The Greece Digital Nomad Visa (DNV) lets non-EU/EEA and non-Swiss citizens live in Greece while working remotely for employers or clients abroad. This guide covers who qualifies, the income rule, the consulate-only process introduced in 2026, documents, fees, renewal, and what the visa means for your taxes.
The short answer
- Who: non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens working for employers or clients outside Greece.
- Income: at least €3,500 a month net (employees and freelancers), +20% for a spouse, +15% per child.
- Process: apply at a Greek consulate before travelling (Law 5275/2026), then apply in Greece for a two-year, renewable residence permit.
- Fees: €75 visa fee and €1,000 permit fee, plus consular and card charges.
- Tax: after more than 183 days you are usually Greek tax resident and file a Greek return on worldwide income.
- No 5C: DNV holders cannot use the 50% tax break.
Who can apply
The DNV is for non-EU, non-EEA and non-Swiss citizens. EU citizens do not need it: they can live and work in Greece freely, but after three months they register their residence and receive an EU registration certificate, and they register with the tax office once they become resident.
You must be either:
- an employee of a company registered outside Greece; or
- a freelancer or business owner whose clients are all outside Greece.
The income requirement
Under Article 68 of the Migration Code (Law 5038/2023), you need at least €3,500 a month net, after the taxes due in the country where you work; the law applies this to employment and freelance (service or contract) income alike, shown through contracts and bank statements.
With family the threshold rises by 20% for a spouse or partner (€4,200 in total) and 15% for each child. Family members on the permit may not work or carry on any economic activity in Greece.
The 2026 change: apply at the consulate
Law 5275/2026 (Government Gazette A’ 17, 6 February 2026) changed immigration procedures. In practice, the earlier route of entering on a 90-day Schengen stay and applying for the digital nomad permit inside Greece is no longer available. Applications now start with a national Type-D visa at the Greek consulate or embassy in your country of residence, before you travel. Confirm the current procedure with your consulate, as practice can vary.
Once you hold the Type-D visa, you enter Greece and apply for the residence permit before the visa expires.
Documents
The main documents are:
- Passport: valid beyond the visa period; consulates usually ask for at least three months beyond your planned departure, two blank pages, and a passport issued within the last ten years.
- Proof of income: employment contract, recent payslips, bank statements, or freelance contracts and invoices showing the €3,500 a month.
- Health insurance: covering medical care and hospital treatment in Greece for the whole period. Basic travel policies are often not accepted; check your consulate’s wording. More on health insurance in Greece.
- Criminal record certificate: from your country of residence, usually with an apostille and a certified Greek translation.
- Proof of accommodation: often requested at the visa stage; a registered lease or purchase contract is needed for the permit.
- Declaration: that you will work only for employers or clients based outside Greece.
Validity, timelines and fees
Validity. The Type-D visa is valid for up to 12 months. The residence permit for digital nomads (type I.8) is valid for two years and can be renewed for further two-year periods. File the renewal before the permit expires; Law 5275/2026 introduced a fee for late renewals. After five years of legal residence, longer-term residence statuses can become available.
Timelines. The consulate must respond within 10 days of a complete application; in practice, allow about a month. There is no fixed legal deadline for the permit decision; it typically takes several weeks to a few months.
Fees.
- Visa fee: €75, plus consular administrative charges that vary by consulate.
- Residence permit fee: €1,000 per applicant, plus a small fee for the electronic residence card.
What the DNV means for your taxes
A residence permit and tax residence are separate questions. You become Greek tax resident when your main home or centre of life is in Greece, or after more than 183 days within any 12 months (see the 183-day rule). From then on you need a Greek tax number (AFM), file an annual Greek return on your worldwide income on the normal scale of 9% to 44%, and rely on the tax treaty with your home country to avoid double taxation. Social security depends on your situation and your home country’s agreements with Greece.
Article 5C is not available. The 50% exemption requires employment with a Greek employer or your own business in Greece, which the DNV rules out. More in why the DNV rules out Article 5C, and for comparison with a short stay, DNV vs tourist visa.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do I need for the Greece Digital Nomad Visa?
At least €3,500 a month net, after the taxes due in the country where you work, for employees and freelancers alike, plus 20% for a spouse or partner and 15% for each child.
Can I apply for the Greek Digital Nomad Visa from inside Greece?
Since Law 5275/2026, applications go through a Greek consulate or embassy before you travel; the earlier in-country route via a Schengen stay is no longer used in practice. Confirm the current procedure with your consulate.
How long is the Greek Digital Nomad Visa valid?
The national (Type-D) visa is valid for up to 12 months. Before it expires you apply in Greece for the digital nomad residence permit (type I.8), valid for two years and renewable.
Do digital nomads pay tax in Greece?
Yes, once you become Greek tax resident: main home or centre of life in Greece, or more than 183 days within any 12 months. You then declare your worldwide income in an annual Greek return, with relief under the tax treaty with your home country.
Can Digital Nomad Visa holders use the 50% tax break (Article 5C)?
No. The DNV does not allow work for Greek employers or clients or business activity in Greece, which is exactly what Article 5C requires.
Once you are here
As a resident digital nomad you file a Greek return every year, and your foreign income has to be declared correctly against the treaty with your home country. We prepare and file the Greek return and the related registrations as part of our ongoing bookkeeping; for the visa itself, see our Digital Nomad Visa service. Send us a message for a free check.
Rules as of October 2026 (Law 5038/2023 art. 68, Law 5275/2026).