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German Retirees Secure Stability in Greece After Fraudulent Rental Ordeal

Petra and Bernd Friedrich, who emigrated to escape high costs in Germany, now face ongoing challenges adapting to life in their new home.

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Goodbye Deutschland: Der Auswanderertraum von Petra und Bernd droht zu platzen.
Goodbye Deutschland
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Overview

  • Petra and Bernd Friedrich, a retired couple from Germany, moved to Greece in November seeking a more affordable lifestyle but encountered serious setbacks upon arrival.
  • The couple rented a house on the Peloponnese without a formal contract, only to find it uninhabitable and filled with the landlord's late mother's belongings and surveillance cameras.
  • After weeks of living in their motorhome and being denied help by the landlord and local authorities, they finally secured a legitimate rental in January for €600 per month.
  • Both retirees face significant health challenges—Petra is nearly blind, and Bernd relies on an oxygen device—which have added complexity to their relocation and adjustment efforts.
  • Despite their early struggles, the Friedrichs remain committed to building a life in Greece, highlighting the risks and resilience involved in cross-border retirement plans.