The 5 Stages Every Expat Faces in Greece! (The Biggest Struggles Expats Face)
Moving to Greece is a dream for many and for good reason.
It’s the land of sunshine, sea, and a slower pace of life.
But while the views are picture-perfect and the pace of life is undeniably charming, the journey of relocating here is much more than just an extended vacation.
Behind the Instagram-worthy sunsets lies a deeply personal adventure, full of emotional highs and lows, practical hurdles, and unexpected growth.
Whether you're planning your move or have just arrived, it helps to know what to expect. Here are the five stages most newcomers go through, and why every single one of them is completely normal.
1. The Honeymoon Phase – “I’m in Love!”
You're here!
Everything feels exciting, everything is new, and different! The food, oh, and the people.
You wake up to blue skies, stumble into the most charming little bakery, and can't believe how affordable your morning coffee is.
Every street looks like a movie set, and people are constantly saying "kali mera!" with a smile.
Even if you don't speak Greek, you're soaking up the vibe and loving every second of it.
Your evenings are full of mezze, raki, and that warm, fuzzy feeling that maybe, just maybe, you've found your happy place.
2. The Bureaucratic & Language Shock – “Wait, I need what now?”
The magic slows a bit when it’s time to “settle in.”
What began as a dreamy escape quickly shifts into a crash course in Greek bureaucracy.
Suddenly, you're navigating a maze of paperwork, trying to figure out what documents you need, where to get them, and in what order, which no one seems entirely sure of.
There’s the AFM (your tax number), possibly AMKA or EFKA (for healthcare and social security), and residency permits to sort through. But nothing is in English, and official websites aren’t always helpful (or accurate). You piece things together through Google Translate, expat forums, and the kindness of strangers.
And just when you think you've cracked it, you find out you need three stamped copies, a photo, and your name spelled in Greek — and, of course, the office closes at 13:00.
Then there's the language barrier.
The pharmacist is kind, but doesn’t speak a word of English. Your landlord just sent a text in Greeklish, a chaotic blend of Greek written with Latin letters that somehow makes even less sense than regular Greek. And at the KEP (citizen service center), you're pretty sure you were trying to register for healthcare, but based on the stack of papers they gave you… You might have accidentally signed up for a cooking class instead.
This is where EnterAthens can help!
With our personalized services, we guide you through the paperwork maze, help you secure your healthcare registration, and ensure you don’t miss a single step in the bureaucratic process.
We speak your language, literally, and we’re here to make your move smoother, less stressful, and a lot more human.
3. The “Now I Have to Actually Live Here” Stage – “Why is everything so hard?”
Finding a place to live can feel like a rollercoaster. There are beautiful listings online, but when you call, they’re already gone, or the landlord only wants Greek tenants. You might get ghosted by agents or discover your dream flat doesn’t have heating.
You’re also doing mental math constantly:
Can I afford this?
Why are supermarket prices higher than I thought?
How does this insurance work again?
Do I need a prescription for my pills?
Making friends feels just as complicated. Everyone’s nice, but getting past the surface level is hard, especially if you’re not fluent in Greek. You might feel lonely, isolated, or start questioning if you made the right choice.
This is exactly the time when EnterAthens steps in. Whether it’s finding the right apartment or connecting you with reliable contacts, we can guide you through the housing market and help with lease. And when it comes to healthcare, our experts can assist you in navigating the system to get the coverage you need without the headaches.
4. The Adaptation Phase – “Okay, I’m getting it.”
You’ve picked up survival Greek.
You now know the difference between a syntagma and a souvlaki. You’ve learned which pharmacies are open 24/7, how to ask for your meds, and which KEP office is actually helpful.
Your apartment may not be perfect, but it’s yours, and you know where to get the good bread and how to refill your phone credit. You’re tracking your spending better, finding budget-friendly corners of the city, and slowly building your people circle, even if it's just one or two solid friendships.
You still get frustrated, sure, but you also feel more confident every time you figure something out.
5. The Belonging Phase – “This is home.”
This stage sneaks up on you. One day, you’re the one helping a new expat with their AMKA. You’ve got a local doctor, a favorite café where they know your order, and a WhatsApp group with neighbors or colleagues. Maybe you’ve joined a dance class, a hiking group, or just found “your spot” by the sea.
You don’t need to have everything figured out to feel at home. You’ve made Greece yours in your own way, and that’s what really matters.
No two expat journeys are exactly the same, but one thing they all share? A mix of ups and downs, surprises, and personal growth.
Some days you'll feel like you're living the dream, sipping coffee by the sea, soaking in the sun. Other days, you’ll be knee-deep in paperwork or lost in translation. It’s all part of the ride.
One thing that can truly make your experience smoother, more rewarding, and more rooted is learning the language. While it’s not strictly required, speaking Greek will open doors, literally and figuratively. It helps you connect more deeply with the culture, navigate daily life with confidence, and feel genuinely at home in your new world.
It’s a journey, but you don’t have to do it alone — and every step is worth it.
However, we know that the process can be overwhelming, especially in the beginning.
That’s where EnterAthens comes in.