Why Greece: Main Benefits for Turkish Expats
Greece’s scenery and Mediterranean lifestyle are an attractive enough offer for many around the world, especially as it is one of the easiest places to move to. However, the birthplace of the western civilization has even more practical benefits for expats.
As a part of not only Europe, but also of the Schengen Area, Greece offers its residents the power to travel visa-free to all other 28 countries that have signed the treaty. Besides that, by having the Euro as its currency, the country enjoys good monetary stability and offers a great advantage for those who need to often travel through the EU, as no money exchange will be necessary in many other nations.
Another great asset Greece has to offer is a solid connection to other countries, as it not only has diplomatic relations with a great number of other nations, but also many non-stop flights connecting Greece to at least 56 destinations worldwide, just from Athens Airport. Even though Athens International Airport is the biggest in the country, there are 36 other airports in the territory, offering both domestic and international routes.
For all that, Greece is known as one of the best places for expats to live and, for citizens coming from Türkiye, those characteristics are added by some very welcomed similarities, that will make life abroad easier to adjust to.
Similarities Between Greece and Türkiye
Food and Flavors
Greece and Türkiye are two countries with very distinct and delicious cuisines. However, it is not hard to find dishes, spices and flavors that are present in both countries, even when prepared in different ways. When moving to Greece from Türkiye, you might find that you will still be able to enjoy fresh, nutritious food, often sourced from local producers. Also, as food also play a big role in Greek culture, dining out and socializing around a table full of Mediterranean dishes, something that you are probably used to, will be part of your day-to-day life.
On the left, we have Turkish pide bread, lahmacun and dolma. On the right, we have Greek octopus, squid and ouzo drink. Though the dishes are different, they gather much of the same ingredients, courtesy of Greece and Turkiye sharing similar climates and environments.
While the Greek cuisine might be more vegetarian friendly, and the Turkish more meat focused, they both have their own versions of the world-famous Kebab or Gyro. This sandwich-like delicatesse is basically a flat bread filled with sliced marinated meat, cooked on a skewer, some types of greens or salad and a sauce. The Greek version will probably come with red onions and tomato, while the Turkish one will come with cabbage and lettuce. Also, it is usual for the Gyro to come with fries inside, while a Kebab will have it on the side. The traditional sauce will also most like have a different base as well. Yet, they are both very tasty and practical street food that greatly resemble one another.
The Kebab (left) and the Gyro (right), two staples of Turkish and Greek culture and cuisine – distinct but similar.
Other similarities can be found in pastries like the Baklava, in the chicken soup Avgolemono, in stuffed dishes such as vine leaves and bell peppers, and in ingredients such as olives, olive oil, yogurt and lamb, as well as in the use of spices such as thyme, cinnamon, dill and parsley.
Living in a country where the food can be so close to what you are used to is a great way of having a taste of home anytime you would like, while also being able to discover new ways those familiar flavors, and opportunities, might bring a new season to your life.
Climate and Landscape
As Greece and Türkiye are closely located, it is no surprise that, in many areas, the climate is very similar. And, as weather is a major culture driver, this means that the lifestyle change will be minimal. Imagine getting everything a move to the EU will enable, while still being in a warm, sunny place, where you can spend a great deal of time outdoors with your friends and family. Very few other countries will have such familiar habits and even vistas.
Just as Türkiye, Greece is also in a temperate zone with a similar distance to the Equator line. The average daytime maximum temperature in Greece is 22.60 °C (72,68 ºF) while in Türkiye is 21.40 °C (70,52 ºF), and the water temperature is around 18ºC (64,4 ºF) in both countries. The amount of precipitation is also close, with 639 mm in Greece and 686 mm in Türkiye, all according to World Data.
The Castile in Bodrum in Turkiye (left) and the Saint Nicholas fort in Rhodes, Greece (right) are the perfect examples of how both countries share similarities in terms of history, as both castles have strong historical ties to the Knights of St. John, architecture, and the role each played - defending the cities.
Anyone that moves from a very sunny place, with a lot of warm days – such as Greece and Türkiye - to a cold, gray and snowy location will tell you that adjusting to such different conditions can be hard and that this plays a big part on your expat experience. The good news is that by having Greece as an option, you do not need to move to colder nations such as The Netherlands, or Germany, in order to enjoy the freedom of movement that EU countries have. You can simply move to a place that has similar seasons and temperatures to the ones you find in your home country, which is a great way of skipping some major adjustments.
As far as landscape goes, the southwest part of Türkiye offers wide stretches of beautiful beaches bathed by mesmerizing blue waters, just as Greece does, and both nations hold amazing ancient and historical sites. Since the territory that is now Greece and Türkiye was once the birthplace of civilization, with cities that are millennia old, it is easy to see their common roots when visiting archeological sites.
It is no wonder that Troy is actually in Türkiye and that places such as Ephesos and Bergama look and feel very similar to the Acropolis and the Zeus Temple in Athens, since they all once were ancient Greek cities, cradles of philosophy and science.
The Library of Celsus in Turkiye (left) and the Acropolis in Greece (right) are the perfect example of how long and interwoven the histories of Greece and Turkiye are – dating back centuries, and how much they have influenced each other.
Nowadays, big cities such as Athens and Istanbul have some neighborhoods that resemble one another for their vibrant life, markets and overall amenities. Some people find that the luxury stores and nice cafes of Athens’ Kolonaki district resemble them of the Nişantaşı district of Istanbul, for example, while Plaka and Sultanahmet align, as they both have historical landmarks surrounded by beautiful, charming streets.
Every country is different, but something as important as the climate and the overall panorama can really be key to expat life, since you can have new adventures and discoveries, while also relying on the comfort of not having to drastically change your lifestyle.
History and Background
Although Greece and Türkiye do not have the same culture, there is a lot of shared heritage in their history. The most evident one is that both countries were a part of the Ottoman Empire. To this day, it is possible to see the influence of this common history in parts of the architecture, music and cuisine of each of them.
Although they are more evident in Türkiye, examples like the Tzistarakis Mosque, located in the very touristic and popular Monastiraki Square, in Athens, and Old Madrassa Gate, reminds us of that period. The same goes for the Greek instrument Bouzouk, a parallel of the Turkish Baglama, present in Ottoman Classic Music.
The views from Istanbul, in Turkiye, (left) and Athens, the Greek capital (right) are similarly stunning, unable not to resemble each other, especially from a skyline view.
It is important to remember that, at the early 1920’s, when the partitioning of the Ottoman came to a definitive end, many Greeks living in Istanbul moved to Greece, not without taking with them part of the traditions and lifestyle they were already used to having. Likewise, many Turkish returned to their ancestral nation. This population exchange made the history of both societies undeniably intertwined.
There are too many deep roots in common to ignore and even that, at first glance, it does not look like any of the mutual traditions have remained equally in Greece and Türkiye, countries with their own DNAs and cultural traces, the way each nation was developed was somehow affected by their history.
After living among each other for centuries, there is no surprise that Greeks and Turks have many shared traits like their hospitality, their appreciation for family life, their friendliness and a deep respect for their faith. Moving to a country where the population has the same core values that you do is great since that will dictate many aspects of how daily life unravels.
The Galata district in Instanbul, Turkiye (left), and Chania, in Crete, Greece (right) are two cities who share a remarkably similar landscape. Bathed by the Golden Horn and the Mediterranean respectively, the water truly brings each city's colours into life.Greek Fast-Track Visa to Turkish Citizens: Another Sign of Proximity
At the beginning of 2024, Greece introduced a new option of fast entry to Turkish citizens interested in visiting the islands of Kalymnos, Limnos, Leros, Kos, Lesvos, Chios, Samos, Rhodes, Symi, and Kastelorizo. Located near Türkiye’s coast, those are popular destinations for Turkish visitors that now have a fast-track temporary visa that will allow them to arrive in any of those islands without the need of a full Schengen Area Visa.
Kokkori Bay, in the island of Samos, in Greece, a paradise for Turkish citizens.
That shows how the tourism industry is bringing the two nations close together and the increase that this new visa option already brought to the Greek Islands – 100% as of July 2024, according to the Association of Turkish Travel Agencies – is a testament of how much Türkiye’s citizens enjoy Greeks destinations.
However, the fast-track visa is not only good news for Turkish vacationers, but also for those who are interested in moving to Greece as, if they choose one of those 10 islands to call home, their families and friends will be able to easily pay them a visit with no major hassle.
Even if you choose any other Greek city, the proximity to Türkiye will give you a privilege that not many people can have: the possibility to move to a country that will bring great benefits and similar lifestyle and that is, on average, only one hour away from your home country. This is a great way of moving forward, without leaving behind what is important to you in your current place.
Greece Golden Visa: The Perfect Investment Program to the Perfect Destination
Living at a beautiful destination such as Greece is something many people desire. For Turkish citizens this is also a very convenient and practical option, that allows them to be in the Schengen Area, without moving too far from their country, with the plus of being able to have a few things that will be familiar enough for them to feel comfortable right away. At the end of the day, this is every expat’s dream: to have great benefits in a new country, without having to leave behind what they enjoy the most about their home nation.
If you are convinced of everything Greece has to offer, now all you have to do is contact Investment Visa to find out how to start your Greece Golden Visa process in a manner that will be the most suitable to you.
We can advise you on which of the available investment options will best respond to your needs and be at your side at every step of the way. Reach out to us now and tell us what you need.
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