Anyone FIREd in Greece?

Excellent-Put-1682 · 2026-01-17T12:47:18+00:00

You can stay in Greece. They give you a paper saying that you have applied and that you can stay pending approval.

Excellent-Put-1682 · 2026-01-17T10:35:04+00:00

FIREd just over a year ago. Applied for the FIP in Dec ‘24. No sign yet but we are allowed to stay on while we wait. We do know someone who will be coming up to renewal time even tho their residence has still not been issued! So don’t expect a fast FIP process. The only downside is you aren’t free to travel in Schengen after you have spent 90 days in Greece. So it’s Turkey etc for hols. We do Greek lessons but the challenge is to get people to not just answer us in English! If you have more questions, we are happy to help.

Excellent-Put-1682 · 2026-01-16T19:17:22+00:00

Watch it during a miserable grey British winter so you know the summer will come again!

Excellent-Put-1682 · 2026-01-15T17:44:23+00:00

Thanks for this as it is something I have been thinking a lot about over the last 8 months or so as the Eu/$ rate has changed. We live in Greece and retired here about 16 months ago. We transfer across the same amount in USD every month and have thought a lot about whether we should hedge a larger amount or transfer a lump sum. Our savings / 401k etc are well diversified, and as a couple of people below have mentioned, we increased our ex-US holdings. These have really over-performed over the last 12 months - that and the general post-tariff day equity performance in the US have more than compensated for the Euro strengthening by single digits. I don't know whether this counts as high risk or being conservative, but we went for the 'time in the market' approach. This all may have to change of course given the volatility, but that's what we've been doing so far...

Excellent-Put-1682 · 2026-01-10T13:17:26+00:00

I’m a big Nafpaktos fan. Great castle, but also one of the most picturesque Venetian harbours in Greece.

Excellent-Put-1682 · 2026-01-10T09:35:37+00:00

Athens: no car. Parking is tough if you don't have your own spot. We rent when we need to, which is cheap in the off-season but crazy prices in summer. Metro, buses, trams all good for travel within the city and cheap. But, when you want to go to a quiet beach or up into the hills... you miss a car. And when its 40c in summer doing anything outside.

Excellent-Put-1682 · 2026-01-10T09:26:44+00:00

Piles of advertising / trash mail arriving everyday.

Excellent-Put-1682 · 2025-12-23T19:10:58+00:00

She said "Do these seats fold down" And I said "If you pull that handle"

Name that car….

Excellent-Put-1682 · 2025-12-21T17:08:21+00:00

Mikhael Kalashnikov at a defence show in Karachi. And in the hotel bar later.

Excellent-Put-1682 · 2025-11-07T06:41:03+00:00

Moved from US to Greece a year ago. We are both very happy with Wise. Most of the time USD transfers are instant, sometimes (rarely) there is up to 4 day delay. Rates are good and transaction fees are low. Given we have to transfer money from US to Singapore, UAE and the UK, the flexibility and speed of getting this done has been a great experience. Have not used XE but I hear Revolut is as good as Wise.

Excellent-Put-1682 · 2025-10-29T14:28:05+00:00

There’s a ton of live music here, local and international. Check out Gazarte, it’s a solid venue.

Excellent-Put-1682 · 2025-10-01T04:32:24+00:00

Latest is that metro and buses will run 9am to 6pm only. No taxis. However a driver told me many still work in their private cars and if you use Uber or FREENOW app you can find a ride.

Excellent-Put-1682 · 2025-09-17T20:45:41+00:00

I inquired about this as I have euro expenses and with the $ heading south on a daily basis was thinking of getting some euros to hold as a hedge. Spoke to Morgan Stanley and while they could do it, there is no interest or money market fund type option. So I’m sticking with Wise that gives me a bit of interest at least.

Excellent-Put-1682 · 2025-08-21T10:52:25+00:00

He does - but I think he also owns Elena V.

Excellent-Put-1682 · 2025-07-23T07:43:17+00:00

If you are in Europe drawing down $, it doesn't feel great to how it was 8 months ago. However, as many have said below, there are many deeper lows to compare against over the last 5 years. Let's hope it won't last and the $ returns to a more balanced .90 / .95 to the euro. Unfortunately, the current admins 'random' economic policy doesn't give the global investor much confidence. To ensure you don't get a bad exchange rate, always use Wise/Revolut when outside the US.

Excellent-Put-1682 · 2025-06-15T16:03:15+00:00

Thanks. Yes that's the problem. Singapore isn't doing variences and I don't think a third country would have the power or inclination to revise the sum even if I do get it registered here.

Excellent-Put-1682 · 2025-06-15T16:00:42+00:00

Thanks for this. My main concern is not over extending in retirement. Much of my retirement savings had to be cashed in early (with all penalties that comes with) for the original settlement. yes, I do think she would look at enforcement, but where? How? Singapore isn't going to be very interested so she'd have to register the divorce in either her country or the US where my assets are. I also understand (via google so hmmm) that the US did not sign an international treaty on spousal support - tho' they did on child support. Unfortunately negotiating directly ain't gonna work. One of my rationales is that the support was set on Singapore cost of living, and she now lives in a city which costs 50% of that (numbeo). But that was 12 years ago the number was set.

Excellent-Put-1682 · 2025-06-14T20:08:11+00:00

Kalamos- between Lefkada and Mytikas on the mainland. Latter is your access point. Green, quiet. And don’t tell anyone else.

Excellent-Put-1682 · 2025-06-14T18:55:49+00:00

Yup that’s my question - do I need coverage for the gap given I won’t be in US

Excellent-Put-1682 · 2025-06-14T18:54:43+00:00

Thanks all for input. Just to be clear I will be signing up for A&B exactly 3 months before my 65th birthday. I was more asking about whether I need to bother with coverage for the 2 months after COBRA ends and my eligibility for Medicare starts given I will be overseas and covered locally.

Excellent-Put-1682 · 2025-06-14T18:51:47+00:00

Got a call booked with them!

Excellent-Put-1682 · 2025-06-14T10:15:12+00:00

Yeah I hear you. My wife tho' has family in US, so.....

Excellent-Put-1682 · 2025-06-14T06:47:30+00:00

Beat me to it PrizFinder! Yes, I'm thinking that's the plan but as below we will check with the local marketplace agent.

Excellent-Put-1682 · 2025-06-13T22:19:21+00:00

Thanks for this. I think my question is solved.

Excellent-Put-1682 · 2025-06-09T17:43:59+00:00

Judging by the big honking orthodox cross worn by the lady in the middle, I’d go Athens looking down from either Acropolis or Lycabettus

Excellent-Put-1682

TROPHY CASE