Greece digital nomad visa: The complete guide for 2025
If you’ve ever fantasized about waking up in Chania on the beautiful island of Crete, sipping Greek coffee while gazing at the shimmering Mediterranean, and then diving into your daily tasks for an employer or freelance clients abroad, you’re in luck. Thanks to the Greek digital nomad visa, remote workers from various countries can now travel to Greece and embrace the nomad life—all while keeping their employment contract from their home country intact. The Greek government has introduced favorable visa requirements and permits that allow foreign professionals to work remotely in Greece, enjoy the myriad destinations this country offers (from Chania to Athens and Thessaloniki to Crete), and even take advantage of certain tax incentives.
This guide to the Greece remote work visa (often called the Greece digital nomad visa) is your ticket to understanding all the essentials: from Greece digital nomad visa requirements, application steps, and accommodation options to employment considerations, Greek consulate procedures, and more. We’ve gathered documents and insights from official sources, the Greek consulate, and the immigration department so that employers, HR managers, contractors, and remote workers can confidently map out their trip to Greece.
Read on to see how to qualify for this unique route, including how to demonstrate proof of employment, secure the right employment contracts, meet minimum monthly income thresholds, and obtain the necessary residence permit to live—and work remotely—under the Greek sun.
What is the Greece digital nomad visa?
The Greek digital nomad visa is a special type of permit designed for foreign workers who want to maintain their employment or freelance contracts from outside of Greece, yet reside and work remotely within this European country. Unlike traditional tourism visas, this route provides a more extended stay, access to certain tax advantages, and a legitimate way to handle employment obligations while relishing all that Greece has to offer.
The Greek government created this path to attract digital nomads seeking a balance between professional stability and a way to stay in Greece longer than a tourist visa allows. Whether you’re a freelancer, a contractor with multiple employment contracts, or a permanent employee for an employer located abroad, this digital nomad visa could be your key to living the nomad life in Greece for an extended period.
3 benefits of the Greece digital nomad visa
1. Legal residency while working remotely
A significant perk of the Greece digital nomad visa is obtaining a residence permit that allows remote workers to legally stay in Greece for more than just a short tourism stint. This means you can carry out your employment obligations or maintain your multiple employment contracts without violating immigration rules. You’ll have time to explore destinations such as Chania, Crete, Rhodes, and many more, all while staying compliant with Greek regulations.
2. Tax incentives
Many European countries are racing to attract foreign workers, and Greece is no exception. The Greek government offers certain tax breaks and even partial exempt statuses to qualifying digital nomads. If you stay longer than half a year, you may be considered a tax resident, but you could still be exempt on some foreign earned income or possibly enjoy reduced tax rates. Always consult a professional to understand precisely how foreign earned income and local Greek tax structures work in your case.
3. Visa-free access to Schengen
Once you secure the digital nomad visa, you’ll typically enjoy visa-free movement throughout the Schengen Area. Greece is part of the EU, and holding this permit can ease travel to other European nations in the Schengen zone. This benefit significantly expands your list of possible destinations to explore, so your nomad life can take you through other European countries without the need for multiple visas.
Greece digital nomad visa eligibility requirements
To qualify for the Greece digital nomad visa, you must meet certain visa requirements. Below are some of the key criteria:
1. Proof of remote employment or freelancing
Having a valid employment contract or verifiable freelance gig(s) is crucial. You’ll need to show proof of employment—or multiple employment contracts—demonstrating you will not rely on the Greek labor market. This might include documents indicating your employer is located in a foreign country, or an active contract verifying you’re engaged in remote work.
2. Proof of health insurance
To protect both Greek citizens and visiting remote workers, comprehensive health insurance is mandatory. Make sure your policy covers any emergency or routine medical needs while in Greece, including visits to hospitals.
3. Criminal record
The Greek government requires a clean criminal record as part of its documents checklist. Make sure to have official records from your home country or country of residence confirming your good standing.
4. Minimum monthly income
You must prove a steady monthly income to qualify for the Greece digital nomad visa. This could come from your employment contract with an employer or from multiple employment contracts with clients abroad. Income thresholds may vary, so check the latest figures from your nearest Greek consulate or the immigration department. Currently, the main earner on your applicant must prove income of at least €3,500 per month after tax deductions if they’re coming to Greece alone, €4,200 per month if they’re bringing a spouse, and €4,830 per month if they’re bringing any additional dependents.
How to apply for the Greece digital nomad visa: 6 steps
The application process for the Greece digital nomad visa involves submitting documents and following precise immigration department guidelines. Here’s a step-by-step overview on how to apply for the Greece visa from the USA and other countries outside of Greece:
Step 1. Check eligibility requirements
Before anything else, confirm you meet all Greece digital nomad visa requirements—including having a stable employment contract (or contracts), valid health insurance, adequate monthly income, and a clean criminal record. If you lack any, address those gaps now.
Step 2. Gather required documentation
Compile the necessary documents, which include (but are not limited to):
- A valid passport (make sure it’s not expiring soon)
- Two passport photos
- A declaration letter stating that you do not work for any company in Greece
- Recent bank statements demonstrating sufficient income
- An active employment contract or proof of freelance employment
- Proof of private health insurance
- A medical certificate showing proof of good health
- Criminal background check from your home country
You may need to prepare additional documents, such as accommodation bookings (hotel confirmations or Airbnb receipts), if the Greek consulate asks for them. Sometimes, bank statements for several months are required to show consistent income.
Step 3. Fill out the application form
Head to the official Greek consulate or embassy website in your home country. Download the digital nomad visa application form. Complete all sections meticulously, making sure you provide correct information regarding your employment contracts, foreign employer, and prospective length of stay in Greece.
Step 4. Get ready for an interview
Depending on the Greek consulate in your home country, you may have an in-person or online interview. Be prepared to discuss the nature of your employment, prove that you can support yourself in Greece, and confirm that your remote work does not depend on taking jobs from Greek employers. You might need to clarify how you plan to fund your accommodations.
Step 5. Wait for processing and approval
Once you’ve submitted your documents and completed the interview, it’s time to wait. Processing times vary, but you can typically expect a response within a few weeks. If approved, you can officially relocate to Greece and begin your nomad life as soon as your permit is issued.
Step 6: Get a residence permit
Once you enter Greece, go to the nearest Aliens and Immigration Department with your documents to register for a digital nomad residence permit.
Note that if you’re applying for a digital nomad visa from inside Greece, you can do so by visiting the Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum.
Costs and duration of the Greece digital nomad visa
Application fees for the digital nomad visa can differ based on your home country, but expect to pay anywhere from €75 to €150 or more. Additionally, there may be a fee for renewing the residence permit, should you decide to extend your stay in Greece.
In most cases, the initial digital nomad visa is valid for one year, and you can renew it for an additional year. To keep your visa active, you’ll need to continually meet the outlined visa requirements, maintain valid health insurance, and keep a steady employment contract with your employer abroad or your freelancing clients.
Tax considerations for digital nomads in Greece
If you stay in Greece for more than six months in a tax year, you’ll likely be seen as a tax resident, which carries obligations for local tax filings. However, some types of foreign earned income may be exempt, or you may benefit from special incentives introduced by the Greek government to attract digital nomads, like a 50% tax deduction.
That said, it’s crucial to consult with a tax professional to verify which parts of your employment income are exempt or subject to local taxes. Some remote workers with multiple employment contracts can also leverage EU treaties if they hold citizenship in other European countries.
Living and working in Greece: 3 key regulations
1. Tax benefits
Greek authorities understand that digital nomads help boost the local economy, so they often provide tax incentives. Check the latest policies on foreign income to see if you can be partially or fully exempt from certain taxes.
2. Visa duration and renewal process
Your digital nomad visa and subsequent residence permit allow you to remain in Greece for a set period, often renewable. Make sure you track when your permit expires, and reapply in a timely manner at the local immigration department or Greek consulate if you wish to continue your remote working arrangement.
3. Other visa options
If your employment situation changes or you find yourself accepting a local employment contract with a Greek employer, you might need a different type of permit. Greece also offers various other visas, like tourism visas or specialized business visas, but these may not allow remote work in the same way the digital nomad visa does.
Greece digital nomad visa restrictions
Though attractive, the Greece digital nomad visa does come with certain limitations:
1. Employment restrictions
Holders of the digital nomad visa must not engage in local employment with Greek employers. Instead, they must maintain employment contracts or freelance arrangements with entities abroad.
2. No permanent residency
This visa does not automatically lead to permanent residency or citizenship in Greece. You may need to explore different routes if your goal is to remain in Greece beyond the digital nomad timeframe or to eventually become a resident.
3. Income requirements
You must continuously demonstrate sufficient incomes to sustain yourself in Greece, whether through a single employment contract or multiple. If your salary or salaries fall below the required threshold at any point, you may risk losing your permit status.
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FAQs on digital nomad visa for Greece
Can contractors working for international companies apply for this visa?
Absolutely. As long as you can show an employment contract (or multiple employment contracts) with a foreign employer or clients abroad, you should meet the proof of employment criteria for the digital nomad visa. Make sure to gather all necessary documents and confirm you meet the income thresholds.
What should HR managers and contractors consider when applying for or recommending a visa?
For employers or HR managers interested in sending staff to Greece under the digital nomad visa, ensure that your employment contracts clearly specify duties, salary, and remote-work arrangements. You’ll also want to confirm you’re aligned with Greek and European labor norms, especially regarding taxation and permits.
Can family members accompany the visa holder?
Yes, but if the visa holder wants to bring their spouse or other dependents with them to Greece, the income requirements increase and their family members will need to meet document requirements. Family members may not be able to work in Greece; confirm details with your local Greek consulate or immigration department.
How much do digital nomads make in Greece?
Digital nomads in Greece maintain diverse employment contracts. Some earn lower salaries, while others command higher salaries—it entirely depends on their employment terms, skill set, and the foreign market rates they negotiate. The important part is that they maintain the required monthly income to qualify for the visa and support their lifestyle.
This blog is based on information available to Rippling as of January 14, 2025.
Disclaimer: Rippling and its affiliates do not provide tax, accounting, or legal advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide or be relied on for tax, accounting, or legal advice. You should consult your own tax, accounting, and legal advisors before engaging in any related activities or transactions.
