Imagine sitting at a café table with your laptop, the sun shining on your face, and the smell of freshly brewed coffee mingling with the gentle breeze of the Aegean Sea. This may sound like a dream, but for more and more people it is becoming a reality. Remote working in Greece offers a unique opportunity to combine work and leisure, with the beautiful Greek culture and nature as a backdrop.
Lotte’s story: from Customer Service to Team Leader
Lotte, a Dutch twenty-something, decided to turn her life around 2.5 years ago. Through Working Adventures, she was introduced to a large international employer in Greece, where she accepted a job as a Customer Service agent. Her goal was clear: she wanted more adventure, to explore the country and find a better work-life balance. “I started with a three-week training at the office in Athens. I didn’t know anyone in Greece yet, so I thought starting at the office would be a good way to get to know the company and maybe meet some nice colleagues. Plus, it was a great opportunity to explore the capital and take care of practical matters, such as registering with the municipality and opening a bank account. After three months, I moved to the island of Euboea, as I was able to start working at another project, where it is possible to work completely remotely.
Euboea, also called Evia, is close to mainland Greece and just a short drive from Athens, making it ideal for when friends want to visit me or when I want to travel to the Netherlands myself. The island has captured my heart: it has some of the most underrated seascapes in all of Greece, with about 50 kilometers of coastline. I love the sea and spend a lot of time collecting driftwood to make things for my home. For example, I make table lamps, canvas wall decorations and small side tables. Each piece of wood has its own story, shaped by the sea, and it’s a great way for me to combine my love of the island and nature with something tangible for the home. After just nine months, she climbed to the position of team leader. “It felt like everything fell into place,” says Lotte. “Life here is just different, less rushed. That has given me room to develop, both professionally and personally.”
Why choose Greece?
Carlijn, a marketer at Working Adventures, travels to Greece annually and can tell you from personal experience why this country is so attractive to candidates. “The country is incredibly easy to travel to,” says Carlijn. “I always rent a car and travel the country on spec. The Greeks are tremendously friendly, and nowadays tools like ChatGPT make it easy to communicate, even if you don’t speak the language.”
Outside the busy capital of Athens, Greece is also very affordable. Carlijn explains, “In the taverns we almost always ate for about 30 euros for two people. Half a liter of wine, a table full of food and of course a glass of ouzo to go with it. By the way, the coffee culture here is also great; Greeks love iced coffees! And let’s not forget the weather. With sun-drenched days and balmy evenings, Greece is the perfect place to work AND enjoy.”
Challenges and lessons of remote working
Yet there are also challenges associated with working in Greece. Lotte says that in the beginning she had to get used to the relaxed Greek culture. “The Greeks take their time, something I found quite difficult as a Dutchman. But eventually you learn to adapt. For example, when I have to go to the town hall, I take coffee and a book with me. After all, I am 99% sure that I will have to wait a while and that everything will take longer. So now I’m fine with that!” Another challenge is building a social life. “When I worked in the office, I always had people around me, and in the city of Athens there are also plenty of things to do. I went to Greek classes twice a week, where people came from all over the world. We had a super nice teacher who even invited us home to meet her whole family. I also did “Insanity” classes at the gym, where both Greeks and expats participated. Afterwards, we often stayed for a while. Remote working is different, because then you are alone all day, behind your laptop. And I don’t live in a big city anymore either.
Sometimes I’m tired after a work day, but still I always go out, even if it’s just to run a small errand. Greeks are super hospitable, so I am regularly invited to join them for dinner, for example. On the weekends, I take the car to explore the island. If I have a longer weekend off, I go a little further afield. Two weeks ago I discovered Thessaloniki and its surroundings with a fellow student I met in Athens. She also had contacts there with Greeks our age, which was very nice. So, if you want to build a social life while working remotely, you really have to actively work on your social life: going out, signing up for events, workshops, sports, and so on.”
Working in Greece: an unforgettable experience
For Lotte, working remote in Greece was an opportunity to grow both professionally and personally. “I really feel at home here,” she says. “Greece has broadened my horizons and helped me find my work/life balance.” Curious about your opportunities in Greece? Or like Lotte, working in Athens? Read more about remote working in Athens here. #collaboration
