A change of scenery can often work wonders for your overall mood, your relationships, and even your employment status. Currently, Athens is a highly affordable option, not only in Greece, but throughout the rest of Europe as well, and the city offers some truly splendid sights! If you’re looking for a change, then Athens might be just the right place for you, not just on a personal level, but also on a career plane.
Jobs in Athens
As with any other place in the world, the Greek capital has taken a bit of a hit from the recent Covid-19 pandemic. Several work sectors have been affected, which might make getting a job in Athens now a little trickier than in normal circumstances. Still, the Greek economy remains a thriving one, and there are plenty of lucrative job sectors currently looking for new people. You just have to find the right one! Click here to see Jobs in Athens.
As you might expect, tourism is a huge sector in Athens, as well as in most of Greece. And what’s great about that is that you can do so many different things in this particular sector. From being a people person, interacting directly with travelers, and so on, to taking on a trip management position, to doing something only indirectly related to the field. Tourism is a sea of endless opportunity and a huge incentive for why you should consider the move to Athens! Besides Tourism & Hotel Jobs you can find a lot of opportunities (especially for foreign languages speaker) in the Customer Care sector. See Call Center Jobs. Last but not least the IT sector has always open Job positions for developers. Check out here the IT Jobs.
What are some of the most appreciated job skills in Athens?
One of the biggest skills you can have in Athens is English language proficiency. As we mentioned earlier, the tourism sector continues to do well, even under the current situation, and will keep doing so in the future. Now, the English language is highly coveted in the tourism sector, for a wide range of reasons. So already, if you’ve got a good grasp of English (and a fair one of Greek), you’re already halfway there.
Having an open mind and an open attitude is also a big plus point in working in Athens, as pretty much anywhere else in the world. Potential employers appreciate someone who’s willing to go the extra mile for their position, so bear that in mind when you hit up the Greek capital.
What’s the job salary like?
The Greek minimum wage has recently moved from €683.76 to €758.33, with the average salary in Athens being somewhere around €900, which allows for decent living in one of the most beautiful cities in Europe.
For annual income (this includes pensions and other entrepreneurial activities) of up to €20,000, taxes are averaged at 22% and are calculated to take into account all your professional activities during the year. Of course, self-employed Athenians are asked to pay a little extra for various social security reasons.
Living and working conditions in Athens
Well, first things first, if you are a resident of the European Union or of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland, then you don’t need to worry. You don’t need to apply for a visa or a residence permit, and are free to move to Athens whenever you like. Although you do need to register with the local authorities once you do, but that’s no trouble at all, particularly when you think about the laborious process of getting a visa.
If you’re not a citizen of the EU or the above-mentioned countries, you will have to apply for a 3-month entry visa before entering Greek territory.
Okay, but what’s the city like?
So we’ve talked a fair bit about job opportunities, salaries, and other career-related topics for taking a job in Athens, but what about the city? Obviously, such aspects as safety, rent, and so on, will also play a huge part in your decision to move to the Greek capital, so let’s take a look at them.
Renting in Athens
Unfortunately, with more and more people turning uninhabited properties into Airbnb’s, the number of rentable properties in Athens has gone down significantly, and it can be quite difficult to find a good home to rent inside the Greek capital. On top of that, rent prices have increased significantly in recent years, making it difficult to take up residence in Athens.
You might be better advised to seek a rental on the outskirts of the city (as opposed to the city center), with monthly rent averaging at €450 (without utilities, which can be expected to add an extra €150 to your monthly bill).
But don’t worry - there are things that make up for that!
Okay, so renting in Athens can be a bit difficult, not to mention pricey, but luckily, there are other things that make it worth your while. By far the most obvious one is the amazing cultural experience you’ll be getting. The Acropolis, the Temple of Poseidon, the Theater of Herodes Atticus - and that’s just naming a few of the fantastic monuments you will pass by on a fairly regular basis, just heading in for work.
Athens (as most of Greece, in general) has a hugely rich and varied history at its back, so if you’re interested in anything from history to archeology, Athens may well be the ideal setting for you!
And if you’re worried about saving some cash, don’t worry, transport in Athens is cheap, and so are groceries (if you know where to shop, of course!).
What about nightlife and leisure?
Obviously, you’ll want to unwind after a long day at the office. In terms of entertainment and leisure, Athens has several activity hubs and centers that offer all sorts of classes and fun activities (from yoga to sculpture) at very affordable prices.
As for nightlife, we don’t need to tell you that Athens enjoys a bustling nightlife (at least in non-Covid times) that will never leave you with a shortage of things to do.
Bottom Line - should you move to Athens?
Living and working in Athens is a fabulous and entertaining experience, and if you enjoy traveling, cultural richness, or are just badly needing a change in your life, relocating to Athens might really be the way to go!
Links about Athens, Greece