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The Acropolis of Athens lit up at night
The Acropolis of Athens lit up at nightPhoto: Giles Laurent · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Moving to Greece

35 ways to move to Greece in our guide: 2 working holiday visas, 1 nomad / remote-work visa, 18 investor routes, 1 pay-to-stay route, 1 business / startup route, 7 work visas, 1 student visa, 2 routes by nationality or ancestry, 2 spouse visas.

Remote workers: Digital nomad visa, €3,500+ a month ≈ $3,910. Smallest investment: Golden Visa · €250k conversion, €250k+ ≈ $279k. Checked against official sources on .

Nomad visa: income needed€3,500+ a month ≈ $3,910Digital nomad visa
Smallest investment needed€250k+ ≈ $279kGolden Visa · €250k conversion
Longest first stay5 yearsGolden Visa · €350k mutual fund

Greece offers a range of residence routes for people who can invest, work remotely, or live on their own resources. The Golden Visa programme is built around qualifying investments, while the Digital Nomad visa is for remote workers with foreign employers or clients.

Investors seeking a residence permit through a qualifying investmentRemote employees and freelancers with non-Greek employers or clientsPeople who want a base in Greece while keeping foreign-source income sourcesFamilies looking to relocate together, where the route allows dependants
Quick match

Digital nomad visa

Income needed: €3,500+ a month ≈ $3,910

Stay 1 yr, renewableRemote work onlyNeeds money in the bank
Details

Open only to citizens of certain countries or to people with family roots here. Unlike free movement, each needs an application.

For people married to, or in a partnership with, a citizen or permanent resident.

Free movement and visa-free stays · 1

Greek tax residence generally follows your permanent or principal home, habitual abode, centre of vital interests, or presence over the stated day count. Residents are taxed on worldwide income, with treaty rules applied where relevant. Special regimes exist for new residents, high-net-worth individuals and foreign pensioners, each with its own conditions and treatment of foreign-source income.

Special regime

Article 5C special taxation for new tax residents (employment or individual business)

Tax relief

Details
  • On: 50% of income from employment
  • Who: Not Greek tax resident in five of the six years before moving tax residence to Greece

New Greek tax residents who take up employment in Greece or start an individual business there pay no income tax on 50% of that Greek-source income for up to seven tax years.

Taxed on

50% of income from employment (with a Greek entity or a Greek permanent establishment of a foreign business) or from individual business activity arising in Greece; the exemption covers income tax and the solidarity contribution. Foreign-source income is not covered and follows the ordinary rules.

Who it applies to

  • Not Greek tax resident in five of the six years before moving tax residence to Greece.
  • Moves tax residence from an EU or EEA state or a state with a tax administrative-cooperation agreement with Greece.
  • Employment is performed in Greece for a Greek legal entity or the Greek permanent establishment of a foreign business, or the person starts an individual business in Greece.
  • Declares an intention to stay in Greece for at least two years.
  • Applies to the tax administration: for starts up to 2 July the same year the application is filed by the end of that year (or the next), and for later starts by the end of the following year.

Exclusions

  • Applies to the tax years from the one for which the application is filed, for seven tax years in total, with no extension.
  • Ceases from the first year in which the employment or residence conditions are no longer met.
  • Employment income from a foreign employer and other foreign-source income are outside the regime.

Days in the country

  • More than 183 days in any 12-month period · Presence in Greece for more than 183 days in total makes a person tax resident from the first day of presence (art. 4(2) ITC); the exception applies to stays of up to 365 days solely for tourism, medical or similar private purposes.

Tax residence

Tax residence follows the permanent or main home, habitual abode or centre of vital interests; presence over 183 days in any 12 months makes a person resident from the first day.

Visas

Separate from immigration status: a digital nomad or other permit does not by itself qualify, because the income must come from Greek employment or business activity.

Other taxes

Covers income tax and the solidarity contribution only; VAT and social insurance contributions are outside the regime.

Checked against official sources on Change log

Special regime

Article 5A alternative taxation for high-net-worth individuals (EUR 100,000 annual lump sum)

Tax relief

Foreign-source income: Flat lump sum EUR 100,000
Details
  • Who: Not Greek tax resident in seven of the eight years before moving tax residence to Greece
  • Limit: €100k/yr ≈ $112k

New Greek tax residents who invest at least EUR 500,000 (≈ $559,000) in Greece (or hold a Greek investor residence permit) pay a flat EUR 100,000 (≈ $112,000) a year on foreign-source income for up to 15 tax years, plus EUR 20,000 (≈ $22,300) a year per included relative.

Taxed on

Foreign-source income of the individual: an annual lump sum of EUR 100,000 (≈ $112,000) regardless of the amount earned abroad. Greek-source income is taxed under the general rules.

Who it applies to

  • Not Greek tax resident in seven of the eight years before moving tax residence to Greece.
  • Invests EUR 500,000 (≈ $559,000) or more in Greek real estate, businesses, transferable securities or shares in Greek-seated entities, personally, through a relative or through a majority-owned entity, completed within three years of the application; not required for holders of an investor residence permit under art. 16 of Law 4251/2014.
  • Applies to the tax administration, with proof that the minimum investment amount was transferred to an account at a financial institution in Greece; relatives can be added for EUR 20,000 (≈ $22,300) a year each.

Exclusions

  • Greek-source income is taxed under the general provisions.
  • Lapses and the person is taxed on worldwide income if the full lump sum is not paid in a year, or if the investment is found incomplete after three years; at least EUR 100,000 (≈ $112,000) a year stays payable for those years.

Limits

  • EUR 100,000 a year (≈ $112,000) · Lump-sum tax on foreign-source income for the main beneficiary
  • EUR 20,000 a year (≈ $22,300) · Lump-sum tax per included relative
  • EUR 500,000 (≈ $559,000) · Minimum investment in Greece

Tax residence

Requires transfer of tax residence to Greece; applies from the first tax year of the application and ends after 15 tax years with no extension.

Visas

Separate from the visa: the EUR 500,000 (≈ $559,000) investment can overlap with an investor-permit investment, and holders of an investor residence permit are exempt from the investment test, but the tax status needs its own application to the tax administration.

Other taxes

Payment of the lump sum settles all Greek tax on foreign-source income and exempts the beneficiary from Greek inheritance and gift tax on foreign-situated movable property received or passed on by succession or gift; the tax is paid in one instalment by the last working day of December. VAT, social insurance and Greek-source income follow ordinary rules.

Checked against official sources on Change log

Special regime

Article 5B alternative taxation of foreign-source income (7% flat rate for foreign pensioners)

7% tax

Foreign-source income: 7% flat on foreign-source income
Details
  • Who: Beneficiary of pension income arising abroad

Recipients of a pension arising abroad who move tax residence to Greece pay a flat 7% a year on all foreign-source income for 15 tax years.

Taxed on

All income arising abroad of a beneficiary of foreign-source pension income, taxed separately at 7% a year in one instalment by the last working day of December; this settles Greek tax on that income.

Who it applies to

  • Beneficiary of pension income arising abroad.
  • Not Greek tax resident in five of the six years before moving tax residence to Greece.
  • Moves tax residence from a state that has a tax administrative-cooperation agreement in force with Greece.
  • Applies to the tax administration; the regime starts from the next tax year after the application and runs for 15 tax years.

Exclusions

  • Ends from the year the 7% tax is not paid in full; the person is then taxed on worldwide income under the general rules.
  • Greek-source income is taxed under the general provisions.

Tax residence

Requires transfer of tax residence to Greece; runs 15 tax years from the next tax year after the application.

Visas

Not a visa: a residence permit such as type I.8 is needed separately.

Other taxes

Greek-source income, VAT and social insurance contributions follow ordinary rules; the regime does not override double tax treaties ratified by Greece.

Checked against official sources on Change log

Standard rules

Greek tax residence and ordinary income tax scale

Progressive rates

Details
  • On: Worldwide income of tax residents
  • Limit: €10k/yr ≈ $11k

Greek tax residents are taxed on worldwide income, including foreign-source income, at progressive rates from 9% to 44% (scale applied from tax year 2026); residence follows the main home, habitual abode or centre of vital interests, or presence over 183 days.

Taxed on

Worldwide income of tax residents; Greek-source income of non-residents. From tax year 2026 (Law 5246/2025), employment, pension and business income is taxed on the scale: 9% up to EUR 10,000 (≈ $11,200); 20% to EUR 20,000 (≈ $22,300); 26% to EUR 30,000 (≈ $33,500); 34% to EUR 40,000 (≈ $44,700); 39% to EUR 60,000 (≈ $67,000); 44% above EUR 60,000 (≈ $67,000). The 20% band falls to 18%, 16% or 9% with one, two or three dependent children, and the first two bands are 0% with four or more; the 26% band falls to 24%, 22%, 20% or 18% with one, two, three or four dependent children, and by 2 more points for each further child; for income up to EUR 20,000 (≈ $22,300) the first two bands are 0% up to age 25 and 9% at ages 26 to 30.

Who it applies to

  • A person is tax resident with a permanent or main home, habitual abode or centre of vital interests in Greece, or when present for more than 183 days in total in any 12 months.

Limits

  • EUR 10,000 a year (≈ $11,200) · Upper limit of the 9% band
  • EUR 20,000 a year (≈ $22,300) · Upper limit of the 20% band
  • EUR 30,000 a year (≈ $33,500) · Upper limit of the 26% band
  • EUR 40,000 a year (≈ $44,700) · Upper limit of the 34% band
  • EUR 60,000 a year (≈ $67,000) · Upper limit of the 39% band; 44% applies above this level

Days in the country

  • More than 183 days in any 12-month period · Presence in Greece for more than 183 days in total makes a person tax resident from the first day of presence.

Tax residence

Presence of more than 183 days in total in any 12-month period makes a person resident from the first day, except for stays of up to 365 days solely for tourism, medical or similar private purposes.

Visas

Immigration status does not itself decide tax residence.

Other taxes

Foreign tax paid on foreign-source income is credited up to the Greek tax on that income. VAT and social insurance contributions are separate.

Checked against official sources on Change log

Checked against official sources on Change log

Blue-domed churches of Oia above the Santorini caldera
Blue-domed churches of Oia above the Santorini calderaPhoto: Norbert Nagel · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Shipwreck Beach (Navagio) on Zakynthos from above
Shipwreck Beach (Navagio) on Zakynthos from abovePhoto: dronepicr · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Meteora monasteries on their sandstone pillars, Thessaly
Meteora monasteries on their sandstone pillars, ThessalyPhoto: Holger Uwe Schmitt · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
The Venetian lighthouse of Chania, Crete, in a stormy sea
The Venetian lighthouse of Chania, Crete, in a stormy seaPhoto: Ввласенко · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

All photo credits

Switch to later · 1
Path to permanent residence · 2
  • Citizenship · Greek citizenship by descent through registration in the municipal rolls (Code of Greek Citizenship, Law 3284/2004)
  • Citizenship · Naturalisation of expatriates of Greek origin living abroad (Article 10 of Law 3284/2004)
  1. Arrange health cover that meets the requirements for your route before or soon after arrival.
  2. Register your address with the relevant Greek authorities once you have a permanent place to stay.
  3. Keep evidence of your income, investment or remote-work arrangements ready for permit applications and renewals.
  4. For family members, confirm their permit conditions and any restrictions on work or economic activity before they arrive.

Does Greece have a working holiday visa?

Yes. Greece has 2 working holiday visas. Working Holiday · Australia is for ages 18 to 30 and gives a first stay of 1 year. Working Holiday · Canada is for ages 18 to 35 and gives a first stay of 1 year.

What is the Greece digital nomad visa income requirement in 2026?

Greece has 1 nomad or remote-work visa. Digital nomad visa asks for an income of at least EUR 3,500 a month (≈ $3,910) and gives a first stay of 1 year that can be renewed.

How much do you need to invest for residency in Greece?

Greece has 18 investor routes. Golden Visa · €350k mutual fund asks for an investment of at least EUR 350,000 (≈ $391,000) and gives a first stay of 5 years that can be renewed. Golden Visa · €350k alt. fund asks for an investment of at least EUR 350,000 (≈ $391,000) and gives a first stay of 5 years that can be renewed. Golden Visa · €500k REIC asks for an investment of at least EUR 500,000 (≈ $559,000) and gives a first stay of 5 years that can be renewed.

Can I retire or live in Greece on my savings or pension?

Greece has 1 retirement or pay-to-stay route. Independent means permit asks for an income of at least EUR 3,500 a month (≈ $3,910) and gives a first stay of 3 years that can be renewed.

Can I move to Greece by starting a business?

Greece has 1 business or startup route. Business investor permit asks for an investment of at least EUR 500,000 (≈ $559,000) and gives a first stay of 5 years that can be renewed.

What work visas does Greece offer foreigners?

Greece has 7 work visas. Blue Card gives a first stay of 3 years that can be renewed. Intra-company transfer gives a first stay of 1 year that can be renewed. There is also Researcher permit.

How do I get a student visa for Greece?

Greece has 1 student visa. It is Student permit.

Can my nationality or ancestry give me residence in Greece?

Yes. Greece has 2 routes by nationality or ancestry. There is also Greek citizenship by descent and Greek expatriate naturalisation.

Can I join my spouse or partner in Greece?

Yes. Greece has 2 spouse visas. Spouse of a citizen gives a first stay of 5 years that can be renewed. There is also Spouse of a resident.

≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated.

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Sources (2)

Official sources

  1. Law 5275/2026 (Government Gazette A 17/06.02.2026): legal migration policies, amendments to the Migration Code · Taxheaven legal text repository (Law 5275/2026) · checked 2026-10-11 · published 2026-02-06
  2. Law 5275/2026, art. 25, adding art. 79C (Talent Visa, type Z.15) to the Migration Code · Taxheaven legal text repository (Law 5275/2026) · checked 2026-10-11 · published 2026-02-06