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Schengen member · Athens · EUR

Greece

Greece's Digital Nomad and FIP visas plus a reformed Golden Visa make it a low-cost Mediterranean base with Schengen access.

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Official sources:Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs Enterprise Greece

Immigration overview

Greece rebuilt its residence offering around the Digital Nomad Visa, the Financial Independent Person visa and the reformed Golden Visa (higher property thresholds since 2024).

Economy

€230B economy: tourism, shipping (still the world's largest merchant fleet), agriculture (olives, wine), banking and increasingly tech (Athens, Thessaloniki).

Quality of life

Warm Mediterranean climate, universal EOPYY healthcare, coastal quality of life. Bureaucracy is heavy and Greek is essential outside Athens/Thessaloniki centres.

Immigration trends

The 2024 Golden Visa split property thresholds by region (€800k in Athens, Thessaloniki and top islands; €400k elsewhere). The DNV crossed 5,000 approvals in 2024.

Immigration pathways

4 routes into Greece

Remote workers earning ≥ €3,500/month

Digital Nomad Visa

1-year visa + 2-year renewable permit for foreign-employer or foreign-client work.

  • Monthly income ≥ €3,500 (+ 20% spouse, +15% per child)
  • Employment or freelance contracts with clients outside Greece
  • Health insurance
€75 visa + €150 residence permit
10–30 days at consulate; longer for family members
Official source

Retirees and passive-income earners

Financial Independent Person (FIP)

1-year renewable residence based on stable passive income.

  • Passive income ≥ €3,500/month (+15% spouse, +10% per child)
  • Health insurance
  • Accommodation in Greece
€1,000 permit fee
1–3 months

Non-EU investors buying Greek property

Golden Visa (Real Estate)

5-year renewable residence for property investment; no minimum stay requirement.

  • €800,000 property investment in Attica, Thessaloniki, Mykonos, Santorini and islands over 3,100 residents; €400,000 elsewhere (2024 rules)
  • Health insurance
€2,000 permit + notary + tax
2–6 months

Non-EU students at Greek universities

Student Residence Permit

Residence for study; 20 hrs/week work rights during term.

  • Admission letter
  • Proof of funds
€150
1–3 months

Costs

  • Long-stay national visa (D-type): €80–€120 at consulate
  • Residence permit issuance in-country: €50–€200
  • Health insurance (private for initial period): €30–€120/month
  • Apostille + sworn translation of documents: €150–€400 total

Processing times

  • National long-stay visa: 4–12 weeks at consulate (varies by post)
  • Residence permit card after arrival: 4–10 weeks
  • Family reunification: 3–9 months
  • Permanent residence application: 3–6 months
  • Naturalisation dossier: 12–36 months

Permanent residence in Greece

PR (long-term EU) after 5 years of continuous legal residence with stable income and A2 Greek.

Citizenship in Greece

Naturalisation typically requires 7 years of legal residence, B1 Greek, passing the citizenship test and integration. Dual citizenship is permitted.

Tools for your Greece application

Built to save weeks of preparation

AI eligibility checker

Match your profile to the best Greece pathway in 60 seconds.

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AI application builder

Country-specific forms, fees and explanation letters for Greece.

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AI SOP builder

Structured statements for Greece study and work applications.

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AI risk analyzer

Surface refusal risks for Greece applications and how to mitigate them.

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AI timeline planner

Week-by-week preparation plan tied to your submission date.

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Cost calculator

Government fees, biometrics, medicals and settlement funds for Greece.

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Country comparison

Compare Greece side-by-side with other Schengen members.

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Immigration roadmap

Month-by-month plan from intake to landing in Greece.

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Cover letter generator

Embassy-ready cover letter for your Greece application.

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions about Greece immigration

How much income do I need for the Greek Digital Nomad Visa?

€3,500/month gross, +20% for a spouse and +15% per dependent child.

What are the 2024 Greek Golden Visa thresholds?

€800,000 in Athens, Thessaloniki, Mykonos, Santorini and islands with 3,100+ residents; €400,000 elsewhere.

Does the Greek Golden Visa require me to live in Greece?

No — there's no minimum stay requirement, which is one reason it remains popular.

How long until I can get Greek citizenship?

7 years of legal residence, B1 Greek and passing the citizenship test.

Does Greece allow dual citizenship?

Yes — Greek law does not require renunciation of prior nationality.

Can I bring my family on the Greek FIP visa?

Yes — increase your monthly income proof by 15% for a spouse and 10% per child.

Do I need Greek to work in Greece?

For remote-first and tourism roles, not really. Greek is required for citizenship and for most local-employer roles outside tourism and international NGOs.