Retiring to Greece is frequently done by those who have worked hard and want to relax in a warm country. Others decide to work there until they reach retirement age. Whatever your circumstances, you will need to become a registered pensioner in Greece.

If you are entitled to free medical care in the UK, you can expect the same sort of treatment in Greece. You can also claim your UK pension when in Greece. You will need to take a completed E1221 form to your local IKA office in Greece. The forms are issued by the Department of Health office in the UK.

If you work for two months or more in Greece before you retire, under EEA law you can consolidate state pension contributions that you have paid in both countries, and receive one state pension from Greece.

It is best to find out information on this before you leave for finding property in Greece by contacting the Overseas Branch of the DSS. Alternatively you can go to any IKA office in Greece for advice.

To understand the full step-by-step process to buying a property in Greece, collect The Overseas Guides Company’s ‘Greece Property Buying Guide’