Greece: Digital Nomad Visa Now Available
September 27, 2021
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At a Glance
- Greece now offers a one-year (renewable) Digital Nomad Visa for foreign nationals who are working remotely and are self-employed or employed by a company outside Greece.
- Applicants must generate a sufficient minimum income according to government regulations and cannot perform work or services in Greece.
- Digital nomads now have access to an immigration status in Greece, where no such option previously existed.
The situation
Greece now offers a one-year Digital Nomad visa for foreign nationals seeking to reside in Greece while continuing to work on behalf of their home employer via telecommunication tools.
A closer look
Details of the new immigration route include the following:
| TOPIC | DETAILS |
Permitted activities |
Applicants can perform the following activities under a Digital Nomad Visa:
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Key eligibility requirements |
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Permit validity |
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Other permit details |
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Impact
Digital nomads now have access to an immigration status in Greece, where no such option previously existed. The three-year potential stay is considerably longer than most digital nomad options in Europe. Interested employers benefit from being able to offer their employees flexible residence choices.
Background
- Remote work visa warning. In countries where remote work is unregulated, workers and employers may unknowingly put themselves at risk of noncompliance with many aspects of the law, exposing them to possible fines or other penalties, depending on the country. Importantly, noncompliance with regulations could result in employers losing their rights to hire foreign labor. Additionally, this type of work arrangement may have employment or tax law impacts. It will become increasingly important as such policies are developed (and in many countries where remote work is unregulated) for employers to analyze strategies and assess risks associated with implementing and/or continuing remote work policies with a trusted immigration partner.
- Current programs in Europe. European countries that offer Digital Nomad or Remote Work visa options include Croatia, Estonia (which was the first country in the world to offer this type of visa), Georgia, Malta, and Iceland. Romania is expected to implement a remote work visa program in the near future.
Looking ahead
As the non-traditional workforce grows and countries focus on post-COVID-19 economic remobilization, more governments will likely start to slowly adapt and update remote work policies. Fragomen will report on related developments.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].
