Greece is a fascinating country with a deep history, known for its mild year-round Mediterranean climate, scenic landscapes, and vibrant culture. With its relatively low living costs, strong legal system, and straightforward path to permanent residence, Greece appeals to both families and investors in Kenya seeking a safe and rewarding European home.
Moving from Greece to Kenya is an exciting decision, offering access to scenic coastlines and a more ideal work-life balance compared to most Western European countries. This guide covers the essential aspects of your relocation journey: visa and residence permits, customs clearance documentation, and the step-by-step moving process.
1. Visa and Residence Permits
The visa application process for Greece depends on your nationality, employment status, and how long you intend to stay.
EU/EEA citizens enjoy freedom of movement and only need to obtain a residence permit if they’re staying longer than 3 months. Non-EU citizens, on the other hand, have 3 distinct pathways;
- National/Type D visa – the long-stay visa required before moving to Greece from Kenya and applying for a residence permit.
- Employment visa – requires a formal work offer from a Greek employer who must prove the position couldn’t be filled by a local or EU citizen.
- Digital nomad visa – a rapidly growing modern international relocation trend, the visa is ideal for remote workers. It requires proof of stable remote employment and a minimum monthly income of €3,500
- Greece Golden Visa – these are offered as part of the residency-by-investment initiatives in Europe. It requires real estate investments ranging between €250,000 to €800,000, depending on the region.
Once you identify the right pathway for your move to Greece, you may prepare all the necessary documentation, which typically includes a clean criminal record certificate, proof of accommodation/residence in Greece, and evidence of sufficient personal finances.
Kenyan citizens – except Somali passport holders – can submit their applications via the Embassy of Greece in Nairobi.
2. Customs and Import Rules for Greece
EU Transfer of Residence rules apply. If you have a Type D visa or are transferring your residence permanently to Greece, shipping personal household effects is duty-free. However, you must prove you’ve lived in Kenya or overseas for 12 months or more.
Some documents you will need to ship personal household effects from Kenya to Greece include;
- Detailed packing list
- Bill of Lading
- EU Transfer of Residence declaration
- Passport and valid Greek residence permit
- Marine insurance certificate
- Proof of overseas residence for 12+ months
3. The Step-by-Step Moving Process
Free Home Survey and Quotation
Our surveyor will visit your home in Nairobi or conduct a virtual walkthrough to calculate the total volume in cubic feet or cubic meters. This will help determine the best shipping method: LCL or groupage consignments for small households and full container loads (FCL) for larger households.
The surveyor also checks for fragile high-value items that require specialized packing materials, access constraints for moving trucks, and generates an itemized quotation detailing freight cost, packing supplies, customs clearance, and destination port fees.
Documentation and Planning
One you approve the quotation; you will be assigned a dedicated move coordinator to handle every aspect of your move. At this stage you will put together essential official documents such as the EU Transfer of Residence Declaration, packing lists, and Bill of Lading instructions with the guidance of your move coordinator.
Professional Packing
Our trained packing team wraps, boxes, and crates your household goods and personal items using export-grade materials. Every single box, wrapped item, and loose piece is tagged with a numbered sticker corresponding to a comprehensive packing list detailing the contents and condition of the item.
Loading and Transportation
Your consignment will be carefully loaded onto moving trucks and transported to the port of Mombasa under close supervision by Nellions. Our licensed clearing agents will present the export manifest, a detailed packing list, and tax compliance documentation to the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA). Finally, after securing the export release, our agents will supervise the physical loading of the container with your shipment into the vessel.
International Transit
Your shipment travels to Piraeus (Athens) or Thessaloniki. Sea transit to Greece takes 22-32 days while air freight takes 4-6 days. You will receive your Bill of Lading and tracking details.
Piraeus (Athens) is the primary entry point for household goods. Thessaloniki serves northern Greece. Allow 8–10 weeks total door-to-door. Athens and Thessaloniki are the most common destination cities.
Point to Note: Piraeus is the largest port in Greece and one of the most important in the Eastern Mediterranean. Customs clearance times can vary – allow additional time for inspection if requested. In certain cases the port of Thessaloniki is preferred.
Destination Customs Clearance
Nellions has partners in Greece that handle all import customs clearance including EU ToR Declaration Submission, duty assessment (if applicable), and port release. They will be coordinating directly with you on delivery timing.
Delivery to Your New Home
Following customs release, the container is transported directly to your new address. The crew unloads the items, places boxes in their designated rooms based on your instructions, reassembles standard furniture pieces, and unwraps large appliances.
Full-service packages include unpacking and furniture assembly and placement.
The Best Movers to Greece: Nellions Moving and Relocations Company
Planning and executing an international move from Kenya to Greece can be a tedious and overwhelming task. This is especially true when you’re unfamiliar with Greek customs requirements and the shipping logistics involved.
To ensure a smooth transition free from preventable mishaps, it’s advisable to hire an experienced international moving company. Nellions Moving and Relocations Company is an IAM-certified mover that provides expert packing, customs agency services, and door-to-door delivery to simplify your move.
With Nellions as your moving partner, your move from Kenya to Greece can be an exciting and rewarding experience.
Get your free moving quote today. Call us on +254700000002 or email move@nellions.co.ke
Frequently Asked Questions – Moving to Greece from Kenya
Sea freight from Mombasa to Piraeus (Athens) or Thessaloniki takes 22–32 days. Total door-to-door including packing, export customs clearance, sea transit, destination port clearance, and final delivery is typically 6–10 weeks. Air freight takes 4–6 days flight time.
Key documents include: a detailed packing list, Bill of Lading, EU Transfer of Residence Declaration, passport copy, valid Greece residence or immigration documentation, and a marine insurance certificate. Nellions prepares all documentation as part of a full-service move.
Yes. Nellions coordinates all destination customs clearance through our established partner network in Greece. Our destination agents handle EU Transfer of Residence Declaration submission, import duty assessment, and port-to-home delivery — so you do not need to manage this yourself.
Yes. Nellions arranges vehicle shipping from Kenya to Greece either via RoRo (Roll-on/Roll-off) vessels or in a container. A separate vehicle quotation is provided. Import duties, registration requirements, and any vehicle modifications required in Greece will be advised by our destination agent.
