Guidance written by Elias Verne · last reviewed 2026-07-07
Who this visa is for
Greece's digital nomad visa is for remote employees and freelancers earning from outside Greece, with a net monthly income at the level shown above and uplifts for a partner and each child. The wording matters: the threshold is stated net, after tax, so budget from your take-home figure rather than gross.
It suits established remote earners who want a Mediterranean base with a clear route from a one-year visa to a longer residence permit, rather than a quick stopover.
The 2026 change you have to know
A 2026 reform abolished the old option to enter Greece visa-free and convert to a residence permit from inside the country. You now have to obtain the Type D digital nomad visa at a Greek consulate abroad before you travel. Most guides written before 2026 still describe in-country conversion; that path is closed, so ignore it.
Once you hold the Type D visa (up to one year), you apply for the Type I.8 residence permit (two years, renewable). The figures and the legal basis are on the fiche above; the takeaway is to start at a consulate, not on the ground in Greece.
The tax break is not automatic
Greece advertises a 50% income-tax exemption for new tax residents, but it generally does not apply to pure foreign-source remote income, and it carries conditions (prior non-residence, a multi-year commitment). Do not budget your move around it.
There is a second, blunter point: stay more than 183 days and you become a Greek tax resident, taxed on worldwide income at standard rates unless a special regime applies. Confirm your position with a Greek tax adviser before assuming any reduction.
Fees and pitfalls
The two fees people confuse are separate stages: the Type D visa fee is small; the Type I.8 residence-permit fee is far larger. Guides routinely merge them. Private health insurance covering care in Greece is mandatory for you and any family members.
Since the 2026 consular-only route, processing has lengthened because every application now runs through consulates abroad with limited appointment slots. Apply earlier than the old guides suggest.
The figures above are the sourced, dated record; this guide explains and compares them and is not legal or tax advice.