Greece's Digital Nomad Visa lets non-EU and non-EEA remote workers live in Greece while working for employers or clients based outside the country. This guide covers the 2026 rules: who qualifies, the income you need, how the application route changed in February 2026, the fees, and where you stand on tax.
What Changed in 2026
Law 5275/2026 took effect on 6 February 2026 and closed the old in-country route. You can no longer enter Greece as a tourist and file the digital-nomad residence permit from inside the country. You now apply for a national long-stay (Type D) visa at a Greek consulate or embassy before you travel, then file for the 2-year residence permit in Greece after you arrive. The law was published in the Government Gazette (FEK A' 17/6-2-2026). The income threshold, the €75 visa fee, and the 12-month visa and 2-year permit durations did not change.
Greece Digital Nomad Visa at a Glance
| Item | 2026 detail |
|---|---|
| Who it is for | Non-EU/EEA remote workers with employers or clients outside Greece |
| Minimum income | €3,500 per month net, plus 20% for a spouse and 15% per child |
| Type D visa | Up to 12 months; €75 consular fee |
| Residence permit | 2 years, renewable; €1,000 plus a €16 card fee and €150 per year of residence |
| How to apply (2026) | Type D visa at a Greek consulate before travel, then the residence permit in Greece |
| Health insurance | Private cover valid in Greece, mandatory for the full stay |
| Tax residency | After 183 days in Greece within a 12-month period |
| Tax break | A 50% income-tax reduction for 7 years may apply, but the conditions are strict (see below) |
Eligibility Requirements
You must be a non-EU/EEA national working remotely for employers or clients established outside Greece. As part of the application you sign a declaration that you will not provide work or services to an employer located in Greece.
The income requirement is €3,500 per month in net income (after tax), and it rises with family members: add 20% for a spouse or partner and 15% for each child, on top of the €3,500 base.
| Household | Minimum net monthly income |
|---|---|
| Single applicant | €3,500 |
| Applicant + spouse or partner | €4,200 |
| Applicant + spouse + 1 child | €4,725 |
| Applicant + spouse + 2 children | €5,250 |
You also need:
Private health insurance valid in Greece for the whole stay. This is mandatory, not optional.
Proof of stable remote income, such as an employment contract, client contracts, or bank statements.
Proof of accommodation in Greece.
A clean criminal record.
How to Apply in 2026
Since February 2026 the process runs in two stages, and the first one happens before you leave home.
| Step | Where | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Type D visa | Greek consulate or embassy in your country | Submit income proof, health insurance, accommodation, criminal record and the declaration. The fee is €75 and the decision target is about 15 calendar days (allow 2 to 6 weeks). |
| 2. Enter Greece | Border | Travel on the Type D visa, which is valid for up to 12 months. |
| 3. Residence permit | Migration office in Greece | Before the visa expires, apply for the 2-year digital-nomad residence permit. Issuance can take up to 90 days, usually 1 to 3 months. |
The previous option to enter as a tourist and apply for the permit from inside Greece no longer exists.
Fees and Processing Times
| Item | Amount or time |
|---|---|
| Type D visa fee | €75 |
| Visa decision | About 15 calendar days (statutory target); realistically 2 to 6 weeks |
| Residence-permit application fee | €1,000 |
| Card-printing fee | €16 |
| Residence fee | €150 per year of residence |
| Residence-permit issuance | Up to 90 days by law; usually 1 to 3 months |
The €75 consular fee and the residence-permit fees are listed on the EU Immigration Portal, which draws on the official Greek figures.
Taxes for Digital Nomads in Greece
You become a Greek tax resident once you spend more than 183 days in Greece within any 12-month period, or if Greece becomes your centre of vital interests. A tax resident is taxed on worldwide income. Stay under 183 days and you are generally not a Greek tax resident. The rule is set out by AADE, the Greek tax authority.
Greece offers a 50% income-tax reduction for people who move their tax residence to the country, known as the Article 5C regime. It exempts half of your Greek-source employment or business income from income tax for seven years. To qualify you must not have been a Greek tax resident for five of the previous six years, you must move your tax residence from an EU/EEA country or a country with a tax-cooperation agreement, and you must commit to staying at least two years. The old requirement to fill a newly created job was removed in July 2025. AADE publishes the conditions.
Cost of Living in Greece
Greece is cheaper than most of Western Europe, which is part of the appeal. The figures below are indicative monthly costs and vary by city and season.
| Expense | Typical monthly cost |
|---|---|
| Living costs excluding rent (one person) | €600 to €800 |
| Studio (smaller cities / Athens) | €350 to €450 / €400 to €600 |
| One-bedroom in the city centre (smaller cities / Athens) | €500 to €700 / €650 to €1,000 |
| Utilities for an 85 m² home | €150 to €300 |
Cost figures are indicative and drawn from Numbeo; check current local listings before you budget.
Common Mistakes
Assuming you can still apply from inside Greece. That route closed in February 2026; you now need a Type D visa from a consulate first.
Forgetting the family income uplifts: 20% for a spouse and 15% per child on top of the €3,500 base.
Treating the €3,500 as a gross figure. It is net income, after tax.
Assuming the 50% tax break applies automatically. A remote worker for a foreign employer usually does not qualify on the employee side.
Treating health insurance as optional. Private cover valid in Greece is mandatory for the whole stay.
Sources
Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs: digital nomad visa
Ministry of Migration and Asylum: residence permits
EU Immigration Portal: Greece fees and processing
AADE: 50% tax incentive for new tax residents (Article 5C)
AADE: tax residence rules (183 days)