To do business or find a job in Greece, at least some understanding of the language is required. Knowing Greek will make traveling and getting around easier, and it will help you get the most out of your vacation in Greece.
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No need to speak GreekMany people living in Greece don't speak the language. There are many opportunities for foreigners to work in Greece without speaking Greek. Most of these companies are very international, meaning that most employees speak a certain level of English.
English is quite widely spoken in Greece, particularly among the younger generations and in popular tourist areas. Since English is taught as a second language at school, many Greeks have at least a basic level of understanding. Restaurants and hotels are the most common places you'll find English commonly spoken.
Greek is spoken today by at least 13 million people, principally in Greece and Cyprus along with a sizable Greek-speaking minority in Albania near the Greek-Albanian border.
Don't think that you need to learn some Greek before you get here. While a “hello” (yia sas) or “thank you” (efharisto) are welcome, most Athenians speak English. We often speak several other languages, too. Do be aware that Greeks love to talk.
Greek is a relatively difficult language to master, even more so for English speakers. But it's still easier to learn than Russian or Arabic. The reason many English speakers find Greek to be so difficult is that it's not closely related to the English language.
In the 2023 Expat Insider survey by InterNations, Greece was recognised as a country where settling and finding friends among locals is easy. Among the benefits of living in Greece, expats value its welcoming culture, mild climate and high quality of life.