Moving to Greece

• Choose your residency pathway: Golden Visa (real-estate investment, currently from EUR 250k–800k depending on region), Digital Nomad Visa (proof of remote income), Financially Independent Person (FIP) visa for retirees, EU Blue Card or employer sponsorship.
• Apply for your AFM (Greek tax number) and AMKA (social-security number) early — they gate banking, utilities, leases and healthcare.
• Consider the flat-tax regimes: EUR 100k/year non-dom for high-net-worth individuals, 7% flat for retirees, or 50% income-tax exemption for inbound workers/professionals (subject to qualification).
• Confirm school admissions early; international IB and English-language schools in Athens (ACS, Campion, St Catherine's, Byron College) run multi-year waitlists.

• Sea freight typically arrives via the Port of Piraeus (Athens) or Thessaloniki; transit from North America is roughly 4–6 weeks port-to-door.
• EU members relocating from another EU country move freely without customs duty, but a full inventory in Greek and English is still required.
• Third-country nationals can apply for ATA / 'transfer of normal residence' (metoikisia) relief to import used personal effects duty-free — generally requires 12+ months of ownership abroad and proof of de-registration from the previous country.
• Air freight (5–10 days) is ideal for the first 30 days of essentials while paperwork clears.
• Island deliveries (Crete, Rhodes, Mykonos, Santorini) add ferry transit and last-mile charges — narrow streets often require small trucks or hand-carry.

• Passport plus residence permit / visa (Άδεια διαμονής) or EU Registration Certificate.
• AFM (tax number) and AMKA (social security number).
• Detailed itemised inventory in Greek + English with purchase dates and estimated values.
• Apostilled birth, marriage and education certificates (translated by a sworn translator).
• Proof of address in Greece (lease registered with AADE / utility bill).
• Greek bank account confirmation for utility, tax and lease direct debits.

Greek customs (AADE – Independent Authority for Public Revenue, Customs Directorate) processes household-goods imports at Piraeus, Thessaloniki and Patras. Transfer-of-residence relief requires the goods to have been owned and used abroad for 12+ months and imported within 12 months of taking up residence. Restricted/prohibited items include certain foodstuffs, plant material and antiquities. Pets require an EU pet passport (or third-country health certificate), microchip and rabies vaccination via the Hellenic Ministry of Rural Development and Food.

• Shipping before your AFM and residence permit are issued — clearance grinds to a halt without them.
• Underestimating last-mile delivery on Greek islands and in central Athens neighbourhoods (Kolonaki, Plaka) where small streets and limited lift access drive up access charges.
• Skipping the sworn-translation step for civil-status documents — Greek authorities require translations by a recognised translator.
• Assuming Golden Visa property automatically gives tax residency — the two regimes are separate; tax residency depends on day-count and economic ties.
• Booking long-term leases before walking the neighbourhood; traffic, noise and tourist seasonality vary materially block to block in Athens.