A practical guide to moving, living, working & traveling in Greece, plus tips and narratives from an American in Athens
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July 9, 2007 at 19:47 · Filed under Visas for Greece
Photo from www.velo-touren.ch
Schengen countries are those that have signed a 1985 Schengen agreement abolishing border checks/controls and harmonizing provisions, which allow a common visa to visit all participating countries. It means that passports will only be checked and stamped if arriving from or departing to a non-Schengen country.
The new Schengen Information System II (SIS II) will go live in 2013, keeping track of all non-EU travelers in a central database.
Note that the term “Schengen countries” does not refer to all EU member states and includes non-EU countries, including Liechtenstein as of December 19, 2011.
Schengen visas allow travel within the entire Schengen zone, unless exceptions or exclusions are noted. If you were granted a non-Schengen or national visa, then you are only allowed passage to this specific country.
*Article last updated January 27, 2012
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September 19, 2011 at 03:03 · Filed under Taxes
The Ministry of Finance announced on September 11 that a special tax would be assessed to all properties in Greece, raising an estimated €2-3 billion to qualify for the next bailout tranche and avert default.
Original rates of €0.50 to €10.00 were doubled three days later to €0.50 to €20.00 under the assumption that many people will not pay, though the government was advised to keep rates low to increase the likelihood of payment.
The emergency tax — called Εκτακτο Ειδικό Τέλος Ηλεκτροδοτούµενων ∆οµηµένων Επιφανειών (ΕΕΤΗ∆Ε)/Entakto Eidikio Telos Ilektrodotoumenon Domimenon Epifaneion (EETIDE) — affects approximately 5.1 million properties and lasts two years will be applied for the foreseeable future, with rates climbing progressively higher as property values are adjusted.
Greece’s middle class is already struggling under the weight of increased VAT, salary cuts and solidarity taxes; and business owners complain that they are on the verge of closure.
Parliament passed the bill on September 27, law 4021/2011 was published October 19, and amendments were made October 20, December 1 and December 16, 2011.
*Article last updated on January 23, 2012. However, ‘Comments’ reflect whatever laws were in effect at the time.
Article explains who is exempt, who pays how much and when, plus penalties for non-payment and inclusion of a real-life electricity bill showing property tax.
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September 1, 2011 at 19:00 · Filed under News
Coffee & eating out now taxed at 23 percent in Greece. — Image/ingoodfeather.com
Food served at restaurants, cafes and hotels, and non-alcoholic beverages purchased everywhere, are taxed 23 percent from September 1, 2011.
Ahead of the EU-IMF audit, the government announced in August a number of hasty and contradictory measures that raised value-added tax (VAT) on holiday packages and proposed that tourists wear bracelets to get a reduced rate. It was eventually decided that all-inclusive vacation packages would remain at 13 percent, but a 10-percent tax hike would be assessed on ready-to-consume beverages and make takeaway and tavernas a luxury.
Greece now charges the highest tax in the eurozone and second highest in the EU for eating out.
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August 30, 2011 at 21:30 · Filed under Personal
Copyright belongs to kotsovolos.gr
Chuck Norris is doing his darnedest to help the Greek economy before summer sales end August 31. He can kick ass with both feet on the ground*, so why not kick the crisis?
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Athens
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