According to the InterNations Expat Insider 2025 survey, Greece has slipped out of the Top 10 for ‘Ease of Settling In,’ ranking 14th this year, down from 10th in 2024.
The biggest fall came in the “Finding Friends” category, where Greece now ranks 16th. Twenty-eight percent of expats in Greece say they don’t feel they have a strong support network, double the 14% from last year. This suggests that while Greece is still considered welcoming, more expats are finding it harder to transform friendliness into meaningful connections.
Why the Drop?
Several factors may explain this shift. Greeks are famously warm and hospitable, but deeper friendships often form within long-standing family and social circles, which can take time for newcomers to access. Bureaucracy and ongoing frustrations with the local system add another layer of stress that can leave expats feeling isolated. And in larger cities like Athens or Thessaloniki, expats are spread across many neighborhoods, making casual everyday connections less likely than in smaller, close-knit communities.
Our Take as Expats
From our own experience, you’ll never feel ignored in Greece. At the farmers’ market, the corner café, or even at the post office, locals will chat, smile, and make you feel welcome. But as the Expat Insider results highlight, a smile is not the same as a support network. Building that circle of trusted friends — the people you can rely on when you need help or simply companionship — takes more persistence here. Joining clubs, going to language exchanges, and making a consistent effort to show up are often necessary steps.
What This Means if You’re Moving to Greece
The drop to 14th place does not mean Greece has lost its charm as a welcoming destination. It does mean that integration often takes longer than new arrivals expect. Expats need to be proactive in building connections and look for spaces where locals and internationals naturally mix. Language cafés, volunteer groups, and creative communities are often good entry points.
Final Word
The Expat Insider 2025 survey shows Greece slipping out of the Top 10, but the story behind the ranking is more nuanced. Expats still appreciate the warmth and hospitality, but real friendships take time, patience, and effort. The good news? Once you’ve built those bonds, Greek friendships are famously deep, loyal, and often lifelong.
