Due to its rich history and numerous attractions, Greece has been a significant tourist destination in Europe since the early 1970s. People flock to Greece to visit ancient ruins, bask in its sunny climate, visit its whitewashed villages, and appreciate its friendly atmosphere.
And in recent years, Greece has become a favorite destination among digital nomads. And many remote workers have been waiting for Greece to introduce its version of the “digital nomad” visa.
And in 2022, the long wait is over.
Online entrepreneurs, remote workers, freelancers, digital artists, and other location-independent individuals are now welcome to live, work, and experience the beauty of the Greek islands.
Greece introduced its Digital Nomad Visa via Article 11 of Law 4825/2021. The law grants non-EU citizens, who work remotely using the internet, the right to work and live and Greece for up to twelve months.
It’s an exciting opportunity for many digital nomads and online freelancers. But applicants would still need to comply with the requirements to be granted the Digital Nomad Visa.
This article will guide you through everything that you need to know. While I have painstakingly spent my time researching the Greece Digital Nomad Visa, please remember that this article does not substitute professional advice.
So if you’re interested in working and living in Greece, let’s get started:
Table of Contents
What is the Greece Digital Nomad Visa?
The Greek Government launched the Greece Digital Nomad Visa in the summer of 2021. It authorizes remote workers, online freelancers, and non-location-dependent entrepreneurs to live and work in Greece.
This government initiative was seen as an effort to attract foreign remote workers to stay in Greece. Living in Greece meant spending their money on Greek businesses, providing additional economic stimulus to the Greek economy.
How long is the validity of the Greece Digital Nomad Visa?
From the date of its issuance, the Greece Digital Nomad Visa is valid for up to twelve (12) months or one year.
Before the expiration of the original period, you have the option to extend the visa for an additional year or 12 months.
In short, your Greece Digital Nomad Visa has a maximum validity of two (2) years.
You Might Also Be Interested: Healthy Work From Home Lifestyle Tips
Who are eligible to apply for the Greece Digital Nomad Visa?
The Greece Digital Nomad Visa was designed for non-EU citizens who want to live and work in Greece.
Because Greece is a member of the European Union or EU, citizens of other EU countries and the Schengen Area will no longer need the Greece Digital Nomad Visa. They are already free to live and work in Greece without needing a Digital Nomad Visa.
In short, the Greece Digital Nomad Visa applies to freelancers and remote workers from Asia, Africa, and the Americas.
What are the eligibility requirements for the applicants?
As mentioned above, the Greece Digital Nomad Visa is available for remote workers. But it doesn’t mean that working online would make you automatically eligible for the visa.
Before applying for the Digital Nomad Visa, you need first to check whether or not you meet the specific eligibility requirements, wit:
- Employment (or self-employment) with a company or business situated outside of Greece
- Your work or services must be performed via information and communication technology (ICT), i.e., a computer connected to the internet
- No employment or work with a company duly registered in Greece
What are the financial requirements to qualify?
Remote workers applying for the Greece Digital Nomad Visa must meet the financial requirements set by the Greek Government.
The financial requirement depends on whether you are applying alone (as the principal applicant) or with dependents. The term dependents apply to your partner/spouse and your children.
Principal Applicant
The primary applicant for the Greece Digital Nomad Visa must establish a monthly income of €3,500 after tax deductions.
The income could come from your business, remote work, or online freelancing as long as the source entity is not registered or located within Greece.
Dependent Applicants
When you apply for the Greece Digital Nomad Visa with dependents, the threshold for the income requirement increases accordingly.
The increase in the financial requirement is as follows:
- 20% increase for a partner or spouse
- 15% increase per child
If you’re applying with your partner or spouse, the minimum monthly income after tax would be €4,200, as computed below:
€3,500 x 1.20 = €4,200
If you bring your two (2) children apart from your partner or spouse, it would mean an additional 30% (15% x 2) of the amount computed above. It means for a spouse and two kids, you need a monthly income after tax of €5,250, as calculated below:
€3,500 x 1.50 = €5,250
Please take note that the computed amounts are the minimum requirement. It is pretty much a high-income requirement.
Check This One Out: Comprehensive Guide to Remote Work
What are the documentary requirements for the Greece Digital Nomad Visa?
Under Law 4825/2021, there are four (2) documents that an applicant needs to submit to apply for the Greece Digital Nomad Visa. And you’d assume that those documents will suffice.
However, the Greece Digital Nomad Visa is a variant of the National Visa, specifically the Type D Visa. Thus, it can be surmised that you will submit the documentary requirements for the Greece Digital Nomad Visa and the Type D Visa.
Greece Digital Nomad Visa Requirements
The following are the documents to be submitted for the Greece Digital Nomad Visa:
1. Declaration Letter
This is perhaps the most important document of your Digital Nomad Visa application.
The declaration letter needs to state your intention to live and work in Greece. You’d also need to commit that you will be engaged in remote work and will not provide services to an employer registered and based in Greece.
The declaration letter is similar to the usual cover letter we prepare for other visa applications.
2. Employment or work contract
The employment or work contract will serve as your proof of employment. But the employment contract must be between you and a company or client outside Greece.
It can either be for an indefinite period or a fixed one, with its remaining duration covering the period of the Digital Nomad Visa.
3. Proof of sufficient funds
These documents prove that you have met the minimum financial requirements to qualify for the Greece Digital Nomad Visa. The proof can be a combination of several documents establishing your financial capacity.
Some of the documents your can use are the following:
- Employment or project contract stating your salary, compensation, or fee
- Bank statements showing your bank balance and financial transactions
- Company accounts, if you own a remote business and you’re self-employed
- Certificates of stockholdings and proof of dividend payments
- Title of ownership for properties outside of Greece generating rental income
- Other relevant documents that will prove your monthly income
Greece Type D Visa Requirements
In addition to the Digital Nomad Visa requirements mentioned above, you must also submit the following documents for the Greece Type D Visa:
- Visa Application Form
- Valid Passport
- Proof of Accommodation
- Proof of Income or Financial Capacity
- No Criminal Record Certificate
- Comprehensive Travel Insurance
- Return Flight Ticket
- Medical Certificate
Steps in Applying for Greece Digital Nomad Visa
1. Prepare the documentary requirements required for submission.
It is the document-gathering stage. You must ensure that you have the complete documents to avoid being denied by the visa-granting authorities.
2. Book an appointment at the nearest Greek embassy.
You need to book an appointment at the nearest embassy and consulate in your location. To check where to go, please click here for a list of the embassies and consulates of Greece.
3. Submit your application and supporting documents.
After booking an appointment, make sure you will come on that date and bring the application form and supporting documents. You will have to apply in person.
4. Pay the visa processing fee.
The fee for the Greece Digital Nomad Visa is €75. It is a non-refundable fee that you will pay at the embassy or consulate upon submission of your application, together with its supporting documents.
5. Wait for the decision.
The decision on your application may take about ten (10) days. During this period, the embassy officers will evaluate your application and the integrity of your submitted documents.
Once your application is approved, you’ll receive the Digital Nomad Visa, and you’re now free to travel to Greece.
Greece is world-renowned for its ancient architectural marvels, pleasant Mediterranean climate, and stunning beaches. The country needs no introduction.
Due to its rich history and numerous attractions, Greece has been a significant tourist destination in Europe since the early 1970s. People flock to Greece to visit ancient ruins, bask in its sunny climate, visit its whitewashed villages, and appreciate its friendly atmosphere.
And in recent years, Greece has become a favorite destination among digital nomads. And many remote workers have been waiting for Greece to introduce its version of the “digital nomad” visa.
And in 2022, the long wait is over.
Online entrepreneurs, remote workers, freelancers, digital artists, and other location-independent individuals are now welcome to live, work, and experience the beauty of the Greek islands.
Greece introduced its Digital Nomad Visa via Article 11 of Law 4825/2021. The law grants non-EU citizens, who work remotely using the internet, the right to work and live and Greece for up to twelve months.
It’s an exciting opportunity for many digital nomads and online freelancers. But applicants would still need to comply with the requirements to be granted the Digital Nomad Visa.
This article will guide you through everything that you need to know. While I have painstakingly spent my time researching the Greece Digital Nomad Visa, please remember that this article does not substitute professional advice.
So if you’re interested in working and living in Greece, let’s get started:
What is the Greece Digital Nomad Visa?
The Greek Government launched the Greece Digital Nomad Visa in the summer of 2021. It authorizes remote workers, online freelancers, and non-location-dependent entrepreneurs to live and work in Greece.
This government initiative was seen as an effort to attract foreign remote workers to stay in Greece. Living in Greece meant spending their money on Greek businesses, providing additional economic stimulus to the Greek economy.
How long is the validity of the Greece Digital Nomad Visa?
From the date of its issuance, the Greece Digital Nomad Visa is valid for up to twelve (12) months or one year.
Before the expiration of the original period, you have the option to extend the visa for an additional year or 12 months.
In short, your Greece Digital Nomad Visa has a maximum validity of two (2) years.
Who are eligible to apply for the Greece Digital Nomad Visa?
The Greece Digital Nomad Visa was designed for non-EU citizens who want to live and work in Greece.
Because Greece is a member of the European Union or EU, citizens of other EU countries and the Schengen Area will no longer need the Greece Digital Nomad Visa. They are already free to live and work in Greece without needing a Digital Nomad Visa.
In short, the Greece Digital Nomad Visa applies to freelancers and remote workers from Asia, Africa, and the Americas.
What are the eligibility requirements for the applicants?
As mentioned above, the Greece Digital Nomad Visa is available for remote workers. But it doesn’t mean that working online would make you automatically eligible for the visa.
Before applying for the Digital Nomad Visa, you need first to check whether or not you meet the specific eligibility requirements, wit:
- Employment (or self-employment) with a company or business situated outside of Greece
- Your work or services must be performed via information and communication technology (ICT), i.e., a computer connected to the internet
- No employment or work with a company duly registered in Greece
What are the financial requirements to qualify?
Remote workers applying for the Greece Digital Nomad Visa must meet the financial requirements set by the Greek Government.
The financial requirement depends on whether you are applying alone (as the principal applicant) or with dependents. The term dependents apply to your partner/spouse and your children.
Read Also: A Survival Guide for Remote Workers
Principal Applicant
The primary applicant for the Greece Digital Nomad Visa must establish a monthly income of €3,500 after tax deductions.
The income could come from your business, remote work, or online freelancing as long as the source entity is not registered or located within Greece.
Dependent Applicants
When you apply for the Greece Digital Nomad Visa with dependents, the threshold for the income requirement increases accordingly.
The increase in the financial requirement is as follows:
- 20% increase for a partner or spouse
- 15% increase per child
If you’re applying with your partner or spouse, the minimum monthly income after tax would be €4,200, as computed below:
€3,500 x 1.20 = €4,200
If you bring your two (2) children apart from your partner or spouse, it would mean an additional 30% (15% x 2) of the amount computed above. It means for a spouse and two kids, you need a monthly income after tax of €5,250, as calculated below:
€3,500 x 1.50 = €5,250
Please take note that the computed amounts are the minimum requirement. It is pretty much a high-income requirement.
What are the documentary requirements for the Greece Digital Nomad Visa?
Under Law 4825/2021, there are four (2) documents that an applicant needs to submit to apply for the Greece Digital Nomad Visa. And you’d assume that those documents will suffice.
However, the Greece Digital Nomad Visa is a variant of the National Visa, specifically the Type D Visa. Thus, it can be surmised that you will submit the documentary requirements for the Greece Digital Nomad Visa and the Type D Visa.
Greece Digital Nomad Visa Requirements
The following are the documents to be submitted for the Greece Digital Nomad Visa:
1. Declaration Letter
This is perhaps the most important document of your Digital Nomad Visa application.
The declaration letter needs to state your intention to live and work in Greece. You’d also need to commit that you will be engaged in remote work and will not provide services to an employer registered and based in Greece.
The declaration letter is similar to the usual cover letter we prepare for other visa applications.
2. Employment or work contract
The employment or work contract will serve as your proof of employment. But the employment contract must be between you and a company or client outside of Greece.
It can either be for an indefinite period or a fixed one, with its remaining duration covering the period of the Digital Nomad Visa.
3. Proof of sufficient funds
These documents prove that you have met the minimum financial requirements to qualify for the Greece Digital Nomad Visa. The proof can be a combination of several documents establishing your financial capacity.
Some of the documents your can use are the following:
- Employment or project contract stating your salary, compensation, or fee
- Bank statements showing your bank balance and financial transactions
- Company accounts, if you own a remote business and you’re self-employed
- Certificates of stockholdings and proof of dividend payments
- Title of ownership for properties outside of Greece generating rental income
- Other relevant documents that will prove your monthly income
Greece Type D Visa Requirements
In addition to the Digital Nomad Visa requirements mentioned above, you must also submit the following documents for the Greece Type D Visa:
- Visa Application Form
- Valid Passport
- Proof of Accommodation
- Proof of Income or Financial Capacity
- No Criminal Record Certificate
- Comprehensive Travel Insurance
- Return Flight Ticket
- Medical Certificate
Steps in Applying for Greece Digital Nomad Visa
1. Prepare the documentary requirements required for submission.
It is the document-gathering stage. You must ensure that you have the complete documents to avoid being denied by the visa-granting authorities.
2. Book an appointment at the nearest Greek embassy.
You need to book an appointment at the nearest embassy and consulate in your location. To check where to go, please click here for a list of the embassies and consulates of Greece.
3. Submit your application and supporting documents.
After booking an appointment, make sure you will come on that date and bring the application form and supporting documents. You will have to apply in person.
4. Pay the visa processing fee.
The fee for the Greece Digital Nomad Visa is €75. It is a non-refundable fee that you will pay at the embassy or consulate upon submission of your application, together with its supporting documents.
5. Wait for the decision.
The decision on your application may take about ten (10) days. During this period, the embassy officers will evaluate your application and the integrity of your submitted documents.
Once your application is approved, you’ll receive the Digital Nomad Visa, and you’re now free to travel to Greece.
One thought on “All You Need To Know About Greece Digital Nomad Visa”
I simply could not go away your web site prior to suggesting that I really enjoyed the standard info a person supply on your guests? Is going to be back incessantly to investigate cross-check new posts.