Greece Digital Nomad Visa: A Comprehensive Guide
What is digital nomad visa?
“Digital nomads” represent a lifestyle trend that has gained prominence in the 21st century. With the advancement of information technology, an increasing number of professionals—such as IT workers, media personnel, language teachers, and freelancers—have broken free from traditional office settings. They now have the ability to work remotely from any location worldwide with internet access. This concept of remote work gained significant traction, especially before and during the pandemic.
Once liberated from office constraints, some remote workers choose to embrace a unique lifestyle: they carry their bags and travel to various destinations while continuing to work remotely. These individuals, known as “digital nomads,” experience a blend of exploring new cultures and working from different corners of the world.
To attract digital nomads and promote tourism and emerging industries, governments in at least 65 countries and regions worldwide have introduced specialized digital nomad visas. These visas typically have the following characteristics:
1. Applicants must be remote workers with stable monthly income and cannot be employed locally.
2. Digital nomad visas are essentially extended travel visas, often valid for one year and allowing residence for up to two to four years in the destination country without the option for permanent immigration.
However, in some Latin American and Southern European countries—such as Portugal, Spain, Uruguay, and Ecuador—digital nomads can eventually obtain local permanent residency or even naturalization after accumulating a certain length of stay.
For more information on digital nomad visa programs, explore the details in our “Global Digital Nomad Visas | An Incomplete Handbook” on this websites.
Greece Digital Nomad Visa: An Overview
The Greece Digital Nomad Visa, officially enacted under recent immigration laws (such as Law 5038/2023), offers non-European Union (EU) citizens a legal pathway to reside and work remotely in Greece for an extended period. Leveraging its deep history, stunning Mediterranean landscapes, and improving digital infrastructure, Greece has positioned itself as an attractive hub for location-independent professionals seeking a blend of rich culture and modern remote work life.
This visa is specifically designed for individuals who earn their income from sources outside of Greece, ensuring they do not compete with the local labor market while contributing to the local economy through their spending.
Eligibility Criteria:
To qualify for the Greek Digital Nomad Visa, applicants must satisfy strict criteria primarily concerning their employment status and financial stability.
1. Remote Work Status:
The applicant must be a Third-Country National (non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizen) and must prove that they are a:
Salaried Employee working remotely for a company registered outside of Greece.
Self-Employed Individual or Freelancer with clients or contracts located exclusively outside of Greece.
Business Owner of a company registered and operating outside of Greece.
A core principle of the visa is the commitment that the applicant will not provide any services, employment, or business activity to a company or client based in Greece. This is often affirmed through a signed declaration letter.
2. Minimum Monthly Income:
The most critical requirement is proving a stable, secure income earned from sources outside Greece, verifiable through bank statements, employment contracts, or payslips. The income threshold is set at a minimum amount net of taxes and contributions:
Main Applicant Only: €3,500 per month.
This required minimum income is increased for each dependent included in the application:
Spouse or Partner: The income requirement increases by 20% (e.g., to €4,200).
Each Dependent Child: The income requirement increases by an additional 15% per child (e.g., with a spouse and one child, the minimum is €4,725).
3. Other Essential Documents:
In addition to financial and employment proof, applicants must provide:
Valid Passport: Must be valid for at least three months beyond the intended visa expiration date.
Health Insurance: Comprehensive private health insurance must be secured, covering medical care and repatriation for the full duration of the stay in Greece.
Clean Criminal Record: An official certificate of a clean criminal record from the country of residence.
Accommodation Proof: Evidence of accommodation in Greece, such as a long-term rental contract, property deed, or even a confirmed hotel/Airbnb booking for the initial period.
Medical Certificate: A certificate of good health, sometimes required by the consulate.
Application Process:
The application process typically involves two distinct stages: applying for the initial visa abroad and then applying for the longer residence permit in Greece.
1. Gather and Legalize Documents: Collect all necessary documents (passport, income proof, employment contracts, insurance, criminal record). Any document issued in a foreign language must be officially translated into Greek or English and often requires an Apostille or consular legalization.
2. Apply for the D-Visa (Consulate): Applicants must schedule an appointment and submit their complete file at the nearest Greek Consular Authority (Embassy or Consulate) in their country of legal residence. An application fee (around €75) must be paid, and the applicant must attend a mandatory interview.
3. Receive the D-Visa: The consular authority will review the application and, if approved, issue the National D-Visa (valid for up to 12 months) stamped in the applicant’s passport. Processing times can vary, but some consulates have a fast-track process.
4. Enter Greece and Apply for the Residence Permit: Once in Greece, if the applicant wishes to stay longer than 12 months, they must apply for the Digital Nomad Residence Permit at the local Department of Migration Policy before the D-Visa expires. This application requires updated documentation (such as a Greek Tax Number/AFM and long-term accommodation) and involves paying a larger government fee (usually €1,000).
5. Receive the Residence Permit: Upon approval, the applicant is issued an electronic residence card valid for two years and renewable thereafter, provided all conditions, including the minimum income threshold, continue to be met.
Dependents:
The Greece Digital Nomad Visa allows you to bring your immediate family members with you.
The eligible dependents are typically:
Your Spouse or Partner: This generally requires a legal marriage certificate. Some sources also mention cohabitant or legally recognized civil partnership.
Your Dependent Children: This includes minor children (usually under 18), and sometimes dependent adult children (under 21, or over 18 if legally dependent on you due to studies or disability).
Visa Validity:
The Greece Digital Nomad visa has two stages: the initial visa and the subsequent residence permit. The initial visa (Type D National Visa) is applied for at a Greek Consulate abroad and is typically granted for a maximum validity of one year (12 months), allowing the holder to enter and reside in Greece. Before this visa expires, the applicant must apply within Greece for a Digital Nomad Residence Permit, which is granted for an initial period of two years and is subsequently renewable for two-year periods, provided the applicant continues to meet the program’s requirements, such as maintaining the minimum remote income.
You can generally apply for long-term residency (often referred to as PR) in Greece after legally residing in the country for five continuous years on a temporary residence permit like the Digital Nomad Residence Permit.
After seven years of legal residency in Greece (which can include your time on the Digital Nomad Residence Permit), you can apply for Greek citizenship through naturalization, provided you meet other requirements, such as passing a Greek language and culture exam.
Useful Links:
Greece ministry of foreign affairs：https://www.mfa.gr/en/visas/
Greek long stay visa application form：https://www.mfa.gr/missionsabroad/images/visas/national/application_for_a_visa_for_a_long_stay_in_greece.pdf
Greece digit nomad visa official site：https://workfromgreece.gr/