Security in Greece: crime rate and the real picture

Safety indices: what the numbers say

The Global Peace Index 2024 ranks Greece 57th out of 163 countries. This is a moderately safe level - better than most countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Worse than the Scandinavian countries or Switzerland.

Numbeo - the largest crowdsourced cost of living and safety database - gives a Crime Index of around 40. This is the average range for Europe. For comparison: Sweden has about 43, Poland has about 35, Italy has about 48.

Greece's Safety Index is about 60 out of 100. This means: most residents feel safe, especially during the day. Walking at night in most areas is also not a cause for concern.

It is important to understand: the numbers are averages. Athens and the islands are very different realities.

What crimes actually happen?

Violence is rare in Greece. Murders, robberies, attacks with weapons - the statistics for them are among the lowest in the EU. This is not a country where you should be afraid to go out.

The main real problem is property crimes. Pickpocketing, theft from cars, burglary. Especially in tourist areas and markets.

Fraud is also present. Taxi drivers who overcharge foreigners. Street lotteries and games. Fake real estate agencies. Standard set for tourist countries.

Hooliganism and petty rudeness happen in the center of Athens at night. It's more of a nuisance than a real threat.

Athens: safe and problematic areas

Athens is a heterogeneous city. The difference between regions is huge. Knowing it is important if you choose housing.

Areas to avoid at night:

• Omonia - a central square surrounded by an area with a high level of street drug dealing and homeless people. Lively during the day, uncomfortable at night.
• Victoria - next to Omonia. Concentration of illegal migrants and related social problems.
• Attikis and the surrounding streets are in a similar situation.
• Piraeus (port) - Pickpockets are active in the tourist areas of the port.

Safe and comfortable areas:

• Kolonaki - a prestigious area on the slope of Lykabettos hill. Expensive, quiet, many cafes and boutiques.
• Pagkrati - quiet residential area near the center. Popular among expats.
• Kifissia - northern suburbs. Green, rich, very safe. Good for families.
• Glyfada - southern suburb by the sea. Modern, calm, with good infrastructure.
• Halandri and Psychico - northern suburbs. Quiet, lots of greenery, low crime.

Tourist Plaka is beautiful, but keep your wallet with you there. Pickpockets work the crowds around the Acropolis regularly.

Islands: a separate level of security

The Greek islands are a different world in terms of security. Small islands like Patmos, Hydra or Santorini are virtually crime-free. Everyone knows everyone. The stranger is immediately noticeable.

On the larger islands - Crete, Corfu, Rhodes, Lefkada - the situation is also good. Pickpockets exist in tourist areas during high season. But these are exceptions, not the rule.

For families with children, the islands are an ideal option. Children walk there on their own. Neighbors know each other. In the evening you can safely sit outside until midnight.

In winter the islands are half empty. It's safe too - just quiet and peaceful.

Reality check: how expats live

Real reviews from people who moved to Greece give a more accurate picture than dry indices.

Most expats in the Athens suburbs and islands say nothing serious has happened in several years. They live peacefully, children go to school unaccompanied.

Those who have lived in the center of Athens or near Omonia describe unpleasant situations: a stolen phone, aggressive beggars, an uncomfortable environment at night. But this is just a nuisance, not a threat to life.

Expat women generally feel safe. There is less street harassment than in Turkey or Egypt. Although in some beach resorts during the high season, the intrusiveness of local men can be annoying - this is a cultural specificity, and not a security threat.

Families with children who choose the suburbs of Athens or the islands are usually satisfied. Children quickly integrate into the Greek environment. The level of freedom for children there is higher than in Moscow or St. Petersburg.

Comparison with other European countries

Greece is in the average range for Southern Europe. Noticeably safer than Brazil or South Africa. A little worse than Scandinavia or Switzerland.

Road safety: the main real threat

This is where Greece falls behind many European countries. Greek driving is a different story.

Greeks drive aggressively. They cut you off, honk your horn, ignore the markings. Motorcyclists in Athens ride on oncoming traffic and on sidewalks. This is the norm, not the exception.

Road accident statistics in Greece are among the worst in the EU. According to Eurostat, mortality on Greek roads is noticeably higher than the European average. Mountain serpentines on the islands and mainland are especially dangerous.

What does this mean for those moving:

• Car insurance is required - and it’s better to take one with extended coverage
• A rented scooter on the island is a source of increased risk. It's better not to sit down without experience
• Pedestrian crossings are not always respected - look around
• Night mountain roads are best avoided in unfamiliar places

Soberly assess road risks. For many people who have moved, it is the road that turns out to be a greater real threat than any criminals.

Safety for families with children

Greece is a country where children are held in high esteem. Greeks love children very much, they help unfamiliar families, and will not look away if a child cries.

In the suburbs of Athens and on the islands, children walk to school on their own from the age of 8-9. This is the norm. There are many children's playgrounds. In the evening, families with small children walk quietly until 10-11 p.m.

Selected best places for families:

• Kifissia (suburb of Athens) - green area, good schools, quiet
• Glyfada (by the sea) - beach nearby, international schools, safe
• Crete (Heraklion, Chania) - islands with good infrastructure for families
• Corfu - small island, calm, lots of nature
• Rhodes - developed infrastructure, comfortable for families

The only thing worth remembering is that in summer the beaches of tourist resorts can be noisy and crowded. For permanent living, it is better to choose less touristy parts of the islands or the suburbs of the capital.

Safety for women

In general, Greece is safe for women. Sexual violence is rare - statistics on this indicator are better than in many Western European countries.

Night streets in most areas do not cause alarm. Athenian women quietly walk alone late at night to Kolonaki or Pagkrati.

Cultural nuance: Greek men in tourist areas and resorts can be intrusive. This is not a threat - rather an annoying specificity. A clear refusal usually works.

The Omonia and Victoria areas of Athens are not recommended for women at night. It’s uncomfortable there for men too.

On the islands and in the suburbs, expat women tend to have a high sense of security. Many describe this as one of the advantages of moving compared to large Russian cities.

Migration situation and its impact on security

Greece is the first port of entry for many refugees and illegal migrants from the Middle East and Africa. This is a reality that cannot be ignored.

The main concentration is in several neighborhoods of Athens (Omonia, Victoria) and in camps on some islands (especially Lesvos, Samos). In most places in Greece it is practically unnoticeable.

The connection between migration and crime is not as direct as is sometimes portrayed in the media. The level of violence in Greece remains low. The main problem areas in Athens relate rather to the concentration of poverty and social marginalization in specific neighbourhoods.

If you live in the suburbs of Athens or on an island, the migration situation has virtually no impact on your daily life.

Optimal conditions for a safe life in Greece

Greece provides a high level of security if you choose the right place of residence. Here are practical recommendations.

Best choice for security:

• Islands (any except large tourist camps) - as calm as possible
• Northern suburbs of Athens: Kifissia, Psychiko, Chalandri - safe, green, expensive
• Southern suburbs by the sea: Glyfada, Voula, Vouliagmeni - safe, modern
• Cities outside Athens: Thessaloniki (smartly), Heraklion, Chania - lower criminal load

Practical tips:

• Do not keep documents in a backpack behind your back in tourist areas
• Park your car in secure parking lots or underground garages in the center of Athens
• Avoid Omonia and Victoria at night unless necessary
• Take car insurance with full coverage
• Scooters on the islands without experience - the risk of accidents is higher than the risk of crime

For families with children, Greece is an excellent choice. Especially the islands and suburbs. Children grow up in freedom and safety.

To obtain a residence permit in Greece through real estate investment, read more on the program page Greek Golden Visa.

Cost of living and insurance in the context of security

Security costs money. Here are the specific costs associated with living safely in Greece.

Safe areas of Athens are 30-50% more expensive than problem areas. The difference is justified.

Medical insurance is required when obtaining a residence permit. Without it, legal residence is impossible. The standard policy covers ambulance, hospitalization and basic doctor appointments.

How to Check the Safety of an Area Before Renting

It's worth checking out the area before you sign a lease. Here are the specific tools.

Online resources:

• Numbeo Crime Map for Greece - reviews from residents by area with ratings
• Google Maps Reviews - look for reviews of neighborhoods and streets, not just specific places
• Expat forums: expat.com, internations.org - there are real reviews of those who have moved

On site:

• Come to the area on a weeknight, not on a weekend
• Look at the condition of entrances, courtyards, street lighting
• Talk to the locals - Greeks are happy to talk to foreigners
• Pay attention to the presence of cafes, shops, children on the street in the evening

Questions for a real estate agent:

• Have there been any thefts from cars in this area in the last year?
• Is there security at the entrance or an intercom?
• What is the situation with street lighting at night?

Agents working with foreigners are accustomed to such questions. A good agent will be about the disadvantages of the area.

Police and emergency services

Greek police (Ελληνική Αστυνομία) are working. But you need to understand the specifics.

Emergency numbers:

• Police: 100
• Ambulance: 166
• Fire department: 199
• Single European number: 112

In tourist areas there is a Tourist Police (Τουριστική Αστυνομία). They speak English and specialize in helping foreigners. Phone: 171.

Reality: Reporting pickpocketing to the police is most often needed for insurance purposes, not to catch the thief. The police are busy and pickpockets are difficult to track. But an application can and should be submitted - including for insurance payments.

To obtain a residence permit, you will need a certificate of no criminal record. It is given at the police station at the place of registration in Greece.

In emergency situations - a serious accident, attack, medical assistance - the system works reliably. Ambulances and police arrive quickly.

Residence permit in Greece: legal basis for safe residence

Legal status is the basis for safe living in any country. In Greece, the most accessible route for Russians and CIS residents is the Golden Visa program.

Purchasing real estate from 250,000 euros (depending on the zone - from 400,000 euros in premium areas) entitles you to a residence permit for 5 years. The residence permit applies to the entire family: spouse and children under 21 years of age.

With a residence permit you get:

• Right to health insurance and access to medicine
• Right to enroll children in public or private school
• Bank account in a Greek bank
• Visa-free access to all Schengen countries
• Legal protection of Greek law

Read more about the conditions, amounts and process on the page Greek Golden Visa programs.

Tax aspects when moving to Greece

If you spend more than 183 days a year in Greece, you become a tax resident. This changes the tax landscape.

Greece offers special treatment for new tax residents. Fixed tax of 100,000 euros per year on foreign income (Non-Dom regime). This is beneficial for wealthy people with income abroad.

Standard tax rates in Greece:

• Personal income tax: progressive, from 9% to 44% (income over 40,000 euros)
• Rental tax: 15-45% depending on the amount
• VAT: standard 24%, preferential 13% and 6%
• Tax on transfer of ownership: 3.09% of the cadastral value

Before moving, it is worth consulting with a Greek tax lawyer. This will protect you from surprises.