- My Greek Expat Journey
- Posts
- 🌼Happy Month of May, "Protomagia" and an Upcoming Networking Event
🌼Happy Month of May, "Protomagia" and an Upcoming Networking Event
Uprooting from Texas to Crete: Watch Alex's Story about Relocating with his Family 🇺🇸
👋 Hey there expats,
In this week’s newsletter, we’re sharing with you what’s currently trending in the news, important updates related to Greek administration, laws and legislation, as well as a special guest interview with one of our customers, Alex, who shares his story of uprooting his family from Texas to Crete.
Did you know?
On the 1st of May, we celebrated “Protomagia”, also known as International Labour Day. It is called “Protomagia”, which literally means the first day of May in Greek and is a holiday dedicated to spring and the flowers. It is an urban holiday when people traditionally go to the countryside for picnics, to fly kites and to gather wild flowers.
Courtesy of NewsBomb.gr
In the news
🇬🇷Greece Reaches Austerity Surplus — Read here.
Recently, ELSTAT reported that the primary surplus for 2024 hit 4.8%—nearly double the post-bailout goal of 2.5% for the year. In response, the government is rolling out new financial relief measures. Renters will receive a full month’s rent reimbursed every November, and pensioners will be granted a one-time bonus of €250.
To qualify, the eligibility requirements are similar to those of the Spiti Mou 2 program. In short, your 2024 income must not exceed €20,000 if you're single, or €28,000 if married—plus an additional €4,000 for each child.
🏠 The circular of the Hellenic Tax Administration for the taxation of Airbnb was deemed illegal by a section of the Council of State – Read here.
At the same time, a directive from Greece’s tax authority (AADE) that required short-term rental owners to pay a business tax per property faced legal pushback from property owners and rental associations. A division of the Council of State has deemed the measure unlawful—though the ruling isn’t final.
On the channel
In our customer interview series, Alex shares what life is really like moving from Texas to a Greek island with his family and pet dog — from surprising culture shocks to the everyday joys of island living. Discover their biggest lessons, favorite routines, and what they wish they knew before making the leap! Watch now.
Upcoming Events
Feeling like it’s a new season in your life and you’re ready to get out there and make new connections? We’ve got your back! An upcoming event hosted by NextGen Networking, ‘Authentic Growth in a Fast-Moving World’, presents a high-impact opportunity to network with other like-minded professionals in the heart of Athens on Sunday June 1st from 11am-3pm at ImpactHub. Register here.
That's it for this week's newsletter! As always, feel free to reach out with any questions, suggestions, or if you'd like to be featured.
Wishing you a fantastic week ahead filled with Greek adventures and memorable experiences.
Yassas!
The “My Greek Expat Journey” Team
Follow Us: