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 Greece: Country overview
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Geography- Full country name: The Hellenic Republic
- Population: 11.1 million
- Border countries of mainland Greece: Albania, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), Bulgaria, Turkey
- Climate: temperate with mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers.
- Terrain: mainland Greece is mostly mountainous with occasional plains, while its seas are sprinkled with more than 2,000 islands
- Natural hazards: earthquakes, forest fires, which are comparatively common during Greece’s hot and dry summers
back to top Living in Greece- Cost of living: rent, entertainment and food cost less than in the UK, and the standard of student accommodation is usually higher than in the UK. Athens has been ranked the 47th most expensive city to live in by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) survey of 131 cities. The cost of living is higher in suburban and tourist areas of the country. In non-tourist areas the cost is lower because of the availability of local agricultural products, lower rents and reduced local travel costs.
- Utilities: the average cost of water, electricity and gas is around €30-€40 per month, depending on the number of people living in a property, which affects the level of consumption. Gas is not yet available in all parts of Greece.
- Internet domain: .gr
- Health: Government-run hospitals provide healthcare for everyone, including non-Greeks. There are also a number of private clinics and hospitals. Standards vary. Doctors and facilities are generally good on the mainland, but may be limited on the islands. Should you need a dentist, you are advised to contact a private dental surgery or clinic. The standard of dental services in private clinics is good to excellent, and prices are reasonable. If you are an EU national, you should obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before leaving the UK; this will entitle you to emergency medical treatment on the same terms as Greek nationals, but it does not cover you for medical repatriation, ongoing medical treatment or treatment of a non-urgent nature, so take out appropriate insurance. You should seek medical advice before travelling to Greece and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date. For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention, visit National Travel Health Network and Centre (NATHNAC) or Fit for Travel (NHS Scotland) or contact NHS Direct on 0845 4647.
- Laws and customs: indecent behaviour is not tolerated and can incur heavy fines or prison sentences. You should not become involved with drugs of any kind, or bring drugs - including ‘class C’ drugs - into the country. Possession of even small quantities can lead to long terms of imprisonment. You should also know your alcohol limits as your insurance may in some cases not cover you after excessive drinking. Driving any vehicle whilst over the legal drinking limit is heavily penalised and may result in a heavy fine and/or imprisonment. If you are seeking employment in bars or night clubs in Greece, you are required to have a health certificate/licence issue by the local authorities. Failure to have such a certificate is punishable by a fine and or imprisonment. The law requires that you should be able to identify yourself, so carry your passport or a document with an ID photograph at all times. In order to comply with Greek law, you should ensure that you obtain a receipt for goods purchased. Purchasing pirated CDs or DVDs can lead to imprisonment. You should not purchase any offensive weapons; this includes small-scale items such as knuckledusters or knives with a blade length of 10cm or above. Same-sex relationships are tolerated and in many cases accepted, especially by the younger generation, but public displays of affection by same-sex couples are not as common as in the UK.
back to top Economy and finance- Currency: Euro (€)
- Type of economy: capitalist
- Health of economy: medium
- Unemployment rate: unemployment stands at 9.9% and is above the euro-zone average. High youth and female unemployment (as more women enter the job market) is a major concern for the Greek government, along with persistent long-term unemployment.
- Main exports: food and beverages, manufactured goods, petroleum products, chemicals, textiles
back to top Culture- People: 98% Greek with a very small Muslim minority made up of Turkic people, Pomaks and Muslim Roma
- Major religion: Christian Orthodox
- History: see BBC Timeline: Greece for an outline of Greek history.
- Local etiquette: there are unwritten rules that you should greet friends with a kiss on both cheeks, offer a seat on the bus to the elderly and to bring a small gift (wine or flowers) when dining at somebody's home. Wine is common at lunch and dinner and it is usual to help yourself to food set out in the middle of the table. Reaching across the table for food is not uncommon. Sending a personal thank-you note to the host or hostess is not expected. Good manners dictate that you should use the formal plural pronoun (sas) when addressing an older person or someone you are meeting for the first time. It is inappropriate to ring someone at home in the afternoon between 2pm and 5pm when most Greeks rest, but it is fine to call after 9pm. Greeks do not take offence if you bump into them in the street and tend not to say ‘sorry’ or ‘excuse me’. Greeks tend to speak loudly in public and also come up close and make physical contact when talking to people. A raised palm means ‘stop’ in most countries but in Greece is a very offensive gesture. It is quite common to be asked personal questions about, for example, your income or your marital status and this is considered acceptable. When keeping appointments, it is best to be punctual, although in some instances you need to be prepared to wait.
back to top Politics- Type of government: Parliamentary democracy
- Major political parties: New Democracy (ND), Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK), Communist Party of Greece (KKE), Coalition of the Radical Left (SIRIZA)
back to top Travel adviceCheck the information available from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) for travel advice and a checklist for travellers. back to top More information
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