Greece for Digital Nomads
In 2021, the Greek government launched the Greece Digital Nomad Visa, an immigration program for remote workers and freelancers who want to enjoy life in Greece. In this article we will cover:
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There are plenty of benefits of relocating to Greece:
- Ease of obtaining a visa for digital nomads: The Greek government has implemented a friendly policy for digital nomads that allows them to obtain a digital nomad visa within a maximum of 30 days. The application process is relatively quick, cheap, and allows you to bring the whole family with you.
- Affordable prices: The cost of living for accommodation, transport, food, and leisure activities is significantly below the European Union average. Additionally, Greece offers many outdoor activities without cost.
- Developing digital nomad community: There is a growing digital nomad community in Greece, so you can meet many digital nomads set up in cafes, taking advantage of free wi-fi and delicious Greek cuisine. Modern and well-equipped coworking spaces can be found throughout Athens and other large Greek cities.
- Healthy Mediterranean food: The Mediterranean diet is known for multiple health benefits, from preventing heart disease and cancer to encouraging weight loss and improving diabetes management and gut health. Greece offers even more than just healthy food. You can now find many reinvented classics and regional products taking pride of place in delicatessens and on modern restaurant menus.
- Various leisure activities: Considering Greece's mild climate and the number of rivers and mountains, there are many outdoor adventures to take part in when visiting the country, from cycling in Koufonisia to rock climbing in Meteora.
- Rich history and culture: Better to see something once than to hear about it a thousand times!
- Warm weather conditions: Greece has a Mediterranean climate all year round. Spring and autumn are warm and sometimes even hot, while winters are mild. The average summer temperature in Athens is 29-30°C (86°F) and the winter temperature is 13°C (55°F).
- Time difference: Greece uses Eastern European Time (UTC+02:00). This means that there is only a small one-hour difference from other European countries. This can significantly facilitate scheduling work calls and meetings and maintaining your work-life balance when you work in Greece.
In September 2021, the parliament of Greece launched the Digital Nomad Visa program. The Greece Digital Nomad Visa is a type of a Greece National Visa (Type D Visa) that can be granted to foreigners, self-employed or employed, who work remotely using Information and communication technologies with employers or clients outside Greece.
Key facts
- The immigration program for digital nomads in Greece is called the Greece Digital Nomad Visa.
- The Greece Digital Nomad Visa allows foreigners to work remotely in Greece for one year.
- The Greece Digital Nomad Visa can be extended for one year.
- You can apply for the Greece Digital Nomad Visa from inside and outside Greece:
- If you are in Greece, you must visit the one-stop service of the Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum;
- If you are outside Greece, you must apply at your local Greece Consulate or Embassy in your home country.
- The application approval process is relatively fast.
- There are no limits on the number of persons admitted under this visa category.
How much does the Greece Digital Nomad Visa cost?
The Greece Digital Nomad Visa costs €75 per application.
How long does it take to get the Greece Digital Nomad Visa?
The average processing time for the Greece Digital Nomad Visa is 10 days. You will get positive or negative feedback for your application within that time. If your application is approved, your visa will be issued within 30 days.
Eligibility requirements
You must meet the following requirements to be eligible for the Greece Digital Nomad Visa:
- Be at least 18 years old;
- Be a non-EU and non-EEA citizen;
- Have a clean criminal record: You must obtain a clear criminal record before you start the visa application process.
- Meet the minimum financial requirements: You must prove that you are financially stable enough to provide for yourself during your whole stay in Greece. You need to prove a monthly net income of at least €3,500 (after all tax deductions). If you want to bring your family with you, you need to have the following net income:
Type of Applicants | Minimum income requirements (€ per month) |
Individual | 3,500 |
You + your partner/spouse | 4,200 |
For any dependant children | 525 |
- Have comprehensive health insurance: You must have comprehensive health insurance that covers all EU countries for the whole period of your stay in Greece.
- Provide proof of accommodation: You must have accommodation arranged before you move to Greece. You need to have a long-term rental lease of at least 12 months.
- Provide proof of employment that could be done remotely: You must have documents proving that you make an income through working remotely.
- Have a return flight ticket: It is not required to purchase an actual return ticket. You can simply provide a booking confirmation.
What documents are required to apply for the Greece Digital Nomad Visa?
To apply for the Greece Digital Nomad Visa, you must provide the following documents and upload these documents for yourself and any family member who is accompanying you, where relevant:
- Valid passport;
- Two passport photographs, up-to-date and in good condition, allowing proper identification;
- Proof of employment:
You can provide an employment or work contract (valid for the whole duration of your stay in Greece) indicating you have work outside of Greece and a letter from your employer stating that you can complete your work obligations using information technology.
- Solemn declaration:
This is like a cover letter for your visa application. You must state in the declaration your intention to reside in the country with the national entry visa for the provision of distance work and your commitment that you will not in any way provide work or services to an employer based in Greece. Additionally, you should include relevant details about your job and proof that you meet the financial requirements.
- Proof of accommodation;
- Proof of financial means of subsistence:
You can provide the following documents: (a) recent bank statements; (b) an employment contract stating your salary; (с) any other relevant document that proves your income.
- Valid travel health insurance;
- Criminal record certificate;
- Return flight ticket or booking confirmation of it;
- Medical certificate;
- Proof of paid visa fee.
Application process and timeline
Here is a step-by-step guide to applying for the Greece Digital Nomad Visa:
- Gather all required documents and book a consular appointment: You should prepare the necessary documents in advance.
- Pay the application fee: You must pay the application fee for the visa application. It is €75.
- Complete and submit the application: The application must be submitted alongside all your supporting documents. You can submit your documents at the consulate in person, via email, or mail them to the registered consulate or embassy address. The application must be clear and accurate. Please note that no broker or other representative can sign the application on your behalf.
- Wait for approval: You will get feedback from the immigration authorities within 10 days. Once your application is approved, your Greece Digital Nomad Visa will be issued by the Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum within 30 days.
Accommodations
There are many accommodation options available for digital nomads across Greece. Here are the most popular ones:
- Co-living: This option is focused on meeting the unique needs of digital nomads. Here you will have the perfect combination of your own private space whilst also being able to meet other like-minded digital nomads. In such places, you usually have your own bedroom and other facilities are shared with the group. This can include the bathroom, kitchen, living room, and dining room. One of the best co-living places in Greece is Selina.
- Rent a flat or house: If you plan to stay in one place in Greece for a relatively long period, you should consider renting a property. There are many options available all around Greece. The most popular resources to find affordable variants are Airbnb and Blueground. However, you should remember that property owners usually require you to sign a rental agreement for at least half a year or even a year.
- Hotels: Many affordable options can be found via Booking.com and Hotelscombined.com services. However, please note that hotels are not very budget-friendly options compared to other types of accommodation. Thus, we recommend that you stay at a hotel only if you want to travel around to various Greek cities.
Health Care
The overall standard of health care services is relatively high compared to other countries in the world. Greece offers both public and private healthcare. However, due to bureaucracy and an entrenched culture of corruption, the quality of services in the public sector is significantly lower and waiting periods longer than in the private sector. Also, the staff at private hospitals are more likely to communicate in English.
Pharmacies are widely available in Greece. Pharmacists usually speak English and have relevant education to help in diagnosing simple illnesses, which can save digital nomads from visiting a doctor. Pharmacists are trained and licensed. Many drugs that typically require a prescription in your home country can be purchased over the counter in Greece.
Transportation
It is easy to move around Greece, with its robust transportation system. Buses, trains, and ferries enable digital nomads to travel even to the most remote and far-flung destinations of Greece. Transport runs on a frequent schedule and is seldom late or canceled. Even if you are the only passenger, the bus will move you to the chosen destination. Public transport is usually clean and comfortable, and often air-conditioned. You can also rent a car or moped while staying in Greece.
Cost of living
According to NUMBEO, for a single person, the estimated monthly cost of living, without rent, is about $700, while a family of four can expect expenses of $2,400. This is relatively low compared to most European countries and the US. For example, the cost of living in Greece is 30% lower than in the United Kingdom and more than 40% lower than in the USA. Average rent prices are more than 70% lower than in the USA or UK.
According to current legislation, digital nomads have no tax liability in Greece when working for fewer than 183 days in a calendar year:
- As a salaried employee of a company based outside Greece or
- As a freelancer on a self-employed basis to companies based outside Greece.
However, If you live in Greece for 183 days or more of a calendar year, you need to become a Greek tax resident, get a Greek tax number, and pay full Greek taxes (income tax and social security contributions).
Greece offers many fabulous destinations for digital nomads to work remotely and enjoy the beauty of Greek cities and landscapes. Here are some of the most popular spots for remote workers in the country:
- Thessaloniki: This is the second-largest city in Greece and is generally considered the best place for digital nomads. Thessaloniki has a legendary food and nightlife scene as well as a waterfront promenade that’s part of the daily life of residents. There are many coworking spaces, and both affordable and premium restaurants in the city. Moreover, digital nomads can always get a good internet connection here.
- Athens: Athens, the Greek capital, is an excellent destination for digital nomads. This city has an affordable cost of living, as well as everything that digital nomads need, including the fastest Internet in the country and many co-living and co-working spaces. Athens also has many things to do, starting from visiting the Acropolis where you can find the Parthenon, the Erechtheion, and the Odeon of Hercules, to shopping in Ermou street in the Plaka neighborhood. However, you may find Athens overcrowded, especially in the hot season.
- Santorini: Santorini is a dream island for many digital nomads. The sights are breathtaking; the island is famous for its stunning white hillside villages with a backdrop of an azure blue sea. There is a lot of coworking here. However, you should be aware that Santorini is a bit more expensive and crowded than other Greek islands.
- Crete: This is the largest island in Greece, known for its beaches, wild natural beauty, exquisite cuisine, and thousands of years of culture and history. Crete offers an excellent combination of city perks, landmark historical sites, outdoor adventure, and quiet island life for digital nomads.
- Rhodes: This is one of the larger islands in Greece. The charm of the old town of Rhodes as well as the many fascinating beaches around the island attract digital nomads, who can find everything needed to set up here as a remote worker and enjoy island life in Greece.
HI’s Digital Nomad Suitability Score (HI-DNS score)
Considering various factors, here’s our assessment of Greece as a destination for digital nomads, based on the HI’s Digital Nomad Suitability Score (HI-DNS score).
CRITERIA | SCORE |
Ease of obtaining a visa | Good |
Cost of visa | Excellent |
Index of happiness | Good |
Duration of visa | Excellent |
Safety | Good |
Cost of living | Excellent |
Healthcare | Good |
Internet Infrastructure | Average |
Taxes | Average |
Infrastructure | Good |
Incentives from the government for digital nomads | Poor |
If you are interested in relocating to Greece, contact our team. We can make the process smooth and painless for you!
If you are interested in changing your surroundings and trying something different while working remotely, consider relocating to Greece, an European country known for incredible beaches, warm weather, ancient architecture, rich culture, developed infrastructure as well as favorable visa requirements for digital nomads.
Contact our team, and we will be glad to match you with your dream country, prepare the required documents, and successfully file an application for the Greece Digital Nomad Visa. We will make the application process convenient and easy for you! Our team can also assist you in other tasks such as looking for optimal healthcare insurance, translation of documents, preparation and validation of your documents, etc.
If you still have any questions that are not covered in our article, please feel free to contact us, and we will be happy to help!