Finding (and understanding) information concerning visas can be challenging for several reasons.
In the following article, I will explain the new digital nomad visa Greece has recently rolled out.
I have seen this question already a number of times: “Does Greece have a digital nomad visa?“
As of September 2021, Greece officially offers a visa specifically catering to digital nomads. It allows foreign remote workers to reside in Greece for up to 12 months, if their monthly income is equal to or higher than 3.500€. To bring family members, additional funds are required.
That’s the short version of it.
If you’d like to understand the Greek digital nomad visa in more detail, stick around.
How does Greece’s new digital nomad visa work?
As already mentioned, Greece put a new visa into law, which has been specifically designed for the purpose of attracting third-country remote workers, digital nomads, and location-independant entrepreneurs to the country. The goal is obviously to have these wealthy individuals spend their foreign-earned money at local businesses.
For the lawyers amongst you; I am talking about the new Law 4825/2021, which was introduced in September 2021.
The term “third-country” refers to anyone who is not an EU-citizen.
This new visa allows non-EU-nationals to stay in Greece for up to 12 months.
In order to apply, it is necessary that you are able to prove a steady income of at least 3.500€ per month for the entire duration of your stay.
Keep in mind that, if your income originates from an employment, you will have to prove a net income (income after taxes paid) of 3.500€ per month.
Documents that are acceptable as proof include employment contracts of indefinite time, project contracts fully covering the intended length of your stay, or even just a bank statement showing sufficient savings (12×3.500€ = 42.000€) in your bank account.
Although, if you intend to get access to Greece via presenting a well-padded bank account, then you should have a look into their visa for financially independent persons (FIPs).
Because this visa type requires even less money in the bank.
Back to the digital nomads visa.
If you do not intend to come alone to Greece, but wish to bring your family along with you, the monthly funds you need to demonstrate will increase depending on the make up of your family.
To bring your spouse to Greece, you will need to have 20% more funds at your disposal every single month. To bring a child, your monthly income will have to be 15% higher.
The calculated cost of a few examples can be found in the small table below.
| Family Members | Monthly Income |
|---|---|
| solo traveler | 3.500€ ($4,000) |
| digital nomad + spouse | 4.200€ ($4,800) |
| digital nomad + spouse + 2 children | 5.250€ ($6,000) |
Can the digital nomad visa be extended?
What’s attractive about the digital nomad visa, is the fact that anyone who would like to make Greece their new home base for a longer period than 12 months, can relatively easy manage to do so.
You will simply have to apply for a digital nomad residence permit approximately 10-14 weeks before your digital nomad visa is running out.
If you are granted residency, this will extend your ability to stay in Greece by an additional two years.
During this time, you will have to uphold the same requirements as for the digital nomad visa.
This includes, no economic activities carried out on Greek soil and a monthly income of at least 3.500€.
To stay for even longer in Greece, you can then apply for an extension of your residence permit, before the validity of your current permit has run out.
Such an extension will allow you to stay in Greece for an additional two years, during which the same requirements are to be upheld.
The residence permit can be extended every two years by an additional period of two years for as long as the original terms of the digital nomad visa are complied with.
Can the digital nomad visa help me to acquire the Greek citizenship?
To become eligible for the Greek citizenship through naturalization, you will have to live in the country for a minimum of seven years.
To reach this number, you will have to be granted the digital nomad visa (covering 1 year),
then the digital nomad residence permit (covering 2 years), and then two additional extensions (each one covering 2 years) of your residence permit.
After this period, you will be able to apply for Greek citizenship.
During the application process, you will have to demonstrate Greek language skill at a B1 level or higher.
You will also have to pass a test with 20 questions on the history, geography, political system, and culture of Greece.
Isn’t there a shortcut?
Interestingly, there are a few exceptions in place, which could allow you to gain the Greek citizenship in as little as three years.
To qualify for citizenship after only three years in Greece, you would have to marry a Greek national and have a child with them.
This is the only viable option to acquire citizenship at the reduced period of three years.
However, there are two more options to reduce the naturalization period.
The first one is very specific and would require Greek authorities to recognize you as a refugee.
I think it’s safe to say, this option is somewhat outside the scope of this article.
The second option, on the other hand, would be to live with your non-Greek spouse in Greece for at least five years and then have a child together.
This would make your child eligible to the Greek citizenship.
And in turn would make you and your spouse eligible to obtain the Greek citizenship through naturalization at a reduced period of only three years.
Since you will be living in Greece for five years already, at this point, you can directly apply for citizenship, once your child has been granted its right to citizenship.
And, before you ask: Yes, Greece recognizes dual citizenships.
You will not have to renounce your original nationality in order to become a Greek citizen.
How and where will I have to apply for the digital nomad visa?
First, you should check if you meet all the listed requirements for the digital nomad visa.
Once you meet all the requirements, you will have to create an account at the GVCW’s website to be able to access and fill out their online application form.
The GVCW is the outsourcing partner of the Greek Consulate.
They maintain visa application offices around the globe and will forward any applications to the local Consular Authority.
In the next step, you will have to pass an in-person screening interview with the GVCW.
You can schedule this interview via their website as well.
If you pass the interview, you will have to provide a number of documents to the Greek consular authority.
Documents to provide to the Greek consular authority:
- An official declaration letter, stating that you intend to work remotely while staying in Greece, and also ensuring that you will not provide any services to Greece-based employers.
- An indefinite employment contract with a foreign employer or a finite contract spanning the entirety of the visa duration
- Alternatively, evidence of the scope and capacity of a self-own, foreign company, if the individual is self-employed
- Evidence of sufficient funds (3.500€/month); which includes work contracts and bank statements
You can submit these documents either in person or remotely via e-mail or by tracked and recorded letter.
For the issuance of the visa, you will have to pay a visa fee of 75€ ($85).
If you bring your family, this fee will have to be paid for each family member individually.
To have your application processed, you will additionally have to pay an administrative fee of 150€ ($170).
This fee also has to be paid for each family member separately.
All fees are explicitly non-refundable.
After submitting all the necessary documentation, you will be notified within 10 days if your application has been successful.
Visa applications may be submitted up to 6 months prior to your travel date.
Conclusion
The Greek digital nomad visa is definitely an interesting option for every nomad in love with the rich history and culture Greece has to offer.
If the stay, your tourist visa permits, is too short for your taste, then this newly established visa program might be the right choice for you.
Greece’s new digital nomad visa is also a great entry ticket for nomads from outside the EU, who wish to settle down for a few years before getting back on the road.
And they could potentially even grab a valuable EU citizenship in the process.
