Move to Greece

Islands, ancient ruins and long Mediterranean evenings

Greece has a digital nomad visa and residence permit for remote workers with foreign employers or clients, and a separate permit for financially independent people.

Routes we checked
4
Digital nomad visa
Not in our data
Language
Greek
Currency
EUR
Last checked
30 October 2026

Work permitStudent visaFreelancer and self-employedInvestment and golden visa

Ways to live in Greece

These are the residence routes in Bordr's guide that we have checked against official sources. Each one links to the government page.

Programme details are shown in English.

Work permit Work permits →

EU Blue Card (EU work permit for qualified specialists)

For university-educated specialists with a skilled job offer in Greece.

What you need
A highly qualified work contract of at least one year, salary of at least 1.5 times the Greek average gross annual pay, a recognised degree or, where allowed, matching work experience, and full health cover.
How long
2 years, or the contract length plus 3 months if shorter
Renewable
Yes
How to apply
The employer applies online to the Ministry of Migration and Asylum, then you get a national visa
Family
Family members can come with you
Path to permanent residence
Yes, long-term EU residence after 5 years of legal residence

Official page

Student visa Student visas →

Student visa and residence permit

For people accepted to a Greek higher education institution.

What you need
Admission to a specific course, paid tuition where it applies, health cover and enough money to live on for the whole study period.
How long
1 year, renewable yearly; a multi-year permit matching the course is possible
Renewable
Yes
Cost
€150 for each year
How to apply
National visa at a Greek consulate, then the residence permit in Greece

Official page

Freelancer and self-employed Freelancer and self-employed visas →

Residence permit for independent economic activity

For freelancers and self-employed people who want to run their own activity in Greece.

What you need
Enough money in a recognised bank account, a business plan and proof that the activity benefits the Greek economy.
How long
2 years, renewable for the same period
Renewable
Yes
How to apply
Visa at a Greek consulate in your home country, then the residence permit in Greece before the visa expires

Official page

Investment and golden visa Investment and golden visas →

Golden Visa (residence for property investors)

A residence permit for people who buy property in Greece. It gives the right to live there but not to work as an employee.

What you need
Property worth at least €800,000 in greater Athens, greater Thessaloniki, Mykonos, Santorini and large islands, €400,000 elsewhere, or €250,000 for converting commercial buildings to homes or restoring listed buildings. Homes must be at least 120 m² and cannot be let short-term.
Savings
about $290,000
How long
5 years
Renewable
Yes
Cost
€2,000 fee plus €16 for the card
How to apply
Through the Ministry of Migration and Asylum after buying the property
Family
Family members can come with you
Path to permanent residence
Renewable every 5 years as long as you keep the property

Official page

Cost of living

Monthly amounts in US dollars.

Room in a shared flat$350
One-bedroom flat$450
Two-bedroom flat$770
Bills$130
Typical local salary$1,430

Cities to consider

Climate by month, neighbourhoods and costs for each city are in the Bordr guide.

What life is like

Programme details are shown in English.

Why people move

Fresh seafood, olive groves and countless beaches make life feel like a holiday for much of the year. Athens offers a lively, affordable capital, Thessaloniki has a strong food and student scene, and Crete and other islands suit slower living.

Day to day

Ferries and domestic flights link the islands, with buses on the mainland. Public hospitals are basic, so many rely on private clinics. Cards are widely accepted, internet is improving, and Greek helps with bureaucracy.

Trade-offs

Bureaucracy is slow and inconsistent. Summers bring heatwaves and wildfire risk, and islands empty out in winter with reduced ferries. Local wages are low.

Before you move: visa-free entry

Most people arrive as visitors first, then apply from inside the country or come back with the right visa. How long you can stay as a visitor depends on your passport:

Visa rules for every passport

Questions

Does Greece have a digital nomad visa?

Not among the routes we have checked. Remote workers usually come as visitors within the visa-free limit or use one of the other routes on this page.

How can I move to Greece?

The routes we have checked are: Work permit, Student visa, Freelancer and self-employed, Investment and golden visa.

When was this information checked?

The residence routes for Greece were last checked against official sources on 30 October 2026.

Sources and last check

Residence routes for Greece were last checked against official sources on 30 October 2026.

This page is general information, not legal or immigration advice. Requirements change; confirm with the official government page or a licensed adviser before you apply.

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