Ever dreamed of living on a paradise island like Santorini or in a buzzing Mediterranean capital like Athens? Well, you can now make that dream a reality with the Greek digital nomad visa.
It’s clear that the remote work trend is here to stay — as of 2023, there are three times as many remote jobs as there were when the pandemic began in 2020.
As working from anywhere becomes the norm, Greece has become an increasingly popular base for digital nomads thanks to its fantastic climate, decent internet connection, low cost of living, and growing number of quality co-working spaces.
Like many European countries, Greece recently introduced a digital nomad visa to attract more location-independent professionals and remote workers to the country. The visa makes it easy for non-EU nationals to live and work in Greece — and comes with some pretty attractive incentives, like tax reductions.
Fortunately, the process to apply for a Greek digital nomad visa is relatively straightforward if you meet the eligibility requirements. This article will walk you through everything you need to know.
.png)
Who can apply for a Greek digital nomad visa?
Greece’s digital nomad visa is available to non-EU citizens who work remotely — whether they’re self-employed freelancers, entrepreneurs, or employees of a company.
One important distinction to note is that digital nomads must not do business in Greece or be employed by Greek companies. The digital nomad visa is, therefore, perfect for freelancers who work with clients from their own country (or any country other than Greece) or employees of a non-Greek company.
If you’re lucky enough to be a citizen of an EU country, you don’t need to apply for a Greek digital nomad visa because the Schengen Agreement allows you to live and work in any other European country within the Schengen area.
Benefits of the Greece digital nomad visa
Once your digital nomad visa application has been approved, it will be valid for one year with the possibility to extend for another year — giving you two whole years to immerse yourself in the Greek way of life. However, the visa does not provide permanent residency — once the two years are up, you will have to leave the country and wait another two years to reapply.
Perhaps one of the biggest advantages of the Greek digital nomad visa is the generous tax breaks it offers. Digital nomads are not liable to pay local income tax for the first 183 days in the country. After that, you’ll only have to pay 50% of the normal income tax, regardless of whether you stay in Greece for one or two years.
Attached digital nomads can also take advantage of the Greek digital nomad visa, as it allows you to bring your spouse, children under 18, and children over 18 if they’re dependent on you for financial or medical reasons. However, the requirements are more restrictive, and you will have to submit a separate application for each family member.
Fortunately, the visa application is relatively affordable and consists of a €75 application fee and a €150 administrative fee per applicant.
Finally, the Greek digital nomad visa will give you access to the whole of Europe, enabling you to travel to all 27 countries of the European Union (including popular destinations like Spain, Portugal, France, and Croatia). Please note that your travel outside of Greece must not exceed six months in order for your digital nomad visa to remain valid.
Greece digital nomad visa eligibility requirements
Here are the required documents and eligibility criteria for a Greek digital nomad visa:
- A valid passport that will remain valid for the duration of the visa (remember that this could be up to two years).
- Passport photos
- Proof of employment (such as an employment contract) or, if freelancing, evidence of a regular engagement with a company or clients outside of Greece. You must also agree that neither you nor your dependents will provide professional services within Greece.
- Proof of income (such as bank statements) showing you have a monthly income of at least €3,500 after tax deductions.
- If bringing a spouse, your minimum monthly income must be €4,200.
- If bringing a spouse and one dependent, it rises to €4,830
- After that, each additional dependent requires a 15% increase in monthly income.
- Evidence of a clean criminal record from your home country.
- Proof of health insurance covering your stay in Greece.
- A medical certificate certifying your good health provided by a physician.
- The address where you will be staying while in Greece.
How to apply for a Greek digital nomad visa
Ready to apply for your Greek digital nomad visa? Here are the steps you need to follow.
- Start by gathering all the necessary documents and paperwork mentioned in the previous section.
- Complete the digital nomad visa application form.
- Submit the application in person or by email or post, together with the application fee. You can do this at your nearest Greek Embassy or Greek Consulate. If you’ve already entered Greece on a tourist visa, you can submit your documentation to the Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum.
- Wait for approval. If your application is approved, you will be notified within ten days.
- Once your visa has been approved, you might want to apply for a digital nomad residence permit. Unlike the digital nomad visa, the residency permit is renewable, making it a good option for those hoping to stay longer than two years in Greece.
Start your digital nomad dream life in Greece.
If you’re considering working remotely from Greece, a digital nomad visa could be a great option. But if you’re an employee of a remote company, there might be an easier way to live and work in Greece without the restrictions of a digital nomad visa.
For example, many global companies now partner with employer of record (EOR) organizations like RemoFirst to help them hire employees all over the world while ensuring compliance with local laws and regulations.
An EOR can take the complexity out of remote work and provide peace of mind for both employer and employee by handling hiring processes, compliance, benefits, and payroll.
Check out RemoFirst’s Greece country guide to learn more about how RemoFirst can help your employer hire you from Greece.
