Greece Digital Nomad Visa - 8 Best Places To Stay and Work

Greece Digital Nomad Visa for non-EU / EEA citizens

Non-EU/EEA citizens who are digital nomads and wish to extend their stay in Greece beyond the 90-day Schengen tourist visa limit per 180-day period can benefit from this program. It is particularly beneficial for UK citizens who no longer have the right to stay longer than 90 days in Greece following Brexit.

Necessities:

Minimum income requirement of 3,500 euros per month for the main applicant and 20% additional for spouse/cohabitant and 15% additional for each child. So far a family of 4 this would be 5,250 euros.
The applicant is required to provide documentation proving that he/she is a dependent employee or self-employed person working remotely with employers or clients outside Greece, covering the validity period of the Digital Nomad Visa.
The digital nomad visa has a duration of up to 12 months. After that, you can apply for the digital nomad residence permit , with a validity of an additional year. This one can be renewed again for a total stay of 3 years, which is longer than most other digital nomad options in Europe, like Croatia which is only 12 months .

Apart from Greece, there are other countries that offer a digital nomad visa, and we have created a list of those countries.

Where to Apply for the Greece Digital Nomad Visa?

Currently, there is no online platform available in English that provides information on the Greece Digital Nomad Visa application process, as well as the supplementary administrative procedures for registration with the tax office and local health services. The visa fee for each candidate is 75 euros, and candidates can either apply at Greek embassies or in Greece. Upon successful application, applicants will obtain a work visa that enables them to undertake remote work in Greece.

Do I have to pay income Tax with the Greece Digital Nomad Visa?

When you become a tax resident in Greece, due to staying over 183 days in a 12 month period, you will be required to pay income tax and social security contributions with the Greece Digital Nomad Visa. However, it is uncertain how the visa with a 50% tax break will be implemented. This visa is only applicable for 12 months and the tax break is only accessible to those who agree to stay for a minimum of two years.

Up to 183 days in a 12 month period – No taxation in Greece
184 days up to 2 years – Full Greek taxation
2 years up to 7 years – 50% income and social security tax reduction, full taxation on other taxes.

Places to Live: Accommodation in Greece

Finding accommodation in any Greek city may prove difficult, which is why we’ve put together a list of options for digital nomads to consider living in, to spare them the struggle.

Co-living spaces entail a shared living arrangement where a group of individuals shares amenities such as a kitchen, bathroom, and living area. On occasion, people also opt to share bedrooms to cut costs or if alternative housing options are not available.

Please be advised that extended stays generally come with reduced prices compared to monthly rentals.

If you’re relocating with your family or values personal space, rental apartments are ideal. They typically offer short-term, flexible leases with a minimum stay of one month. Although they may be more costly than shared living spaces, they’re worth considering. You can locate available rental apartments through a variety of Facebook groups.

Airbnb has become the top preference of digital nomads in Greece due to its ability to provide a homely feeling, allowing guests to remain at ease throughout their entire stay. These accommodations are easily accessible online and can be reserved swiftly.

In Greece, if digital nomads desire a more lavish lodging experience with complimentary internet, warm showers, laundry facilities, and occasionally even breakfast, they may reserve a hotel room.

Places To Work: Coworking in Greece

The number of coworking spaces in Greece has grown recently, with these venues not only offering desks and workspaces but also fostering dynamic communities where individuals can exchange ideas, skills, and contacts. Below are some of the well-known coworking venues in the country.

The Impact Hub in Psirri, Athens offers a versatile work space for independent contractors and entrepreneurs, surrounded by trees in an idyllic courtyard setting. Additionally, they hold events such as discussions, gatherings, and film showings.

Located in Athens, Colab was the pioneering coworking space in Greece, catering to those with a focus on technology and business. Its main focus is to provide accelerator programs and workshops to jumpstart the growth and development of startups and aspiring entrepreneurs.

Thermi Link is the sole coworking establishment in Thessaloniki, providing assistance to businesses at various stages of development since its inception in 2011. Utilizing this workspace will broaden your chances of networking and partnering with esteemed experts.

Although not deemed a conventional coworking space, Camp provides an environment that fosters community and collaboration for individuals to come together and work on various projects.

Don’t lose hope if you can’t find the perfect coworking space in Greece. With the country’s reputation for great food and cafes, it’s probable that you’ll come across a spot where you can comfortably work for extended periods of time. Additionally, many of these cafes offer complimentary wifi.

One of the advantages of Greek culture is its tendency to stay up late, which means you don’t have to finish your work and leave by 7 pm. Many cafes stay open late, allowing you to schedule calls with clients in different time zones at night.

Places To Meet: Networking in Greece

The ideal spots for connecting with influential individuals and sharing entrepreneurial concepts and strategies in Greece are coworking spaces. Additionally, notable networking associations of entrepreneurs can also be found in the country, such as:

Thessaloníki WordPress Meetup, Thessaloníki
Open Coffee Heraklion, Iráklion
Athens Startups and Business Network Cluster, Athens
INNOVAThess, Thessaloníki
Hellas Business Club (Αθ?να), Athens

Besides these, numerous Facebook groups such as Work Remote in Greece or Digital Nomads Athens exist. Moreover, multiple meetups are available where remote workers and digital nomads can interact with individuals who share similar interests.

8 Popular Places for Digital Nomads In Greece

Greece boasts of plentiful hours of sunshine, a rich history spanning thousands of years, mouth-watering cuisine, and a staggering count of 227 unexplored islands. As a digital nomad, you can relish a high standard of living here, with the cost of living ranking reasonably at 39th position out of 139 countries according to Numbeo.

The country has an average fixed broadband speed of 39.08 Mbps and an average mobile network speed of 92.54 Mbps, resulting in decent internet connectivity. It is generally observed that internet speeds are faster in big cities and bigger islands, while smaller remote islands experience significantly slower speeds.

1. Athens

Athens is a great location for digital nomads, particularly during months that are not overly hot. The cost of living is cheap when compared to other Western European capitals; a budget of 1,500 euros is adequate for a comfortable stay in Athens. Tourists can enjoy a wide range of activities, such as a trip to visit the Parthenon, Erechtheion and Odeon of Hercules in Acropolis, or shopping in Ermou Street, located in the Plaka area.

Using Athens as your starting point, there are numerous Greek islands waiting to be explored, given its proximity to the port of Pireus. Additionally, Athens international airport is conveniently located nearby and provides significant connectivity to various parts of the globe.

are communal workspaces where individuals from different companies or professions work together in a shared environment. Communal workspaces, known as coworking spaces, provide a shared environment where individuals from various companies or professions can work together.

Athens has a total of 39 coworking spaces listed on coworker.com, with several popular options.

Stone Soup is located in the centre and has a daily rate starting at €12, weekly €45 and monthly €130.
Impact hub Athens , which is part of the 120 location strong Impact hub network.

2. Thessaloniki

With a population of more than 315,000, Thessaloniki holds the position of second-largest city in Greece. It boasts of exceptional cuisine, a rich historical background, picturesque coastal areas, and much more. In spite of its modern layout, Thessaloniki accommodates remarkable Byzantine landmarks. The city is also home to Aristotle University, the biggest in Greece, making it a lively and energetic student town, filled with bars and nocturnal activity.

Although Thessaloniki has its own beaches, it does not have the same level of connectivity to other Greek islands as Athens does.

3. Rhodes

Rhodes island, being among the bigger islands in Greece, has a populace of 115,000 and is a renowned tourist spot featuring the allure of its old town and numerous beaches around the island. However, during the summer months and the months preceding and succeeding it, the prices tend to skyrocket owing to the competition from tourists and seasonal workers.

During the off-season, there is a decrease in flight availability and closure of establishments; however, prices significantly decrease. Due to its sizeable population, the area never fully feels deserted. The island is actively encouraging digital nomadism, which was commended by Greece’s Minister of Tourism, Mr. Charis Theoharis.

Spaces for collaborative work

Rhodes currently lacks coworking spaces.

4. Chania, Crete

The Greek island of Crete, which is the biggest one, boasts a significant community of digital nomads who can find all they need there, whether they choose to settle in Heraklion or Chania. With excellent internet services, opportunities for water sports and hiking, diving experiences, consistent good weather, and offering the finest Greek cuisine, any digital nomad can find their ideal location in Crete. Though Chania is more geared towards tourism, it appears to be an active destination for digital nomads as well.

Even outside the peak season, the island’s ample size and sufficient flight connections make it a great destination to explore with plenty of activities available.

A shared workspace.

Located in the picturesque neighborhood of Dikastiria, Workhub Chania is a versatile coworking venue.

5. Patras

With a population of more than 165,000 residents, Patras holds the position of the third-largest city in Greece. Situated at the base of mount Panachaikon, which is topped with snow in the winter, the city offers stunning views of the Gulf of Patras. Patras boasts three universities, which attract a diverse and lively student population. In 2006, the city was bestowed the title of European capital of culture and its annual carnival, held in February, is one of the largest in Europe.

The area surrounding Patras boasts a number of historical landmarks from different periods such as Ancient Greek, Roman, and Byzantine. These include structures like the Fortress of Rio, the Roman Odeon, and the Fortress of Patras.

Patras, situated in the Peloponnese, can be reached by car in just 2 hours from Athens and its airport. Furthermore, being a port city, Patras offers ferry services to Kefalonia and Brindisi, Italy.

Spaces where individuals from different companies work alongside each other in a shared environment are known as coworking spaces.

Two coworking spaces in Patras have been listed by the coworker.

6. Rethymno, Crete

Digital nomads often choose Rethymno as a favored location. Its charming old town boasts a Venetian harbor that is bustling with eateries and watering holes. The 16th-century citadel and iconic lighthouse are some of its notable features. Additionally, the town offers several stunning beaches in close proximity.

A shared office space where individuals can work independently or collaboratively in a community setting.

It appears that the sole coworking facility available in the area is Aristea Coworking Lounge, which is situated within a hotel and comes with a fairly steep price tag of €50 per day, possibly encompassing the use of a pool.

7. Santorini

Santorini is one of those bucket list destinations with stunning white hillside villages with a backdrop of an azure blue sea. It has a volcano and a beautiful interior with traditional villages and vineyards. It is one of those islands that shows up in almost everyone’s Instagram feed. If you visit outside the summer months of June – September you will be treated to a lot quieter island and cheaper pricing.

A guy who is a long-term resident of Santorini has created a fantastic guide for digital nomads. The guide comprises a superb selection of cafes and bars where remote work can be accomplished using WiFi.

8. Mykonos

The island of Mykonos is famous for its lively party scene during the summer season. Popular beaches like Paradise and Super Paradise are accompanied by blasting music from nearby bars while huge nightclubs draw in top DJs from around the world. Although many digital nomads visit for the purpose of partying and doing minimal work, Mykonos is not an ideal destination for those looking for a longer-term stay. Nonetheless, plenty of digital nomads seek to revel for a few weeks.