Detailed comparison
| Side-by-side comparison of taxation, cost of living and scores between the two countries. | ||
|---|---|---|
| Taxation | ||
| Dividend tax | 5%, Edge to this country | 26% |
| Capital gains tax | 15%, Edge to this country | 26% |
| Corporate tax | 22%, Edge to this country | 24% |
| Wealth tax | None | Yes, 0.2% per year on financial assets (domestic bollo and foreign IVAFE) |
| Direct inheritance | 10%Scale1-10% | 4%, Edge to this country |
| Cost and real estate | ||
| Monthly FIRE budget | €2,150, Edge to this country | €2,350 |
| Cost-of-living score | 59.8, Edge to this country | 52.0 |
| Reference city | Athènes | Rome |
| City-center 2-bed rent | €950 | €900, Edge to this country |
| Safety and FIRE score | ||
| Insecurity | 1.8 | 1.7, Edge to this country |
| FIRE Ultimate V3 score | 103.9, Edge to this country | 91.5 |
Verdict
- Italy wins on duration and flexibility (impatriate regime 5+5 years, 40-70% deduction applicable nationwide; pension 7% limited to the South), depth of the public health system (universal SSN, WHO top 5) and density of international schools (Rome, Milan, Bologna).
- Greece keeps the edge on pension duration (15 years vs 9), non-dom €100k flat regime for UHNW, cost of living (≈ 25% cheaper) and a more stable Mediterranean winter climate.
- Verdict: Italy for active families + impatriate executives + retirees accepting the South; Greece for retirees > 60 with pensions > €30k/year + UHNW non-dom > €2M annual income.
Frequently asked questions about this duel
Does Italy's 7% regime work for all pensions?
Article 24-ter TUIR: flat 7% on any foreign pension (public or private) AND any foreign-source income (dividends, interest, capital gains, rentals) for 9 consecutive years. Requirements: residence in a Southern municipality ≤ 20,000 inhabitants (Abruzzo, Molise, Campania, Apulia, Basilicata, Calabria, Sicily, Sardinia) + not having been an Italian tax resident in the prior 5 years. Source: Agenzia Entrate Circolare 8/E 2024.
Does Greece's 7% regime cover French retirees?
Yes. Greek law 4714/2020 (Article 5B Tax Code) grants the 7% flat for 15 years to foreign retirees from countries with an administrative agreement with Greece — France qualifies via the 1963 bilateral treaty (updated 2017). Main requirement: not having been a Greek tax resident in 5 of the prior 6 years. Application via AADE (tax authority) before March 31 of the target year.
What does retirement cost in Lecce vs Athens?
Retired couple, comfortable mode (1-bed center + car + dinners): Lecce ≈ €1,600/month (rent €700-900, groceries €350, dining €250, transport €150, misc €200); Athens (Kolonaki or Glyfada) ≈ €1,350/month (rent €600-800, groceries €300, dining €250, public transit €50, misc €200). With €30k/year net pension + 7% tax, both work comfortably.
Which country for an active impatriate executive < 50?
Italy: impatriate regime (Article 16 TUIR rev. 2024) — 50% deduction on employment income up to €600k/year, 60% with a minor child, 5 years renewable once (10 years). Applicable nationwide. Requirements: not a resident in 3 of the prior 6 years + commit to 4 years in Italy. Greece: non-dom €100k flat regardless of worldwide income + €20k per dependent (Article 5A Tax Code) — relevant for > €2M annual income.
How does public healthcare compare between the two countries?
Italy: universal SSN, world top 5 (WHO Health System Index 2024 — joint #2), 9.4% of GDP on health (OECD 2025), 4.1 doctors/1,000 inhabitants, nearly free access after registration. Greece: universal ESY, 8.1% of GDP on health, 6.2 doctors/1,000 inhabitants (high density but uneven public hospital quality between Athens and rural areas), frequent recourse to private for specialties. Italy wins on consistent public quality; Greece on raw medical density.