Greece digital nomad visa for founders: can you run your own company?
Can a founder run their own company on Greece's digital nomad visa? Yes. Article 68 of the Migration Code covers self-employed people, freelancers and employees who work remotely for employers or clients outside Greece. Its document list has a separate item for an applicant who is self-employed in their own business, asking for proof of their role and the business's name, seat and purpose, with the business located outside Greece. Freelancers must show contracts with more than one employer or client based outside Greece. Work for local clients or employers is barred. Income needed: At least €3,500 a month (net of tax if from employment), plus 20% for a spouse or partner and 15% per child, proven by the work contract or bank account statements.
Greece's digital nomad visa, from the official pages
| What | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Scheme | Translated from Greek: Greece's Migration Code (Law 5038/2023, article 68) creates the digital nomad national visa, residence title type Z.1, followed by an I.8 residence permit. | migration.gov.gr |
| Own company | Translated from Greek: the visa is for self-employed people, freelancers or employees who work remotely using IT. The document list includes a separate item for applicants self-employed in their own business located outside Greece. | migration.gov.gr |
| Local work | Translated from Greek: the work must be for employers or clients outside Greece, and applicants make a sworn commitment not to provide work, services or projects in any way to an employer based in Greece. | migration.gov.gr |
| Local work | Translated from Greek: the I.8 residence permit gives no right to dependent employment or independent economic activity of any kind in Greece, for the holder or their spouse, partner or family. | migration.gov.gr |
| Income | Translated from Greek: sufficient resources are set at €3,500 a month, proven by the employment or services contract or by a bank account. If the income is from employment, the figure is net of tax in the country where the work is done. | migration.gov.gr |
| Family | Translated from Greek: the income requirement rises 20% for a spouse or partner and 15% for each child. Family members can get their own visa ending with the main holder's, but may not work or run any economic activity in Greece. | migration.gov.gr |
| Fee | Translated from Greek: the national visa fee is €75. | migration.gov.gr |
| Fee | Translated from Greek: the joint ministerial decision on required documents (Government Gazette B 1807/22.03.2024) sets a €1,000 fee for the digital nomad I.8 residence permit. | migration.gov.gr |
| Stay | Translated from Greek: the Greek consulate grants the national visa for a period of up to twelve months. | migration.gov.gr |
| Stay | Translated from Greek: while the conditions still apply, holders and their families can get a two year I.8 residence permit, applied for at the Decentralised Administration where they live before the visa expires. | migration.gov.gr |
| Processing time | Translated from Greek: you apply to the competent Greek consulate in person, by email or by registered post, and the consulate must respond within ten days of the request. | migration.gov.gr |
| Health insurance | Translated from Greek: for the I.8 residence permit, applicants provide a private health insurance contract, plus proof of accommodation (a lease, purchase contract or use agreement). | migration.gov.gr |
Questions founders ask about Greece
- Can I run my own company on the Greece digital nomad visa?
- Yes. Article 68 of the Migration Code covers self-employed people, freelancers and employees who work remotely for employers or clients outside Greece. Its document list has a separate item for an applicant who is self-employed in their own business, asking for proof of their role and the business's name, seat and purpose, with the business located outside Greece. Freelancers must show contracts with more than one employer or client based outside Greece.
- Can I work for clients in Greece on it?
- Barred. Applicants sign a declaration committing not to provide work, services or projects in any way to an employer based in Greece, and the I.8 residence permit gives no right to employment or independent economic activity of any kind in Greece, for the holder or family members.
- How much income do I need for the Greece digital nomad visa?
- At least €3,500 a month (net of tax if from employment), plus 20% for a spouse or partner and 15% per child, proven by the work contract or bank account statements.
- How much does the Greece digital nomad visa cost?
- €75 national visa fee; €1,000 fee for the I.8 residence permit. That's the government fee on the official page; translations, insurance and legal help cost extra.
- How long can I stay on the Greece digital nomad visa?
- National visa for up to 12 months; before it expires you can apply in Greece for a 2 year I.8 residence permit, renewable.
Other countries
Brazil · Colombia · Costa Rica · Croatia · Cyprus · Estonia · Hungary · Indonesia · Italy · Japan · Malaysia · Malta · Mexico · Portugal · Romania · South Korea · Spain · Thailand · United Arab Emirates
To compare the routes, read digital nomad visas for founders and tax residency for remote founders.
- Official name
- Digital nomad national visa (type Z.1) and digital nomad residence permit (type I.8), Migration Code Law 5038/2023, article 68
- Own company
- Yes
- Local clients
- Barred
- Stay
- National visa for up to 12 months; before it expires you can apply in Greece for a 2 year I.8 residence permit, renewable.
- Government fee
- €75 national visa fee; €1,000 fee for the I.8 residence permit
- Official page
- migration.gov.gr
- Checked
Visa rules, fees and income bars change, and consulates apply them differently. Check migration.gov.gr before you apply. Spotted something out of date? Tell us in the members' chat.