Conditions and procedure for the issuance of “digital nomads visa”
[manual for implementation of immigration and social integration codes and related legislation – special cases of schengen visa– case B16 – “Digital nomads visa” – November 2021]
According to what is provided in case ie’ of paragraph 1 of article 18 of Law 4251/2014, as amended and currently in force a national visa may be granted to third country nationals, who are self-employed, freelancers or employees, and work remotely using Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) whose employers or clients are located outside Greece (digital nomads). The visa is be granted following the appearance in person and an interview. This national visa is granted for a period of up to twelve (12) months, with a reference “B.16. Digital nomads’, in the related section of “OBSERVATIONS” of the visa sticker.
The consular authority is obliged to respond to the applicant within 10 days, under the condition that the following supporting documents are submitted by the applicant:
– The general supporting documents defined in sub no. Φ3497.3 / ΑΠ24245 / 2014 (Β’ 1820) Decision of the Minister of Foreign Affairs (application, valid passport with expiry date beyond 3 months ahead and two blank pages, medical certificate, travel insurance, certificate of penal record)
– A solemn declaration, stating his/her intention to reside in the country under the national entry visa for the provision of work from distance and his/her commitment not to provide in any way work or services to an employer or client based in Greece,
– Employment contract or proof of employment with an employer, individual or legal entity, that is established outside the Greek Territory, for an indefinite period or in case of a fixed-term contract with a remaining duration covering the period of the national visa or
– Employment or independent services contracts of indefinite duration or, in the case of a fixed-term, with a remaining duration covering the period of validity of the issued visa, in case the third country citizen is self-employed with more than one employer/client established outside Greece, or
– Evidence proving the status of the applicant in a company, as well as information on the name, registered office, field of activity and business purpose of such company in case the applicant is activated through a corporate vehicle of his own interest, which is outside the Greek Territory,
– Evidence that the applicant has sufficient resources, at a stable income level, to cover his/her living expenses during his stay in the country, without burdening the national social security system. The amount of sufficient resources is set at three and a half thousand (3,500) euros per month and is evidenced i) by the employment contract or the employment certificate, in case of dependent work, services or project or ii) by a bank account, according to the case id΄. If sufficient resources come from paid employment services or work, the above minimum amount refers to net income after payment of the required taxes in the country of employment. The above amount is increased by twenty percent (20%) for the spouse or cohabitant and by fifteen percent (15%) for each child. The amount of sufficient resources may be redefined by the joint ministerial decision referred to in Article 136.
The above third-country nationals may be accompanied by their family members, who are granted, upon their request, an individual visa which expires at the same time as the sponsor’s visa (Category “B.16. Digital nomads – family member”). During their stay in Greece, the spouse or partner and family members of the breadwinner are not allowed to provide dependent work or to engage in any kind of economic activity in the country.
If the above conditions for the issuance of a national entry visa continue to apply, a third-country national and his / her family members may be granted a two-year residence permit upon application before the expiry of the national visa, subject to Article 6. of L.4251 / 2014. This license does not provide the right to dependent work or independent economic activity of any kind in Greece, both for the breadwinner and for his / her spouse or partner and family members and can be renewed every two years if they continue to meet the conditions.
If the third-country national, as well as his / her family members, leave the Greek Territory and the national visa expires, both the supporter and his / her family members can apply for and receive a national entry visa again for this purpose.
Periods of absence from the country do not hinder the renewal of the residence permit, if they do not exceed six (6) months per year, applicable for the rest of par. 6 of article 21 of Law 4251/2014.
ATTENTION: By way of derogation from the above (= issuance of a national entry visa) a third country citizen, as well as his family members, who meet the conditions for the issuance of a national visa and have entered the Greek Territory either with a uniform visa or with a status visa, have the opportunity, within this period of validity, to submit to the one-stop service of the Ministry of Immigration and Asylum an application for the residence permit “Digital nomads”.
The cost for visa validation is €75, plus a state fee of €150. Same cost applies additionally for each family member.
* The information is accurate to the best of our knowledge as at the time of writing. We have no obligation to update it. We accept no responsibility against any third party who is not a client of the firm and has not signed the terms of our engagement.