How to Apply in Greece for a Digital Nomad Visa

The Greek government first announced the Greek Digital Nomad Visa in the summer of 2021, allowing remote workers and internet entrepreneurs to live and work in Greece for up to 24 months.

Greece would "welcome digital nomads to live in the nation for up to two years if they meet the standards," according to the government.

Remote work has grown in popularity in recent years, thanks to advancements in communication technologies. The COVID-19 lockdowns also prompted innovation in this area, as many employees were unable to attend in-person workspaces for an extended amount of time.

Greek Digital Nomad Visa Requirements

All non-EU citizens who match the required conditions are eligible for the Greek Digital Nomad Visa. EU citizens do not need a visa because they are allowed to work in other European Union member countries.

Any would-be digital nomad seeking to live in Greece must meet certain financial and legal restrictions. A monthly income of at least €3,500 is required, as well as confirmation of remote work. Those wishing to bring a spouse and/or one dependent must earn at least €4,200 per month.

A valid passport, a clean criminal record, proof of health insurance, and an address for lodging are also necessary for the Digital Nomad Visa.

A personal application must be made at a Greek consulate or embassy. Applicants must schedule an appointment and bring all required documentation. When they arrive in Greece, successful applicants must apply for a resident visa.

Paperwork for the residency permit should be submitted to the nearest Decentralized Administration office's Aliens and Immigration Department. Successful applicants should locate one of these offices in their neighbourhood and submit the necessary papers.

The Digital Nomad Visa is valid for one year and can be extended for another year.

Greece and telecommuting

Greece has a long history as a popular tourist destination, but the Greek government hopes that the Digital Nomad Visa will inspire more professionals to visit the country.

Last year, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said “And of course, with Covid lots of people choose to work from Greece. So what is interesting is that in a more fluid and mobile work environment, we make it very easy for digital nomads to obtain visas so you can work from anywhere”.

Digital nomads have the potential to significantly benefit the Greek economy. According to a study conducted by the MIT Enterprise Forum in 2021, attracting 100,000 digital nomads for just six months may boost the Greek economy by €1.6 billion.

Greece was initially sluggish to allow employees to work remotely. According to a study conducted by the Hellenic Federation of Enterprises (SEV), just 5% of the Greek workforce worked from home in 2019. At the time, this put Greece far behind other EU countries.

However, the Greek government has now passed regulations to make remote online employment more accessible to Greek workers. The government is now attempting to attract remote workers from other countries.

As part of its efforts to recruit more digital nomads, the Greek Tourism Ministry worked with the telecom provider Wind last year to provide improved internet connections.

The Greek government also anticipates that the country's well-known natural beauty, culture, and way of life would inspire more professionals to apply for the Digital Nomad Visa and work remotely from Greece.

By fLEXI tEAM