Greece shines in the Mediterranean basin. Life moves through its cities. The Greece digital nomad visa lets non-EU citizens live and work online. It gives you a legal long-term stay and full access to the Schengen area. Greece has now updated the visa rules. The process is faster. Income rules are clearer. Taxes are easier to understand. More digital nomads are choosing Greece as their base.

If you are a freelancer or full-time employee, this is a flexible way to enjoy a better work-life balance.

Here is what you need to know before applying for the digital nomad visa in 2025.

 

What the Greece Digital Nomad Visa Actually Offers

Greece launched the visa in 2021. It updated it in 2025. It now offers a clearer path for non-EU citizens. They can reside in Greece and work remotely for up to 12 months. You can also apply to extend it for one more year.

To qualify, your income must come from outside Greece. You can be a remote employee, a freelancer, or run your own business. However, your company must not be based in Greece or employ Greek workers.

This visa is suitable for workers from the U.S. and Canada. It also fits remote professionals. It works well for tech roles. Design and consulting fit too. These jobs need no fixed hours.

There is no need to learn Greek or buy property. You are also not required to open a Greek bank account, although some choose to do so later. What you do need is clear paperwork and patience with the process.

“Greece felt welcoming,” said Rachel Lin, a digital nomad from Toronto. “Once the visa was approved, I settled in fast.”

💡 Related – Dual Citizenship in Greece – Benefits, Requirements, and Relocation Process

 

What You Need to Apply for the Greece Digital Nomad Visa in 2025

You must meet key rules. These show your work and income. These documents confirm your remote work status, income, and plans to live in Greece legally.

Here’s what you’ll need this year –

• Proof of remote employment or business ownership
• Minimum monthly income of €4,000 after taxes
• Private health insurance valid in Greece
• Proof of accommodation (hotel, lease, or host agreement)
• Background check from your home country
• Passport valid for at least 6 months
• A signed letter stating you won’t seek local employment

 

If you’re bringing a spouse or children, your income threshold increases by 20% more for a spouse and 15% for each child.

You pay €75 to apply, and an additional €150 if your application is approved. Most applicants report spending less than €300 total on paperwork.

“Once I got my documents together, the process felt smooth,” said Natalie Cruz, a digital nomad from San Diego. “I was working from a beach café in Naxos within six weeks.”

 

What Changed in 2025?

Greece updated its digital nomad visa this year. Most changes are helpful.

Now, you can submit your documents online before visiting the consulate. The new e-Visa portal (evisa.gr) allows you to upload forms, book appointments, and track your case. You still need to go in person for biometrics, but wait times are shorter.

The income rule also changed. It now requires €4,000 each month, up from €3,500. It reflects inflation and helps focus the Greece digital nomad visa on serious applicants. Still, Greece remains affordable for those earning in dollars, pounds, or Canadian dollars.

The tax office also gave clearer rules in April 2025. If you stay in the country for more than 183 days, you may become a tax resident. But you can still qualify for a 50% income tax break for up to seven years, as long as you haven’t lived in Greece recently.

“It’s more structured now, which makes it easier to plan,” said Lina Hofmann, a digital nomad from Berlin. “I had my visa approved and my first apartment lease signed in under a month.”

💁‍♀️ Also read – The 12 Countries That Offer Digital Nomad Visas in 2025

 

What It’s Actually Like to Live and Work in Greece as a Nomad

Greece offers a visa and much more.

In Athens, a one-bedroom in Koukaki or Pangrati runs €700–900. Cafés and coworking spaces are everywhere. Wi-Fi is fast and reliable.

Life softens outside the cities. Rent is lower. Services for nomads are growing. In Chania, there are six coworking spaces and English-speaking accountants who specialise in working with remote workers.

Food, transport, and healthcare are reliable. Young locals speak good English. Buses and metros in Athens run on time. Essentials like groceries and dental visits are affordable.

Nomads in 2025 said the real benefit is peace of mind. The days feel calmer. Work meetings don’t stretch late. You finish work, and the evening is yours.

“I came for the sun but stayed for the rhythm,” said Javier R. “Greece gave me my evenings back.”

 

One Thing the Greece Digital Nomad Visa Doesn’t Solve

Greece works well for nomads, but not without a few bumps along the way.

Government systems, although improved, still operate slowly. For example, obtaining a tax ID may take up to a whole week. Additionally, offices often delay residence permit appointments.

Renting without a Greek or an agent can be tricky. Because of this, Many nomads utilise relocation services or expat groups. You don’t have to, but it helps. Having someone familiar with the system makes those first 90 days much easier.

There’s another thing to keep in mind.

If you plan to use the Greece digital nomad visa while living most of the year in another country, such as Italy or Germany, consider this carefully.

Greece expects digital nomads actually to live there. Authorities rarely enforce it strictly, but they do not intend it as a means of circumvention.

Stay in the country. The visa expects it.

“I came for the sun but stayed for the rhythm,” said Javier R. “Greece gave me back my evenings.”

Recommended read – 20 Best Digital Nomad Jobs for Beginners Who Love Travel

 

Is This Visa Better Than Portugal’s or Spain’s?

In many ways, yes.

Portugal’s D7 visa is still a solid choice. It works well for retirees and those with passive income. However, it also requires full tax residency and is accompanied by more complex bureaucracy.

Spain’s digital nomad visa is also promising. However, processing takes longer. Besides, Madrid and Barcelona are significantly more expensive.

By contrast, Greece has found a balance. It offers a more straightforward application process. Income requirements are lower compared to those in Spain. Daily expenses are more affordable. 

The overall cost of living is more manageable. Greece also provides generous tax incentives for those who stay longer.

If you want to test life in Europe, start here. You do not need to give up everything. Greece gives you that chance. It is legal, affordable, and comes with better weather than most places on the continent.

“Greece felt easier from day one,” said Ana R., a freelance UX designer from Chicago. “Spain had appeal, but between the paperwork and costs, Athens just made more sense.”

 

What Happens After the Visa

You’re eligible to renew the visa after the first year. This extension enables many remote workers to settle in more fully without having to restart the process.

For those planning to stay even longer, another path exists. It can apply for a residence permit as financially independent individuals. However, this route requires a higher income, around €24,000 per year in 2025.

Some nomads take a different approach. They leave and return under the Schengen short-stay rule. While legal, this method restricts access to healthcare, tax benefits, and local banking services. It provides short-term flexibility but is not ideal for establishing a stable life in Greece.

Meanwhile, the Greek government is considering a new initiative. Lawmakers in 2025 are discussing a Digital Nomad to Investor Pathway.

If approved, it would allow remote workers who contribute to Greek startups or the economy to apply for long-term residency or even citizenship within five years. This concept is still under debate, but would follow similar models in Portugal and Malta.

“Greece gave me a soft landing,” said Tasha M. “Now I want to invest and stay long-term.”

 

Bottom Line

Greece is building a modern path for remote professionals, with a visa that reflects the way we work now. From Athens rooftops to island coworking retreats, the country blends daily comfort with cultural depth. The Greece digital nomad visa is a strategic choice. It offers legal stability, access to the European market, and a slower pace that suits the global workforce.

For those seeking balance, beauty, and better days at work, Greece may be the next destination to visit and stay.

 

From Application to Arrival, We Are With You

The Greece digital nomad visa offers access to ancient cities. It brings you closer to quiet islands. You also get the freedom to work from anywhere. However, moving abroad requires every step, from paperwork to housing matters.

Relo.AI will assist you throughout the entire process. We provide visa assistance, local setup, and daily life support so you can settle in with confidence.

Book your FREE consultation now and take the next step toward living and working in Greece without the stress. 🇬🇷