Picture this: you, sipping on a Greek coffee, your laptop perched on a quaint taverna table overlooking the sparkling blue Aegean Sea. Sounds like a dream, right? Well, if you’re a remote worker, you’re in luck! You can make this dream a reality by applying for the Greece digital nomad visa!

In this ultimate guide, we’ll go over everything you need to know about the Greece digital nomad visa, including how to apply, how much it costs, and other must-knows about the nomad life in Greece! So, without further ado, let’s get into it!

Does Greece Have a Digital Nomad Visa?

Yes, absolutely – Greece has a digital nomad visa! Announced in the summer of 2021, the Greece digital nomad visa is now available for non-EU citizens. In a nutshell, here’s what you can expect with the Greece digital nomad visa:

  • You must earn at least €3,500 per month, and you cannot be a citizen of the EU/EEA or Switzerland to qualify for this visa.
  • If you stay in Greece for at least 2 years, digital nomads can apply for a 50% tax exemption for the first 7 years!
  • The Greece digital nomad visa costs €75 for the application fee and €150 for the administration fee.
  • You can bring your spouse and children to Greece with a digital nomad visa.
  • The Greece digital nomad visa is valid for 1 year and can be extended for an additional year for a total of 2 years.

Greece Digital Nomad Visa

Digital nomads in Greece are spoilt for choice when it comes to amazing destinations.

Greece is a dream destination for many, and with the release of the digital nomad visa, remote workers now have the opportunity to live out their Mamma Mia dreams. Digital nomads that qualify for this visa can stay in the country for 12 months, but this visa can be renewed for another 12 months – for a total of 2 years!

Greece Digital Nomad Visa Requirements

  • You cannot be a citizen of an EU/EEA country or Switzerland.
  • The minimum salary is €3,500 per month or €42,000 per year. You must prove an additional 20% for your partner or spouse and an additional 15% per child.
  • You must be a digital nomad and not work for a Greek company.
  • You must be able to do your work using telecommunications technology, such as with a wifi and laptop.
  • If you are self-employed, you must provide confirmation and information about your business, and the company cannot be registered in Greece.
  • You must have a valid passport for at least six months after the return date with two blank pages.
  • You must have a clean criminal record.

Who Can Apply for the Greece Digital Nomad Visa?

As long as you meet all the requirements listed above, congratulations! You are eligible to apply for the Greece digital nomad visa. Namely, you must not be a citizen of an EU country, or rather, any country where you can freely move to Greece without the need to apply for a visa.

Documents Needed to Apply for the Greece Digital Nomad Visa

  • A valid passport for at least six months AFTER the return date, with two blank pages.
  • The application form
  • Two passport photos
  • A declaration letter stating the reason for your stay in Greece (you must disclose that you are applying for the Greece digital nomad visa, information about your job located outside of Greece, and your financial information)
  • Proof of employment – an employment contract and a letter by your employer that you can work with just wifi and a laptop
  • If you are self-employed, proof of the company – include all relevant documents regarding the company, such as name, registration number, corporate purpose, field of activity, and proof of ownership
  • Proof of income – A bank statement or work contract stating the minimum income requirement
  • Certificate of a clean criminal record in your home country
  • Proof of accommodation
  • Valid health insurance to cover your stay in Greece
  • A return flight ticket home after your stay in Greece
  • A medical certificate

How to Apply for the Greece Digital Nomad Visa: Step-by-Step Guide

Step One: Make Sure You Meet the Requirements for the Visa

What’s the point in going through all the steps if you’re not eligible in the first place? Go over our bullet-pointed requirements list to make sure you can apply for this visa so that you don’t get denied and waste your money on application fees.

Step Two: Gather Your Documents and Fill Out the Application

Gather all the documents listed above for a seamless application process. Make sure to fill out the application form as well.

Step Four: Submit Your Application and Pay the Fees

If you are outside of Greece, set up an appointment with the consulate or embassy. If you are in
Greece, apply directly with the Ministry of Migration and Asylum, making sure to do so before your initial visa expires. Then, at the appointment date, bring all the required documents with you to submit your application. At this point, you must also pay a non-refundable fee of €75 for the application and €150 for the administration.

Step Five: Get Approved

The embassy will review your application within 10 days. The Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum will let you know if you’ve been approved or not! If you are approved, congratulations! You can now enter Greece on your new digital nomad visa – valid for 12 months only.

Extending the Greece Digital Nomad Visa

The Greece digital nomad visa is available to be initially extended for another 12 months – for a total of two years. In order to do so, once you enter the country on your original digital nomad visa, you must head over to the nearest Aliens and Immigration Department of the Decentralized Administration office. Make sure to bring your residence agreement, your accommodation information, your visa, and your passport. This residence permit is valid for up to two years and can be extended further.

To put it simply, if you want to stay any longer than 12 months in Greece, you must get a residence permit. Note that an application for a residence permit costs €1,000.

Cost of Greece Digital Nomad Visa

There are two fees you’ll need to pay to apply for the Greece digital nomad visa: €75 for the application and €150 for the administration. If you want to extend your visa by another 12 months, you’ll need to apply for a residence permit, which costs €1,000.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Digital Nomad Visa in Greece?

The timeline for the Greece digital nomad visa application is actually pretty fast and reasonable. You should hear back from the relevant authorities within 10 working days or 2 weeks after you apply. Of course, if you’re missing any documents, expect this to take longer.

Alternatives to the Digital Nomad Visa in Greece

greece digital nomad visa
Here are some alternatives to the Greece digital nomad visa.

Greece Golden Visa

If you have the disposable income for it, one alternative to the digital nomad visa is the Greece Golden Visa – an investment visa program. There are a few different options for investments, with a minimum property investment of €250,000 or €500,000 in certain municipalities, including Athens, Thessaloniki, and Santorini. This visa is open to all non-EU citizens with a clean criminal record. The Golden Visa, once approved, will allow you to bring your family and take advantage of the visa-free Schengen zone!

The biggest perk about the Greece Golden Visa is that you will automatically be given a Permanent Residency, which needs to be renewed every 5 years. Keep in mind that you will need to retain the investment in order for your residency to be renewed. Plus, down the line, if you want to, you can apply for citizenship after 7 years of residency. The caveat is that you will need to be able to speak fluent Greek at this point!

Greece Residence Permit

The other option is to simply arrive in Greece as a tourist or a remote worker on a digital nomad visa and apply for a residence permit. Note that you must apply for this permit before your original visa expires. If you are on a travel visa, that would be 90 days maximum. Then, simply head over to the nearest Aliens and Immigration Department of the Decentralized Administration office to apply for the permit. The permit costs €1,000 and is valid for two years, but it can be extended.

Digital Nomad Visa in Greece for EU Citizens

If you’re a citizen of the EU, EEA, or Switzerland, you’re in luck! You actually don’t need to apply for any visa in order to live your life in Greece. All you need to do is simply pack up your bags, say bye to your old life, and say “Geiá sou” to Greece!

But there is one thing to keep in mind: If you plan to stay in Greece for longer than 3 months, you’ll need to go to the Aliens and Immigration Department of the Decentralized Administration office and get a Certificate of Registration, which you should be able to get on that day. To make the process easier, make sure to take a Greek-speaking friend with you.

Can You Work in Greece as a Digital Nomad on a Tourist Visa?

No, you cannot work in Greece on a tourist visa. Actually, in most countries around the world, unless they specifically state that you can work online while traveling, working as a digital nomad (on a tourist visa) is technically illegal. I say technically because, honestly, we haven’t heard of any authorities cracking down on this. But it is important to be an ethical digital nomad, and that means getting the correct visa before working as a digital nomad in Greece.

But are you already in Greece? No worries! You can just as easily apply for the Greece digital nomad visa, but make sure your application is approved before your current visa expires. Thankfully, the Greece digital nomad visa has an easy 10-day turnaround, so as long as you aren’t applying for it last minute, you should be good to go in just 2 weeks!

Tax Requirements for Digital Nomads in Greece

Now for the fun part! Just kidding, no one likes taxes! If you stay in Greece for less than 6 months, no worries. You are not obligated to pay any tax during your stay. However, if you spend more than 6 months (183+ days) in Greece, you are now considered a tax resident. So, what does this mean for you?

This means you will now need to pay income taxes for all income earned while in Greece. Greece has a progressive tax rate, which ranges from 18% to 45%. That seems like a lot, right? Well, the good news is law 4825/2021 of the digital nomad visa states that you can get a 50% tax break on your income! So, basically, half whatever it is you would owe!

There is one caveat for this, however: this 50% tax break only applies if you commit to spending at least two years in Greece. Plus, this tax break is only valid for the first seven years.

Is Greece a Good Place for Digital Nomads?

Athens is one of the most popular places for digital nomads in Greece as it is the main cultural and population hub.

Greece is an extremely popular European destination, and living here is a dream for many. Thanks to the Greece digital nomad visa, you can now live your dream of sunning it up on the Greek islands or learning all about history in Athens. But, of course, as with all destinations, there are pros and cons to living in Greece.

ProsCons
Good weather. Greece is famous for its beautiful islands, gorgeous scenery, and impeccable weather. If you’re a big fan of the sun, there’s no better place to be.Bureaucracy. Greece is one of those countries that will really test your patience when it comes to any sort of paperwork.
Food. Greek food is famous for a reason. A beautiful and tasty blend of Middle Eastern, Italian, and Ottoman cuisines; you really can’t go wrong here. Super vegetarian-friendly, too!Wifi could be better. While you definitely won’t struggle to do some basic work on Greek wifi, it may be unreliable at times, depending on where you are based.
Relatively affordable. Greece is by no means the cheapest country in the world, but the cost of living is still relatively more affordable than other European destinations.Hot and crowded islands. Greece is very much a summer destination. So, when all the tourists flock – especially to the islands – expect huge crowds, inflated prices, and more. Plus, the hot weather is more difficult to bear when a once-peaceful island turns crazy and crowded.
History, beaches, and more. You won’t run out of things to do in Greece. There’s a lot of history to be learned and beaches to explore. Of course, you should visit the islands as well.Greek is difficult to learn. You should try your best to learn the language when you move to a new country, but, unfortunately, Greek is pretty difficult.

Best Places in Greece for Digital Nomads

You are spoilt for choice when it comes to picking a place to live in Greece. From history to beaches and crowded cities to rural locales, you can have your pick, depending on what you want. Ultimately, the best place in Greece to live in will depend on you and your needs. But here are some of the most popular places to get you started if you’re unsure where to go.

Athens

The Greek capital and main population center attracts a significant number of digital nomads for a reason. It has a buzzing art and underground season, rich culture and history, a good climate, and affordable housing. Athens is set up for digital nomads, thanks to its plethora of both coworking and coliving spaces. If you think just because you aren’t living on an island, you’ll be missing out on the beautiful beaches, think again! This city boasts award-winning beaches! Other advantages of living in Athens include fast internet (especially compared to the rest of Greece), public transportation, and its bustling food scene. As the capital city, Athens is also a great place to base yourself while you explore the rest of the country.

Thessaloniki

Not a huge fan of the summer crowds in Athens? No worries. Thessaloniki is the second largest city in Greece and is not lacking in digital nomad community or facilities. This coastal city in northern Greece also has a rich history and culture, fun nightlife, delicious street food, and rich coffee culture to top it off! Walking around the city, you’ll find yourself surrounded by ancient ruins. Thessaloniki also has pretty good wifi, which is essential for digital nomads. In the city, you’ll find plenty of internet cafes and coworking spaces if you don’t want to work at home. Although this city can get cold in the winter, it is very centrally located, making it easy to travel to other cities and towns in Greece.

Crete

Greece is famous for its islands, and Crete is the largest! Crete is a major hub for digital nomads from all over the world. This island is HUGE and offers everything you could want, from good internet, amazing weather, delicious food, and activities such as hiking, hopping from town to town, diving, and other water sports. Plus, there are plenty of coworking spaces and cafes you can work from while experiencing and exploring the island’s history and culture. You have great access to the other gorgeous islands from Crete, too, so you’ll definitely make the most of your time here.

Rhodes

Rhodes is closer to Turkey than it is to Athens, but it is still very much a part of Greece! If you’re after an island with the longest summer, Rhodes should be your pick. Plus, this island boasts zero rainy days in the summer – a perfect paradise! Located in southeastern Greece, it is filled to the brim with history. Rhodes has much to offer digital nomads, including beautiful beaches, good food, plenty of cafes with wifi, and more. Note, however, that the wifi here is much slower than other major digital nomad hubs. So, if you’re doing some major projects over the internet, it’s probably better to go elsewhere. If that’s not a problem, Rhodes is a great place to base yourself, with connections all over Europe.

Cost of Living in Greece for Digital Nomads

Thessaloniki and other destinations in mainland Greece are much more affordable than the islands and touristy places.

While definitely not the cheapest country in Europe, life can be pretty affordable in Greece – especially if you live on the mainland. Of course, the biggest expense to consider when moving to a new country is the accommodation. In Athens, you can find rent to be as little as €400 to €650 for a small apartment, but if you are staying just short-term and cannot sign a rental agreement, you likely won’t find anything for less than €700 to €800, with over €1,000 being the norm for an apartment for 2. Expect to pay much more for an apartment on a popular island such as Santorini or Mykonos.

In terms of groceries, food prices have been slowly going up over the past couple of years. As a general rule, you should budget anywhere between €50 to €100 per person per week. So, that comes to €200 to €400 per month per person.

When you’re in Greece, of course, you’ll be eating a LOT of Greek food! I mean, what’s not to love? So, you’ll definitely want to budget for eating out as well. A gyro costs €2.5 to €3.5, but if you want a proper meal, you can eat at a taverna for €15 to €25 for a 3-course meal.

Healthcare in Greece for Digital Nomads

You may be as healthy as a horse, but you never know when you’ll get sick or, god forbid, in an accident! For these reasons, you’ll want to ensure you are covered if something happens.

Greece has socialized medicine, which gives all who qualify for the national health system free or low-cost healthcare. But who qualifies? As a digital nomad, you may qualify IF you contribute to the Social Insurance Institute (IKA) through the system AMKA. While you automatically qualify when you work for a Greek company, you can also qualify as a digital nomad if you pay into the system as a self-employed individual living in Greece.

While that sounds great, the issue is that most digital nomads won’t qualify for the national health system as they likely won’t be voluntarily contributing to the IKA. In this case, you’ll need private insurance. In order to apply for the Greek digital nomad visa, you need to provide proof of health insurance anyway, so you should already be covered.

But here’s the cool thing about Greek healthcare: No matter your citizenship or visa status, in Greece, you will always receive free emergency medical care in a public hospital. The emergency room visit does not need to be life-threatening, but a simple doctor’s checkup would not qualify as it does not warrant a hospital visit.

When it comes to getting a checkup to ensure everything is okay with your health, you can coordinate that with your health insurance or simply pay out-of-pocket. A general doctor’s consultation at a private office will cost anywhere between €50 to €150.

Check out our list of the 10 best insurance options for digital nomads!

Best Coworking Spaces in Greece

Coworking spaces are a great way to set up an office in your new country. While you can certainly work from home, coworking spaces offer some advantages you simply can’t get while working at home. Here are some of the best coworking spaces in Greece you should check out!

  • Stone Soup (Athens) – €14.50 per day, €55 per week, €100 for a 10-day pass, or €140 per month for a 3-month contract. In a central location, this space boasts super-fast wifi, a massive rooftop, ergonomic chairs, and community events.
  • ViOS (Athens) – From €75 per month for the coworking space. Fast wifi, 24/7 access, wellness, and sports facilities (depending on the membership), and community events.
  • Coho (Thessaloniki) – €18.60 per day/from €155 per month for the open workspace or from €496 per month for a private office. Reliable internet, lockers, brainstorming blackboard, relaxing area, coffee/tea, and networking opportunities.
  • Office12 (Heraklion, Crete) – €30 for a 3-day pass; €46 per week or €184 per month for a hot desk; or €165 per month for a dedicated desk. Super-fast wifi, coffee/tea/snacks, storage, and meeting spaces.

How to Find a Place to Live in Greece

greece digital nomad visa
Once you have your visa, it’s time to find a place to live in Greece!

Now that you’ve got your visa sorted and your backpack packed, you’re going to need to find an apartment to live in during your stay in this beautiful country. In fact, in order to apply for the digital nomad visa, you’ll need to provide proof of accommodation. Thankfully, finding a place to stay in Greece is not too difficult, and you should find plenty of options to suit your needs. But how do you narrow down your options?

As a digital nomad in Greece, here are the top 4 things to watch out for when it comes to accommodation in the country:

  • High internet speeds: Greece doesn’t have the fastest wifi in the world, so finding accommodation with decent wifi is an absolute must! After all, you don’t want to be stuck living somewhere where you can’t upload a file because the upload speed is too slow!
  • Workspace: While you may prefer to work in a coworking space, others might need a good working space at home. This might mean an extra bedroom or simply a 1-bedroom apartment furnished with a desk. Even if you prefer coworking spaces, every now and then, you might prefer to lounge around in your pajamas.
  • Good location: Of course, location matters. Especially if you plan to live in a big city like Athens or Thessaloniki, you want to ensure you are central enough or near all basic amenities and public transport. The location you pick will also have a huge impact on the amount of rent you pay. For example, neighborhoods like Palaio Psychico and Kolonaki in Athens will generally have higher rent prices.
  • Air conditioning: Now, this is very subjective, but Greece can get very hot. Unfortunately, like most other European countries, Greece does not generally have air conditioning. If you’re like us and can’t fathom the idea of sweltering summer temperatures without AC, make sure the apartment you get has it!

Where to Find Apartments in Greece?

What are the best resources for finding apartments in Greece? There’s a wide range of what you can use, including Facebook and word of mouth.

Join Facebook Groups

Surprisingly, Facebook can be a pretty handy resource for finding apartments throughout Greece. Join one of the below groups or take a look at Facebook Marketplace!

You can also check Greek expat Facebook groups. Feel free to make a post to ask about accommodation in your chosen area and to see if what you are quoted is sensible or not. Examples of such expat groups include:

Word of Mouth

No one knows better than a local! If you have any friends or family living in the area that you want to move to, enlist their help. Ask if they have any leads on accommodation in the area or have them point you in the right direction to find a place to live.

Rental Listing Sites in Greece

If you are staying for more than a couple of months, we highly recommend getting a proper rental. The reason for this is that the more popular travel accommodation sites usually contribute to rising living costs for locals. To combat that, try your best to find accommodation the local way by using rental listing sites such as the ones listed below. Spitogatos and Xe are the most well-used, but Blueground can be a great resource as well, albeit generally more expensive than the other two options.

Travel Accommodation Sites

We don’t generally recommend travel accommodation sites for digital nomads. This is because these should really only be used when you are traveling, not working. When living as a digital nomad in Greece, you’ll likely be staying longer than a month, so opt for a proper rental by checking out Facebook and local ads if you can! Plus, this is likely to save you a lot more money as well.

Unfortunately, travel accommodation sites can contribute to rising living costs in the area. For more on this topic, check out our ethics guide.

However, these travel accommodation sites can be useful in certain situations, such as when you first arrive in the country or if you are only planning to stay short-term. In those cases, we recommend the following websites:

Live Your Mamma Mia Fantasy in Greece!

Whether you want to be like Donna, living on a remote Greek island, or simply want to live it up, eating gyros every single day, Greece is a dream destination for many digital nomads. And thanks to the Greece digital nomad visa, you can make this dream a reality! Greece is steeped in history, culture, and breathtaking landscapes, so pack your bags, grab your laptop, and catch a flight to this beautiful country now! What are you waiting for?

Want more? Check out the other digital nomad visas around the world!

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