Navigating New Beginnings: Essential First Steps for Expats Arriving in Athens

Moving to Athens: Updated 28/09/2026

Moving to Athens is exciting, but the first weeks can also involve a surprising amount of administration. Finding the right neighbourhood, securing a home, understanding your residence status, obtaining a tax number, opening a bank account and learning how to move around the city can all happen at once.

The key is to tackle these decisions in the right order. Where you live can determine your commute, your children’s school journey and whether you need a car. Your AFM, Greece’s tax identification number, is needed for many everyday transactions. A Greek mobile number can make banking and public services easier. Meanwhile, understanding Athens transport before signing a lease can save hours every week.

This guide covers the essentials of starting life in Athens, from choosing an area and arranging paperwork to healthcare, banking, transport and the small details that help the city begin to feel like home.

It is also worth understanding the city beyond its practicalities. Athens has been inhabited for thousands of years, and its modern neighbourhoods sit among layers of ancient, Byzantine, Ottoman and contemporary history. For the story behind the capital, read Athens Explained: The Extraordinary Story of Europe’s Oldest Capital.

Where Should You Live in Athens?

Choosing where to live is one of the most important decisions you will make after moving to Athens. The city covers a large urban area, and neighbourhoods that appear close together on a map can offer very different lifestyles and commuting times.

Before committing to a long-term lease, consider work, schools, public transport, parking, noise, shops, green spaces and how often you expect to travel across the city. Many newcomers initially choose temporary accommodation so they can explore different areas before deciding where to settle.

Central Athens

Best for culture, walkability and easy access to the heart of the city.

Kolonaki, Koukaki, Pangrati, Syntagma and Monastiraki suit people who want museums, restaurants, cafés and city life within easy reach. Several central neighbourhoods also offer excellent Metro connections, making it possible to live without depending heavily on a car.

However, apartments can be smaller, parking is often difficult and busy streets may be noisy. The advantage is proximity. For newcomers who want to learn Athens quickly, living centrally can make the city much easier to navigate.

Northern Suburbs

Best for families, green space and access to international schools.

Chalandri, Agia Paraskevi, Marousi, Kifissia and Psychiko are particularly popular with families and professionals. They generally offer more residential space, shopping, green areas and access to some of Athens’ major business districts.

Several international schools are also located in the northern and eastern parts of Athens, making these areas practical for families. Nevertheless, commute times vary considerably, so school and workplace locations should be checked before choosing a home.

Athens Riviera

Best for seaside living, outdoor space and a more relaxed daily rhythm.

Palaio Faliro, Alimos, Elliniko, Glyfada and Voula offer a different side of Athens. Beaches, marinas, waterfront promenades and outdoor living make the southern suburbs especially attractive to families, professionals, retirees and remote workers.

Property prices and rents can be higher in sought-after coastal areas. In addition, anyone commuting regularly to northern Athens should consider travelling times carefully.

Eastern Suburbs

Best for airport access, international schools and families who value space.

Pallini, Gerakas, Peania and Spata can work well for families and frequent travellers because of their access to Athens International Airport, Attiki Odos and several international schools.

They may also offer more space for the budget than some northern and southern suburbs, although having a car can be more useful in certain locations.

Western Suburbs

Best for value, established neighbourhood life and more affordable housing.

Peristeri, Ilion, Aigaleo and Petroupoli tend to offer more affordable housing and a more local residential experience. Some areas have good Metro connections, which can make them practical for people prioritising value and access over proximity to established international communities.

Popular property platforms include Spitogatos, XE.gr and Blueground.

Before You Sign a Lease, Test the Commute

Athens traffic can have a major effect on daily life. A home that appears conveniently located may feel very different during the morning school run or evening rush hour.

Before signing a lease, check the journey to your workplace, school or university at the time you will actually travel. If you plan to use public transport, look at the nearest Metro, tram and bus connections rather than simply calculating distance from the centre.

How Public Transport Works

Athens has an extensive public transport system consisting of three Metro lines, buses, trolleybuses, tram services and the Suburban Railway.

For routes, fares and network information, use OASA – Transport for Athens. STASY provides Metro and tram information, while the Suburban Railway (Proastiakos) connects Athens with the airport and other areas of Attica.

Areas including Syntagma, Monastiraki, Koukaki, Ambelokipi, Chalandri and Agia Paraskevi benefit from Metro access. In the southern suburbs, the tram serves areas including Palaio Faliro, Alimos, Elliniko, Glyfada and Voula.

Regular users can also consider the ATH.ENA Card, which can be loaded with different fare products for travel across the network.

Residency and Essential Paperwork

Once the immediate question of accommodation is under control, administration becomes the next priority.

Your requirements depend on your nationality, employment status and reason for moving. EU citizens follow different procedures from third-country nationals, who may require a visa, residence permit or another recognised residence route.

Greece offers several residence pathways, including employment, family reunification, the Digital Nomad Visa and the Golden Visa programme. Check which category applies to you as early as possible, since residence status may affect other areas such as healthcare, employment and banking.

For a wider overview, see Moving to Greece in 2026: The Complete Expat Guide.

Get Your AFM and AMKA

For many newcomers, the AFM, Greece’s Tax Identification Number, is one of the first pieces of administration to arrange.

You may need it for taxation, banking, rental agreements, utility contracts and property transactions. In practice, many other procedures become easier once you have an AFM.

Depending on your circumstances, you may also require an AMKA, Greece’s Social Security Number, which is used in connection with employment, healthcare and social insurance.

Read our step-by-step guide: How to Get Your AFM and AMKA in Greece in 2026.

Open a Greek Bank Account

A Greek bank account can simplify everyday life, particularly if you will be paying rent, utilities, taxes or receiving income in Greece.

The main banks include National Bank of Greece, Alpha Bank, Eurobank and Piraeus Bank. Requirements vary according to your circumstances, but commonly requested documents include:

• Passport or national identity card
• Proof of address
• AFM
• Proof of residence status where applicable

For more detail, read Opening a Bank Account in Greece as an Expat.

Get a Greek Mobile Number and Internet Connection

A Greek mobile number quickly becomes useful after arrival. Banks, government services, delivery companies and utility providers frequently use mobile numbers for communication and SMS verification.

The main telecommunications providers are Cosmote, Vodafone Greece and Nova. They offer prepaid and contract mobile plans as well as home internet packages.

Stores are available throughout Athens, which can make setting up a service easier if you prefer to arrange it in person.

Understand Your Healthcare Options

Healthcare arrangements depend on nationality, employment, residence status and insurance coverage, so it is worth understanding your options before you need medical care.

EU citizens should check that their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is valid on arrival. Third-country nationals should confirm any health insurance requirements connected with their visa or residence permit.

Many foreign residents also use private healthcare providers, particularly during their first months in Greece. Athens has a wide range of private hospitals, clinics and medical centres, including facilities accustomed to treating international patients.

Learn Enough Greek for Everyday Life

It is possible to manage much of daily life in Athens using English, particularly in central areas and among younger people and professionals. Even so, learning a small amount of Greek makes a noticeable difference.

A greeting at the bakery, a few words at the street market or knowing how to ask a simple question can make everyday interactions easier and more personal.

Understand How Athenians Communicate

Relocating successfully also means learning how everyday communication works.

Greek conversations can sound more direct, animated or personal than newcomers from other cultures expect. Friends may interrupt each other, speak loudly or debate enthusiastically without seeing the exchange as confrontational.

Questions about family, work or personal circumstances may also be intended as friendliness rather than intrusion. Understanding these differences makes it easier to interpret social situations and avoid unnecessary misunderstandings.

Discover Everyday Athens

Athens begins to feel like home when daily life moves beyond its famous monuments.

Neighbourhood bakeries, cafés, small shops and weekly street markets form part of the rhythm of the city. Open-air laïki agores take place across Athens, selling fruit, vegetables, fish, cheese, olives and other produce.

They are also an easy way to start recognising neighbours, practise a few words of Greek and learn the habits of the area where you live.

Food and coffee are equally important socially. Long lunches, late dinners and spontaneous meetings over coffee remain an everyday part of Greek life and often provide some of the easiest opportunities to build friendships.

Learn the Rhythm of the Greek Calendar

Orthodox Easter, national holidays, local festivals, religious celebrations and name days continue to shape everyday life in Greece.

Understanding these traditions is culturally interesting, but it is also practical. Public holidays can affect opening hours, transport and public services, while major celebrations provide some of the best opportunities to experience Greek customs firsthand.

Explore our guides to Easter in Greece: The Ultimate Guide to Greek Orthodox Traditions and Public Holidays in Greece (2026–2030): Complete Guide.

Build Your Social Circle

The practical side of relocation can occupy the first few weeks, but building a social network is just as important to settling in.

International schools, professional organisations, cultural groups, sports clubs, volunteering, language courses and local events all provide natural opportunities to meet people. The international community can be particularly helpful at first because other foreign residents often understand the same practical challenges.

At the same time, getting to know Greek neighbours, colleagues and local businesses can change your relationship with the city. Athens feels very different once you begin to recognise people rather than places.

At Xpat.gr, our aim is to help foreign residents move beyond simply navigating Greece and begin understanding, enjoying and participating in life here.

When Athens Starts to Feel Like Home

During the first weeks, Athens may seem dominated by appointments, documents, unfamiliar streets and practical decisions. Gradually, the city becomes smaller.

You learn which Metro entrance saves time, where to buy bread, when the neighbourhood market appears, which road to avoid during rush hour and where you like to stop for coffee.

That is the real transition from moving to Athens to living in Athens. Get the practical foundations right, choose your neighbourhood carefully and give yourself time to understand how the city works. Before long, Athens stops feeling like somewhere you have moved to and starts feeling like your city.

You may also like

• Moving to Greece in 2026: The Complete Expat Guide
• How to Get Your AFM and AMKA in Greece in 2026
• Opening a Bank Account in Greece as an Expat
• International Schools in Greece: Top Schools, Tuition Fees & Curricula
• Athens Explained: The Extraordinary Story of Europe’s Oldest Capital
• Greek Culture Explained: Why Greek Politeness Can Sound Rude to Foreigners (But Isn’t)
• Moving Your Whole Home to or from Greece? What to Ask Before Choosing an International Moving Company: Expert Insight from MOOVA Global Mobility