About Greece

Every person has their own story, but many of us are united by the fact that, due to the circumstances of fate, we found ourselves in a new country where we need to build a new life as quickly as possible. We hope that our Expaterra portal can help you!

So, Greece: a country of opportunities and warm hospitality, where everyone will find their home among picturesque landscapes and rich cultural heritage.

Culture and Lifestyle

The culture and lifestyle of Greece are unique and rich with traditions passed down from generation to generation. Greece is famous for its hospitality, rich history, relaxed lifestyle, and delicious cuisine that emphasizes simplicity and freshness of ingredients.

One of the most unique features of Greek culture is "filoxenia," which literally translates to "love for guests." Greeks are genuinely delighted to welcome visitors, showcase their culture, and treat them to traditional dishes.

For Greeks, family is the foundation of everything. Family bonds are very strong, and even adult children often remain close to their parents. Holidays and important events are usually celebrated with a large family gathering.

Orthodox Christianity plays a significant role in the lives of Greeks. Easter is the main religious holiday, celebrated with solemn services and traditional rituals. Patron saints are of great importance, and celebrations in their honor take place across the country.

Greeks value a calm and measured way of life. Work and household matters are generally unhurried, and breaks, especially in the summer months, become part of everyday life. Cafes and taverns serve as important places for socializing and relaxation. Greeks love coffee, which symbolizes time spent talking and unwinding. Weekend trips to nature, especially the beach, are a popular way to spend the weekend.

Greek cuisine is renowned for its Mediterranean character and the use of fresh, local products. The main ingredients are olive oil, vegetables, herbs, fish, meat, cheeses, and yogurt. Meze refers to a variety of appetizers served to all guests. These include dishes such as tzatziki (yogurt and cucumber sauce), dolmades (stuffed grape leaves), olives, and feta. Greek dishes feature a large number of meat delicacies, such as souvlaki (meat kebab) and gyros (meat wrapped in pita with vegetables). Popular in the southern regions is the dish kleftiko — slow-cooked meat with herbs and potatoes. Being a country with many islands, Greece is famous for its seafood dishes, including grilled octopus, calamari, and fish. These dishes are usually served with lemon and olive oil. Greek salad (horiatiki) is perhaps one of the most famous dishes, made from tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, olives, and feta. Popular Greek desserts include baklava (a pastry with honey and nuts), loukoumades (honey doughnuts), and galaktoboureko (a semolina cream pie). Most desserts have a rich sweet taste and often contain honey, nuts, and cinnamon.

Greece ranks high in several international rankings, especially in the fields of tourism, culture, and sustainable development.

Tourism and Travel

- Best Travel Destinations: Greece and its islands, such as Santorini, Mykonos, Crete, and Zakynthos, top the rankings of the world's best travel destinations. For example, Santorini is often mentioned in top lists for beautiful sunsets and romantic getaways.

- Beach Vacation: Greek beaches, such as Elafonisi in Crete and Navagio in Zakynthos, are ranked among the best beaches in Europe and the world, thanks to their crystal-clear waters and unique natural landscapes.

- Cruise Routes: Greece ranks highly in cruise destination rankings. The Aegean and Ionian Seas are considered some of the most attractive for cruises, with stops at picturesque islands and historic ports.

Cultural Heritage

- UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Greece is among the countries with the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These include the Acropolis, Ancient Delphi, Meteora monasteries, and many others.

- Historical Significance and Archaeology: Greece is often mentioned in rankings of countries with rich cultural heritage, influence on world history, and archaeological sites that are key to Western civilization.

Olive Oil Consumption

- Olive Oil Production and Consumption: Greece is among the top three producers of olive oil, surpassed only by Spain and Italy. However, in terms of olive oil consumption per capita, Greece often ranks first, as this product is the cornerstone of Greek cuisine and is used in almost every dish.

Ecology and Sustainable Development

- Eco-tourism: Greece actively develops sustainable tourism, helping the country rank high in environmental ratings. For example, on the island of Tilos, projects are launched aimed at fully utilizing renewable energy sources.

- Water and Beach Cleanliness: Greece ranks as a leader in the number of "Blue Flags," which are awarded to beaches with a high degree of environmental cleanliness. Greek beaches consistently rank among the most environmentally clean and safe for swimming.

Gastronomy and Mediterranean Cuisine

- Mediterranean Diet: Greek cuisine, as part of the Mediterranean diet, is recognized as one of the healthiest in the world and is included in UNESCO's list of intangible cultural heritage. Greece is also frequently mentioned in rankings of countries with the healthiest cuisine.

- Culinary Tourism: Greece ranks highly in rankings of countries popular for gastronomic tourism. Its traditional dishes, including those made from fresh seafood, feta cheese, olive oil, and herbs, attract food enthusiasts from around the world.

Safety and Health

- Tourist Safety: Greece is listed among the safest tourist destinations in Europe and the world. With low crime rates and developed tourist infrastructure, the country offers a high level of safety for visitors.

- Life Expectancy: Thanks to a diet based on fresh vegetables, fruits, fish, and olive oil, Greece ranks high in life expectancy and population health ratings.

Marine Industry

- Merchant Fleet: Greece leads in the size of its merchant fleet and cargo transportation volume, ranking among the top in the world in maritime transportation. Greek companies own a significant percentage of the global merchant fleet, making the country an important hub for the maritime industry.

These rankings emphasize Greece's rich cultural heritage, ecological purity, healthy lifestyle, and stability, for which it is renowned.

In a number of international rankings, Greece unfortunately holds low positions, which is associated with economic difficulties of recent decades, management issues, as well as some social and infrastructure problems.

In terms of economic freedom, Greece often ranks low among European countries. Restrictions for businesses, bureaucracy, and high tax burdens complicate business operations and hinder the development of small and medium enterprises.

Greece ranks low in attracting direct foreign investments. Restrictions in the tax and legal systems, as well as lengthy licensing procedures, create barriers for foreign investors.

In corruption rankings, such as the Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index, Greece is below the average level among EU countries. Although measures have been taken in recent years to combat corruption, the problem remains relevant.

In healthcare rankings, Greece often ranks last among European countries. This is due to a lack of funding, insufficient medical equipment in public hospitals, especially in remote areas, and long waits for some medical services.

Greece also lags in disease prevention, including vaccination programs and measures to reduce smoking rates, creating public health challenges.

Greece holds one of the lowest positions in the EU in terms of youth employment rates. Youth unemployment in Greece remains one of the highest in Europe, linked to the economic crisis and a lack of career growth opportunities.

The country has limited opportunities for flexible hiring and firing of employees, which hinders business development and reduces labor market flexibility.

In education system efficiency rankings, such as PISA, Greek students show lower results compared to the European average, especially in mathematics and natural sciences.

In innovation rankings, Greece also holds low positions. Insufficient funding for scientific research and technological projects, as well as "brain drain" (when young professionals leave the country in search of better conditions), limit the country's innovation potential.

Greece faces issues with the quality of road infrastructure in remote and rural areas. Although tourist and major cities have good roads, some rural regions and islands suffer from a lack of modern roads and public transportation.

Greece ranks low in Europe in terms of internet access and digital infrastructure. Rural and remote areas often suffer from low internet speed and poor network coverage, which hinders the development of remote work and the digital economy.

In waste recycling and management rankings, Greece also lags behind. Numerous landfills, inadequate recycling and waste disposal programs create environmental issues, especially on islands and in tourist areas.

Air quality in major cities such as Athens is often under pressure due to transport and industrial production. Greece ranks low in air quality rankings among European countries.

Greece faces challenges in the sustainability of its pension system due to an aging population and economic problems.

These rankings indicate important aspects that require improvement and represent challenges that Greece continues to actively work on to strengthen its position in these areas.

 

 

 

Local Language

Learning the Greek language can present certain difficulties for beginners, especially for those whose native language does not belong to the Greek or other related language groups.

One of the first challenges is the Greek alphabet, which differs from Latin and Cyrillic. Although it consists of only 24 letters, memorizing it and learning to read can be difficult, especially due to some symbols resembling letters of the Latin alphabet but having different pronunciations (for example, "ρ" is pronounced as "r" rather than "p" as in Latin).

The Greek language has four cases — nominative, genitive, accusative, and vocative — which complicates the grammatical structure. For those whose native language does not have cases, this can be a serious challenge.

Greek verbs change depending on person, number, tense, mood, and voice. For example, the Greek language has separate forms for different tenses: present, future, aorist (simple past), and imperfect (continuous past), which requires memorizing a large number of forms.

Some sounds in the Greek language may be unfamiliar. In Greek, stress often can change the meaning of words.

Many Greek words are long, and technical terms and scientific terms, which were borrowed from Ancient Greek, may sound unusual and require extra time to memorize.

Colloquial and literary forms of the Greek language can differ significantly. Many phrases in formal speech sound different than in everyday communication, which requires adaptation.

Different regions of Greece have dialects that can vary substantially in terms of vocabulary, pronunciation, and intonations.

The Greek language is rich in idioms and phrases that reflect the culture and mentality of the country. Often, the meaning of such expressions is not obvious when translated literally. Greek culture and mythology play an important role in the language, and many words and expressions are related to ancient Greek mythology and history, which can complicate understanding without familiarity with the cultural context.

Studying Greek requires patience and time, but with regular practice and immersion in the culture, it becomes an interesting and rewarding process.