Moving To Greece

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Known as the cradle of the Western civilization, Greece is an island country located in Southeast Europe. The country is famous for its rich history and picturesque landscapes. It is a popular tourist destination globally.

From the iconic ancient ruins of Athens to the beautiful beaches of the Greek islands, Greece offers a diverse range of attractions for visitors. The country is also renowned for its delicious cuisine, including dishes like moussaka and souvlaki.

Additionally, Greece is home to a vibrant culture with traditional music, dance, and festivals celebrated throughout the year. Whether you’re interested in exploring historical sites, soaking up the sun on the beach, or indulging in Greek culture, Greece has something to offer for everyone.

So, if your plan is to call this ancient land your next home, you are up for an exciting time ahead when you move to Greece from the USA.

Moving To Greece from USA

How International Sea & Air Shipping can help for relocating to Greece

Now, first thing first – have you properly planned your international relocation? And by proper planning we want to indicate to the umpteen numbers of responsibilities and challenges associated with an international relocation! If the answer is a wavering yes-no, then we suggest you engage us – International Sea & Air Shipping to look forward to a hassle-free move to Greece from the USA.

Admit that it is a big transition for you, one that will have a big impact on all aspects of life. To make things smooth for you we are here to help. At International Sea & Air Shipping we have a team of international relocation experts who are equipped with all the expertise and knowledge of the work. To add to the advantage, we provide high quality services at an affordable price.

Uprooting yourself from one country to the other can be challenging. The cost of the move, choosing affordable and safe containers for your household goods to move safely, the document process to make the transition – it’s a lot to process. But when you are engaging a moving company like us to help you in your move to Greece from the USA you can rest easy.

At International Sea & Air Shipping we provide a wide range of international relocation services including packing household goods, providing the right freight and container choices, moving the belongings, offering guidance in other aspects of the move and more. In your move to Greece from the USA our team of relocation experts will handle A to Z of the move, from the origin country to the destination.

About Greece

A country rooted in ancient Aegean civilization tracing back to the Bronze Age, the Southern European country of Greece, officially the Hellenic Republic, is famous for being the cradle of Western civilization. Many disciplines and forms of entertainment originated in Greece, including Western philosophy, democracy, historiography, political science, mythology, Western drama (both tragedy and comedy) and the Olympic Games – all of which have influenced and shaped the modern world today.

Currently, Greece has a population of approximately 11 million, the 11th longest coastline in the world (the longest coastline on the Mediterranean Basin), and shares land borders with Albania, Bulgaria, Turkey and Macedonia. It features a mountainous mainland situated at the crossroads of Europe, Asia and Africa, and is home to Mount Olympus (home of the Greek Gods according to Greek mythology).

Due largely in part to its enticing climate, and deep-rooted history in arts and sciences, Greece ranks 7th in the EU for tourism, and is classified as having an advanced and high-income economy. It is a founding member of the United Nations, and belongs to a number of other international institutions, including: EU, Council of Europe, NATO and WTO.

Customs Regulations for Greece

  • Passport for customer and spouse (previous passport if current one is less than two years old)
  • Bill of Lading
  • Inventory, detailed and consularized by Greek Consulate in country of origin, (to be translated at destination and must include make, model and serial number of ALL APPLIANCES, and quality, quantity, square feet, and color of any woven floor covering in the shipment and auto, if any)
  • Authorization Form – notarized by Greek embassy at origin or any police or KEP center in Greece
  • Declaration Form – notarized by Greek embassy at origin or any police or KEP center in Greece
  • Work / Residence Permit
  • T2L Form – original, stamped by Customs at origin
  • Letter from owner of goods authorizing Destination Agent to clear shipment
  • Certificate of Repatriation (allows a Customer to bring goods into Greece duty-free)
  • Certificate of Secondary Residence
  • Proof of Residency abroad – utility bills, lease agreement, tax filings
  • Housing contract
  • Bank guarantee
  • Customer must have lived outside of Greece for the previous two years
  • Customer must be present at customs clearance with passport
  • If relocating to Greece for work purposes, VAT (value added tax) is payable on all goods if shipments are from non EU countries
  • ALL ITEMS brought in must be re-exported, or customs duty will be assessed when leaving
  • An EORI (Economic Operators Registration and Identification) number is required for all imports and exports to clear Customs in the European Union
  • If shipment belongs to GREEK REPATRIATE, OWNER MUST PERSONALLY ATTEND CLEARANCE
  • Personal effects and household goods are generally duty-free

The following items are prohibited from being imported into Greece through Customs and may be seized by border authorities upon arrival. These items include, but may not be limited to:

  • Firearms, weapons and ammunition
  • Narcotics and illegal drugs
  • Alcohol and tobacco products
  • Matches
  • Playing cards
  • Taxidermy items
  • Live plants
  • Medicines: personal use only
  • Rugs: size, color, quality and quantity subject to duty of 30 percent
  • Appliances: only one of each is allowed – make, model and serial number must be on the inventory
  • Electronics: subject to duty of 35 percent
  • Electrical items: subject to duty of 23 percent
  • Computers, fax machines, and furniture: subject to duty of 18 percent
  • Antiques: must be at least 100 years old, subject to duty of 8 percent
  • Hunting Rifles: require a permit from the Ministry of the Interior

In order to import a motor vehicle into Greece, the following criteria must be met:

  • The vehicle must be less than four years old
  • The vehicle must have an odometer reading under 50,000 miles
  • The vehicle must have been in owner’s possession at least six months
  • Some restrictions apply to vehicles with diesel engines
  • Duties will vary based on make, model and how long the vehicle has been owned

Documents required:

  • Driver’s license & proof of insurance
  • Certificate of Title and Registration
  • Vehicle Road License showing that the appropriate road tax has been paid in the country of origin
  • Consular Certificate from Origin
  • Must be listed on Household Goods Inventory
  • Certificate of Vaccination, including rabies within 30 days of departure
  • Health Certificate issues within ten days of departure
  • Proof of microchip including microchip number
  • Birds are limited to two for entry

NOTE – Customs regulations are subject to change at any time. The proceeding information is a brief summary of customs regulations applicable to household goods shipments to this destination and is being provided for general guidance to assist our Agents and Customers. Since such regulations are subject to change without notice, International sea & air shipping cannot be held liable for any costs, damage, delays, or other detrimental events resulting from non-compliance. Always double check with your local embassy or consulate.

Call our International Moving Specialists @ 1 (866) 315-4170

Moving to Greece from the USA – know the basics!

Moving to Greece from the USA can be an exciting transition, one that will have an all-round impact on your life. However, there needs to be proper [preparation to tackle life after you settle down in Greece.

Understanding the cost of living and healthcare system is essential when you move to Greece from the USA. It’s also important to plan your finances and research the necessary paperwork and visa requirements for living and working in Greece.

It’s also very much important to be prepared for the cultural differences and adjust to the Greek way of life. Afterall, you are moving to a different continent and going closer to a culture that has its roots in ancient civilization! Learning some basic Greek phrases can help with daily communication. Knowing the local culture, way of life will be of much advantage.

Overall, with proper planning and an open mind, moving to Greece can be a rewarding experience for sure when you relocate to Greece from the USA.

Paper works & documentation to move to Greece from the USA

As a non-EU citizen moving to Greece from the USA you will need a long stay visa also known as a D visa or a National Visa. This visa enables you to move and stay in Greece for more than 90 days.

Among the D visas there are three long stay visas as is listed below –

  • Family visas
  • Work visas
  • Study visas

Work Visa

When you want to relocate to Greece from the USA a work visa can be a good option. Here is all you need to know about staying and working in Greece and the visa requirements –

  • Greece offers work visas to the eligible people.
  • For a work visa you have to apply in the Greek consulate in your own country.
  • After fulfilling the eligibility criteria when you obtain the work visa and enter Greece, you have to apply for the residence permit.
  • Work visas are valid for 2 years and can be extended after it expires.
  • There is also digital nomad visas available for people who work remotely.

Student Visa

Greece is hailed for being the birthplace of Western philosophy, literature, science and politics! As such studying in a Greek university can be a dream education for many. If you are one of them and planning to move to Greece from the USA on a student visa then the good news is Greece does offer student visas.

All you need to do is to get accepted in a high educational institution in the country which is certified by the Greek Ministry of Education. Once you are done with the enrollment process in a Greek University then the next step for you is to apply for a student visa.

When you enter the country on a student visa you will need to apply for a residence permit next to stay in Greece for more than 90 days. A student visa is valid for a period of one year and then it can be renewed. A student visa can be extended for another 1 year and you have to meet the eligibility criteria.

Family Visa

A family visa in Greece is a long-stay visa, which is issued for family reunification purposes. However, there are certain criteria that you need to meet first. To be eligible for a family visa the person who is residing in Greece must have a proven legal stay of not less than 2 years in the country.

Here is a list of the family members that are considered eligible for a family reunification visa in Greece:

  • Legal spouses/partners
  • Children under 18 years of age
  • Adopted children also under 18 years of age
  • Children of the spouse with proven legal custody of the child
  • Parents only when they are dependent on you. Also, in case there is no other family member available to take care of them in the USA

Once the family members enter Greece with a family visa they will need to apply for a residency permit. A family visa is valid for a period of 12 months.

Top reason to move to Greece from the USA

Greece is well-known for rich historical and cultural traditions. A global tourist destination for stunning beaches, ancient ruins, lively traditions and gastronomic delights, this country can be a paradise for the expats to move in and settle down. Here are some of the tops reasons to choose to move to Greece from the USA –

  • Low cost of living
  • High quality of health services
  • Affordable housing costs
  • Social security and safety
  • Breathtaking natural views

We hope this guide has provided all you need to know to move to Greece from the USA and to get a hassle-free relocation you can get in touch with us at the International Sea & Air Shipping team. We are always ready to help you.