Greece Buying Guide Services

Greece Buying Guide

Buy the full Greece Buying Guide and get the start to finish, step by step definitive guide to buying in Greece. View the Table of Contents and get more information on the guide here.

The Greece Buying Guide

Greece Buying Guide Forum

Although this forum is relatively new, Carol Dunning (a Greece Buying Guide researcher and team member) has added a substantial amount of information. Please check out the Forum for information on all sorts of things...and remember to post some more questions or perhaps help us out and answer some others.

Visit the Greece Property Buying & Investment Forum

Smart Overseas Property Buyer Finder Form

Looking for a property in Greece or the Greek islands and want some help in choosing a developer or agent? Check out our property professional matching service where we will put you in touch with reliable and quality professionals.

Smart Overseas Property Buyer Finder Form

Smart Overseas Property Buyer Resource Form

Looking for a service professional that helps people buy in Greece or the Greek islands? Check out our resource page and let us know if you're looking for a mortgage, solicitor, currency specialist, removals company or anything else you might need!

Smart Overseas Property Buyer Resource Form

Greece Buying Guide MORTGAGE

Looking for a mortgage broker that helps people buy in Greece or the Greek islands? Check out our mortgage page and let us know what your exact requirements are!

Smart Mortgage Matching Service

Before to Going to Greece

Check out your credit rating before applying for a mortgage

I just wanted to mention a site that you might find helpful. Check out: JoinCreditExpert as it allows you to enter your details and get a free credit report. This will allow you to check your credit history BEFORE you apply for a mortgage to ensure that it’s correct and to avoid any unnecessary delays.

Order Books/Magazines on Greece

In order to save you time and money buying the wrong information, I review various publications and offer reviews in my monthly eNewsletters. I often find the best selection of books on buying property in Greece can be located at Amazon.com. To check out the latest books, reviews and synopsis on Buying Property in Greece, follow this link to Amazon.co.uk and it will take you straight to the Greece Property book section.

Click here to read my Book Reviews

Property and Home Greece Magazine
This seems to be the only magazine that covers Greece ONLY. It has tonnes of great information on all aspects of Greece. The information on the buying process, taxes and feature articles are all fantastic. Furthermore, with their new website, you can order an on-line version or sign up for a subscription.

WH Smiths
I'm sure you know all about WH Smiths! They don't seem to cover the magazine I have just mentioned, but they do have information on Greece within the many Overseas Magazines. It's a bit of a strange way to go about things, but go to the site, click on Magazines and then look up the Genre of 'Homes & Gardens' and then you'll be able to choose from a variety of overseas property magazines such as 'A place in the Sun.' By making the subscription purchase over the net you can save over 20%.

Learn the Greek Language

Rossetta Stone
I first found Rosetta Stone in America - that was several years ago. Since then the company has gone international in a big way. From what the *experts* say this system is the absolute best. The curriculum includes listening comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing. You can get the information in a CD rom or via an online subscription format. There are two reasons that I think this site is worth looking at:

1. They offer a free on-line demo so you can 'try-before-you-buy'
2. If you do decide to purchase they offer a 6-month full money back if you're not happy. Anyone that does that must believe that their product will deliver!

Click on the Rosetta Stone link above to check out their site. To find the demo - it's a tab along the top that says, 'Demo'.

Audible
Another great website that offers Digital Books on learning Greek is Audible. The site had 14 matches to 'Greek Language' when I last checked. And when you do a search the details of each audio book appears listing the price, ratings from other listeners and an audio clip so that you can listen before you buy. The site also offers comedy shows, radio dramas, self-development programs and all sorts. The way it works is you sign up, install software on your computer that manages your audio device (i.e. MP3 player, Ipod) and then you download the audio of your choice and simply upload the data to your MP3 player...

You get two FREE audio books when you try Audible, so it's worth looking at. The whole site is set up for people that use digital audio players, so if you have an IPod or MP3 player this is a must-see site!

Transparent Language
Transparent Language is another website that offers Greek language sets. When I first signed up to this site, they offered a free 'lite' version of their software - it came with flash cards and this cool testing and review system. Since I signed up to the freebie, it seems to have vanished from the website...Unless I'm blind? Anyway - this site seems to be a cross between Rosetta and Audible as it offers both CD's and digital information for download - for an IPod or MP3 player.

Rapid Greek - Review by Olga

A month ago I didn’t know a single word of Greek and I didn’t really want to know any either. Then I found that I was going to Cyprus and life hasn’t been quite the same since. Well, that is probably a slight exaggeration, but who wouldn’t be excited?!

As a proper tourist to be I went straight on the Internet and searched for language tools, books, CDs, software, dictionaries and anything even slightly related to the Greek language and Cyprus. (read full review)

Travel Insurance

Columbus Direct
I get my travel insurance from Columbus or Direct Line - one or other is always cheaper than everyone else. The website could not be easier to use – it’s not crowed with all sorts of services…it just offers travel insurance. All you do is enter a fewdetails, determine what kind of insurance you want and decide if you want to pay the price. The site offers regular travel, over 64's, adventure and pet insurance plus more.

Direct Line Travel Insurance
On a previous trip I tried Columbus Direct and the website wasn't working. Annoyed, I tried American Express and discovered I would have to sell an organ to pay their prices. After thinking about providers, I remember Direct Line - those commercials with the little red phone must have worked on me. Anyway, getting a quote from Direct Line and purchasing your insurance on-line could not be any easier. Click on the link below: and have a look for yourself.

American Express
This website has insurance for everything - home, motor, identity and, of course, travel insurance. If you click on the link above, you'll go to the Travel Insurance area. Personally, I feel that their prices are outrageous, but see what you think.

Travel Insurance Online
This company is part of Jade Stanley Limited which is regulated and authorised by the Financial Services Authority. They provide Annual Travel Insurance for UK Residents only. The insurance seems fairly cheap so check this site against the others to find out where you can get the best quote.

SIM Card for Overseas

Sim4travel
This is an outstanding service that allows you to purchase a SIM card online and have it delivered straight to your door. With the SIM you can receive calls FREE in Greece (and 50 other countries), save up to 80% on calls worldwide and top it up from anywhere at anytime - direct from your phone. Take it from me - I've had phone bills amounting to over £500.00 due to phone calls received and made from Greece - and I'm not a huge fan of the phone, but even a few calls can add up if you don't make plans to change your SIM card! This is a must if you are travelling aboard.

Sim4travel won the award for the most inovative service in this years industry awards, beating off competition from the likes of T-Mobile, Vodafone and O2. You can leave your details on their website and they will remind you before your next trip - now that's service!

Getting to Greece

Airlines
British Airways

I had been using the cheaper airlines to get to Greece but someone mentioned that BA were doing really good deals. Well – let me tell you…I cannot recommend more highly the entire process of buying and flying with British Airways (and that goes for flying anywhere in the world).

To begin, I booked my tickets over their website and it was really impressive. You can specify whether or not you can fly +/- 3 days or +/- 7 days in order to see the various prices on each day. By booking this way, I found that it was £100’s of pounds cheaper to go out on a Saturday rather than a Sunday. If I hadn't known this, I would have simply booked the days I originally had in mind.

Then…when I arrived at the airport, all I had to do was go to a machine that looked like a cash machine (hole-in-the-wall) and enter the Credit Card I had used to purchase the tickets. After about 3 minutes of answering the security questions on the machine, my tickets popped out and I was instructed to go to the baggage drop-off point. The entire booking in process took no more than 7 minutes.

I highly recommend British Airways if you fly anywhere…they truly are a class act!

Travel Booking Webservices
I use the following two websites when I want to compare the prices that different airlines offer. It's easier than calling a travel agent as you simply enter your preferred dates and let the website work it's magic. With both Opodo and eBookers I have never experienced any problems.

Opodo
This website is fantastic – it is one of those sites that checks all air carriers at once. Every time I fly home to Rochester, New York, I use these people. It’s easy to use, the online system checks all the airlines flying to your particular destination and then ranks them according to price, dates or whatever you choose. The tickets are sent out automatically or you can get electronic tickets. I’ve used this company at least 14 times and have not once been disappointed. The only thing I don’t like is that you can’t see the prices if you travel 1 day earlier or 3 days later as you can on British Airways.

eBookers
eBookers is an excellent site. You can book flights, hotel, car rental and anything else to do with travel. The site is easy to use and I find the prices very competitive. When booking flights I often check this one and Opodo. eBookers sends out eMails if the flight changes so I always feel confident that I know what's going on.

Thomas Cook
Don't forget to go to the Thomas Cook website before you book your flights. There may just be a holiday offer that would slot in with your plans to view property - a whole lot cheaper perhaps than it would cost you through a high-street travel agent. There is no better way to decide where to buy than to spend a holiday there, preferably out of season. Look at Thomas Cook's website for inexpensive holidays.

www.thomascook.com

Car Rental in Greece
I’ve found that in most countries it pays to sort out your car rental prior to flying over. In Spain, Germany, Cyprus, America and Greece I’ve successfully used Sixth Car Rental and truly feel that you get the best value for money. Hertz has always seemed to be the most expensive incidentally...

One word about car rental in Greece - make sure you book before you go! I've seen many people arrive at the airport only to find that all the cars were sold out. Can you imagine flying for 3 hours to find out that you can't get out of the airport! So I urge you to book before you go! In places like Corfu there is no bus from the airport either...just taxis, which can fill rapidly.

Holiday Autos
Holiday autos is part of lastminute.com plc. They claim that they select only the best car rental companies around the world, and then negotiate the lowest possible rates from them, passing the savings onto our customers in the form of lower, fully inclusive prices.

What I like about Holiday Auto's is that you can designate where you pick up and drop off the car.

Sixt Car Rental
The last three times I've gone overseas, I've used Sixt and I have not been disappointed yet.

Loggetta Car Rental (CRETE)

This is a local family-run car rental business based in Heraklion, Crete, that has been in operation since 1987 and comes highly recommended – by me, no less!

They will deliver anywhere in Crete, 24 hours a day. All vehicles are insured through the Interamerican Group, who also offers 24 hour Road Assistance. In case of accidents, customers are provided with a full and immediate back-up service, including repair or replacement of the vehicle.

Included in their very reasonable car rental prices are full insurance, free kilometres, taxes, road assistance, baby-seats, delivery and pick-up from the Airport, Port and hotels in and around Heraklion.

And the really brilliant news is that, as a Greece Buying Guide reader, you can get a 25% discount!! Just get in touch with me before booking and I will email my contact there to arrange this for you. Email me at: mailto:Carol@overseasguidescompany.com

Accomodation

I've been to several hotels and have taken notes on all of them, but have not yet had the time to update this area yet. Keep coming back as I'll eventually get to it! I do have a reviews page - also check that out too!

The Property Buying & Completion Process

Save money buying a property in Greece
Many buyers unknowingly pay £1,000's more than they have to - don't let this happen to you. By using a currency exchange specialist rather than a bank you can save money by:

1. Buying at a better rate (save 2% - 4%)

2. Create a strategy to buy at the best time

3. Eliminate Greek Bank receiving charges that can be in the £100's

Go to Smart Currency Exchange Limited to find out how much money you can save on your property in Greece or call on their freephone on: 0808 163 0102.

Smart Currency Exchange offers a FREE full report on how the Currency Exchange Market works AND weekly currency updates on whether it’s a good time to buy, sell or hold tight. Simply go to the site below (It’s NOT boring - I promise): http://www.smartcurrencyexchange.com/freereport.htm

This is excellent feedback we recieved from a reader about Smart:

"I was introduced to smart currency exchange by the very helpful Carol Dunning of the overseasguidescompany.com (Greece Buying Guide) myself and my partner are building a house on the island of Kefalonia and recently needed to send the money over to fund the project.

We contacted sce who explained their services, answered our questions, gave us good advice and most importantly,an excellent exchange rate which saved us several thousand euros compared to bank and post office rates. Within 48 hours of sending a 'chaps' wire transfer to sce the money was in our Greek bank account. At each stage we were sent e-mails which we found very reassuring. It was an absolute pleasure to deal with this company. We have already recommended sce to friends building abroad and hope We can recommend them to many more.

Kind regards, Bill and Jen"

Removals for Greece

Moving your valuables to Greece can be quite easy. At least 4 months before you plan to move to Greece send me an eMail or fill out my resource form and I'll happily get a good moving company to contact you and have chat about this.

Taking Pets to Greece

Pet Exports
The website states that international relocation with pets is sometimes a minefield of legislation, veterinary requirements and logistics. It is advisable to consult an experienced professional, conversant with exporting domestic animals. This site aims to provide all the necessary advice and information in order to make this seemingly complicated process as simple as possible. Check these people out as they work with people going to Greece.

Passport for Pets
Passports for pets is the leading pet relocation specialist and are devoted to the safety and welfare of all animals. They have a good website, which I am sure you will find informative.

Living in Greece

Banks for Greece or in Greece

Greek bank in London - Piraeus Bank:
www.piraeusbank.co.uk

There are two British banks with branches in Greece as follows:

HSBC
109-111 Messogion Avenue
Athens 115 26
Tel: 210 696 0000

Royal Bank of Scotland
61 Akti Miaouli Street
Piraeus 185 36
Tel: 210 459 6500

Employment in Greece

See full list in the 'Your Questions Answered Bonus' to the Greece Buying Guide.

Health Care in Greece

Ethniki Asfalistiki
Generali
AXA PPP Healthcare
BUPA International
Exeter Friendly Society
International Health Insurance

Other Useful Resources

British Cornershop

(I will add more links as and when I find them!)

Link Exchange
If you would like to set up reciprocal links between this website and yours, please email me at: mailto:Kim@GreeceBuyingGuide.com

I am only interested in linking to high quality websites related to buying a property in Greece or getting to and around Greece, and am not looking for links for links sake...

If you put up my link on your website, please send me a link as to where I can see it, and then send me your link AND a description about your website. Once I publish your link, I'll send you and eMail confirming the location.

Here is my link for placement on your page: Please cut and paste:

URL
http://www.GreeceBuyingGuide.com/greece.htm

Description
FREE Greece Property Buying & Investment Guide
Get your FREE Greece Buying Newsletter NOW: an educational and free newsletter with easy-to-read tips, processes and methods to ensure your property purchase in Greece is a success. Find out how to save money, find your ideal home or investment property and access a series of resources to help you with your research.

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