How to Move to Greece

Greece Visa Options

Greece offers four main pathways for non-EU citizens. The Digital Nomad Visa targets remote workers employed by or contracting for companies outside Greece, with a minimum net income of €3,500 per month (increased by 20 percent for a spouse and 15 percent per child). The standard Work Permit requires sponsorship from a Greek employer. The Golden Visa grants residency through real estate investment, with thresholds of €250,000 in most areas, €500,000 in high-demand areas like central Athens, and €800,000 in prime Athens neighborhoods and popular islands. The Investment Activity Visa covers non-real-estate investments of at least €250,000 with a viable business plan. Retirees and financially independent individuals can apply for a Financially Independent Person permit with proof of stable income.

• Digital Nomad Visa requires €3,500 per month net income
• Golden Visa thresholds range from €250,000 to €800,000 by location
• Digital Nomad Visa holders cannot work for Greek employers
• Golden Visa does not require residing in Greece to maintain the permit
• Greece offers a flat 7% tax regime for foreign retirees

Cost of Living in Greece

Greece is one of the most affordable countries in Western and Southern Europe. The average gross salary is roughly €18,000 per year, but foreign remote workers and retirees typically live well above this. Rent in central Athens runs €500 to €900 per month for a one-bedroom apartment. Thessaloniki is 15 to 20 percent cheaper. Island living varies widely: popular islands like Mykonos and Santorini are significantly more expensive, while less touristic islands like Crete (outside resort areas) and the Peloponnese are very affordable. Groceries are roughly 15 to 20 percent below the EU average. Dining out remains very cheap by European standards, with taverna meals at €8 to €15 per person. A single person can live comfortably on €1,200 to €1,600 per month including rent, outside central Athens and tourist islands.

Language Requirements

Greek is required for permanent residency at the A2 level, and for citizenship at the B1 level, tested through a Greek language and culture exam administered during the naturalization process. No language test is required for initial visa applications, including the Digital Nomad Visa, Golden Visa, or Work Permit. English is widely spoken in Athens, Thessaloniki, and tourist areas, but outside major cities, Greek is necessary for daily life. Greek language courses are available through KEK (vocational training centers) and private language schools. The Greek alphabet takes most learners 1 to 2 weeks to master, while reaching A2 conversational proficiency typically takes 6 to 12 months of consistent study.

Credential Recognition

Foreign degrees are recognized by DOATAP (the Hellenic NARIC), which evaluates academic qualifications against the Greek educational framework. The process takes 3 to 6 months and requires apostilled and officially translated documents. Regulated professions, including doctors, dentists, pharmacists, lawyers, engineers, and architects, require additional licensing from the relevant Greek professional body. Medical professionals must register with the Panhellenic Medical Association and may need to pass supplementary exams. Engineers must register with TEE (Technical Chamber of Greece). The Golden Visa and Digital Nomad Visa do not require credential recognition, as they are not tied to employment with a Greek entity.

Visa Application Process

Digital Nomad Visa applications can be submitted at a Greek consulate abroad or, for those already in Greece, at the local Aliens Bureau (Dieuthinsi Allodapon). Processing takes approximately 4 weeks. You will need a valid passport, proof of remote employment or freelance contracts with non-Greek entities, bank statements showing at least €3,500 per month in net income, health insurance valid in Greece, a clean criminal record, and proof of accommodation. Golden Visa applications are submitted at the Decentralized Administration office in Greece after completing the property purchase, with processing taking 6 to 8 weeks. Standard Work Permits require employer sponsorship and take approximately 8 weeks. All documents must be apostilled and translated into Greek by an official translator.

Path to Permanent Residency and Citizenship

EU Long-Term Resident status requires 5 years of continuous legal residence in Greece, A2 Greek, and proof of stable income and health insurance. You cannot have been absent from Greece for more than 10 months cumulatively during the 5-year period, or more than 6 consecutive months. Golden Visa holders maintain residency as long as they hold the investment but do not accrue time toward PR or citizenship unless they physically reside in Greece. Greek citizenship requires 7 years of legal residence, B1 Greek, a clean criminal record, and passing a naturalization exam on Greek history, geography, and institutions. Greece permits dual citizenship. The citizenship process takes 1 to 3 years from application to decision.

Your First Days in Greece

Your first administrative task in Greece is obtaining an AFM (Arithmos Forologikou Mitroou), your Greek tax identification number. Apply at the local DOY (tax office) with your passport and proof of address. This is required to open a bank account, sign a rental contract, and set up utilities. Next, register with your local municipality for a residence certificate. If you are on a Digital Nomad Visa, you will also need to register with the local Aliens Bureau to receive your residence permit card. Apply for an AMKA (social security number) at a KEP (citizen service center) for healthcare access. Expect the full setup to take 3 to 6 weeks.

Moving with Family

Family members can be included on most visa applications. Digital Nomad Visa applicants must show an additional 20 percent income for a spouse and 15 percent per child above the €3,500 base requirement. Golden Visa holders can include family members (spouse, children under 21, and parents of both spouses) under the same investment. Greek public schools are free and compulsory from ages 6 to 15, with instruction in Greek. International schools in Athens and Thessaloniki charge €5,000 to €15,000 per year. Private English-language schools are also available. Childcare is affordable by European standards, with municipal nurseries (vrefonipiakoi stathmoi) offering subsidized places for working parents.

Healthcare in Greece

Greece has a public healthcare system (ESY) funded through social security contributions. Quality in public hospitals varies, with larger facilities in Athens and Thessaloniki offering good care while rural and island facilities may be limited. Workers contributing to EFKA (the unified social security fund) receive public coverage. Digital Nomad Visa and Golden Visa holders must maintain private health insurance, which costs €80 to €200 per month depending on age and coverage. Private healthcare in Greece is high quality and significantly cheaper than in Western Europe, with a specialist visit costing €40 to €80 and routine surgeries at a fraction of UK or German prices. Many expats use a combination of public and private healthcare.

Taxes in Greece

Greece taxes residents on worldwide income using a progressive scale from 9 percent (on the first €10,000) to 44 percent (on income above €40,000). However, Greece offers several attractive tax regimes for newcomers. Digital Nomad Visa holders who become Greek tax residents can access a 50 percent income tax exemption on Greek-sourced income for the first 7 years. Foreign retirees transferring their tax residence to Greece can pay a flat 7 percent rate on all foreign-source income for up to 15 years, provided they were not Greek tax residents in the previous 6 years. High-net-worth individuals can opt for a flat annual tax of €100,000 on all foreign income (the non-dom regime). Golden Visa holders who do not become tax residents in Greece are not taxed on their worldwide income. VAT is 24 percent on most goods, 13 percent on food and hotels, and 6 percent on books and pharmaceuticals.