9 Greece Digital Nomad Visa Facts You Probably Didn’t Know

When deciding to apply for a digital nomad visa, gathering all of the important information is crucial. To make your application and plan for your relocation to Greece, here are some Greece digital nomad visa facts you probably didn’t know but really should! 

At Nomads Embassy, our goal is to simplify applying for digital nomad visas. And one way we can do that is by sharing as much firsthand information as possible with our members to help them make better-informed decisions. Of course, our Done-for-You Digital Nomad Visa Services also helps a ton! But in the beginning stages, the research is often the hardest part. 

With tons of misinformation online about digital nomad visas, it can be easy to get caught up in misunderstandings. So, we compiled the Greece digital nomad visa facts that you should definitely know about before applying in this article. 

Oh and if you want professional legal assistance with your Greece digital nomad visa application so that you never miss an important fact along the way, simply fill out the contact form in this article to get in touch with our hand-selected local immigration lawyer. 

What is the Greece Digital Nomad Visa?

The Greece digital nomad visa was introduced in 2021 and has become one of the most popular digital nomad visas in Europe. 

It allows remote workers and their immediate family members to live in the country for up to five years before qualifying for permanent residency and, eventually, citizenship. 

With quick visa processing times of just 10 days, remote workers can start a new chapter of their digital nomad journey in this gorgeous Mediterranean country. 

Greece Digital Nomad Visa Requirements

To be eligible for Greece’s digital nomad visa, you must meet the following criteria:

• 
  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 would like to confirm your eligibility for Greece’s digital nomad visa, request our free digital nomad visa eligibility assessment by completing the form above! 

Greece Digital Nomad Visa Facts to Know Before Applying

Now, let’s dive into those crucial Greece digital nomad visa facts you’ve been so eager to learn about. 

1. You Can Apply in Greece as a Tourist

Greece is one of the few digital nomad visas that allow you to apply while abroad as a tourist. However, this option is available for select nationalities who can enter Greece without applying for an entry visa. 

When applying as a tourist in Greece, you will bypass the visa application process and go straight for the two-year renewable residence permit. 

2. There Are Two Lengths of Stay to Choose From

Digital nomads live a free lifestyle where they can choose to be flexible with their time spent in different countries. Greece’s digital nomad visa understands this and offers two terms of stay. 

The first option is a 12-month digital nomad visa. This requires the applicant to apply at a Greek consulate in their country of residence. The visa allows them to stay in Greece for one year and is non-renewable. 

The second option is a two-year residence permit. This residence permit is renewable for an additional three years, which then qualifies for permanent residency. 

Determining whether you want to stay just one year or fully relocate and stay in Greece is an important decision that will guide you in your application process. 

3. The Residence Permit Costs €1,000

One deciding Greece digital nomad visa fact that many applicants are unaware of is the cost of the residence permit. When applying for the two-year residence permit, whether you are doing so as a tourist or with the digital nomad visa in hand, there is a government fee of €1,000. 

4. Prepare to Visit Your Primary Care Doctor

When preparing your documents for the Greece digital nomad visa application, you will have to provide a certified medical exam from your primary care doctor stating that you are in good health. 

So, make sure to plan for an appointment with them before your visa appointment or coming to Greece! 

5. Permanent Residency is Possible After 5 Years

After five years of living in Greece full-time, you may qualify for permanent residency. To apply, you must pass Greek language and civics exams, but this should be pretty simple after spending almost half a decade in the country! 

6. Prepare to Stay in Greece 180 Days per Year

There is a minimum stay requirement for digital nomad visa holders and residents. You must be physically present in Greece for at least 180 days per year and must not leave for more than six months at a time. 

If you fail to meet the minimum stay requirement, the government could revoke your residency rights. 

7. You’ll Have to Leave Your Passport During Visa Processing

When applying for the Greece digital nomad visa at a Greek consulate in your country of residence, you must leave your passport along with your application. Fortunately, the processing time is just ten business days or about two weeks. 

This is one of the most important Greece digital nomad visa facts to remember! If you plan to travel internationally while your visa is processing, it will not be possible. 

8. The Digital Nomad Tax Situation is Undetermined in Greece

As of 2024, digital nomads fall into a very gray area in Greece’s tax system. 

When consulting with our immigration lawyer partners, they interpret the current laws as digital nomads with the visa will not become tax residents or owe taxes in Greece. This is as long as you do not own a car or property while living in Greece. 

We can expect this tax limbo to change in the near future as the government works to address the law and find a way to include digital nomads in it. 

9. Receiving Your Residence Permit Can Take Up to One Year

At this time, we are seeing residence permit card processing times to be about one year. Don’t worry, though. During this time, you can stay in Greece and may be able to travel to your home country with your residence application receipt. 

However, it is important to adjust your expectations to these prolonged wait times. 

Get Dedicated Legal Assistance with Your Greece Digital Nomad Visa with Nomads Embassy

After learning the important Greece digital nomad visa facts, are you ready to move forward with your application and spend the next year or more in this gorgeous country?

Then you’ve come to the right place! 

Nomads Embassy: The World’s First Embassy for Digital Nomads has partnered with hand-selected local immigration lawyers to assist our members with their visa applications. We’ve created a simplified and comprehensive Done-for-You Digital Nomad Visa Service including everything you’ll need to apply for the visa and residence permit. 

Want to get in touch with our immigration lawyer partners?

Request our free eligibility assessment by completing the form in this article to get started!