Moving abroad to build an international career is one of the most exciting decisions you can make, but it also comes with challenges. Beyond the initial excitement, job seekers are usually confronted with practical questions: How competitive is the local job market for non-Greek speakers? Will my salary actually cover rent and daily costs living abroad? How stressful is the onboarding process, and what steps are needed to work legally?
While Greece is globally recognized as a tourist destination, Athens has rapidly established itself over recent years as a major European hub for international corporations. Tech, customer experience, and business services companies actively recruit thousands of multilingual professionals every year, offering native language roles, fast recruitment timelines, and dedicated relocation support.
To give you an honest, practical look at life in Athens, beyond the typical travel guides, we gathered firsthand experiences from three expats currently living and working in Athens: Marco from Italy, Sophie from France, and Noah from Germany.
Let's get to know their stories and explore what living and working in Greece is truly like.
Meet our expats: answering the most asked questions
What made you choose Greece over other popular European expat destinations?
Sophie: For me, the weather and the lifestyle were huge factors! I wanted to live somewhere warm with a strong outdoor lifestyle. Also professionally, Greece really surprised me. Athens has become a major hub for international companies that search for European language speakers, so finding a job here was much easier than I expected.
Noah: I was looking for a good balance between career opportunities and cost of living. Cities like Dublin, Amsterdam, or Munich have extremely high rent prices right now. Athens offers a great standard of living, affordable daily expenses, incredible historical sites, and the sea right on your doorstep.
Marco: My reasons are also similar. Plus, the idea of having over 300 sunny days a year was an offer I simply could not refuse!
First impressions: expectations vs. reality
Before you arrived, what did you expect life in Greece to be like? How did reality compare once you actually settled in?
Marco: My expectations were definitely shaped by summer holiday brochures! I imagined living in a tiny white house on a quiet island, going to the beach every single day after work. When I arrived in Athens, I realized quickly that it is an energetic metropolis with real city traffic and a fast urban pace. However, the amazing thing is that despite being a big capital, the relaxed Greek spirit is everywhere. People take time to enjoy life, socialize, and relax.
Sophie: My main worry was the language and the unique Greek alphabet! Reading street signs at the beginning felt like deciphering ancient codes, but reality proved that almost everyone in big cities speaks clear English. Whether you are at a local supermarket, a restaurant, or an administrative office, people are patient and helpful.
Noah: What surprised me most was how green the surrounding mountains are and how easy it is to escape the city center. You can work in a modern office district during the week, and on Saturday morning, you can be hiking or swimming in the sea within 30 minutes.
Navigating the Job Market and Working in Greece
How did you find your jobs in Greece, and what was the application process like?
Marco: I was actually browsing online job platforms when I found mine. I was filtering for roles in Greece on sites like Europe Language Jobs that required native Italian and decent English. I submitted my application, did a quick online language test, followed by two rounds of video interviews, and got the job offer pretty fast!
Sophie: My experience was super similar! I wanted everything sorted out before even booking a flight. I applied online for multilingual customer care roles, went through the screening process, and signed my contract right from my room back home. It was a huge relief to know I had a job waiting for me before landing in Athens.
What advice would you give to job seekers who want a safe and smooth relocation process?
Noah: Honest advice? Look for companies that actually have your back when you move. Moving abroad on your own can feel pretty overwhelming if you’re stuck figuring out flights, housing, and all the random admin work by yourself.
A lot of big international companies in Greece get how stressful that is, so they try to make the transition as smooth as possible for multilingual candidates, sometimes even helping out with travel or getting settled. If you're planning a move, checking out positions at established global names like Foundever is a great starting point to see what international roles are out there right now.
Sophie: Having that kind of backing makes such a huge difference! Just knowing you're joining a company that knows how to handle international hires, and will actually help you navigate the local paperwork, takes away 90% of the stress.
What is the daily work environment like for foreign language speakers in Athens?
Marco: It is super international and friendly! In my department, we have colleagues from all across Europe. Since most of us moved to Greece alone, everyone is eager to make new friends. The workplace naturally becomes your first social circle, and you instantly have people to grab dinner or coffee with after your shift.
Noah: The work culture is professional yet relaxed. Modern international offices here offer great facilities, break zones, wellness perks, and structured career growth paths if you want to advance into quality control, team management, or training positions.
Practical matters: accommodation, budget, and bureaucracy
Is living in Athens affordable compared to your home countries?
Sophie: Absolutely! Coming from France, groceries, restaurants, public transport, and other activities are significantly cheaper here. You can easily enjoy dinner at a traditional local restaurant with drinks for around 12 to 18 EUR per person.
Marco: Rent is also reasonable, although prices have risen slightly in recent years like in every European capital. A nice, fully furnished one-bedroom apartment in a good neighborhood in Athens costs between 450 EUR and 650 EUR per month.
Noah: Many expats choose to share a flat when they first arrive. Renting a room in a shared apartment usually costs around 300 EUR to 400 EUR per month including utilities, which is a good way to save money and make more friends.
Which neighborhoods in Athens do you recommend for newcomers?
Sophie: Pangrati and Koukaki are my personal favorites! They are super close to the historic center, very walkable, safe, and filled with cute bakeries and trendy cafes.
Marco: If you prefer an artistic, energetic, and budget-friendly vibe, districts like Kypseli or Exarcheia are great choices. For those who prefer modern residential buildings near public transport links, Ampelokipoi is very convenient.
Noah: If your dream is to live right next to the sea, look into Glyfada along the southern coast. It is slightly higher in rent, but having beach walks on your doorstep is incredible!
How did you manage Greek bureaucracy and administrative paperwork?
Marco: I will be honest: Greek bureaucracy requires patience! To work legally in Greece, you need two primary official numbers: an AFM (tax registration number) and an AMKA (social security number).
Noah: The key here is not to panic. If you work for a major international organization, their human resources team will guide you step-by-step. They schedule your official appointments, tell you exactly which documents to bring, and help translate everything.
Culture, Food, and Social Life in Greece
What is the lifestyle like outside of work hours? How do you spend your free time?
Sophie: The social life revolves around coffee and outdoor living! In Greece, going for a Freddo Espresso or Freddo Cappuccino is an actual event. People sit at outdoor cafes for two or three hours, chatting, playing, and enjoying the sun. Nobody ever rushes you to leave.
Marco: Food is another huge part of daily life. Greek food is fresh, simple, and delicious. My favorite thing is going to a local Taverna with friends and ordering a big selection of mezedes, small sharing plates like tzatziki, grilled octopus, fried zucchini, and baked feta with honey, for the whole table to share.
Noah: For a quick, budget-friendly meal on busy days, you cannot beat a classic gyros pita for under 4 EUR! On weekends, we love taking the tram or bus down to the coast for a swim, or taking short ferry trips to nearby islands like Aegina, Agistri, or Hydra. You can leave Athens on Saturday morning and feel like you are on vacation all weekend.
Language and Essential Local Words
Did you learn any Greek words that helped you integrate better?
Marco: Yes! Even though English is widely spoken, using basic Greek phrases always brings a huge smile to people's faces. Here are the essential words every newcomer should learn:
-
Kalimera: Good morning
-
Kalispera: Good evening
-
Efxaristo: Thank you
-
Parakalo: Please / You are welcome
-
Yamas: Cheers!
-
Siga-siga: Slowly, slowly
Essential expat guide: how to prepare your move to Greece
(In this special section, we summarize the ultimate step-by-step preparation guide for anyone planning to make Greece their new home).
Moving to a new country can feel like a massive task, but breaking the process down into clear, manageable steps makes the transition smooth and stress-free. Here is your practical relocation timeline:
1. Update your resume and apply early
Before booking flights or packing bags, optimize your CV for international employers. Highlight your native language, your English level, and any previous customer service, administrative, or communication experience. Applying for roles with relocation assistance through platforms like Europe Language Jobs gives you a secure foundation before you even set foot in the country.
2. Prepare essential documents
Keep both physical and digital copies of your crucial paperwork in a dedicated travel binder:
-
Passport or national identity card (valid for at least 6 months).
-
Official job offer contract and employment confirmation.
-
Proof of temporary housing or hotel reservation.
-
Copies of University diplomas, academic certificates, and clean criminal record check (if required by HR).
3. Setting up your life in Athens
Once you arrive, focus on setting up your local foundations during your first two weeks:
-
Get a local SIM card: Providers like Cosmote, Vodafone, or Nova offer inexpensive monthly prepaid packages with plenty of mobile data.
-
Open a local bank account: Your company’s onboarding team will provide a letter to help you open a Greek bank account quickly for salary payments.
-
Finalize your AFM and AMKA numbers: Ensure your HR department schedules your appointments early so you are fully registered for tax and healthcare coverage.
4. Working and studying around the city
Athens has evolved into an amazingly digital-friendly capital. If you enjoy working or studying in vibrant spaces during your days off, the city is packed with laptop-friendly cafes with fast Wi-Fi and great specialty coffee. Neighborhoods like Koukaki, Psiri, and Pangrati feature dozens of modern coffee shops designed for young international professionals, while dedicated coworking centers offer quiet desks and meeting rooms.
Is moving to Greece right for you?
Stepping out of your comfort zone to live in a foreign country is one of the most transformative decisions you can make. It builds your self-reliance, broadens your cultural perspective, adds impressive international experience to your CV, and introduces you to lifelong friends from around the globe.
Greece uniquely offers a vibrant urban career environment combined with the warmth, beauty, and relaxation of the Mediterranean. With affordable living costs, strong demand for European language speakers, and comprehensive relocation packages provided by top employers, relocating has never been more accessible.
Ready to Start Your Greek Adventure?
Living and working in Greece offers a unique blend of international career opportunities, affordable living, rich history, and an unbeatable Mediterranean lifestyle. Whether you want to gain valuable professional experience in a multilingual team, develop your skills, or simply spend a year enjoying life by the sea, your journey starts with a single step.
Start your journey today! Explore all current job opportunities in Greece on Europe Language Jobs to find positions tailored to your language skills, or visit the Foundever Careers Page to discover exciting job openings with full relocation packages to Athens!