Moving to Greece, handled from door to door

Where we move clients to Greece from

Other origins we cover

• France → Greece
• Belgium → Greece
• Netherlands → Greece
• Luxembourg → Greece
• Germany → Greece
• Austria → Greece
• Switzerland → Greece
• Ireland → Greece
• United Kingdom → Greece
• Spain → Greece
• Portugal → Greece
• Italy → Greece

Customs & paperwork into Greece

Moving from another EU country

Moving to Greece from another EU country involves no customs clearance and no import duty on your belongings.

Once in Greece, you will need a Greek tax number (AFM) for almost every step, and EU citizens staying longer than three months register their residence with the local authorities.

Moving from outside the EU (UK, Switzerland, Norway, USA, and others)

From outside the EU — including the United Kingdom since Brexit, the USA, Canada and Australia — your personal property can enter Greece exempt from customs duties and VAT when you transfer your habitual residence. Under the Greek scheme:

• you have had your habitual residence abroad for at least two years (at least 185 days per year);
• you are transferring it to Greece to settle permanently;
• you obtain a relocation certificate from the Greek consulate in your previous country — it is valid for 12 months and its date marks your transfer;
• your belongings are for personal use, not for sale.

Belongings imported under the exemption cannot be sold, leased or pledged for one year after clearance.

If you already live in Greece, you may still qualify by declaring your intention to transfer within 24 months of arrival (36 months for retirees).

Alcohol and tobacco beyond traveller allowances are excluded.

Documents usually required for customs clearance

• Valid passport
• Relocation certificate from the Greek consulate (for non-EU moves)
• Greek tax number (AFM)
• A detailed inventory of your belongings
• Proof of your address in Greece

Request your relocation certificate from the consulate early: without it, the exemption cannot be claimed at clearance.

Special territories

Deliveries to Crete, Rhodes, Corfu and the Cyclades involve a ferry crossing from Piraeus or another mainland port. Transit times are longer and access on small islands may require a smaller vehicle.

Vehicles and restricted items

• Vehicles One private car per person can be imported with relief if it has been used at your previous residence for at least six months and meets current emission standards — Euro 1 to 3 vehicles are not accepted. Special rules apply for moves from the Americas, Africa and Oceania.
• Alcohol and tobacco Excluded from the exemption beyond traveller allowances.
• Plants and food Plants and most animal products are restricted in shipments from outside the EU.
• Pets Pets travel separately from household goods. They need a microchip, a valid rabies vaccination and an EU pet passport or an official health certificate, depending on the country of origin.

How a move to Greece works

1. Free quote. Give us your departure address, your new home in Greece and a rough volume. We send an online estimate right away and a written quote within a day.
2. Survey and planning. We validate the volume with you, pick the transport mode and go through the customs rules that apply on this route to Greece.
3. Packing and collection. Our local team packs, inventories and loads your belongings at your home in Greece.
4. Transport. On the road for a European route, in a sea container across an ocean, or by air for small urgent shipments to Greece.
5. Customs clearance (where required). Customs paperwork for Greece is prepared and filed on your behalf (Greek customs file and relocation certificate check).
6. Delivery and set-up. Delivery to your new home, unpacking and furniture reassembly if included in your quote.

One coordinator follows your move to Greece from the first call to the final delivery.

How your belongings travel — mode by mode

Door-to-door transit times are indicative and depend on the season, the exact addresses and, where required, customs clearance.

Door-to-door transit times are indicative. Deliveries to the islands add the ferry crossing and depend on schedules, especially in winter.

How the price of your move to Greece is calculated

We price every move to Greece with the same ingredients — nothing hidden, nothing improvised:

• Volume — measured in cubic metres (m³) — the main cost driver. Our online volume calculator helps you estimate it room by room.
• Distance and route — measured on the actual road, from your door to your delivery address in Greece.
• Transport mode — groupage, your own truck, shared or full container, air for urgent small shipments.
• Services — packing, taking furniture apart and reassembling it, crating fragile pieces, storage, island delivery.
• Access — walk-up floors, pedestrian streets, long carries from the truck, and hoists where access is tight.
• Customs — clearance fees and port handling charges, where required by your route to Greece.
• Insurance — a small percentage of the declared value — scalable to what you want covered.

Typical volumes, as a guide:

Our online estimator gives you a starting price for road moves within Europe in two minutes. For sea and air freight, and for any move with customs, you receive a detailed written quote — reply within 24 hours.

Frequently asked questions

Do I pay customs duties when moving to Greece from the UK or the USA?

Not if you qualify for the Greek transfer of residence scheme: habitual residence abroad for at least two years, a permanent move to Greece and a relocation certificate from the Greek consulate.

What is the relocation certificate?

A certificate issued by the Greek consulate in your previous country. It is valid for 12 months and is required to claim the exemption at Greek customs.

Is there any customs paperwork when moving from another EU country?

No. Moves between EU countries involve no customs formalities and no import duty.

Can you deliver to the Greek islands?

Yes, to Crete, Rhodes, Corfu, the Cyclades and other islands, by ferry from the mainland. Transit is longer and small islands may need a smaller vehicle.

How long does a move to Greece take?

From Italy, a few days by road and ferry; from Western Europe, about one to two weeks by dedicated truck. From North America, allow six to ten weeks by sea container.