Cost of Living in Greece 2026 — Rent, Food, Tax & BudgetMonthly Living Costs in Greece
Average prices from our cost dataset, re-checked on a rolling basis:
1BR Rent
per month, city average
3BR Rent
per month, city average
Groceries
per month, single person
Transport
per month, public transit pass
Utilities
per month, basic apartment
Meal Out
typical price per meal
Monthly budget (single person): €844 (1-bedroom rent + groceries + transport + utilities)
Monthly budget (couple): €1,129 (shared 1-bedroom rent, two of everything else)
These are national averages — actual costs vary by city and lifestyle.
How Expensive Is Greece Overall?
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost-of-living index (market data; higher = more expensive) | 64.9 |
| Rent index | 13.7 |
| Groceries index | 51 |
| Restaurant price index | 59.2 |
| Local purchasing-power index (higher = stronger) | 64.1 |
| Price level index (World Bank, 2024; US = 100) | 55.7 |
| Property price-to-income ratio | 12.5 |
Salaries by Sector
Typical gross annual salaries in Greece from our sector dataset:
| Sector | Typical gross annual (EUR) |
|---|---|
| Finance | €32,000 |
| Engineering | €28,000 |
| IT & Software | €22,000 |
| Construction | €21,000 |
| Education | €19,000 |
| Healthcare | €18,000 |
| Retail | €15,000 |
| Hospitality | €14,000 |
Taxes in Greece
Headline tax figures that shape your take-home pay:
| Tax | Rate / amount |
|---|---|
| Effective income tax at €90k gross | 30.7% |
| Net monthly pay at €90k gross | €4,620 |
| VAT / sales tax | 24% |
| Top personal income-tax rate | 44% |
Worked example: on a €90,000 gross salary, net pay is about €4,620 per month. After rent and essentials (€844), roughly €3,776 per month is left for savings and discretionary spending.
How Greece Compares to Its Neighbours
| Country | 1BR Rent | Groceries | Transport | Cost index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greece | €484 | €255 | €30 | 64.9 |
| Albania | €280 | €120 | €25 | 55.9 |
| Bulgaria | €403 | €196 | €28 | 45.4 |
| Turkey | €450 | €120 | €18 | 27.5 |
Quality of Life Metrics
Beyond cost, these factors shape everyday life in Greece:
Safety index
Healthcare index
Internet speed
English proficiency
Life expectancy
Expat satisfaction
What It Costs to Get In: Visas & Residence
We track 39 residence and visa routes for Greece — see the full Greece visa programme list.
Lowest documented income requirement among tracked routes: €400 per month — Studies at Higher Education Institutions article 33 (Law 4251/14) / Issuance (student route). Requirements change; always confirm on the official page before applying.
Our engine estimates a minimum financial viability of €805 per month to sustain a move to Greece.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Greece expensive?
Greece has a cost-of-living index of 64.9 (higher = more expensive). A 1-bedroom apartment averages €484 per month and a single person spends about €844 per month on rent plus essentials.
How much money do I need per month in Greece?
About €844 per month covers rent and essentials for a single person (1-bedroom rent + groceries + transport + utilities). A couple sharing a 1-bedroom apartment needs about €1,129 per month.
What is the average rent in Greece?
A 1-bedroom apartment averages €484 per month and a 3-bedroom apartment averages €750 per month in Greece. Prices vary significantly between city centres and smaller towns.
What do people earn in Greece?
Typical gross annual salaries in Greece range from €14,000 (Hospitality) to €32,000 (Finance), based on our sector dataset.
Which residence route has the lowest income requirement for Greece?
Among the 39 Greece residence routes we track, the lowest documented income requirement is €400 per month (Studies at Higher Education Institutions article 33 (Law 4251/14) / Issuance). Requirements change; always confirm on the official page before applying.
Ready for the next step? See the full Greece country profile and the Greece emigration guide.
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