Greece’s digital nomad visa lets you work remotely in the country for a year (and even longer).
Greece is already a well-known destination. However, with the Greece Digital Nomad Visa, you can now enjoy the coasts of Greece for a year instead of a few weeks of holidays. You can continue your job and live like a local for a year.
Keep reading and learn about
Greece Digital Nomad Visa: Overview
A digital nomad visa in Greece allows remote workers and digital nomads to stay more than 90 days, extending the stay to 365 days.
With this visa, non-EU and non-EEA people working remotely can have residency permits in Greece and work there legally for up to 12 months. Also, it’s possible extend your visa before the end of the first 12 months.
Digital nomad visa for Greece provides permits for your family to come with you for an additional fee. If you plan to travel with your spouse or children, be aware that your required monthly income will increase by 20% for a spouse and 15% for each child.
In order to get a digital nomad visa, check if:
- You are not employed by a company registered in Greece.
- Your clients or the company that you are working for are based outside of Greece.
- You have a stable internet connection and the necessary equipment to work remotely.
- You provide proof of your business activity if you are self-employed.
- You meet the minimum monthly net income requirement.
The required income varies according to who will accompany you during your stay in Greece. See how it applies:
- a minimum of €3,500/month for a solo digital nomad
- €4,200€/month if your spouse is with you
- €4,830€/month if you’re bringing your spouse and one dependent.
There are two ways to apply for a digital nomad visa in Greece: either while you are currently in Greece or outside of Greece.
If you’re in Greece, you need to submit an application to the Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum with the necessary documents. Make sure you have enough time to apply before your current visa expiry date.
If you’re outside of Greece, you will apply at the Greek Embassy or Consulate in your home country. The approval process takes a month to be completed in Greece. However, digital nomad visa approval usually comes in 10 days.
Who Can Apply for the Digital Nomad Visa for Greece
Anyone who is a non-EU or non-EEA citizen with a valid passport can apply for this visa. If you are a remote worker who wants to experience life in Greece as a resident but does not seek any permanent stay, this visa is for you.
Make sure you meet all the requirements, and then you are ready to go.
Greece Digital Nomad Visa: How To Apply
Here are the step-by-step application processes:
Step 1: Make an appointment
The first thing to do to get a Greece Digital Nomad Visa is to contact the nearest local embassy. The conditions vary slightly depending on your home country. So your local embassy can give you further information about the digital nomad visa application process.
Step 2: Prepare your documents
Before applying, check if you meet all the requirements for a digital nomad visa and prepare the necessary documents in advance. When you are done, the process will flow smoothly.
Here are the required documents to apply for the Greece digital nomad visa:
- A valid passport
- Two passport photos
- A declaration letter (necessary to declare that you are working remotely in Greece but not for any Greece company during your stay)
- Proof of employment with the proof of income (at least €3500 net monthly income)
- Proof of accommodation (Rental agreement or a hotel booking)
- Valid health insurance (covering all of your costs while traveling and during your stay in Greece)
- Certificate of clean criminal record
- A medical certificate of good health
Step 3: Fill out the application form
To make your documentation valid, the next step is to print and fill out the application form. Make sure your information is correct and up-to-date. After filling out the form, send it with the other documents to the relevant authorities.
Step 4: Get ready for an interview
Sometimes, the authority wants to interview you, so it’s better to be prepared for possible questions such as your income stability, the purpose of your trip, the duration of your trip, etc.
Work on the information you delivered in your documents in case they ask you to provide more details.
Step 5: Wait for your approval
You will receive your results from the Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum after about 10 days. Then, you can start planning your stay in Greece.
If your request is approved, you will have a visa sticker to attach to your passport. If it was rejected, you don’t need to change all the plans. You can just fix the error and try again.
Step 6: Get a residence permit
As soon as you enter Greece, you should go to the nearest Aliens and Immigration Department with your documents and register for a digital nomad residence permit.
Please note that you can also apply for Greece Digital Nomad Visa by visiting the Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum if you are already in the country.
Greece Digital Nomad Visa Fee
The application fee for Greece’s digital nomad visa is €75. This amount is for the Greek authorities’ service. It means that you will not get a refund in case of rejection.
There is also an administration fee, about €150. If you’re planning to go there with your family, you can do so for an extra payment of €150.
Taxes for Greece Digital Nomad Visa
If you are planning to stay in Greece as a digital nomad for less than 6 months, you don’t have to worry about being a tax resident.
Taxation applies to people who will stay in the country for more than a year. However, thanks to your digital nomad visa, you will be eligible for the 50% tax deduction according to Greece’s taxation procedures. You pay only half of your actual tax rates, and this is valid as long as you stay in Greece.
Residency by Investment Option: Greece passvisa
Digital nomad visas are great for long stays in different countries. However, after all the information, if you feel all these efforts for a one- or two-year stay in Greece are way too much, there is another option: the Greece passvisa.
The Greece passvisa covers investors and their families who seek a longer stay in Greece. To be granted, you need to invest a minimum of €250,000. This is quite a last call for this amount because it will change as of August 31st.
The new price will be €800,000 if you want to get a property in the areas of Attica, Thessaloniki, Mykonos, Santorini, and the islands with a population of more than 3,100. For all other regions in Greece, the amount to invest will go up to a minimum of €400,000. Additionally, the property must be at least 120 square meters.
It takes longer to get this visa with a 6-month processing period. However, once you get it, you receive a five-year residency permit in Greece, and you can include your family members on this visa as well.
Greece passvisa doesn’t require a minimum stay or doesn’t limit how long you can stay. Considering all these, it’s quite a gate to live in Greece for a high-standard life.
Best Places To Experience Greece as a Digital Nomad
Athens
Athens is attractive with its active and dynamic lifestyle. If you are in for a big-city experience in Greece, opt for Athens. It provides a great work and travel balance with its various activities, nightlife, and restaurants.
Here, you will find lots of coworking places for digital nomads to work together. They are also great for expanding your network.
Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki is similar to Athens when it comes to big-city life. The food is rich, and the nightlife is vibrant. It’s a mix of a chill lifestyle and moving city life. It also offers many coworking spaces with a stable internet connection.
Santorini
Santorini is more luxurious than Athens and Thessaloniki if this is what you are looking for. Nature is beautiful here, and the island city is rich with beaches. If you want to stay in a calm place away from crowded cities, Santorini is a great place to work and rest.
Conclusion
Greece is a great choice for digital nomads with its beautiful islands, historical trip points, and coworking places. Plus, it is slightly more affordable than in other European countries. Getting a digital nomad visa is effortless and cheap compared to other countries providing digital nomad visas.
If you are eligible for a digital nomad visa, don’t forget to add Greece to your to-go list and explore this wonderful country while working remotely.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of working as a digital nomad in Greece?
Greece is cheaper than most European countries and offers various great historical places to visit. Greek people are kind and famous for being welcoming and friendly. And no doubt, here you will enjoy the rich cuisine–especially if you love Mediterranean bites.
Plus, the weather is warm, and winters are usually mild. Besides, tax deductions make Greece a good option for digital nomads who plan a long stay.
How long is Greece’s digital nomad visa valid?
It is valid for one year, and you can Greek Digital Nomad Visa extend it to two years.
Are there any alternatives to a digital nomad visa in case I want to stay longer?
Yes, there is a residency-by-investment program, Greece passvisa. If you invest at least €250,000 by the end of August 2024, you can get a five-year residency.
However, there will be changes in the price after August, and the new price for investment is as follows:
- €800,000 for Attica, Thessaloniki, Mykonos, Santorini, and the islands with a population of more than 3,100, and
- €400,000 for all other regions.
- Also, the property’s size should be at least 120 square meters.
You can include your family members in this visa, and you can travel without visa-hussle to any other Schengen countries.
Do I have to pay taxes while working in Greece as a digital nomad?
If you intend to stay less than 6 months, you will not be subject to any taxation including income tax. If you stay more than 6 months, then you will be considered as a tax resident. So you will need to pay income tax in this case.
But don’t worry; thanks to your digital nomad visa, you will get a 50% tax deduction.
How much will it cost to live in Greece as a digital nomad?
Accommodation price ranges between €350 to €750 per month. Transportation is usually not more than €5. Groceries cost you €200-250 per month.
Digital nomads live with the minimum income required for a Greek digital nomad visa—€3500—and travel easily.
