Moving to Greece from the United States

Greece customs (Γενική Διεύθυνση Τελωνείων) releases household effects duty- and VAT-free when the applicant qualifies under the Transfer of Residence (ToR) regime. The file below travels with the shipment and is reviewed by the destination clearance officer — missing or inconsistent paperwork is the single most common cause of hold inspections and storage fees.

• Transfer-of-Residence declaration

  Required for every move

  Greek customs Transfer-of-Residence file — inventory, passport, proof of prior residence, and proof of new Greek address. Establishes duty- and VAT-free import.

• AFM (ΑΦΜ / tax identification number)

  Required for every move

  Greek tax ID. Required for all customs clearances, property transactions, and utility contracts. Obtained at your local DOY (tax office) via your Greek agent or fiscal representative.

• Valid passport + residence permit

  Required for every move

  Non-EU citizens need a long-stay visa (Type D) and will apply for an ADET residence permit within 30 days of arrival. EU/EEA citizens and returning Greeks travel on a passport.

• Bebaioi katoikías (certificate of residence)

  Required for every move

  Certificate of Greek residence, issued by the municipality (dimos) once a lease is registered. Customs uses this to confirm the ToR category.

• Bill of lading / air waybill

  Required for every move

  Ocean BOL matching the inventory. Greek customs is strict about declared weights vs manifest.

• Itemized inventory in Greek and English

  Required for every move

  Detailed list with EUR declared values. Used personal effects qualify for duty exemption; firearms, icons over 100 years old, and antiquities are flagged for special review.

Mainland destinations clear quickly once the AFM and ToR declaration are ready. Island deliveries add a ferry leg and a small surcharge that we quote upfront.

• 

  Athens · Attica

  Capital and primary Greek destination. Loads discharge at Piraeus and truck 30–60 minutes to Athens. Plaka, Monastiraki, and older apartments in Kolonaki often need a shuttle or pedestrian hand-carry.

  Transit

  20–26 days

  2-BR range

  $9,800 – $16,000

  Origin lane: Port of NY/NJ → Piraeus · short road

• 

  Thessaloniki · Central Macedonia

  Northern Greek metro. Loads discharge at Thessaloniki port directly, or via Piraeus with an inland haul of 6 hours.

  Transit

  21–28 days

  2-BR range

  $9,900 – $16,200

  Origin lane: Port of NY/NJ → Thessaloniki · direct

• 

  Heraklion · Crete

  Capital of Crete. Shipments transship from Piraeus onto a weekly Cretan ferry — add 3–5 days and a ferry surcharge.

  Transit

  23–32 days

  2-BR range

  $10,500 – $17,000

  Origin lane: Port of NY/NJ → Piraeus · ferry to Heraklion

• 

  Patras · Western Greece

  Peloponnese gateway and major port for Italy-bound ferries. Loads discharge at Piraeus and truck 2.5 hours to Patras.

  Transit

  21–28 days

  2-BR range

  $9,900 – $16,300

  Origin lane: Port of NY/NJ → Piraeus · road to Patras

Frequently asked questions about moving to Greece

Short, answer-first responses to the questions we get most often.

Is moving to Greece from the USA duty-free?

Generally yes — used personal effects imported under the Transfer of Residence (ToR) framework are exempt from import duty and VAT, provided you (a) are establishing residence in Greece, (b) have owned and used the goods for at least 6–12 months, and (c) keep the goods for personal use for a holding period (commonly 12 months). New-in-box items, vehicles, alcohol, and tobacco are always assessed separately.

How long does shipping to Greece take?

Ocean transit from U.S. East Coast ports to North Sea / English Channel ports typically runs 12–18 days; Mediterranean destinations add another 4–7 days. Air freight of a few cartons can deliver in 5–9 days but costs 3–5× ocean freight. Customs clearance at destination typically adds 3–7 business days after discharge.

Do I need to be present when my shipment clears customs?

No — our destination partner in Greece acts on your behalf under a signed power of attorney. Your passport copy, residency proof, and inventory must already be on file. You should be reachable by phone in case a customs officer requests clarification on a specific line item.

Can I ship a vehicle to Greece with my household goods?

Sometimes. Greece-specific vehicle rules (emissions, homologation, age, left-hand vs right-hand drive) vary significantly and often make vehicle import impractical or uneconomic. We always quote vehicle import separately from household goods and confirm eligibility before booking.

What items are restricted or prohibited?

Firearms and ammunition require advance declaration and permits in almost every European country. Fresh produce, seeds, plants, and soil face EU agricultural restrictions. Large quantities of tobacco, alcohol, or the same new-in-box item are treated as commercial goods and attract duty. Ivory and CITES-listed products are prohibited.

How much does a move to Greece typically cost?

Most full-service household moves land in a wide band. A studio / 1-BR from a nearby U.S. port starts around $4,500–$7,000; a full 3-BR+ household can reach $16,000–$24,000 for continental European destinations, higher for Nordic or island lanes. Port pair and final-mile access are the biggest cost drivers.

How far in advance should I book?

Start residency / visa paperwork 10–12 weeks before your target move. Book origin pickup 4–6 weeks out. Peak season is May–August and December; secure a slot earlier if you need those windows. Brexit-era UK clearance in particular benefits from extra buffer.

Do I need an AFM before my shipment arrives?

Yes — the AFM (tax ID) is quoted on the import declaration. Most clients obtain it via a Greek fiscal representative 4–6 weeks before the move, or during the visa process at the consulate.

How does delivery to a Greek island work?

Your container discharges at Piraeus, your inventory clears at the Piraeus customs office, and a Greek domestic haulier transships the goods onto a ferry to your island. Add 3–7 days and a ferry surcharge for Crete, Rhodes, Corfu, and Santorini.

What about antiquities and religious icons?

Items over 100 years old — including religious icons, antique maps, and family heirlooms — require separate declaration and may need a Greek Ministry of Culture import approval. Flag them in the inventory pre-sailing so we can prepare the filing.