Introduced in 2021, the Digital Nomad Visa for Greece allows people who are not citizens of the European Union or European Economic Area and who work remotely to legally live and work in Greece for up to one year. It also allows you to bring your immediate family members with you, as long as you meet all the requirements. So if you’ve been toying with the idea of becoming a digital nomad in Greece, let’s have a look at the steps you need to follow to make that dream come true.
Who can become a digital nomad in Greece?
If you are an EU or EEA citizen, you have the right to enter and move freely within Greece, according to EU law. For third-party nationals (ie non-EU or EEA), you can apply for a Digital Nomad Visa letting you live and work in Greece hassle-free, according to the following:
- You must not be employed or engaged in any business activity in Greece.
- You must have clients or be employed by a company located outside of Greece.
- You have to be able to provide your services and fulfil your work responsibilities using a stable internet connection and a laptop, which includes information and communication technology.
- If you are self-employed, you need to provide evidence of your business activity, corporate purpose and business address, while also noting that your business cannot be registered in Greece.
- You must prove that you earn at least €3,500 (after taxes) as the main applicant for the Digital Nomad Visa for Greece or have sufficient resources for the length of your stay. If you plan on extending your residency permit to your partner/spouse or child, you need to account for additional finances. For instance, for a spouse or partner, the minimum financial requirement will go up to €4,200. Additionally, for each child the requirement will increase by €525. In other words, for you, your spouse and one child, you will need to be earning €4,725 (after taxes) a month and so on.
How do you apply for a Digital Nomad Visa for Greece?
Applications for a Greek Digital Nomad Visa are made through your nearest Greek consular authority. You can submit your request via email or registered letter. The consulate is obliged to confirm receipt and the status of your application within 10 days. If your application is successful, the Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum will issue your visa.
Your Digital Nomad Visa for Greece will be valid for one year. When this period is over, you may apply for a Digital Nomad Residence Permit to extend your stay for another two years, as long as you still satisfy the visa requirements of your original application.
You can find a list with the contact information of the Greek Consular Offices around the world here
What documents do you need to apply for a Digital Nomad Visa in Greece?
As a Type-D Visa, the Greek Digital Nomad Visa requires the following supporting documents to be included in your application:
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Declaration Letter
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Proof of Employment
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Proof of Sufficient Funds
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Greek Digital Nomad Fee
- Declaration Letter: A formal statement declaring that the applicant intends to use their national entry visa for remote work and will not engage in any employment or freelance services for a Greek-based employer.
- Proof of Employment, which could be proven by:
- an open-ended contract of employment or independent services or proof of employment with an employer, natural or legal person, who is established outside the Greek Territory, or in case of a fixed-term contract, with a remaining duration covering the period of the granted national visa.
or
- an open-ended contract of employment or independent services or, in the case of a fixed-term employment contract, with a remaining duration covering the period of validity of the granted visa, in case the third-country national is self-employed with more than one employer established outside Greece.
or
- information on your status in the company, as well as information on the trade name, registered office, field of activity, and corporate purpose of the company in case you are self-employed in your own company, which is outside the Greek Territory.
- an open-ended contract of employment or independent services or proof of employment with an employer, natural or legal person, who is established outside the Greek Territory, or in case of a fixed-term contract, with a remaining duration covering the period of the granted national visa.
- Proof of Sufficient Funds: Evidence that you have sufficient resources at a stable income level to cover your living expenses during your stay in the country, without burdening the national social welfare system. Sufficient Funds can be proved by the contract of employment or independent services or employment certificate or by a bank account.
- Greek Digital Nomad Fee: The application fee you’ll need to pay will be a total of €75 plus an administrative fee of €150 for each family member applying with you.
In addition to your fully completed and signed application form, you will need to include the following for your application to be valid:
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Your passport or other travel document recognized by the competent Greek authorities
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A certificate of criminal record from the foreign authorities
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A medical certificate from a recognized state or private body
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Your travel insurance
A full Greek Digital Nomad Visa document checklist is available in the link below.
Once you’ve submitted your application for your Digital Nomad Visa for Greece, you’ll receive feedback within 10 days to let you know the status of your application. You can typically expect to receive your approved visa from the Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum within a month, although the Greek government does not provide a specific timeline. Take into account that the timeframe for issuing your visa depends on the processing times of the Ministry.
How can you apply for a Greek Digital Nomad Visa if you are currently in Greece?
If you’re already living in Greece and meet the eligibility criteria for a Digital Nomad Visa, you will need to apply for a Digital Nomad Residence Permit through the Directorate of Residence Permits of the Ministry of Migration and Asylum. For further information and to apply online, you can check out the Ministry’s web page here.
To be considered for the Digital Nomad Residence Permit, you must include all of the required documents stated for the Greek Digital Nomad Visa above in your application, as well as a Proof of Accommodation document, such as a residence lease or a contract for the purchase of real estate in Greece.
The Digital Nomad Residence Permit is valid for 2 years and has an application fee of €1,000, as well as an additional €150 administrative fee for every family member.
Who can I refer to for additional help with my relocation to Greece?
“Guide Foreigners” offers personalized consultation and can assist you ensuring a smooth relocation as a digital nomad in Greece. Their umbrella of paid services for individuals and businesses include:
- Tax Residency Consultation
- Digital Nomad Visa
- Documentation & Application
- Legal support & other documentation
- Relocation and Ongoing integration support
Get in touch with their team for more information.
Why work from Greece as a digital nomad in the first place?
It doesn’t matter if you’re a mountain or an island person, Greece offers both and plenty more! The views, the friendly locals, the rich culture, not to mention the delicious food, are only a few of the things that will make you feel at home.
So, why not make Greece your new office and experience the joy of living and working in a country that will leave you feeling energized and inspired every day?
Not yet convinced? You can check out more of the benefits Greece has to offer you here.
