In short
Americans can stay in Athens visa-free for 90 days in any 180; to live there you need a Greek residence permit — the FIP permit or digital nomad permit (€3,500 a month each, applied for at a Greek consulate) or the golden visa, which in Athens and all of Attica needs a €800,000 property. A central 1-bedroom costs about €665 a month (€575 outside the centre) and a single person spends about €835 without rent, so about €1,400–1,500 in total. Public transport costs €27 a month and the metro to the airport €9. Get your tax number (AFM) online before you move.
Athens: key facts
Last verified 28 September 2026| Visa-free stay | 90 days in any 180-day period (Schengen); the Entry/Exit System registers your entries since April 2026# Source: European Commission: Entry/Exit System |
|---|---|
| Financially independent person (FIP) | €3,500 a month (€42,000 a year), +20% for a spouse and +15% per child; no work in Greece# Source: TaxLaw Greece: residence permit for financially independent persons (Feb 2026) |
| Digital nomads: where to apply | At a Greek consulate before travel — applying inside Greece was abolished by Law 5275/2026# Source: Law 5275/2026 (Government Gazette A 17/06.02.2026) · PwC Greece: new immigration law 5275/2026 |
| Golden visa (real estate) | €800,000 in Attica, Thessaloniki, Mykonos, Santorini and islands over 3,100 residents; €400,000 elsewhere; one property of at least 120 m²# Source: Law 5038/2023 art. 100 (Migration Code): golden visa real-estate thresholds |
| Tax number (AFM) | Free; non-residents can apply online with a myAADE video call — before you move# Source: AADE: tax number (AFM) for non-residents · AADE: tax guide for non-residents (Jul 2025) |
| Healthcare | Public cover (EOPYY) comes through Greek social-security (EFKA) contributions; FIP and golden visa holders need private insurance# Source: Argophilia: optional health insurance for third-country pensioners · TaxLaw Greece: residence permit for financially independent persons (Feb 2026) |
| Population | Greece about 10.4 million (2025); Athens 643,000 and Attica 3.8 million (2021 census)# Source: ELSTAT: estimated population 2025 · ELSTAT: 2021 census results |
| 1-bed apartment, Athens | about €665/month in the centre, €575 outside estimate# Source: Numbeo: cost of living in Athens (Sep 2026) |
| Living costs, single person (Athens) | about €835/month without rent estimate# Source: Numbeo: cost of living in Athens (Sep 2026) |
| Athens transport | 90-minute ticket €1.20; monthly pass €27; metro to the airport €9 (about 40 minutes from Syntagma)# Source: OASA: Athens ticket prices · STASY: metro line 3 timetable |
| Safety | US travel advisory Level 1 (exercise normal precautions)# Source: US Department of State: Greece travel advisory |
Not American?
Canadians, Australians, Brits and other non-EU citizens: the same rules apply
Greek permits work the same for all non-EU citizens, so Canadians, Australians, New Zealanders and Brits move to Athens exactly as described here. Only a few points differ:
- Canada
- Australia
- New Zealand
- United Kingdom
- Japan
- South Korea
- + other visa-free countries
| Short stays | 90 days in any 180-day period (Schengen); the Entry/Exit System registers your entries since April 2026. |
|---|---|
| Flights home | Athens has nonstop flights to New York year-round and to other US hubs in season; from Australia and New Zealand you connect via the Middle East or Asia. |
| Documents from abroad | Need an apostille; the US, Canada (since 11 Jan 2024), the UK, Australia and NZ issue them.Source: HCCH: Apostille Convention status table |
Overview
Living in Athens as an American
Athens is the birthplace of democracy and a modern European capital full of café culture, creative energy and good food. Rents are low by EU standards, though everyday costs are not much below Lisbon's. For Americans, the main routes are the FIP permit, the digital nomad permit and the golden visa — which in Athens needs a €800,000 property.
City at a Glance
Athens — Quick Facts
About 643,000
City (2021 census); 3.8 million in Attica.
Greek
English is widely spoken in business and by younger people.
EET (UTC+2)
EEST (UTC+3) in summer — 7 hours ahead of New York.
Mediterranean
Hot, dry summers and mild winters — close to 2,900 hours of sunshine a year.
Metro, tram, buses
A 90-minute ticket costs €1.20 and a monthly pass €27.
Athens International (ATH)
About 33 km from the centre; metro €9, about 40 minutes from Syntagma.
Level 1
The lowest US advisory level; pickpockets work tourist sites and the metro.
Cost of Living
How Much Does It Cost to Live in Athens?
Rent is where Athens saves you money — about half of Lisbon's. Everyday costs without rent are actually about 10% higher than in Lisbon.
| Item | Monthly cost |
|---|---|
| 1-bedroom apartment, city centre | about €665 |
| 1-bedroom apartment, outside centre | about €575 |
| Utilities (85 m² apartment) | about €187 |
| Broadband internet | about €27 |
| Mid-range dinner for two | about €60 |
| Cappuccino | about €3.70 |
| Monthly transport pass | €27 |
| Single person, everyday costs without rent | about €835 |
Estimates from Numbeo (September 2026); fares from OASA. Source: Numbeo: Athens · OASA fares
Neighborhoods
Best Neighborhoods in Athens for Americans
Rents below are average asking rents per square metre from RE/MAX (September 2026), with what that means for a 50 m² apartment. Renovated and furnished flats cost more.
Kolonaki & Syntagma — about €14/m² (≈ €700)
The upscale centre at the foot of Lycabettus Hill — boutiques, galleries and cafés, with Syntagma as the political and business hub.
Koukaki, Pangrati & Mets — Koukaki about €9.7/m² (≈ €485)
Walkable neighbourhoods below the Acropolis and around the Panathenaic Stadium, with good restaurants — a favourite with newcomers.
Glyfada & the southern suburbs — about €12.4/m² (≈ €620)
The Athens Riviera — marinas, beaches and a large international community. Reach the centre by tram with one change or by metro from Elliniko.
Kifisia & the northern suburbs — about €11/m² (≈ €550)
Green, quiet and affluent, with international schools; metro line 1 runs to the centre.
Exarcheia & Kypseli — Exarcheia about €9.8/m² (≈ €490)
Street art, bookshops and nightlife in Exarcheia; multicultural Kypseli has a great food scene and fast-rising rents.
Expat Life
Practical Life in Athens for Americans
Get your AFM first
The tax number (AFM) is needed for a lease, a bank account, utilities and contracts. It is free, and non-residents can apply online with a myAADE video call before they arrive.
Choose your permit before you come
FIP and digital nomad applicants need a national D visa from a Greek consulate in the US — the digital nomad permit can no longer be started inside Greece. Golden visa investors in Athens need a €800,000 property.
Healthcare
Public cover (EOPYY) comes through social-security contributions. Most Americans on FIP or golden visa permits use private insurance, which Athens's private hospitals accept widely.
Getting around
Three metro lines, the tram and buses run on one ticket (€1.20 for 90 minutes). The airport metro costs €9; the X95 bus to Syntagma costs €5.50.
Startups and coworking
Greece's national startup registry, Elevate Greece, supports young companies, and Athens has plenty of coworking spaces such as Impact Hub Athens.
Visas & Residency
To Live in Athens You Need a Greek Residence Permit
FIP Permit
€3,500 a month from pensions, investments or savings; no work in Greece; 3 years, renewable.
Retire in Greece →Digital Nomad Permit
€3,500 net a month from employers or clients outside Greece; apply at a Greek consulate before travel.
Expat guide →Golden Visa (€800,000 in Athens)
One property of at least 120 m² in Attica; €250,000 only for conversions of commercial buildings or listed buildings. No minimum stay; no short-term rentals.
Golden visa guide →Work or Your Own Company
A Greek employer within the quota, or your own IKE paired with the right permit.
Company formation →Expat Tips
Essential Tips for Americans Moving to Athens
Start your documents 2–3 months ahead
The FBI check is quick online, but the apostille and certified Greek translations take weeks.
Register your lease
Your permit needs a lease registered with the tax authority — informal arrangements and holiday rentals do not count.
Search locally for housing
Spitogatos and XE.gr list many flats, but agents (mesites) and word of mouth find many of the best ones. Expect to pay a security deposit.
Learn a little Greek
Kalimera, efharisto, parakalo — small efforts go a long way, and Greek is needed for long-term residence.
Be patient with paperwork
Offices can be slow. A local lawyer or accountant saves time — directories like LocalVouch can help.
Compare Cities
How Does Athens Compare?
Comparing Mediterranean options? See Portugal vs Greece, our city comparison or the cost of living comparison.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to live in Athens?
About €1,400–1,500 a month for a single person including rent — about €835 for everyday costs plus €575–665 for a 1-bedroom (Numbeo, September 2026). Rents are about half of Lisbon's, but everyday costs are slightly higher.
What is the AFM and how do I get it?
The AFM is Greece's tax number, needed for a lease, a bank account and contracts. It is free, and non-residents can apply online through myAADE with a video call — so you can have it before you arrive.
What is the golden visa threshold in Athens?
€800,000 for one property of at least 120 m² anywhere in Attica. €250,000 applies only to converting a commercial building to homes or restoring a listed building. Short-term rentals of golden visa property are banned.
Can I apply for the digital nomad permit in Athens?
Not anymore. Since February 2026 you need a national D visa from a Greek consulate before you travel, then you apply for the 2-year permit in Greece.
How do I get from the airport to the centre?
Metro line 3 costs €9 and takes about 40 minutes to Syntagma; the 24-hour X95 express bus costs €5.50.
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