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🇬🇷 Greece

Visa & Residency

Greece offers multiple expat pathways. Major 2026 changes (Law 5275/2026): Digital Nomad Visa must now be applied at consulate (no in-country), new Tech Visa and Talent Visa categories, stricter documentation.

Data verified June 15, 2026

€3,500/mo

Digital Nomad Visa

Must apply at consulate (Law 5275/2026). 1yr visa → 2yr permit renewable.

€800,000

Golden Visa Tier 1

Athens, Thessaloniki, Mykonos, Santorini, islands >3,100 pop. Min 120sqm.

€400,000

Golden Visa Tier 2

All other regions. Min 120sqm. No Airbnb on GV properties.

€3,500/mo

FIP Visa (Passive Income)

+20% spouse, +15% per child. 3yr renewable.

€1,027/mo

Min Wage

Jan 2026 (+16.7% from €880)

7 years

Path to Citizenship

B1-B2 Greek + PEG exam. 3yr for EU/spouses.

Overview

Greece offers multiple expat pathways. Major 2026 changes (Law 5275/2026): Digital Nomad Visa must now be applied at consulate (no in-country), new Tech Visa and Talent Visa categories, stricter documentation. Golden Visa thresholds: €800K (Athens/Thessaloniki/Mykonos/Santorini), €400K (rest of Greece), €250K (conversions/historic buildings) — min 120sqm, Airbnb banned on GV properties. After 7 years: Greek citizenship (B1-B2 language + PEG exam).

Key Takeaways

  • EU citizens can enter and reside in Greece without any visa for any length of time
  • Minimum income requirement: €3,500 gross per month (or equivalent annually) from remote work or freelance clients outside Greece
  • Designed for non-EU nationals who wish to reside in Greece without engaging in employment in the country
  • Standard Golden Visa threshold: €800,000 for a single property in Athens municipality, Thessaloniki, Mykonos, Santorini, and islands with populations over 3,100
  • After 7 years of continuous legal residency in Greece, non-EU nationals can apply for Greek citizenship by naturalisation
1

EU / EEA Citizens — Free Movement

Citizens of EU and EEA member states have the right to live, work, and study in Greece indefinitely under EU free movement rules. No visa or permit is needed, but registration is recommended for staying longer than 3 months.

  • EU citizens can enter and reside in Greece without any visa for any length of time
  • For stays over 3 months, EU citizens should register at the local KEP (Citizens' Service Centre) to obtain an EU registration certificate
  • The EU registration certificate is not mandatory but is required for tax registration (AFM), opening bank accounts, and accessing certain services
  • EU citizens can work, run a business, buy property, and access public services on equal footing with Greek nationals
  • Family members of EU citizens (even non-EU nationals) can obtain a residence card under the same free movement directive
  • Healthcare access via EHIC card (European Health Insurance Card) is valid for temporary stays; long-term residents register with the IKA social insurance system
2

Digital Nomad Visa (Type D)

Greece's Digital Nomad Visa (officially a long-stay Type D visa with nomad endorsement) allows non-EU remote workers to live in Greece for up to 2 years. It is designed for those who work remotely for employers or clients outside Greece.

  • Minimum income requirement: €3,500 gross per month (or equivalent annually) from remote work or freelance clients outside Greece
  • Initial visa valid for 1 year; renewable for a further 1 year — maximum 2 years total on the Digital Nomad Visa
  • After 2 years, visa holders may be eligible to transition to a standard long-stay permit if they meet residency requirements
  • Applicants must not be employed by or provide services to companies based in Greece
  • Required documents: valid passport, proof of income (bank statements, employer letter or contracts), health insurance, and proof of accommodation in Greece
  • The Digital Nomad Visa does not by itself accumulate towards the 7-year citizenship timeline; time on a subsequent residence permit does count
  • Application is made at the Greek consulate or embassy in the applicant's home country before arrival
  • Dependants (spouse and children under 21) can accompany the primary applicant on the same visa category
3

Long-Stay D-Visa (Retirees & Passive Income)

The standard Greek long-stay D-Visa is the route for retirees, those with passive income, or individuals who do not qualify for the Digital Nomad Visa. It requires demonstrating sufficient financial means to support yourself without working in Greece.

  • Designed for non-EU nationals who wish to reside in Greece without engaging in employment in the country
  • No fixed minimum income threshold is specified by law, but consulates typically expect €2,000–€3,000/month in passive income (pension, investments, rental income)
  • Required documents: valid passport, bank statements (usually 3–6 months), proof of accommodation, health insurance, and a criminal background check
  • Initial D-Visa is valid for 1 year; holders then apply for a 2-year residence permit at the local Aliens Bureau (Tmima Allodapon)
  • Residence permit is renewable every 2–5 years, depending on circumstances
  • After 7 years of legal continuous residency, holders can apply for permanent residency or Greek citizenship
  • Holders of the long-stay D-Visa qualify for the 7% flat income tax regime on foreign-sourced income if they apply within 3 years of establishing tax residency in Greece
4

Golden Visa — Property Investment Route

Greece's Golden Visa is one of Europe's most popular investor residency programmes. It grants a 5-year renewable residence permit (and rights for the whole family) in exchange for a qualifying property investment — with no requirement to actually live in Greece.

  • Standard Golden Visa threshold: €800,000 for a single property in Athens municipality, Thessaloniki, Mykonos, Santorini, and islands with populations over 3,100
  • Reduced threshold: €400,000 for properties in all other areas of Greece not listed above
  • A further reduced threshold of €250,000 applies specifically to conversion of commercial properties to residential use, or properties listed as cultural monuments
  • The 5-year permit is renewable indefinitely as long as the investment is maintained
  • Golden Visa holders do not need to live in Greece — the permit is purely investment-based
  • However, only actual physical presence in Greece counts towards the 7-year citizenship requirement; Golden Visa holders who do not live there will not qualify for citizenship
  • Family members (spouse, children under 21, and the parents of both spouses) are included in the same residence permit
  • The process takes approximately 6–12 months from application to permit issuance
5

Residence Permits & Path to Citizenship

Once in Greece on any long-stay visa or residence permit, the pathway to permanent residency and Greek citizenship follows a structured timeline. Greek citizenship comes with an EU passport and the right to live and work anywhere in the European Union.

  • After 7 years of continuous legal residency in Greece, non-EU nationals can apply for Greek citizenship by naturalisation
  • Continuous residency means maintaining a valid permit and being physically present in Greece for the majority of each year
  • Applicants for citizenship must demonstrate: Greek language proficiency (A2 level minimum), knowledge of Greek history and culture, and integration into Greek society
  • A Greek passport provides visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 185+ countries including the US, UK, Canada, and Japan
  • Permanent residency (separate from citizenship) can be applied for after 5 years of continuous legal residency
  • Tax Number (AFM — Arithmos Forologikou Mitroou): required for all residents; obtained at the local tax office (AADE) with your passport and residency permit
  • AMKA (Social Security Number): required for healthcare, employment, and social benefits; obtained at KEP or IKA offices
  • Municipality registration (dimotologio): advisable for all long-term residents; needed for school enrollment and some local services

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FAQs

Common Questions — Visa & Residency in Greece

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