Living in Crete as a French Citizen: Practical Guide 2026

Crete is a dream destination. The Instagram photos show white houses, deserted beaches, and waterfront tavernas. What those photos don't show: queuing at the town hall for a single administrative document, the impossibility of opening a bank account without an AMKA number, or the 38-degree August heat that even locals complain about.

This guide is written for those who want to understand what actually moving to Crete looks like. No fairy tale. Just the facts.

AFM: your Greek tax number, first priority

The AFM (Arithmos Forologikou Mitroou) is your Greek tax identification number. Without it, you cannot open a bank account, purchase property, sign an employment contract, or set up most official subscriptions. Get it within your first few days. It is free and takes one to two business days at the AADE (Greek tax authority).

AMKA: the Greek social security number

The AMKA is your Greek social security number. It gives you access to the public health system (EOPYY), medication reimbursements, and a wide range of administrative procedures. Obtain it at a KEP centre or online via gov.gr. Requires your AFM, passport, and proof of Greek residence. Free, one to five business days.

Bank account: the most frustrating step

Greek banks (Piraeus, Alpha, Eurobank, NBG) require AFM, AMKA, passport, and a Greek proof of address in your name. The catch: to get a proof of address in your name, you often need a bank account. The way out: a lease contract registered with the AADE (mandatory for annual leases) is accepted as proof of address. While waiting, Revolut and Wise work fine for daily expenses with a French address.

Driving licence: no immediate action needed

Your French driving licence is valid in Greece as a European resident. No conversion required. If you register a car purchased in Greece in your name, you will need AFM and AMKA.

Healthcare: two parallel systems

Greece has a public healthcare system underfunded compared to northern European standards. Most long-term expats in Crete use private GPs for routine care (30 to 60 EUR per consultation) and supplement with international health insurance for hospitalisations. Budget 50 to 150 EUR/month for decent coverage.

Internet: variable by zone

Heraklion and major towns: fibre available at 100 to 500 Mbps for 25 to 40 EUR/month. Rural villages and eastern Crete beyond Sitia: VDSL at 20 to 50 Mbps, sufficient for standard remote work. 4G coverage is good on the coast, patchy in mountain areas.

Where to live: by profile

• Remote worker wanting calm: Makrigialos, Koutsounari, Ferma. Low rents, authentic local life, reliable internet on the coast.
• Need urban amenities: Agios Nikolaos or Ierapetra. All services, moderate rents, manageable scale.
• Families with school-age children: Heraklion. Bilingual schools, university hospital, international airport.

What nobody tells you

Greek bureaucracy is real. Administrative offices have restricted hours. Forms are in Greek. Staff often do not speak English. A local translator or lawyer for important procedures is not a luxury.

The July-August heat in eastern Crete is not a gentle Mediterranean summer. It is 38 to 42 degrees, a hot southern wind, and heat that lingers. Air conditioning is infrastructure, not comfort. Budget the electricity bill accordingly.

Winter isolation in small villages is real. The tourist season closes in November. Tavernas, sometimes local doctors, leave for the season. Crete in December is peaceful and beautiful, but it requires preparation.

Kami