Working in Athens
Living and working in Athens is a perfect mix of rich history, vibrant culture, and Mediterranean charm. It’s one of the world’s oldest cities, with a history of over 3,400 years. The long history of Athens makes ancient and modern life overlap everywhere.
Explore iconic ancient landmarks like the Acropolis and Parthenon, immersing yourself in thousands of years of civilization. Indulge in delicious Greek cuisine, from fresh seafood to mouthwatering souvlaki. Athens is one of Europe’s sunniest capitals. Do you love the combination of petting animals and drinking coffee? Athens might be the perfect place! The streets are full of friendly cats and locals are obsessed with coffee.
We offer you the chance to start living and working in Athens. On this page you can read more about life, the working culture and more!
Life in Athens
Athens is a city that combines ancient heritage with modern living, offering a unique and captivating atmosphere.
Picture yourself strolling through the streets of Athens, where ancient ruins stand proud alongside vibrant street art. Athens is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world with over 3400 years of history. So it’s almost impossible not to stumble across iconic landmarks like the Acropolis and the ancient Olympic Stadium.
Work in Athens
- Average working hours per week: 36 to 40 hours, 7 to 8 hours daily
- Typical working day: Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 or 6:00 pm
- Number of Vacation days: 20 days / 4 weeks
- Commute: Mostly by bike or train/tram
- Work culture: Flat hierarchy
FAQ
You can move to Athens by yourself, with a friend or as a couple. There are pros and cons to all of the situations. If you consider moving abroad with any kind of friend it can be a really good idea to sit down and talk through practical and everyday stuff such as economy, bills, cleaning, grocery shopping, cooking vs ordering, going out/staying in, how you deal with potentially going out without each other as well as having friends and family visiting (from near and far and extended visits). Apart from the practical arrangements, life is fun when you can share your new core memories with other people – so it is very recommendable to move abroad together. Moving with a friend can cause you to interact less with new people compared to if you move abroad by yourself. But if this is a good or a bad thing entirely depends on your personal goals and wishes as well as your personality.
Conclusion: communication is key if you and your friend decide to move abroad together
The best public transportation in Athens is the Athens Metro system. It is efficient, reliable, and covers a large part of the city. Additionally, the bus network in Athens is extensive and provides connectivity to areas not covered by the metro. Both the metro and buses are reasonably priced.
You can buy different public transport passes in Athens:
- A 24-hour pass: €4,10
- 5-day pass: €8,20
- Monthly pass: €27-€30
The cost of living in Athens can vary depending on factors such as accommodation, lifestyle choices, and personal preferences. Generally, compared to other European capitals, Athens offers a lower cost of living. Some of the most popular areas for European foreigners include: Kallithea, Moschato, Piraeus and Pangrati. These areas are considered safe. If you want more green areas and nicer places, go for areas like: Marousi, Irakleio and Kifisia. Some of the cheapest locations to live in Athens include neighbourhoods like: Kypseli, Sepolia and Peristeri.
Average rent prices in Athens:
- 1-bedroom apartment in the city center: €700-€1,300
- 1-bedroom apartment outside the city center: €480-€600
- Room in a shared apartment in the city center: €250-€450
- Room in a shared apartment outside the city center: €200-€350
- Spring: 17–22°C. Mild, bright and gradually warming, with occasional rain.
- Summer: 27–33°C. Hot, dry, very sunny, sometimes heat waves.
- Autumn: 18–26°C. Warm early, mild later
- Winter: 10–15°C. Mild but humid, with some chilly nights and occasional rain.
Is Athens expensive?
If you have made the decision to start living and working in Athens, it’s important to know about the costs of living over there. Of course, how much money you spend every month depends on your personal lifestyle. But when we take a look at the average costs, we see that Athens is relatively cheap in comparison to other big Northern European cities:
- Groceries: €200-€300 a month
- Simple meal in a restaurant: €10-€15
- Coffee in a café: €2-€4.
- Half a liter of beer: €2-€5
- Gym membership: €45-50 a month
- Cinema ticket: €9-10
- Ticket for visiting Acropolis: Acropolis ticket: €20 in summer, €10 in winter
Still not sure about moving to Athens?
Athens is so much more than its ancient monuments. It’s a diverse and vibrant city where all neighbourhoods can feel like you’re suddenly in a whole other country. Some other highlights of athens:
- The harbour area; includes the charming Piraeus with an endless amount of bars and restaurants overlooking the overwhelming amount of boats and yachts.
- Discover the different amazing beaches in and around the city.
- From the port of Piraeus you can venture out to a wealth of the most beautiful islands of Greece.
- The center of Athens is vibrant and provides a modern nightlife, shopping, dining and sightseeing.
- The northern suburbs provide a more local community, ideal for families and settling down in beautiful surroundings.
- Head to the central Monastiraki neighbourhood where you’ll find numerous tavernas and souvlaki joints offering delicious Greek cuisine at affordable prices.
- For drinks, visit the Exarcheia neighborhood, known for its vibrant and alternative atmosphere.
- Don’t forget to explore Psiri, a trendy district with a mix of traditional tavernas and modern eateries, where you can enjoy a variety of cuisines drinks.
Athens offers great passion for sports, especially basketball and football. So there’s a lot of options for creating a life just how you want it. Read our blog about how to enjoy life in Athens as a local expat for more tips on making your life even better when living and working in Athens!
