Greece's main long-stay routes for non-EU nationals — the Digital Nomad Visa (DNV), Golden Visa, and other residence options — with every figure checked against official migration.gov.gr and mfa.gr sources.
The DNV requires €3,500/month net income from remote work for non-Greek employers or clients, private health insurance valid in Greece, and a clean criminal record. Legal basis: Law 5038/2023 (Greek Migration Code), Art. 68.
In detail, you need:
The primary route is a Type D consular visa, then a 2-year residence permit in Greece. An in-country option may also be available. The permit is renewable every 2 years while conditions are met.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Step 1 — consulate | Apply at a Greek consulate in your home country for a Type D national visa |
| Step 2 — in Greece | After arrival, apply for a 2-year residence permit; renewable every 2 years while conditions are met |
| In-country option | A residence-permit application may also be possible after legal entry, before your current stay expires — confirm with Greek authorities |
| Renewal | Renewable in 2-year periods while you continue to meet the conditions |
| Insurance | Private health insurance valid in Greece; confirm policy meets requirements with insurer and consulate |
| Family | Spouse and dependent children can be included; income threshold increases accordingly |
| Work rights | Remote work for companies/clients outside Greece only |
Processing times vary by consulate — confirm appointment availability and processing timelines directly with your local Greek consulate or via mfa.gr.
Article 5C gives a 50% income-tax exemption for 7 years — but only on income arising within Greece. Most DNV holders earn foreign-source income and will not qualify. Confirm with a Greek tax advisor.
| Rule | Detail |
|---|---|
| Exemption | 50% income-tax exemption for 7 years |
| What it covers | Income from employment or business activity arising within Greece ONLY |
| What it does NOT cover | Foreign-source income — which is what most DNV holders earn |
| Other conditions | Not a Greek tax resident for 5 of the prior 6 years; declaration to remain 2+ years; must transfer tax residency from an EU/EEA country or a country with a Greek tax treaty |
| Source | Article 5C, Greek Income Tax Code — verified 23 June 2026 |
The DNV is built around foreign-source income, so Article 5C generally does not benefit most DNV holders on that income. Always confirm your specific situation with a Greek tax advisor before making financial decisions on this basis.
Yes — the Greece Golden Visa is active under Law 5100/2024 with tiered real-estate investment thresholds: €800,000 (prime zones), €400,000 (other zones), or €250,000 (commercial conversion / heritage).
| Tier | Threshold | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Prime zones | €800,000 | Athens, Thessaloniki, Mykonos, Santorini, and other high-demand islands/areas. Single property; minimum 120m² floor area. |
| Other zones | €400,000 | Remaining areas of Greece not classified as prime zones. Single property; minimum 120m² floor area. |
| Conversion / listed | €250,000 | Only for conversion of commercial property to residential use, or restoration of listed/heritage buildings. The 120m² minimum floor area does NOT apply to this tier — confirm specific conditions with a qualified Greek immigration lawyer. |
| Short-term rental | Banned | Golden Visa properties may NOT be used for short-term rental (e.g. Airbnb) — prohibited under Law 5100/2024. |
| Source | Law 5100/2024 | Codex-verified 23 June 2026. Programme active. |
Unlike Spain, Greece has not abolished its Golden Visa — the programme is active but significantly restructured under Law 5100/2024. Confirm current terms and processing with a qualified Greek immigration lawyer.
No — EU, EEA, and Swiss nationals have free movement rights and do not need a visa to live and work in Greece.
EU/EEA/Swiss citizens register locally after arrival, obtain an EU registration certificate, and get an AFM (Greek tax number). No fixed income or insurance threshold is imposed for registration itself, though non-working residents may need to show sufficient resources and health cover. Family reunification rights apply for EU citizens. For more, see mfa.gr.
Yes — Greece is a full Schengen member. Short stays follow the 90/180 rule. Long-stay and residency routes are Greece-specific national visas outside the Schengen count.
The Schengen 90/180 rule allows visa-exempt nationals up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen zone (not just Greece). Long-stay routes — the Digital Nomad Visa, Golden Visa, and residence permits — are national Greek visas that sit outside the Schengen short-stay count. Schengen entitlements vary by nationality; confirm your specific situation.
These routes exist under Greek law, but their detailed requirements are being confirmed against official sources — we only publish figures once verified.
Routes currently being verified against migration.gov.gr and mfa.gr:
The verified routes plus the routes currently being confirmed — each will have its own source-verified page.
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