Greece launched its Type-Z digital nomad visa in September 2021 and layered an aggressive tax incentive on top: new tax residents — including those arriving via the nomad visa — can apply for a 50% income tax reduction for seven years. That's one of the most generous new-resident tax regimes in the EU, better on paper than Portugal's IFICI and more accessible than Italy's impatriati scheme.
The visa itself is solid without being unusual: €4,000/month income threshold (higher than Spain or Portugal), 12-month initial term, renewable for 2 years, family-inclusive, and a path to Greek/EU citizenship after seven years of residence. The operational friction is the one weak spot — Greek consulates are chronically slow, and the post-arrival registration process at Aliens' Offices can drag.
At a glance
- Minimum income: €3,500/month (raised from €3,500 in 2024) — some consulates apply €4,000 as buffer
- Duration: 12-month visa, then 2-year residence permit, renewable
- Processing time: 10 business days statutory; realistic 3–6 months end to end
- Application fee: €75 + €150 residence permit
- Family allowed: Yes — spouse (+20% income), children under 18 (+15% each)
- Path to citizenship: 7 years legal residence + Greek-language test (A2 level)
- Tax residency trigger: 183 days in Greece
- Signature benefit: 50% income tax reduction for 7 years on Greek-source employment income
Why Greece over Portugal or Spain?
For EU-passport-seeking nomads, the real decision is Greece vs Portugal vs Spain. Greece's 50% tax reduction is the strongest incentive on paper — more aggressive than Portugal's post-NHR IFICI and comparable to Spain's Beckham Law on foreign-source income. Where Greece loses is speed (consular processing is slow), and where it wins is lifestyle and cost-of-living for nomads who prefer island/coastal living — Athens and Thessaloniki run 20–30% below Madrid or Lisbon, and the islands offer genuine seasonal retreats at Athens-level prices off-peak.
If you like the Mediterranean/Schengen base but do not need Greece's seven-year citizenship runway, the Croatia MUP application process is the lighter procedural alternative: temporary stay, no direct PR path, but a more direct MUP route and a foreign-income exemption.