ₹4,436.88 approx.) in summer, and can reach €70 to €120 (₹7,764.54 - ₹13,310.64 approx.) in winter.
- Gas: €300 to €400 (₹33,273 – ₹44,364 approx.) per year.
- Internet with Landline Phone: €30 to €40 (₹3,327.66 - ₹4,436.88 approx.) per month
- Water: €0.45 to €4 (₹49.91 - ₹443.69 approx.) per cubic meter.
Transportation Expenses
Public transportation, like buses, trains, and taxi are available in most major cities.
Car Ownership Reality:
- New Mid-Size Car: €23,886.71(₹26,49,561.65 approx.).
- Gasoline: €1.85/l (₹205.21 approx.).
- Annual Road Tax: €120 to €600 (₹13,310.64 - ₹66,553.20 approx.) depending on your vehicle.
- Insurance: €120 to €500 (₹13,309 – ₹55,455 approx.) per year.
Public Transport Option:
- Monthly Pass in Athens: €27 to €30 (₹2,994.89 - ₹3,327.66 approx.).
- Bus Ticket in Thessaloniki: €0.90 to €1.80 (₹99.83 - ₹199.66 approx.).
- Taxi Fare: €0.90 to €1.80 (₹99.83 - ₹199.66 approx.) per km.
- Inter-Island Ferries: €25 to €65 (₹2,773.05 - ₹7,209.93 approx.) one-way.
Food and Groceries to Survive in Greece
Most expenses while living in Greece may come from buying groceries or eating out.
Monthly Grocery Run:
- Frugal: €120 to €170 (₹13,310.64 - ₹18,856.74 approx.)
- Average: €180 to €270 (₹19,965.96 - ₹29,948.94 approx.)
- Premium: €320 plus (₹35,495.04 approx.)
Restaurant Prices:
- Taverna Meal: €12 to €25 (₹1,331.06 - ₹2,773.05 approx.)
- Fine Dining: €35 to €80 plus (₹3,882.27 - ₹8,873.76 approx.)
- Meal for Two: €50 (₹5,546.10 approx.)
What Things Cost:
- Chicken Per Kilo: €9.13 (₹1,012.72 approx.)
- White Bread: €1.26 (₹139.76 approx.)
- Milk: €1.51/l (₹167.49 approx.)
- White Rice Per Kilo: €2.33 (₹258.45 approx.)
Education Costs
The international education fees, mainly for Greece, are much higher than in India. However, some public institutions may be free of charge even for foreigners.
Annual Cost:
- Bachelor’s: €0 to €3,000 (₹0 - ₹3,32,694 approx.)
- Masters: €1,500 to €6,000 (₹1,66,347 - ₹6,65,388 approx.)
- PHD: €0 to €1,000 (₹0 - ₹1,10,898 approx.)
Other Educational Expenses:
- Registration Fee: €50 to €300 (₹5,544.90 - ₹33,269.40 approx.)
- Student Union Fee: €10 to €50 (₹1,108.98 - ₹5,544.90 approx.)
- Application Fee: €50 to €150 (₹5,544.90 - ₹16,634.70 approx.) for international students.
- Books and Supplies: €100 to €300 (₹11,089.80 - ₹33,269.40 approx.)
- Health Insurance: €300 to €600 (₹33,269.40 - ₹66,538.80 approx.) per year
Healthcare Expenses
Anyone who pays social security in Greece can avail the national healthcare system, this mean even foreigners are eligible.
Insurance Costs:
- National Health Insurance: Through social security payment.
- Private Insurance: €500 to €2,000 (₹55,449 - ₹2,21,796 approx.) per year.
Medical Costs Without Insurance:
- GP Visit: €60 to €150 (₹6,653.88 - ₹16,634.70 approx.)
- Specialist: €80 to €200+(₹8,871.84 - ₹22,179.60 approx.)
- Hospital Stay: €200 to €500+(₹22,179.60 - ₹55,449 approx.) per day
- Cold Medicine: €6 (₹665.39 approx.)
- Antibiotic: €5 to €15 (₹554.49 - ₹1,663.47 approx.).
Entertainment and Leisure
There are many activities you can enjoy on a budget.
Activities:
- Cinema Ticket: €7 to €10 (₹776.29 - ₹1,108.98 approx.)
- Theater Ticket: €10 to €35 (₹1,108.98 - ₹3,881.43 approx.)
- Museum: €3 to €12 (₹332.69 - ₹1,330.78 approx.)
- Cup of Coffee: €2 to €3.50 (₹221.80 - ₹388.14 approx.)
- Drinks at Bar: €6 to €12 (₹665.39 - ₹1,330.78 approx.)
- Night Club: €8 to €20 (₹887.18 - ₹2,217.96 approx.)
Clothing and Personal Care
This is one part of your expense that you can decide to spend less or more on by personal preference.
Clothing:
- Jeans: €78.13 (₹8,664.46 approx.)
- Summer Dress: €34.38 (₹3,812.67 approx.)
- Running Shoes: €83.26 (₹9,233.37 approx.)
- Formal Shoes: €104.96 (₹11,639.85 approx.)
Grooming:
- Men’s Haircut: €10 (₹1,108.98 approx.)
- Women’s Haircut: €20 to €50 (₹2,217.96 - ₹5,544.90 approx.)
- Gym: €43.45 (₹4,818.52 approx.) per month.
Childcare Services
If the institution is not public, the childcare cost can become quite expensive.
Nursery Fee:
- Public Day Care: Mostly Free
- Private Day Care: €250 to €600 (₹27,727.25 - ₹66,545.40 approx.) per month
Domestic Help:
- Nannies: €2000 to €3000 (₹2,21,818 - ₹3,32,727 approx.) per month.
- Babysitter: €6 to €8 (₹665.45 - ₹887.27 approx.) per hour.
Other Regular Expenses
These are some minute yet important monthly expenses you may not be accounting for.
Monthly Bits and Pieces:
- Cleaning Help: €6 to €10 (₹665.45 - ₹1,109.09 approx.) per hour
- Building Maintenance: €20 to €80 (₹2,218.18 - ₹8,872.72 approx.) per month
- Mobile Recharge: €35 to €40 (₹3,881.82 - ₹4,436.36 approx.) per month
One-Time Costs:
- Furnishing: Depends on how big your home is.
- Moving Cost: Depends on how much you bring and from where.
Comparison with Other Cities
There are some distinct advantages and disadvantages of living in Greece when compared to other places.
Advantages:
- Lower cost compared to other European countries.
- Good public healthcare system even for foreigners.
- Access to public transport in many cities.
- Employees receive different perks in many sectors.
Higher Costs Compared to Other Cities:
- Rent in tourist islands remains highly expensive.
- Utility bills, mainly electricity, can sharply rise in summer.
- Private healthcare can become a huge expense for many.
- School fees are higher compared to many other countries.
Money-Saving Strategies for Living in Greece
You can take these small measures to save money while living in Greece.
Practical Cost-Reduction Tips:
- Having a housemate can reduce 50% of your housing costs.
- Local markets sell affordable vegetables, fruits, and seafood.
- Try negotiating your rent as it is commonly done.
- Use public transport regularly, as it is cheaper than maintaining your own car.
- To save money, buy second-hand furniture and goods
- Cooking at home is often better since restaurants are far more costly.
- Local products are usually cheaper.
- Creating a budget fitted for your personal needs and following it can help.
Salary Expectations in Greece
You may expect the following approximate compensation when living in Greece:
Average Monthly Salaries :
- IT Specialist: €1,600 to €2,500 (₹1,77,460.80 - ₹2,77,282.50 approx.)
- Doctor: €1,350 to €2,000 (₹1,49,732.55 - ₹2,21,826 approx.)
- School Teacher: €1,000 to €1,400 (₹1,10,913 - ₹1,55,278.20 approx.)
- Waiter: €850 to €1,200 (₹94,276.05 - ₹1,33,095.60 approx.) with tips.
- Logisticians: €1,200 to €1,750 (₹1,33,095.60 - ₹1,94,097.75 approx.)
- Truck Driver: €1,400 to €2,200+ (₹1,55,278.20 - ₹2,44,008.60 approx.)
Typical Benefits:
- Annual paid leave.
- Pension contribution.
- Performance bonuses
- Healthcare support.
- Paid holiday leaves.
Conclusion
Greece is considered moderately inexpensive when compared to other European countries. However, for Indians, the cost of living can be fairly expensive. For one person can go as high as ₹86,918.8 per month, while a family of four spends around ₹3,07,009.5, without rent. However, this high cost of living is manageable as the wage rate balances it out.
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