Greece Digital Nomad Visa - Visa Requirements For Remote Work In Greece

Jul 25, 2022

17 min read

Greece needs no introduction. But, even if you've never been, you must have seen or heard of Greece before. Surrounded by deep blue oceans, Greece is what most call a paradise.

With hundreds of unique attractions, it's no wonder that digital nomads are waiting for Greece to announce its long-awaited Digital Nomad Visa. And it has finally happened.

Entrepreneurs, freelancers, remote workers, and even the self-employed are now welcome to work and live in Greece.

Greece for nomads launched its new Digital Nomad Visa through Law 4825/2021.

Basically, the new law 4825/2021 allows non-EU citizens to legally work and live in Greece. Nonetheless, future applicants still need to meet its requirements.

Next, I'll walk you through everything you need to know about the Greece Digital Nomad Visa and how to apply for it.

Let's get started:

Key Points Of Greece Digital Nomad Visas

Before we get to the Greece Digital Nomad Visa application process and required documents, I think it is important to first outline a few key points. In this section, I will explain the Greece Digital Nomad Visa, the eligibility requirements, and who can apply for it.

Later in this post, I will cover the Greece Digital Nomad Visa application process and the required documents

What Is The Greece Digital Nomad Visa?

The Greece Digital Nomad Visa (DNV) is a travel authorization document that allows remote workers to live and work in Greece. The Greece Digital Nomad Visa is also considered a Digital Visa. Other common names for the Greece Digital Nomad Visa include:

  • The Greece Remote Work Visa,
  • The Greece Nomad Visa
  • The Greece Nomadic Visa
  • The Greece Digital Nomad Residence Permit

This type of visa is commonly referred to as the Greek Digital Nomad Visa (DNV) or Greece Remote Work Visa. However, many people also refer to this type of visa by other names (As seen above). For the purpose of this guide, I'll refer to the Greece DNV.

In September 2021, Greece issued the Digital Nomad Visa under Law 4825/2021, a plan agreed upon by Greece's Ministers of Migration and Foreign Affairs. The objective is to attract foreign nomads for remote work in Greece and permanent investors.

When applying for your DNV, you will apply for a Greece National Visa (Type D Visa). It allows a stay of up to 12 months and will enable you to live and work in Greece.

Like many other visas, the Greece DNV has its own specific eligibility requirements you need to meet.

What Are The Eligibility Requirements For The Greece Digital Nomad Visa?

The Greece DNV is not simply a visa available to anyone. Before applying for your new DNV, you need to meet the following eligibility requirements.

  • You must work for a company/clients situated outside of Greece.

  • You must be able to complete your work obligations using information and communication technology like wifi, laptops, etc.

  • You are not allowed to work for a company registered within Greece.

  • If self-employed, you must submit confirmation of your business activity, corporate purpose, and business address. Your business cannot be registered in Greece.

  • You must be able to work remotely.

Who Can Apply For The Greece Digital Nomad Visa?

The Greece DNV is designed for non-EU citizens who wish to work remotely in Greece. Meaning only third-country nationals may apply for the DNV.

Citizens of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA), and the Schengen Area won't be able to apply for the Greece DNV.

Citizens from the Schengen Area already enjoy the freedom of movement under the Schengen Agreement. In addition, these nationals enjoy the benefit of working in Greece without the need to apply for a DNV.

How Long Is The Greece Digital Nomad Visa Valid For?

Once you've successfully obtained your new DNV for remote work, it will be valid for 1 year (12 months). After that, you can extend your visa for an additional year, totaling a maximum of 2 years.

Where Must I Apply For My Greece Digital Nomad Visa?

Where you apply for your new Greece DNV depends on your current location.

If you're in Greece:

If you're already in the territory of Greece, you apply at the one-stop service of the Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum.

Keep in mind that you need to apply for your Digital Residence Permit before your initial visa expires (the visa you used to enter Greece).

If you're outside Greece:

If you're outside Greece, you need to apply for your visa at your local Greece Embassy or Consulate within your home country.

How Much Is The Greece Digital Nomad Visa Fee?

When applying for the Greece DNV, you can expect to pay around €75 for your new visa.

Be mindful that the fee is paid for the services the Greece Embassy/Consulate provides. Therefore, even if your application is unsuccessful, the fee is nonrefundable.

What Is The Processing Time For The Greece Digital Nomad Visa?

According to Law 4825/2021, once you submit your Greece DNV, you'll receive feedback within 10 days. After approval, your visa will be issued by the Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum.

The government does not specify how long it will take for your visa to be issued. You can expect to receive your visa within a month. However, it may take less than 10 days for your DNV to be issued. It all depends on the Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum.

What Are The Financial Requirements For The Greece Digital Nomad Visa?

Remote workers must prove they meet the financial requirements when applying for a Greece DNV.

Main Applicant

The main applicant must prove a monthly income of at least €3,500.

If the monthly income comes from dependent employment or independent service provision, the €3,500 refers to net income (after tax deductions).

Dependant Applicants

It is possible for any dependents to apply for a residency permit when you apply for your DNV. However, the minimum amount increases per dependent that travel with you.

Financial increases for dependents are as follow:

  • 20% for your partner/spouse

  • 15% per child

For example:

If you plan to bring your spouse, the total amount (€3,500) increases by 20%. This equals a total amount of €4,200. Suppose you plan to travel with your spouse and your child; you need a minimum of €4,725 per month.

This is the minimum amount after tax.

What Are The Document Requirements For The Greece Digital Nomad Visa?

Here is where things get a bit unclear.

As I mentioned earlier, the Greece DNV is a type of National Visa, specifically the Type D Visa. Therefore it suggests that you need to submit the same documents as that of the type D Visa.

When taking a closer look at the law

Law 4825/2021 specifies 4 required documents you need to submit for the Greece DNV. But, it does not state that you must submit the same documents as the Type D Visa. This can cause a lot of confusion.

When you submit your Greece DNV, you must submit the above-mentioned documents and the required documents for the Greece Type D Visa.

So, let's take a look at the documents required according to Law 4825/2021:

A Declaration Letter

This will be the most important document of your DNV application.

You need to state that you plan to apply for the Greece DNV and work remotely in Greece. Within your declaration, you must include that you won't work for a company registered in Greece for the duration of your stay. Furthermore, you must add all relevant details about your job/company and that you meet the financial requirements.

Think of it as a cover letter.

Proof Of Employment

You need to prove that you're a digital nomad planning to do remote work in Greece. There are a few documents that you can provide.

  • An employment contract that proves you have a job outside of Greece,

  • And a letter from your employer stating that you can complete your work obligations using information technology.

Keep in mind that your employment contract must be valid for the duration of your Greece DNV.

If you own your own company outside of Greece:

  • Your company license and/or registration number
  • Your company name
  • Field of activity
  • Corporate purpose
  • Any other relevant documents that prove you own a company registered outside Greece.

I recommend including a cover letter explaining your work obligations within your company. You can then attach any other related documents to your cover letter.

Proof Of Sufficient Funds

As previously mentioned, you need to meet the minimum financial requirements of the Greece DNV.

You can provide the following documents to prove financial sufficiency:

  • Most recent bank statements
  • Company account statements
  • An employment contract stating your salary
  • Any other relevant document that proves your monthly income

The Greece Digital Nomad Visa Fee

The final requirement stated in Law 4825/2021 is the payment of the visa fee. The amount payable is €75.

What Are The Required Documents For The Greece Type D Visa?

In addition to the Digital Nomad Visa documents, you must gather and submit the required documents for the Greece Type D Visa. Next, I'll discuss each document and what you must submit for a remote work Greece opportunity.

A Visa Application Form

First, you need to fill in the National Visa application form. This is also known as the long-stay visa application form.

The information you provide must be accurate and correct. Always review your application and ensure you have filled out all the required fields.

Within the application, you'll find a section that asks "the main purpose of journey." Under "other," you can enter remote work. When authorities receive your application, they will process your Type D Visa application as a Digital Nomad Visa application.

A Valid Passport

As the name suggests, you must provide copies of your valid passport.

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the intended date of departure back to your home country. Also, ensure that you have 2 blank visa pages for your new DNV.

If your passport is close to its expiration date, I recommend applying for a new passport before starting the DNV application.

I should mention that you might have to leave your passport with the Embassy. Once a successful application is processed, your visa sticker will be attached to your passport.

2 Passport Photos

Your passport photos must be in color and taken in front of a white background. Check here to learn more about the passport requirements.

You can also use Atlys' Passport Photochecker Tool for a seamless and stress-free way to get your passport photos.

Proof Of Accommodation

Because the Greece DNV is issued for 12 months, you must provide proof of accommodation in Greece. This can be done by providing a rental agreement or a document that proves ownership of property in Greece.

The easiest way to get your proof of accommodation is to use Atlys' Hotel Itinerary Tool.

Proof Of Financial Means

As previously mentioned, you need to meet the minimum financial requirements of the Greece DNV.

You can provide the following documents to prove financial sufficiency:

  • Most recent bank account statements

  • Company account statements

  • An employment contract stating your salary

  • Any other relevant document that proves your monthly income

Proof Of Comprehensive Travel Insurance

Your insurance policy must cover all medical expenses that may occur during your trip and be valid for the duration of your stay in Greece.

There are no specific requirements for medical insurance. Nonetheless, I recommend obtaining one similar to the Schengen Visa medical insurance.

A Criminal Record Certificate

You must prove that you pose no threat to Greece and its local citizens. Therefore, you must obtain a valid criminal record certificate from competent authorities within your home country.

Suppose you have lived in another country for more than 1 year. In that case, Embassy authorities may request a criminal record certificate from the country you currently live in.

A Return Flight Ticket

Another requirement for the National Type D Visa is to provide a return flight ticket. Your return flight ticket proves that you plan to travel back to your home country after your stay. Now, it's not required to purchase an actual return ticket. Instead, you can simply provide a booking confirmation.

A Medical Certificate

Your medical certificate must be issued by a recognized health organization in your country. It must prove that you are healthy and don't suffer from any contagious diseases that may be of risk to Greece and its citizens.

COVID-19 Requirements

COVID-19 restrictions and regulations change constantly. Therefore I recommend using Atlys's COVID-19 tool to learn more about the entry requirements of Greece before starting your application.

The Passenger Locator Form (PLF) is no longer a required document. However, please ensure you are updated with the latest Greece entry requirements.

How To Apply For The Greece Digital Nomad Visa

Next, I'll discuss how to apply for your Greece DNV. Unfortunately, the process is not made clear within the law, but you can expect the following:

Gather All The Required Documents

Before submitting your application, you must ensure that you have the required documents for ** both the Greece Digital Nomad Visa and Type D Visa.** If your trip is imminent, gather all your documents as soon as possible.

As you can see, the list of documents is quite long. Therefore, it would be best to create a document checklist. In doing so, you can keep track of the documents you already have and those you still need to collect.

If you want to skip the hassle of gathering your documents, I suggest you use Atlys. Atlys is the perfect company for gathering your documents, scheduling your visa appointment, and getting your new Greece Visa.

Submit Your Digital Nomad Visa Application

The next step is to submit your visa application and required documents at your local Greece Embassy or Consulate.

There are 3 ways of doing this:

  • In-person,
  • Via email,
  • Or via mail (post) to the registered address.

When applying, be sure to enter the correct details of the Greece Embassy or Consulate you plan to apply at.

Wait For Feedback

After submitting your documents, the Embassy authorities will evaluate your application within 10 days. Once your application is approved, the Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum will issue your new Greece Digital Nomad visa.

My Tip To You

It is best to contact the Embassy before applying. Doing this will enable you to learn more about the exact visa application steps you need to take.

Law 4825/2021 is relatively new and does not outline the exact steps applicants need to take. Contacting the Embassy before applying will ensure that you follow the correct process. Plus, they will have the latest information regarding your visa application and COVID-19 restrictions.

Digital Nomad Visa Tax In Greece

Tax is a crucial deciding factor for any Digital Nomad planning to live abroad. Unfortunately, Law 4825/2021 does not specify any tax regulations or exemptions for a Digital Nomads Visa. For the purpose of this post, I'll take a look at the current tax situation and what we know for sure.

According to the Income Taxation Code (Law 4172/2013) (ITC), if you're a tax resident in Greece, you're subject to pay tax on the income you receive in both Greece and abroad (earned within a tax year).

"When am I considered a tax resident of Greece?"

Suppose you reside in Greece for more than 183 days (consecutively) in a 12-month period. In that case, you're regarded as a tax resident of Greece. The 183 days are counted from the first day you arrive in Greece. This does not apply if you visit Greece solely for tourist, medicinal, therapeutic, or similar personal reasons and stay for less than 365 days, including brief visits abroad.

In addition to what I just mentioned, you're considered a tax resident if you decide to:

  • maintain permanent residency in Greece,
  • maintain your physical home in Greece,
  • maintain any other interests such as personal or financial relationships (such as a work contract, even if you work outside Greece, i.e., remote working)

Because a Greece Digital Nomad Visa is issued for a validity of 1 year (with a possible visa extension), we can assume that Digital Nomads will be liable to pay tax in Greece for any income generated within Greece and abroad.

Remember:

As of yet, the Greece tax authorities have not made or identified any tax-related provisions or guidelines for holders of a Greece Digital Nomad Visa. Therefore, I can only point out the current tax regulations for long-term residents in Greece. Because the Greece Digital Nomad Visa provides a long-term stay, we can assume that a Digital Nomads Visa falls under the same tax regulations as any other normal long-term resident.

During my research on "tax in Greece," I have found a list of tax consultants who can help identify the tax you need to pay in Greece. For full transparency, this is a list provided by the US Embassy and Consulate in Greece.

A Quick Summary

I know the Greece Digital Nomad Visa might seem complicated. So, take a look at this summary to help remind you of everything about the Greece Digital Nomad Visa:

  • The new Greece Digital Nomad Visa was implemented under Law 4825/2021. To be eligible for the DNV, you must prove that you're a remote worker and meet the financial requirements.

  • With your Greece DNV, you're not allowed to work or provide any services for a company registered in Greece.

  • The minimum financial requirement is €3,500 per month. This amount increases by 20% for your spouse and 15% for a dependent child.

  • The Greece DNV forms part of the Greece Type D Visa. Therefore you need to obtain the required documents stipulated in Law 4825/2021 and the required documents for the Type D Visa.

  • You need to submit all your documents at your local Greece Embassy or Consulate in person, via email, or by post. After 10 days, you'll receive feedback from the Embassy, and your visa will be issued by the Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum.

  • Once your visa has been issued, it will be valid for one year and can be extended for another year, provided that you still meet the visa requirements.

  • It is highly recommended to call the Embassy before starting your application. Embassy authorities will have up-to-date information about the visa process, application requirements, and COVID-19 requirements.

And that's the Greece Digital Nomad Visa. Once you receive your new Nomad Residence Permit, you can enjoy your new life in Greece. The best part - digital nomads no longer need to "cross certain boundaries" when planning their next nomad adventure in Greece.

Written By: Armando Du Preez
Fact Checked By: Richard Nathan

Frequently Asked Questions

Are There Any Stay Requirements For The Greece Digital Nomad Visa?

Yes. You're Greece DNV may be revoked if you're absent from Greece for more than 6 months.

Can I Apply For The Greece Digital Nomad Visa If I Already Have Another Greece National Visa?

No. You may only apply for the Greece Digital Nomad Visa if you don't have any other type of Greece National Visa.

For example:

If you already have a Greece Golden Visa or long-stay visa, you can't apply for a DNV.

What Other Countries In Europe Offer A Digital Nomad Visa?

The following European Countries offer a Digital Nomad Visa:

  • Estonia
  • Croatia
  • Romania
  • Germany (Freelance Visa)
  • Czech Republic (Trade License)
  • Iceland
  • Hungary
  • Malta
  • Portugal (Portugal D7 Visa)
  • Spain
  • Norway
  • Italy (Self-Employment Visa)
Will My Family Members Be Able To Work Remotely In Greece?

No. Even though your family members can apply for a temporary residency permit, they cannot work or perform any economic activities in Greece.

Can I Apply For A Greece Digital Nomad Visa If I'm In Greece With A Tourist Visa?

Yes. You're allowed to apply for your Digital Nomad Visa if you're currently in Greece on a tourist visa. However, ensure that you start your application well before your tourist visa expires.

You can start your DNV application at the one-stop service of the Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum.

What Are The Most Popular Digital Nomad Destinations In Greece?

The top 5 destinations for digital nomads in Greece include:

  • Athens,
  • Crete,
  • Santorini
  • Thessaloniki
  • Rhodes
Do I Need To Pay Tax In Greece?

You only need to pay tax once you're recognized as a tax resident. You're classified as a tax resident when you remain in Greece for more than 183 days consecutively.

What Is The Cost Of Living In Greece?

Living expenses in Greece can vary depending on your lifestyle. However, you can expect to spend an average of around $1500 - $2000 per month. Find out more about the cost of living in Greece here.

Is The Digital Nomad Visa A Work Visa?

No.

The Digital Nomad Visa allows remote workers to live and work in Greece. The main difference between the DNV and the work visa is that nomads cannot work for a company registered in Greece. On the other hand, a work visa allows for such purposes.

What Is The Internet Speed In Greece?

Digital nomads will be happy to learn that Greece has reliable internet connections and internet speeds.

  • Average broadband speed is around 39.08 Mbps
  • Average mobile network speed is around 92.54 Mbps
Do You Need A Visa To Work Remotely?

Yes, you need a Greece Digital Nomad Visa to work remotely within Greece.

GreeceNomad

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