Essentials
- City
- Aegina, Saronic Islands, Greece
- Population
- Approximately 13,000
- Internet Speed
- Typical speeds of 50-100 Mbps via VDSL; Starlink is widely available reaching 200+ Mbps
- Currency & Banking
- 1 EUR ≈ 1.09 USD; Local banks include Piraeus Bank and National Bank of Greece (Aegina Town)
- Tap Water
- Not recommended for drinking; locals use bottled water or 'water kiosks' (approx. €0.05 per liter)
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/F sockets
- SIM Card
- Cosmote (best coverage), Vodafone, Nova; available at Germanos store in Aegina Town
- Banking for Expats
- Revolut and N26 are widely used; cards accepted at most shops and restaurants
- Accommodation
- Airbnb, Booking.com, and local agencies like Spitogatos for long-term rentals
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, mandatory POS for all businesses, though small kiosks prefer cash for tiny amounts
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb (Avg. €60-€120/night), Aegina Village Residences
- Budget Accommodation
- Hotel Marmarinos (Approx. €45/night) or Rastoni Helvetia near the port
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Aegina Town for the vibe, or Perdika for seaside dining and proximity to Moni Island
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Aegina Town (for walking access to cafes/shops) or Agia Marina (quieter in low season, better value)
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- No formal coworking hub; most nomads use the upstairs quiet area at 'Inn on the Lake' or similar boutique hotels
- Best Cafe for Work
- Mitos (Aegina Town) and Aiakeion (Fast Wi-Fi and power outlets near the back tables)
- Networking Events
- Informal meetups via the 'Expats in Aegina' Facebook Group; summer art workshops at the Kapralos Museum
- Social Events for Expats
- Friday night drinks at Avli or gatherings organized through the Aegina International Music Festival
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No Uber/Bolt; Radio Taxi Aegina (+30 22970 22635), Aegina Port Stand
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Moto Rent Aegina (approx. €20/day for a scooter) or S.O.S. Rentals in the Port
- Best Beach Nearby
- Marathonas Beach (sandy) or Moni Island Beach (accessible via a €5 boat from Perdika)
- Top Regional Airline
- Olympic Air / Aegean Airlines (Operating out of Athens Int'l Airport, 40 mins from Piraeus)
- Top International Airline
- Aegean Airlines, Sky Express, Ryanair
- Highway Access
- Island is well-connected by a coastal ring road; no major highways
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Piraeus Port (the main gateway reachable by ferry/speedboat in 40-75 mins)
- Public Transport Passes
- KTEL Aegina buses (Single tickets range from €1.80 to €2.50 depending on distance)
- Regional Travel
- Flying Dolphin (Speedboat) to Piraeus (€19), or Ferry to Agistri Island (€6)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Aegina Health Center (Public); for emergencies, Médecins du Monde or transport to Athens hospitals
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Orizon Center (Yoga and Sound Healing) near Kypseli village
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Kouros Gym (Aegina Town); Day passes approx. €10
- Laundry Services
- Wash & Go Laundry near the Kapodistrian Orphanage (approx. €10 per load)
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- efood (widely available for Aegina Town and surrounding villages)
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Pistachio-crusted fish and 'Fystiki' (PDO Aegina Pistachios)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Dromaki (Beachfront Aegina Town) offers excellent plant-based Meze
- Best Dessert Spots
- Mourtzis (Pistachio sweets) and Aiakeion for traditional 'Amygdalota' almond cookies
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Lidl (on the outskirts) and Galaxias Supermarket for best prices
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Skroutz.gr (The Greek Amazon), deliverable via ACS or Geniki Taxydromiki
- Grocery Delivery
- Sklavenitis and AB Vassilopoulos via their online portals
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- The backstreets of Aegina Town (Perdikouris bar district)
- Local Brewery
- Local craft beer is often stocked from 'Kirki' or 'Noctua' (Athens-based, widely sold in Aegina bars)
- Wine Bars
- Vinoterra (High-quality Greek wine selection by the glass)
- Street Food Stalls
- Souvlaki Pitta at 'Lakis' near the fish market (approx. €3.50)
- Popular International Cuisine
- Caza (Mediterranean Fusion/Italian) in a stunning neoclassical building
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Temple of Aphaia (The 'Holy Triangle' of ancient Greece)
- Museums & Art Venues
- Archaeological Museum of Kolona; Christos Kapralos Museum
- Historical Sites
- Paleochora (The abandoned medieval capital/island's Mystras)
- Religious Sites
- Agios Nektarios Monastery (One of the largest in the Balkans)
- Annual Events
- Aegina Fistiki Fest (September) - celebrating the pistachio harvest
- Cultural Districts
- The Markellos Tower area and the Neoclassical waterfront
- Theater Venues
- Aegina Open Air Cinema (Cine Titina) - active during summer months
- Local Markets
- The floating fruit markets on boats at the harbor and the daily Fish Market
- Music Scene
- Live Rebetiko at local tavernas like 'O Periklis' during weekends
- Street Art
- Subtle murals near the Port and local ceramic studio displays
- Cooking Classes
- Aegina Cuisine workshops for pistachio-based recipes at local estates
- Art Galleries
- The Art Gallery (Aeginitissa) and various seasonal exhibitions in Markellos Tower
- Historic Buildings
- The Governor’s House (Kivenerio), first HQ of the modern Greek state
- Local Heritage
- Ceramic pottery traditions (Aegina 'kanatia' water jugs)
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- The Ancient Olive Grove (Elaionas) with trees over 1,500 years old
- National Parks Nearby
- Mount Oros (The highest peak on the island with panoramic Saronic views)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The coastal road toward Perdika or the trail from Mesagros to Aphaia Temple
- Scenic Viewpoints
- The lighthouse at Cape Bouza for sunset
- Birdwatching Locations
- The wetlands near Alikes or the uninhabited Moni Island (peacocks and deer)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Generally restricted due to fire risk; beach gatherings permitted on sandy Marathonas areas
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- ELTA (Greek Post) on the waterfront; ACS Courier for faster private delivery
- Tech Repair Services
- Germanos (Aegina Town) for basic mobile and accessory repairs
- Table Tennis Spots
- Local sports clubs near the high school (Epal) zone
- Language Classes
- Private Greek tutors found via local notice boards or Hellenic American Union online
- Libraries & Study Spots
- The Historical Archive & Public Library near the port
- Community Centers
- The Cultural Association of Aegina 'O Kapodistrias'
- Gaming Lounges
- Intense Internet Cafe (Aegina Town) for gaming and high-speed printing
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- OPAP Play (Aegina Town) for electronic gaming
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €2,800 per m² (e.g., 35 m² = €98,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €2,000 per m² (e.g., 35 m² = €70,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €2,600 per m² (e.g., 55 m² = €143,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €1,900 per m² (e.g., 55 m² = €104,500)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €2,400 per m² (e.g., 85 m² = €204,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €1,800 per m² (e.g., 85 m² = €153,000)
- Corporate Tax
- 22%
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 5%
- Tax System
- Worldwide income basis for residents; Greece offers a 7% flat tax for retirees/pensioners
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 44% for income over €40,000
- VAT
- 24% standard; 13% for food and 6% for medicines
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, in accordance with EU Anti-Tax Avoidance Directives
- Property Tax
- ENFIA (annual tax based on age, size, and location of the property)
- Property Transaction Tax
- 3% plus notary and lawyer fees (total approx. 7-10% of value)
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Greece offers a 50% income tax exemption for 7 years for digital nomads who relocate