Greece Digital Nomad Visa: How to Apply [4 Steps]
You can now live on a gorgeous Mediterranean island or in cities with ancient foundations with the Greece digital nomad visa!
Announced in the summer of 2021, Greece is welcoming digital nomads to live in the country for one to two years if they meet the requirements. Greece has long been a favorite destination for vacationers and travelers, but now it’s catering to adventurous remote workers.
Imagine waking up and viewing the sea behind iconic white buildings with blue roofs or enjoying the sunset each night from a Greek island. Soak in the history and stories of the Ancient Greeks and explore ruins and temples throughout the country. Let’s also not forget that Athens is one of the cheapest cities for digital nomads to live in Europe.
Greece’s digital nomad visa is valid for one year. If you want to prolong your stay in Greece for more than a year, you may choose to obtain a two-year residence permit, which is renewable. Holding a residence permit could also put you on a path to obtaining Greek citizenship.
There are two ways to go about applying for the Greek digital nomad visa or residence permit. If you require an entry visa into Greece, then you must apply for the digital nomad visa from your country of residence.
However, if you can enter Greece visa-free (such as passport holders from the USA, Canada, and Australia), you can simply apply for a two-year residence permit in Greece. This is a quicker and often more affordable method to relocating to Greece as a digital nomad.
Another great benefit of the Greece digital nomad visa is that digital nomads are not liable to pay local income taxes. Even if they stay in the country over 183 days, they will not have to file taxes in Greece as long as they work remotely and have no economic ties to Greece.
Since Greece is part of the Schengen Area, visa holders will have visa-free access to 29 European countries. It’s important to note that you must spend at least six months in Greece for the duration of your visa.
You may bring your spouse and dependents with you to Greece with the digital nomad visa too.
Greece isn’t the first European country to invite digital nomads to live in the country for an extended period of time. They join other countries with digital nomad visas like Croatia, the Czech Republic, Malta, Portugal, Estonia, Romania, Spain, Hungary, and Montenegro.
While the application process may seem fairly simple for Greece’s digital nomad visa, it doesn’t mean relocating to a new country is necessarily easy. With Nomads Embassy’s hand-selected immigration lawyers, you’ll experience a smooth and quick move to Greece.
In this article, you’ll find everything you need to know about how to apply for the Greece digital nomad visa, including requirements and a step-by-step guide.
What is a Digital Nomad Visa?
First, let’s clear up what exactly a digital nomad visa is. A digital nomad visa is for remote workers who wish to live in a foreign country for a short period of time. Usually, these visas last from six months to two years.
It’s important to understand that you may not engage in economic activities for businesses or corporations within the country where you’re staying. So, digital nomad visas are perfect for freelancers with clients located in their home country, entrepreneurs with businesses established in another country, and employees employed by a company outside of the country where they hold a digital nomad visa.
Every country has different rules and requirements for its digital nomad visa. Sometimes the holder is required to pay local taxes while others are exempt. It’s important to be aware of these regulations before applying for a visa.
Greece Digital Nomad Visa Requirements
As with every digital nomad visa, you must meet certain requirements to be eligible to apply for it. Below are the requirements for the Greece digital nomad visa.
- Valid Passport – Your passport must be valid for the duration of your visa
- Income of at least 3,500€/month net – You must meet the minimum income requirement
- Earn 4,200€/month if bringing a spouse
- Earn 4,830€/month if bringing a spouse and one dependent
- 15% increase in the income requirement with each dependent
- Work Remotely – You must work remotely for a company, clients, or own a business established outside of Greece
- Clean Criminal Record – A certified copy of your criminal record from your home country (if applying from outside of Greece)
- International Health Insurance – You must have health insurance coverage in Greece for the duration of your visa
- Certified Health Check – You must obtain a medical certificate from a physician stating you are in good health
- Address of Accommodations – You must submit the address where you will be living while in Greece
If you meet these requirements, then you may submit an application for the Greece digital nomad visa.
Steps to Apply
It’s a fairly simple process to apply for Greece’s digital nomad visa. It can be done in person or online and has a fairly quick turnaround time.
Step 1: Gather Documents
The easiest way to start the application process is to gather all of the necessary documents and paperwork beforehand. Below is a list of the documents you’ll need to submit.
- Passport Copies
- Two Passport Photos
- Proof of Remote Work
- Proof of Income
- Criminal Background Check
- Proof of Health Insurance
- Medical Certificate of Good Health
- Address of Accommodations in Greece
Be sure to keep copies of these documents when you submit them to the Greek consulate.
Step 2: Submit Application
After gathering your documents, you may submit your application in person. You can schedule an appointment with the nearest Greek consulate using an online appointment schedule or call.
Find the nearest Greek consulate and visit their website to find the application. If you’re applying from within the United States, you can use this application.
There is also a 75€ application fee plus a 150€ administration fee you must pay.
Step 3: Wait for Approval
Applicants of the Greece digital nomad visa will be notified by the Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum within ten days whether or not their visa is accepted or rejected.
Step 4: Register for a Residency Permit
Once your digital nomad visa has been granted, you can register for a residency permit when you arrive in Greece. You’ll need your residence agreement, either a booking confirmation or a residential lease, your visa, and your passport to apply for the permit.
You must find the closest Aliens and Immigration Department of the Decentralized Administration office in your residence district to submit your paperwork immediately after you arrive in the country.
The residence permit fee is 1,000€.
It’s important to note that you do not have to apply for a residence permit if you have been approved for the Greece digital nomad visa. However, the digital nomad visa is only valid for 12 months and is not renewable. The residence permit is renewable.
If you forego applying for the Greece digital nomad visa from abroad you will have to register for a residence permit when you enter the country.
No matter which option you choose, our hand-selected lawyers in Athens are ready to help you relocate to Greece!
Greece for Digital Nomads
You’ve seen people vacationing in Greece during the summer, visiting museums and lounging on Mediterranean beaches, but is it a good place for digital nomads?
The answer is yes, absolutely!
You can truly thrive and successfully live the digital nomad lifestyle in the gorgeous country of Greece. With excellent wifi connection, an affordable cost of living, and ideal weather, it’s quickly becoming a hotspot destination for digital nomads.
The beauty of Greece is the awesome diversity of places where you can stay. You can choose to stay on one of the 6,000 Greek islands or in a metropolitan city like Athens or explore the mountains and northern part of the country in Thessaloniki. There is truly something for everyone to enjoy.
Plus, you’ll find plenty of digital nomads set up in cafes taking advantage of free wifi and excellent Greek coffee. There are also plenty of coworking spaces scattered throughout Athens and other larger cities.
There is a growing digital nomad community in Greece, so you’ll easily find like-minded people during your stay. Plus, the Greek people are extremely friendly and hospitable that you’ll instantly feel at home here.
Get Help Applying for the Greece Digital Nomad Visa
Even after reading this article and step-by-step guide, applying for a digital nomad visa can be overwhelming and time-consuming. Luckily, you don’t have to apply for it on your own!
Nomads Embassy can help you apply for the Greece digital nomad visa with our trusted and professional partners through our Greece Done-for-You Digital Nomad Visa service.
From submitting your visa application to communicating with consulates to helping you find an apartment in Greece, our hand-selected immigration lawyers are here to simplify your relocation to Greece as a digital nomad.
Simply fill out the form above to speak with our immigration lawyers about applying for the Greece digital nomad visa today!
Frequently Asked Questions
Applying for a digital nomad visa, no matter which country it is for, can be overwhelming. There’s a lot of information and details involved in relocating abroad. Below are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the Greece digital nomad visa.
Do I have to apply for the Greece digital nomad visa from abroad?
There are two options when it comes to obtaining the Greece digital nomad visa.
The first option is to apply for the visa in your country of origin. This is necessary for those who require an entry visa into Greece. When approved, the visa is valid for 12 months and is not renewable. They can then choose to register for a residence permit when they arrive in Greece, which is valid for two years and is renewable.
The second option is to come directly to Greece if you can enter visa-free and apply for a two-year residence permit.
Even though some digital nomads are eligible for the second option, they still choose to apply for the digital nomad visa from abroad. This is mostly because they are not sure if they want to spend the next two years in Greece with a residence permit.
Do digital nomads have to pay tax in Greece with the digital nomad visa?
As of 2024, digital nomads are not liable to pay taxes in Greece. Even if they stay in the country for more than 183 days out of the year, they do not have to pay local taxes as long as they work remotely for a company or clients outside of Greece.
Unless they purchase a car or real estate or partake in economic activities, they do not have to file or pay taxes when living in Greece.
The government is working to address the tax status of digital nomads and this is expected to change soon.
How much time do I have to spend in Greece?
If you obtain a residence permit in Greece as a digital nomad, you are required to spend at least six months out of the year in the country. If you fail to spend this time in Greece, then you may not be eligible to renew the residence permit.
Can the Greek digital nomad visa lead to permanent residency or citizenship?
When you obtain a residence permit through the Greece digital nomad visa, it could put you on a path to permanent residency or citizenship. Please keep in mind that there are many more requirements, such as learning how to speak Greek and passing citizenship tests, in order to achieve this. However, it is possible!
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