Greece digital nomad visa: Complete guide 2026

Greece needs little introduction as a place to spend time. The light is extraordinary, the food is among the best in Europe, and the cost of living is low enough that a reasonable income goes a long way — whether you are in Athens, on Crete, or on one of the smaller islands that most tourists never reach. What is less well known is that Greece is also one of the more practical destinations for remote workers, with reliable internet infrastructure in most urban areas and a growing network of coworking spaces.

In 2021, Greece introduced its Digital Nomad Visa, giving non-EU remote workers a legal framework for living and working there for up to a year. Both employees and freelancers are eligible, provided their work is carried out for employers or clients outside Greece. This guide covers everything you need to know: who qualifies, what documents you need, and every other step of the process.

Who Can Apply: Eligibility Requirements

Work Requirements

You must work remotely for an employer or clients based entirely outside Greece, using an internet connection and a laptop or equivalent device. You are not permitted to work for Greek companies or clients, or to engage in any business activity within Greece. Employees with a contract from a foreign-registered company qualify, as do freelancers and the self-employed with clients abroad. If you are self-employed, you must be able to provide documentation of your business activity, including the trade name, registered office, and field of activity of your company, which must be based outside Greece.

Income Requirements

You must demonstrate a net monthly income of at least €3,500. If you are bringing a spouse or partner, the threshold rises to €4,200. Each additional dependent child adds €525 to the requirement. Income can be demonstrated through your employment contract, an employment certificate, or bank statements showing consistent deposits at the required level.

Passport Validity

Your passport must be valid for at least three months beyond the end of your intended stay, have at least two blank pages, and have been issued within the last ten years.

Documents You’ll Need to Prepare

All documents must be in Greek or English, or accompanied by an official translation into one of those languages.

Passport

Your passport, with validity as described above. Bring both the original and a copy.

Photographs

Two recent color passport-sized photographs against a white background.

Application Form

The completed and signed national long-stay visa application form.

Declaration Letter

A signed letter declaring that you intend to use the visa for remote work only and will not engage in any employment or freelance services for a Greek-based employer during your stay.

Proof of Employment or Freelance Activity

Evidence that you work remotely for an employer or clients outside Greece. For employees, this means an employment contract with a foreign-registered employer — open-ended, or fixed-term with a remaining duration covering the visa period. For freelancers with multiple foreign clients, a contract of independent services qualifies. For those self-employed in their own company, documentation is required showing your status in the company along with its trade name, registered office, field of activity, and corporate purpose — and the company must be based outside Greece.

Proof of Sufficient Funds

Evidence that you earn at least €3,500 net per month, or the higher applicable threshold if bringing dependents. This can be provided through your employment contract, an employment certificate, or bank statements showing stable income at the required level.

Proof of Accommodation

Evidence of where you will be staying in Greece. A rental agreement, hotel booking, or Airbnb reservation is accepted.

Criminal Record Certificate

An official criminal record certificate from the relevant authority in your country or countries of residence, issued within the last six months. If you have lived in another country for more than a year, you may need to provide a certificate from there as well.

Medical Certificate

A certificate from a recognized state or private medical body confirming that you do not have a condition that poses a risk to public health.

Travel Insurance

Proof of travel insurance valid in Greece for the full duration of your stay, covering medical and hospital care. Standard travel insurance that covers only short trips is not sufficient — confirm your policy covers the entire period before purchasing.

Step-by-Step Application Process

Step 1: Prepare your documents

Assemble all documents listed above. Any documents not in Greek or English must be officially translated before submission. You must apply from outside Greece — it is not possible to enter Greece as a tourist and apply from within the country.

Step 2: Contact your nearest Greek consulate and submit your application

Applications are submitted to the nearest Greek consulate or embassy in your country of residence. Check your consulate’s website for their specific submission procedures — requirements for appointments, accepted submission methods, and payment vary by location. A full directory of Greek consular offices worldwide is available here. The application fee is €75, plus €150 for each accompanying family member, both non-refundable.

Step 3: Wait for a decision

The consulate is obliged to notify you of the status of your application within 10 working days of submission. If approved, the Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum will issue your visa. However, while the initial acknowledgment occurs relatively quickly, the total processing time (from submission to visa issuance) can often take between 1 to 3 months, depending on the workload of the specific consulate and the Ministry. It is advisable to apply well in advance of your intended travel date, as official timelines are not guaranteed.

Step 4: Enter Greece

The Digital Nomad Visa is valid for 12 months from the date of issue and is not renewable. You may enter Greece at any point during its validity.

Step 5: Apply for a residence permit if staying beyond one year

The initial 12-month visa covers your first year in Greece. If you wish to remain longer, you must apply for a Digital Nomad Residence Permit before your initial visa expires. This permit is valid for two years and is renewable as long as you continue to meet the income and employment requirements.

Applications are submitted online through the Ministry of Migration and Asylum. The fee is €1,000 for the main applicant, plus €150 for each accompanying family member.

Costs and Fees to Expect

Visa Application Fee

€75, plus €150 for each accompanying family member. Both are non-refundable.

Residence Permit Fee

If you apply for the Digital Nomad Residence Permit to extend your stay beyond the initial 12 months, the fee is €1,000, plus €150 per family member.

Document Preparation Expenses

Factor in the following potential costs:

• Official translations into Greek or English: €5–€20 per page

• Criminal record certificate issuance: €10–€50

• Apostille certification: €20–€60 per document

• Medical certificate: €30–€100

Frequently Asked Questions

Can freelancers apply?

Yes. Freelancers and the self-employed are explicitly eligible, provided their clients are based outside Greece, and they can demonstrate a net monthly income of at least €3,500.

Can I bring my family?

Yes. Spouses, partners, and dependent children can be included in your application. Each addition raises the minimum monthly income requirement by €700 for a spouse or partner, and by €525 per child. Family members are not permitted to work in Greece under this visa.

Is the visa renewable?

The initial 12-month visa is not renewable. To remain in Greece beyond the first year, you must apply for the Digital Nomad Residence Permit, which is valid for two years and is renewable as long as you continue to meet the requirements.

Can I apply while already in Greece?

No. As of February 5, 2026, in-country applications for the Digital Nomad Residence Permit have been abolished under Law 5275/2026. You must apply for and obtain the Digital Nomad Visa from a Greek consulate or embassy in your country of residence before entering Greece. It is no longer possible to enter as a tourist and convert your status from within the country.

Will I pay taxes in Greece?

Tax residency in Greece is determined by the 183-day rule. If you spend fewer than 183 days in Greece in a calendar year, you are generally not considered a Greek tax resident. If you stay longer, you may become one. Tax residency rules interact with your home country’s obligations — consult a qualified tax professional before making long-term plans.

Can I travel within the Schengen Area on this visa?

Yes. Greece is a member of the Schengen Area, so a Greek Digital Nomad Visa or Residence Permit allows you to travel freely within other Schengen member states for short stays.

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Still seems complicated?

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