Here is the low down of the Greek Digital Nomad Visa. The Complete Guide For 2024.
Back in 2021, just 10 people filed Greek Digital Nomad Visa requests. Surprisingly, hitting 2022, there were about 595 requests.
Still, in the first two months of 2023, an upward trajectory was noted. 70 more people were applying for a Greek Digital Nomad Visa.
If your idea of the perfect workspace involves ancient ruins as your backdrop and the salty breeze of the Aegean Sea, then you’re in for a treat.
Well, to actualize the dream completely, you need the Greek Digital Nomad Visa. It’s your golden ticket to trading your everyday routine for a life filled with gyro-fueled adventures and mythic landscapes.
Well, did you know that Greece is becoming a go-to spot for digital nomads? As it wins over over the remote working crew you might want to check it out also.
Go through this comprehensive guide to learn everything you need to know about the Greek Digital Nomad Visa.
What is the Greek Digital Nomad Visa?
Since its establishment in September 2021, Greece’s DNV (Digital Nomad Visa) has been known as an official document that authorizes remote workers to work or stay in Greece.
A month after the rollout, the Ministry of Immigration and Asylum was sifting through a pile of 2,918 Greek Digital Nomad Visa applications.
Out of that bunch, 1,693 got the green light, officially becoming Greece’s newest digital nomad residents. Imagine working with the Parthenon in your line of sight and the late-night vibes of Greece as your backdrop.
Sounds like a dream job, right? Undoubtedly, Greece is a charming place to work or stay. It has 9,942 miles of coastline and 6,000 unique islands.
In addition, the country boasts an impressive cultural scene that’s as vibrant as it gets. No wonder foreigners are flocking in regularly.
For the digital nomads, there is a reason. Greece is on point with its internet game. Whether you’re on mobile or broadband, you can count on a solid connection, making remote work more manageable.
Now, digital nomads from all corners of the globe are making a beeline for Greece. It’s not only about the ancient ruins and souvlaki but also the perfect mix of getting work done and soaking up the Greek sun.
It’s like working in paradise, and who wouldn’t want a piece of that action?
Who Is Eligible For a Greek Digital Nomad Visa?
Generally, a digital nomad visa in Greece is perfect for non-EU individuals looking to hang around longer than what the Schengen visa or ETIAS for Greece allows.
In particular, this visa is the go-to for freelancers, the self-employed, and even the regular 9-to-5 workers.
You can apply for the Greece Digital Nomad visa as long as you’re not clocking in for a company registered in Greece.
Now, if you’re self-employed, you’ve got to back it up with some paperwork. Show them what your business is about and where you’re operating from.
Moreover, make sure the company is not within Greek borders. But hold up, if you’re employed, the rules are pretty straightforward.
You shouldn’t be working for a Greek-registered company. Thinking about your clients? Well, they better be outside Greece too.
Either way, to apply for a Greece Digital Nomad visa when employed, you need to prove you’re a remote worker. Be armed with your smartphone and laptop before you even think about applying for that visa.
If you’re an EU national or resident, you’re the cool cat who doesn’t need this nomad visa hassle. You’ve got a golden ticket to work and live freely across the EU and Schengen zone. There is no visa drama for you.
What are the requirements for a Greek digital nomad visa?
Financial Eligibility
Alright, money talk. Before you embark on your Greek digital nomad adventure, you must prove to be financially fit.
As the primary applicant shows, you’re pocketing more than €3,500 a month. Got a partner? Bump that up by 20% to €4,200.
In the case of the main applicant with a spouse and a child, the financial threshold is set at €4,725 per month.
Duration of Stay
The Greece digital nomad visa grants a one-year stay for engaging in remote work. To qualify, provide proof of accommodation through documents such as property ownership records in Greece or a rental agreement covering the entire stay duration.
Documentation Criteria
Now, let’s dive into the paperwork pool. The nomad visa has more on the checklist compared to its regular visa.
- Declaration Letter: This is your VIP cover letter. Shout out loud that you’re planning some remote work in Greece. Don’t forget the juicy details.
- Show The Money: Prove you’re financially sorted during your Greek escapade. Use bank statements, salary contracts, or business account statements.
- Work It, Nomad Style: Prove your employment status and that your work is for people outside Greece. If you’re the boss, upload your company details.
- Nomad Visa Fee: Yeah, there’s a fee of approximately €75. Splash the cash and toss those documents their way during the application.
Requirements for Greece Type D Visa
Now, let’s switch gears to the Type D Visa requirements. Given that the nomad visa falls under the Type D visa category in Greece, specific documents are required for the application process:
- Digital nomad visa application form: Fill in all the blanks. When it asks about your journey’s purpose, hit “other” and write in “remote work.” You’re not just a tourist; you’re a digital nomad.
- Valid passport: Make sure your passport is ready for action. You need two blank pages, and it will be good for at least six months.
- Two passport photos: You must provide two passport pics taken with a white background. Regarding color, please follow the rules on the official site.
- Proof of accommodation: Let them know where you’re staying for the next 12 months. Property documents or a rental agreement can help you confirm accommodation.
- Travel insurance: Cover your back with travel insurance. It doesn’t have to be super specific, but Schengen health insurance rules are a smart move.
- Return ticket: Prove you’re not planning to set up camp permanently. A return ticket or a booking confirmation does the trick.
- Valid criminal record certificate: Let them know you’re clean. Get a police clearance certificate from your hometown or wherever you’ve lived for a year without breaks.
- Medical certificate: A doctor from a legitimate medical facility must check whether you’re fit and free of any weird diseases.
One more thing: keep an eye on the COVID-19 rules. These requirements may change, so it’s crucial to check the current guidelines with the embassy before initiating the Greek Digital Nomad Visa application process.
Where To Apply for a Greek Digital Nomad Visa
So, where you get your nomad visa depends on where you apply. If you’re applying in Greece, the nod goes to the Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum.
Just make sure to nail down that visa approval before your current one for Greece runs out. For those outside Greece, it’s the Greek consular authority or embassy that takes care of your visa issuance.
Now, for the digital nomads eyeing a Greek adventure, expect about a 10-day visa processing time. If you’re in, you’ll get this cool visa sticker for your passport as a thumbs-up.
However, if they give you the thumbs down, no worries. Go ahead and fix what is required and give it another shot.
Here’s the scoop on the cash side: The Greece digital nomad visa sets you back €75 per head, whether you’re the main nomad, a spouse, or a tag-along kid.
Fortunately, cash covers the visa process, win or lose. If your application gets rejected, be ready to cough up the fee again for a second try.
Once your digital nomad visa gets the green light, you’ve got a year to soak in the Grecian vibes. When that time rolls around, and you’ve still got your financial ducks in a row and a valid passport, you can shoot for a one-year extension.
While your nomad visa is in action, feel free to get out of Greece whenever you feel like it. Just keep it under six months at a stretch. Two years is the maximum you can rock that nomadic lifestyle in Greece.
How to Initiate Your Visa Application Process
The application procedure for the Greece digital nomad visa has undergone recent simplifications, making it a quick and straightforward process when armed with the correct details.
Here’s a breakdown of the steps to follow in applying for the nomad visa:
Step 1. Gather Essential Documents
Start by assembling all the necessary documents required for both the digital nomad visa and the Greece Type D visa mentioned earlier.
It’s crucial to have everything organized before commencing the application to avoid any delays.
Step 2. Submit Your Visa Application
Once your documents are ready, proceed to submit your application to the consulate or Greece embassy. Submission can be done in person or through postal mail to their designated address or email.
Accuracy in providing the correct address during submission is vital to ensure a smooth processing of your application.
Step 3. Await Approval
Typically, the processing and approval (or rejection) of your application takes around ten days. Upon approval, the Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum will dispatch your digital nomad visa, which you can affix to your passport.
Step 4. Enroll for Residency Permit
Upon arriving in Greece, it’s imperative to register for a digital nomad residence permit. To obtain your residency permit, promptly visit the nearest Aliens and Immigration Department.
With your valid passport, visa, and evidence of residential agreement or confirmed hotel booking. This registration process should be initiated as soon as you enter Greece.
Wrap Up
So, thanks to the whole Covid situation, remote work became the norm. The revolution is not just about working from home anymore; now, you can work pretty much anywhere in the world.
And why Greece? Apart from the gorgeous beaches and all, they’ve got some reliable internet speeds. We’re talking over 39.08 Mbps for broadband and a whopping 92.54 Mbps on mobile networks nationwide.
If you’re eyeing that Greek digital nomad visa, prove that you’re pulling in at least €3,500 a month after taxes. Want to bring along your better half or a partner in crime?
Bump that up by 20%. Got kids under 18? Add another 15%.
Also Read: Greece’s Digital Nomad Visa: Everything You Need to Know