VAT refund in Greece: A complete guide to tax-free shopping in Greece for tourists
Greece is just a flight away. Learn how to shop tax-free and obtain a VAT refund in cities like Athens and Santorini as a tourist.
Dreaming of working abroad? If you’re self-employed or a freelancer, all you need is an internet connection - and the world is your oyster.
Of all the places you can set up camp as a digital nomad, Greece has to be one of the most attractive. With friendly people, amazing food, a warm Mediterranean climate and thousands of beautiful islands to explore, it has something for everyone.
Greece is also a great choice for remote workers, provided you pick the right location. Crete, Athens and Thessaloniki are major digital nomad hubs, thanks to good quality internet (at least, compared to the rest of Greece) and countless places to work.
But before you can jet off on your Greek adventure, you’ll need to get your paperwork sorted.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to get a digital nomad visa for Greece. This includes info on how much this visa costs, eligibility requirements, the documents you’ll need and how long you can stay.
Greece is one of many countries which offers a digital nomad visa.
Introduced in 2021, this visa lets eligible non-EU citizens legally live and work in Greece for up to one year.1 You can only work for a company or clients located overseas though - you can’t work for a Greek employer or run a business in Greece itself.
You can bring close family members with you on this visa, including your spouse/partner and dependent children.1
To meet the Greece digital nomad visa requirements, you’ll need to have a minimum monthly income of at least €3,500 EUR (approx. £3,082 GBP) a month after taxes.1
If you’re bringing your spouse or partner with you, this increases to €4,200 EUR a month - plus €525 EUR for each of your children.1
The Greece digital nomad visa costs €75 EUR (approx. £66 GBP) per person in application fees, plus a further €150 EUR in admin fees. If you’re applying with family members, these fees apply for each person.2
Aside from the upfront application fees, there may be other costs to factor in. For example, the cost of getting travel/health insurance, or having documents translated.
You’ll need the following documents to apply for a digital nomad visa for Greece:2
If you’re bringing family members with you, you’ll also need relevant supporting documents for them too.
You can apply for the digital nomad visa for Greece through the Global Visa Center World (GVCW). This is the company that the Consular Office of the Embassy of Greece in London has outsourced visa applications to.3
Here’s how to apply, step-by-step:
While you’re waiting for your visa to be issued, you can get on with other important pre-move preparations.
For example, starting an application to open a Greek bank account, arranging accommodation and getting some euros or a suitable travel debit card ready for your first few days in Greece.
The digital nomad visa for Greece lets you stay in the country for up to 1 year.¹
Once you’re there though, you may be able to apply for a Digital Nomad Residence Permit which lasts for 2 years.1 This can also be renewed.
📚Can you keep UK bank account when moving abroad?
While you’re living and working in Greece as a digital nomad, you may need to pay taxes on your income.
There’s no specific Greece digital nomad visa tax, just income tax rules that apply to anyone considered a tax resident of the country.
If you stay in Greece for more than 180 days, you may be deemed to be a tax resident. This means that your worldwide income can be subject to income tax.4 It’s likely that this will happen if you take advantage of the full 1 year stay the digital nomad visa offers, or get the longer-term residency permit.
Those looking to move to Greece permanently may also be eligible for tax benefits and incentives aimed at attracting skilled professionals to the country.4 You’ll need to contact the local tax authorities in your area to find out more.
There’s also the issue of what income taxes are due in the UK, and the need to avoid paying tax twice on the same income.
Tax between countries can be really complicated, so it’s best to get professional advice to make sure you understand your obligations.
That’s everything you need to know about the digital nomad visa in Greece. Make sure you check for any updates to the application process or the requirements ahead of applying.
Before moving to Greece, you’re likely to have lots of costs to cover. Some of these, such as real estate costs, visa application fees and rental deposits, will need to cross borders and can get expensive because of the transfer fees and exchange rate markups.
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You can’t extend the Greece digital nomad visa, but once you’re in the country you may be able to apply for a Digital Nomad Residence Permit that lasts for 2 years.1 This is also renewable.
There is no direct route to citizenship with the Greek digital nomad visa but it could be the first step.
After applying for and renewing your residency permit, you may be able to stay for up to 5 years (including your first year on a digital nomad visa). After this time, you can apply for permanent residency - and then apply for citizenship after you’ve been a permanent resident for 2 years.5
The processing time for visa applications is around 10 working days,4 but be aware that you may not be able to get an appointment right away. There may also be delays if more information/documents or further interviews are required.
Sources used:
1. Work From Greece - visa duration, eligibility and minimum income requirements
2. Work From Greece - visa application fees and documents needed
3. Hellenic Republic - how to apply
4. Work From Greece - tax residency and benefits info and visa processing times
5. Immigrant Invest - route to citizenship
Sources last checked on date: 17-Nov-2025
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