Today, I will share our monthly cost to retire in Kalamata Greece including rent, groceries, utilities, internet, cell phone, restaurants, drinking water, laundry, and transportation if the two of us retire here on a tight budget.
On this leg of our retirement tour of Europe, we took the bus to a beautiful little town on the southern coast of Greece on the Mediterranean Sea. I was last in Greece about 17 years ago.
I am showing you the video we took with our feet on the ground in Greece as I share what I learned about retiring here. In one of the Expat Facebook groups for Greece, Qiang was told that we must see Kalamata Greece. That was great advice.
If Kalamata sounds familiar, you have probably tasted the famous Kalamata Olives which are known around the world as one of the most tasty olives.
We totally fell in love with Kalamata. It was easily one of our top two or three places on this retire cheap in paradise tour. Kalamata is not as well known as other tourist destinations in Greece, but it felt like a place we could live, happily and easily.
You will love this part of Greece because retired people thrive in this climate for the same reason olives do. The warm Mediterranean climate is ideal for growing olives and for living out your golden years.
After I share my itemized list of estimated costs, I will share what I learned about healthcare, food, real estate, things to do, social considerations, retirement visas, walkability, weather, Internet speeds, and expat considerations.
Estimated Cost to Retire in Kalamata Greece
Rents: Today, I found this furnished 1-bedroom apartment in Kalamata advertised online for 450 Euros ($491 USD) per month. The ad shows that it is located in the central area of Kalamata which is walkable from the beach and from central Kalamata. If you rent for a short term on Airbnb it would be much more expensive.
A larger apartment could easily cost twice as much per month. So I estimate $850 USD per month or more depending upon area and size for the middle range estimate.
Here is the process we use to find great apartments. So, we will show you a table of all estimated expenses in a moment. We will use $491 USD per month for our lower rent estimate and $850 per month for the middle cost of living estimate for expats who want more space.
If these rents are too high, rents could easily be 30% lower outside the central area. Subscribe now if you would like to know what retirement destination we will report on next.
Utilities: For the apartment above, we estimate the year-round average utilities for us would be about $80 USD per month. The utilities would cost more for the larger space, starting at around $120 USD per month.
Groceries: We would shop in the farmers market for fresh fruits and vegetables, and purchase nonperishable foods and other things like shampoo and detergents in the grocery stores. We estimate about $418 USD per month for groceries. Other expats are likely to spend more on imported groceries they miss from home spending $610 USD per month or more on groceries, since many don’t go to the farmer’s markets as often.
Restaurants: We would eat out twice per week mostly in more local-style restaurants averaging about $5 to $8 USD per meal per person and one or two splurges per month of $9 to $13 USD per meal per person. If you add all that up, we would spend around $245 per month for the two of us. We may have a beer here and there, but that is covered below in alcohol.
Other expats are likely to eat more in the expensive expat-style restaurants and less in local-style restaurants, so they would likely spend more like $320 per month for 2 people in restaurants. It is lifestyle-dependent.
Cell Phone Data: The cheapest prepaid Vodaphone SIM cards are about $30 USD for 30 days including unlimited data. My Android phone will act as a hotspot so we can both be on the internet when we are out of the house together.
Other (retired) expat couples are likely to buy two prepaid SIM cards so they would need about $60 USD per month.
Laundry: The apartments all seemed to have clothes washing machines. The above grocery estimate includes laundry detergent.
Drinking Water: We read online that the water is clean here and many people drink water from the tap but we would be a little more careful. We didn’t see reverse osmosis delivery in 20-liter jugs here so we would probably get a Brita water filter. The filter refills would be about $5 USD per month.
Internet: I found in-home wifi online for about $31 USD per month for 100 Mbps fiber.
Public Transportation: We rode the local buses from our home to and from our favorite beach in Kalamata (1.2 Euros each way per person) and to and from the central bus station to our accommodations when we arrived and departed Kalamata. Our accommodations in central were walkable to everything else. So we estimate about $35 per month for transportation in case we need to bring groceries home after shopping or get somewhere in a hurry with a taxi.
Other expats might walk less and spend more on taxis and less on public transportation, so I estimate $100 per month for them.
Alcohol (Optional): Domestic beers in grocery stores in Kalamata start at 0.64 Euros (0.70 USD) for 330 ml, which is the same as a standard-sized beer in the USA. In bars and restaurants, half-liter draft domestic beers run from about 4 to 6 Euros. We estimate about $140 per month on alcohol for the two of us.
Many other expats would spend more for imported foreign or craft beers in stores and restaurants, so estimate about $260 USD per month for 2 people assuming they are not into imported whiskey or wine.
Entertainment (Optional): We would budget about $220 per month for entertainment for the two of us. We enjoy doing more do-it-yourself kinds of entertainment so we estimate other expats would spend a little more, maybe $330 per month, for 2 of them.
Estimated Costs to Retire in Kalamata Greece
Kalamata Greece |
Lower (USD) |
Middle (USD) |
Rent |
491 |
850 |
Utilities |
80 |
120 |
Groceries |
418 |
610 |
Restaurants |
245 |
320 |
Cell Data |
30 |
60 |
Laundry |
0 |
0 |
Drinking Water |
5 |
5 |
Internet |
31 |
31 |
Transportation |
35 |
100 |
Total |
$1335 |
$2096 |
|
|
|
Alcohol |
140 |
260 |
Optional Total |
$1475 |
$2356 |
|
|
|
Entertainment |
220 |
330 |
Optional Total |
$1695 |
$2686 |
I gathered this data with my feet on the ground in Greece in September of 2024. The above lower cost estimates would be for the two of us living on a tight budget.
I would estimate that 80 to 90% of overseas retirees will spend significantly more than our above-lower estimated budget. This is often because they do not need to live on so little because many have significantly more retirement resources available. So, the middle estimate is just another example of what other expats might spend for these expenses if they moved here.
To understand what it would cost you to live here, you must put your feet on the ground, see what you would choose to rent, eat, drink, and how you would entertain yourself, and add it all up. It doesn’t matter what anyone else spends because we are all different.
Kalamata Greece Retirement Desirability Factors
I will now share what I learned about Greece’s retirement visas, healthcare, walkability, Internet, food, weather, things to do, social considerations, safety, expat communities, and real estate, and then assign an overall retirement desirability score to Kalamata.
Walkability: High. We walked almost everywhere in Kalamata and only to the bus to our favorite beach. We found almost all of our daily needs within a 20-minute walk from our accommodations. So we would not need a car if we lived here. Avoiding the expense of a car would be highly desirable to us.
Internet: High. The wifi in our Airbnb had about 22 Mbps down and 12 Mbps upload speeds, but we read we could get in-home wifi costs online for about $31 USD per month for 100 Mbps fiber.
Food: High. There is a Farmer’s market about a 15-minute walk from our apartment. For fresh fruits and vegetables, we would shop in the Farmer’s Market. For other nonperishable foods, meats, and other items we would shop in any of the supermarkets. Our favorite discount supermarket is called LIDL and we would go there once a week or so. Links to all this information and much more are at the first link in the first comment below this video.
Weather: High. The coldest month in Kalamata is in January with an average daily high of just 59F (15C) and average nightly lows of 41F (5C). The hottest month in Kalamata is August with an average daily high of 90F (32C) and nightly low of 67F (19C). The best time to visit Kalamata is May through September.
Things to Do: High. Kalamata is a hidden gem in the international sense. You just won’t hear many people talking about it. With around 60,000 people living in the city, it has a safe and small-town feel to it. Because of its climate and traditions, people congregate in the central area of town to socialize in the evenings, and to see, and be seen.
Some things in life you can talk about and other things you really don’t get what people are talking about until you have experienced it with your own eyes and heart. Kalamata is such a place.
It is a beautiful small town with a charming central square. It has a laid-back nightlife, with some live music and some great restaurants, but also sidewalk coffee shops where people sit for hours and enjoy life.
There are great places to shop on walking streets without cars instead of the big impersonal malls. Hopefully, the video we are showing you will give you a feel for the place. Kalamata is a place you may come to and never want to leave.
Annual events in Kalamata include the Feast of Ypapanti of Christ, Carnival of Kalamata, Carnival of Nedousa, Liberation of Kalamata from Ottoman Rule, Easter Celebration, The Horseraces at Platy, The Flower Fair, International Dance Festival, White Night, and the Christmas Celebrations.
Social Considerations: High. The official language spoken in Greece is Greek, but we were surprised how many people spoke English. In fact, people would just look at us and start speaking English. So, you won’t have to worry too much about the language barrier until you get outside the central areas. There seem to be many English speakers here, both locals and foreigners.
Safety Considerations: High. Greece was ranked the 40th safest country in the world 92 countries safer than the USA. When I last checked, the US State Department webpage published a “Level 1 Risk” for Greece–Exercise normal precaution in Greece. You can also review my report, How to Travel the World Safely, which is how I have remained safe traveling the World for 17 years. We went out walking and drinking late in the evening in central Kalamata and never felt a hint of trouble.
Expat Community: High. Greece has been a full member of NATO since 1952 and a member of the EU since 1981. According to online sources, about 8% of the entire population living in Greece holds foreign passports, so it is fairly easy to adjust to life overseas here.
Here are Facebook groups that cater to English-speaking expats living in Kalamata and other parts of Greece (1, 2, 3). These are great for learning all about things that expats want to learn when they first move overseas. Make sure to search for previous questions asked and answered recently before posting any questions to these groups.
Medical: Medium. This healthcare international comparison index ranks Greece 41st in the world, 28 spots better than the United States which ranks 69th. There are different ways healthcare is rated, but this one seems to be considering quality of care in relation to what patients are charged.
If you decide to move here, make sure to ask around for referrals and establish relationships with doctors for your special needs based on the feedback you have gotten from others who have used their services. The above Expats Facebook pages may be a good source for that information.
Tourist Visa: High. European citizens can live and work in Greece. Citizens of many other countries can presently visit Greece as tourists for 90 days without obtaining a visa. As soon as 2025, visiting tourists will be expected to obtain a simple travel authorization before boarding flights to Europe. Read our link about that before booking your flight so see if that has been implemented yet.
Retire in Greece (Update Below): According to various sources online, foreigners can retire and move to Greece with formalities such as proof of a pension or other sources of income of 2000 Euros ($2200 USD) per month (add 20% for spouse), or 40k Euros ($44k USD) in savings if you have no proof of pension. That visa can be renewed every 2 years if the financial conditions remain the same. The retirement visa does not allow work permits, and you must have proof of health insurance, a clean police record, a certificate of health, and a valid passport. Requirements change from time to time.
Retirement Visa Update: One of you sent me an email saying that the retirement visa for non-EU nationals is called the “financially independent visa,” which was raised to 3500 Euros per month from 2000 Euros per month and provided these links: 1, 2, 3.
Rather than promoting any particular service I read about online, I would request a referral to a lawyer on one of the Expat Facebook pages I shared above. I would ask the expats for an immigration lawyer who they have already successfully used to get their residence permits for Greece. I would not pay someone to help get me residency until I have confirmation from an expat who used their services to successfully gain residency.
Real Estate: High. When I read about it today, foreigners are allowed to purchase real estate in Greece. If you buy a property worth 400k Euros ($436k USD), you may be able to use that as an alternative way to obtain residency. However, you do not need to buy real estate if you qualify for the Greek retirement visa previously discussed.
Today, I saw this 2-bedroom furnished apartment for sale for 105k Euros or $114k USD, but if you are willing to live further outside the walkable city center you may be able to find an apartment for less.
However, I would not buy real estate in a foreign country until I have lived there for an extended period of time making sure I loved it after the honeymoon period. I would also hire a lawyer who has no conflict of interest with me. Do not use a lawyer recommended by your real estate broker or your local lover. I would seek a referral from an expat who has used that lawyer’s services to successfully buy real estate in Greece.
Kalamata Greece Retirement Desirability Score: High. Kalamata was easily one of our top three favorite places on this retire cheap in paradise tour. It has the year-round weather I would need to live through the winters without any trouble at all. The people are lovely and friendly and it is located on the Mediterranean Sea. But most importantly, it felt like home for us and the food and wine were reasonably priced and delicious.
If you are an expat living overseas anywhere in the world and you would like to share your cost of living on this channel, please email me at https://vagabondbuddha.com/contact/. I will probably invite you to share your story on this channel.
What would it cost you to live here in Kalamata?
You should add anything to the above table that you spend money on in your home country that is not listed in the table. Presumably, you find those things necessary in life. To do that, visit the Numbeo Kalamata and add anything not mentioned in the above table.
But most importantly, never move anywhere until you have visited first personally to verify the living costs for your lifestyle and needs. I am not guaranteeing these prices. These are just my notes and estimates from the time of my visit and this post. Your costs will likely be drastically different depending on your lifestyle and the time since this post.
Finally, if you are going to try to retire cheap offshore, make sure to read my report, the Two Biggest Risks of Retiring Early for Cheap Offshore, which explains why you should have emergency funds available for unexpectedly large expenses.
Fun Locals Nightlife Area
Short History of Kalamata
About 70k people live in the greater Kalamata area with about 60k people within the city limits,
Kalamata was first mentioned in literature in the 10th century. But like much of Europe in the Middle Ages, it was ruled by one group after another including Frankish lords.
The town experienced a period of prosperity in the 11th–12th centuries, as attested by the five surviving churches built in this period, including the Church of the Holy Apostles, and was even traded for a dowry for marriage in 1298.
However it was finally occupied by the Ottoman Empire in 1481. The Ottoman Empire and the Venetians occupied Kalamata on and off over the next few hundred years until the Great War of Independence.
During WW2, the Germans attacked and were even aided by some local Nazi collaborators but Kalamata was back under complete Greek control by the end of WW2.
Kalamata Old Town Walking Tour
Church of the Holy Apostles is where Mavromichalis declared the revolt against Ottoman rule in 1821.
Kalamata Castle: Originally, a Byzantine-era castle that fell into ruins by 1205 AD, it was heavily rebuilt by the Crusaders. What is visible today appears to be substantially the same as the 13th-century Frankish castle.
Archaeological Museum of Messenia: The new museum holds antiquities from Messenia from prehistoric and Mycenaean times to the Byzantine and Latin eras.
Kalamata’s Cathedral of the Ypapanti: The foundation stone was laid on 25 January 1860, and the building was consecrated on 19 August 1873. It suffered great damage during the 1986 earthquake but was subsequently restored.
Kalamata Square: This is where you go in Kalamata to see and be seen. The Greeks are a very social people and they love to congregate together and discuss life for hours in the coffee shops surrounding the square.
Where we stayed in Kalamata
We stayed here for $37 USD per night plus fees and taxes. Everything we needed was within walking distance and I have listed all of that below under restaurants, shopping, and services.
How we got from Skopje North Macedonia to Kalamata
We took the bus from Skopje North Macedonia to Thessaloniki Greece for $38 USD per person. Then, we took the train from Thessaloniki Greece to Athens Greece for $57 USD per person. Then we took the bus from Athens Greece to Kalamata Greece for $22 USD per person. We used the Uber Taxi Ap to transfer from the train station to the bus station in Athens. We used the local buses to transfer from the bus station to our accommodations in Kalamata.
Restaurants, Bars, Markets, Services
Restaurants, Bars (Local currency in Euros)
Platea: Egg Benedict 7.50, French toast 7.50, latte 3.80
Sef: Greek salad 6.80, Gyros pork portion 8.60, Rose wine 500ml 3.40
Da Vito Pizza: El greco pizza 10.80, Rucola salad 8.80, water 1L 1.00, Beer 0.5L 3.50
Ladolemono: Best cheese wrap 3.50, traditional pork 8.20, big beer 4, wine 1liter 7
Luna Lounge: Cappuccino 3.40, Croissant 2, vege taco 7.5
Tsipouradiko Therapeftirion: Small plate for sharing restaurant
Secada Restaurant: Free sunbed and umbrella : Mushroom risotto 13, ice cream 2.5, lemonande 4.5, Beef pasta 13
Φλέρτ: Beer 0.4L – 5
Lola Montez: Beer small – 5
Markets and Services (Local currency in Euros)
ΚΡΗΤΙΚΟΣ Supermarket: Closed Sunday
Cine Center ΚΑΛΑΜΑΤΑ: Outdoor theater: Movie ticket 9, big beer 3, pop corn 3