greece: LIVING CONDITIONS IN GREECE

Favourable living conditions depend on a wide range of factors, such as quality healthcare services, education and training opportunities or good transport facilities, just to name a few aspects affecting citizens’ everyday life and work. The European Union has set for itself the aim to constantly improve the quality of life in all its Member States, and to take into account the new challenges of contemporary Europe, such as socially excluded people or an aging population.

Employment in Europe

Improving employment opportunities in Europe is a key priority for the European Commission. With the prospect of tackling the problem of unemployment and increasing the mobility between jobs and regions, a wide variety of initiatives at EU level are being developed and implemented to support the European Employment strategy. These include the European Employment Service (EURES) and the future PROGRESS programme (2007-2013). The latter will replace all existing Community programmes and budget lines in the fields of employment, social inclusion and protection, working conditions, gender equality and anti-discrimination.

Health and healthcare in the European Union

Health is a cherished value, influencing people’s daily lives and therefore an important priority for all Europeans. A healthy environment is crucial for our individual and professional development, and EU citizens are ever more demanding about health and safety at work and the provision of high quality healthcare services. They require quick and easy access to medical treatment when travelling across the European Union. EU health policies are aimed at responding to these needs.

The European Commission has developed a coordinated approach to health policy, putting into practice a series of initiatives that complement the actions of national public authorities. The Union’s common actions and objectives are included in EU health programmes and strategies.

The current EU Public Health Programme works towards improving the EU’s capability to respond to cross-boarder health threats and improve information and knowledge about latest developments in the public health sector. A new strategy has been designed in the area of health and consumer protection, which further underlines the needs to improve citizens’ health security and disseminate health knowledge.

Air transport

The creation of a single European market in air transport has meant lower fares and a wider choice of carriers and services for passengers. The EU has also created a set of rights to ensure air passengers are treated fairly.

Air passenger rights

As an air passenger, you have certain rights when it comes to information about flights and reservations, damage to baggage, delays and cancellations, denied boarding, compensation in the case of accident or difficulties with package holidays. These rights apply to scheduled and chartered flights, both domestic and international, from an EU airport or to an EU airport from one outside the EU, when operated by an EU airline.

HOUSING

Finding a Rental Property

Finding a rental property in Greece is relatively easy and properties can be found through real estate agencies, classified advertisements in local newspapers, the Real Estate: For Rent category of Classifieds & Discussions and by word of mouth. Average prices of rental properties can be higher in Athens than in the rest of Greece and prices vary depending on the area.

The following websites have a selection of properties for rent in Greece:

Furnished houses and apartments are more expensive and if properties are intended for short-term lease the price is usually higher.

Greek Rental Law

Under the Greek Civil Code, there are no specific restrictions with regards to residential lease contracts except that they must be for a minimum of three years. Commercial rental agreements are for a minimum period of twelve years. The tenant and the landlord are both free to negotiate the terms and conditions of the rental agreement. Rent is freely determined, however, if the increase is not stipulated in the contract (usually 10 percent on renewal of the lease) the annual increase is fixed at 75 percent of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) over the last twelve months.

For the current CPI figures in Greece: Click here (in Greek)

Once a rental agreement has been signed the landlord must have it stamped and registered with the local Tax Authority (eforia) within one month of the date of execution. Two copies of the agreement and proof of identity must be provided.

For further information on rental legislation in Greece from the Hellenic Property Federation: Click here

The Rental Agreement

Rental contracts are for a three year period (even if the contract is signed for a shorter time) and by law, the tenant may not leave before the contract expiry date. The tenant usually pays the equivalent of two months rental as a deposit. This deposit is generally returned at the end of the agreement, providing that there are no unpaid bills or damage to the property. If the tenant does leave before the end of the lease agreement, the landlord has the right to sue the tenant, although this is rare. The landlord may, however, keep the security deposit.

Tenants who intend to move out at the end of the contract period should give notice a minimum of one month before the expiry date of the contract. There is a tacit agreement that without this their tenancy continues.

In general a rental contract includes the following:

Name of the landlord and the tenant
Description of the type of property and its use
Rental amount, as well as the deposit amount
The terms of the lease stating the start date and the termination date
The payment of utilities bills and common expenses
Rental increase on renewal of the leas

An inventory report should be dated and signed by the tenant and the landlord. This report describes the fittings, fixtures and their condition and the overall state of the property on arrival. Although not mandatory it is highly recommended to draw up an inventory report.

Documentation

There are no specific documents required when renting a property, however, the landlord may request proof of income or for a guarantor to countersign the contract. The landlord may also ask for the tax number (AFM).

Household insurance is not compulsory for either the tenant or landlord.

Tenancy and Landlord Obligations

Landlord obligations

By law the landlord agrees to:

Rent the property for its agreed use without flaws or deficiencies, for the length of the agreed rental period
Keep the property in suitable condition for its agreed use and perform any necessary repairs/maintenance work
By law, any taxes or charges resulting from the lease are the landlord's responsibility. However, the rental agreement may state otherwise

Tenant obligations

The tenant agrees to:

Pay the rent in full by the agreed date. If there are delays in rental payments, the landlord can start procedures to evict the tenant. This can take three to four months
Keep the property in good condition
Use the property only for its agreed purpose

The tenant should keep a copy of the rental agreement and request receipts for rental payments.

Renewal and Termination

The lease expires automatically at the end of the contract period, without need for notice. A notice period of one month is required if the tenant wishes to terminate the contract before the end of the three-year period.

The landlord may terminate a rental agreement if the tenant does not pay the rent or if they are not using the property appropriately or for the agreed purpose.

At the end of the three-year period it is common for leases to be continued based on a tacit agreement. This means that tenants can leave the property and landlords can evict tenants without prior notice. If there is no written agreement, nothing can be proved in court. A new contract should be signed and the terms negotiated between the parties; new rental contracts can be for less than three years.

Utilities

It is usual for the electricity bill to be registered in the landlord's name, but the rental agreement may stipulate otherwise. In this case, the tenant must go to the local Public Power Corporation customer service centre and sign a new contract for the bill to be registered in their name. The tenant will need to provide the lease agreement registered with the local Tax Authority.

The bills for oil used for central heating are generally included in the building charges.

TYPICAL CUISINE OF GREECE

Greek cuisine is very diverse and although there are many common characteristics amongst the culinary traditions of different regions within the country, there are also many differences, making it difficult to present a full list of representative dishes. For example, the vegetarian dish " Chaniotiko Boureki" (oven baked slices of potatoes with zucchini, myzithra cheese and mint) is a typical dish in western Crete, in the region ofChania. A family in Chania may consume this dish 1-2 times per week in the summer season. However, it is not cooked in any other region of Greece. Many food items are wrapped in Filo pastry, either in bite-size triangles or in large sheets: kotopita (chicken), spanakotyropita (spinach and cheese), chortopita (greens), kreatopita (meat pie, using minced meat), etc.