Post-2020, a lot of us work from home. That gives us tremendous freedom about where home is on any given day—leading to the rise of digital nomads.
What exactly is a digital nomad? They are remote workers who use their freedom of location to move worldwide.
Greece welcomes these globe-trotting remote workers, and its Digital Nomad Visa program makes it a lovely place to set up shop. Figure out everything you need to get this visa in the guide below.
What Is the Greece Digital Nomad Visa?
The program allows non-EU citizens to come live and do remote work here. The visa lasts for a year, and it even lets you bring your immediate family.
The only caveat? You can’t actually do Greek-dependent employment, so no moonlighting at local businesses. Now, if you are a freelancer or entrepreneur with some Greek clients, that’s okay.
Since it was introduced in 2021, it’s welcomed remote workers from every corner of the globe who help boost the economy by spending their money on lodging, food, and entertainment. At the same time, it lets digital nomads get the experience of a lifetime.
Seems like a great opportunity to live in this beautiful country, right? If you’re excited to check it out, continue reading to see if you qualify.
What Are the Benefits of the Greece Digital Nomad Visa?
- Legal Residency: You get to stay for an entire year in this gorgeous Mediterranean country. During your time off, you can check out ancient ruins, enjoy delectable local cuisine, and then make day trips throughout Europe.
- Schengen Area Access: Visa holders have visa-free access to 27 European countries within the Schengen Zone—opening up your year of adventure to the entire continent.
- Affordable Living: Greece gives you a much lower cost of living than most other Western European countries. But it also gives you a very high quality of life. That let’s you make the most of your remote worker earnings, and you get to live in paradise the entire time.
Am I Eligible for a Greece Digital Nomad Visa?
Below are the major eligibility requirements:
- Citizenship: You must be from a non-EU and non-EEA (European Economic Area) country.
- Employment: You need to be a remote worker from a company registered outside of Greece. This is critical, as the point of the visa is that you won’t be crowding out the local employment market, but you will be contributing to the local economy through spending.You can also be self-employed, which will require proof of your company’s activity and a business address outside of Greece.
- Remote Work Capability: Your work should be completed online.
- Financial Means: You have to prove that you have a minimum monthly net income of €3,500 after tax deductions. That number goes up by 20% for a spouse/partner that you bring along and an additional 15% for each dependent child.
How Do I Apply for Greece Digital Nomad Visa?
The application process is easy, and it’s generally the same as any other visa application in Greece:
- Gather your documents: As we’ll cover in the next section, there are a handful of documents needed for your application. Have these ready before starting.
- Fill out your application: You must submit your Type D Visa application (along with accompanying documents) to the Greek Consulate or Embassy in your locale. You can do this in person, by e-mail, or by mail.
- Wait for processing: Processing can take about a month, but it can happen in as little as 10 days or so. You’re able to start living in Greece as soon as you get your visa.
- Get a residence permit: If you want to stay beyond the 12-month time window of the visa, you can get a Digital Nomad Residence Permit that will give you 2 more years (could cost about €300).
What Documents Do I Need for a Greece Digital Nomad Visa?
Documents for Your Greek Type D Visa
To get your Digital Nomad Visa, you’ll need a Type D Visa—the general National Visa of Greece. This requires the following documents:
- Visa application (put “remote work” as your main purpose of travel to get the Digital Nomad Visa)
- Valid passport (valid for at least 6 months past the end of the visa period)
- Two passport-size photos (must be recent and meet the Schengen Visa requirements)
- Travel insurance
- Medical insurance
- Ticket for flight home
- Proof of accommodation for the time you’ll be staying
- Proof of clean criminal record
Documents for the Greece Digital Nomad Visa
You’ll need four additional documents for your Digital Nomad Visa:
- Declaration Letter: This outlines your desire to acquire the visa and paints a picture of your situation. You’ll also need to claim that you will not work for a Greek company while living in the country—creating a paper trail for the government to hold you to.
- Proof of Employment: Of course, being a digital nomad means being a remote worker, and that means having an employer. Provide proof through a contract and an employer’s letter to the Greek government stating you are able to complete all of your work through a laptop and internet connection.For self-employed people, this documentation is a little more difficult. You’ll need to show your company name, where it is registered (it can’t be registered in Greece), its purpose, and proof that you own it.
- Proof of Finances: The Greek government needs to know you will make enough to support yourself while here. So you’ll need to include a recent bank statement, proof of your salary (either from your employer or your company), and proof of other income you might have.
- Receipt of Visa Fee: After paying the non-refundable €75 application fee, you’ll need to attach the receipt to your application.
Get Help With Your Greece Digital Nomad Visa
Living and working in Greece for a year sounds too good to be true, doesn’t it? But if you are a remote worker, it’s very possible.
Want help along the way, or maybe you just need a little guidance? Why not take a free call with one of our experts?
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get a Greek Digital Nomad Visa?
You can expect to get your visa about 10 days after submitting your application, but that timeline could expand to an entire month.
How much does a Greek Digital Nomad Visa cost?
The total cost is about €375.
The application fee is €75, and the residence permit fee for your extended stay in Greece can run up to €300.
How long does a Greek Digital Nomad Visa last?
The visa will allow you to live in the country for 12 months, but you can then apply for a Digital Nomad Residence Permit to stay another 2 years.
