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Greece

The residence routes we hold for Greece, each requirement as its rule states it, and what a month costs in its cities. This page assesses no one.

This page describes the destination for nobody in particular. Answer a few questions and each requirement is set against your own answers, with a monthly budget for your household. Your answers stay in the address bar of your browser; nothing is stored.

Check this for your household

Country in brief

Pros

  1. Climate, islands and coast; long season.
  2. EU free movement; low cost of living outside Athens' centre.
  3. Economic recovery after the crisis years; property still cheaper than Western Europe.
  4. English widely spoken in tourism and business.
  5. Growing interest from foreign investors keeps the market liquid in Athens.

Cons

  1. Weak institutions and slow courts; property titles and permits can be messy.
  2. Low wages and a small, seasonal economy outside Athens and Thessaloniki.
  3. Public healthcare is underfunded; private insurance is the norm for newcomers.
  4. Heat and wildfire risk in summer; earthquakes.
  5. Tax compliance is burdensome; frequent rule changes.

Emigrator’s assessment, 6 October 2026. Where a point names a figure, the sourced data above governs.

Routes we hold for Greece

What each rule states, as we encoded it from the source. A money threshold that grows with the size of the household is shown for the reference household named under the costs.

EU/EEA free movement (register after three months)

Checked against the law

We read this route’s requirements in the instrument that sets them and checked every rule against it on the date shown below.

· within the limit

RequirementRule saysType
Citizen of an EU or EEA stateHolds at least one of: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czechia, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Spain, Finland, France, Greece, Croatia, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Slovenia, Slovakiathe European Union, the EEA EFTA states — 30 countries, as read on 7 September 2026Mandatory
A basis for staying beyond three monthsThis requirement can be met in more than one way:Conditional
Working or self-employed thereMust be Yes—
Comprehensive sickness insuranceMust be Yes—

What the authority states and we cannot test

Quoted in the authority’s own words rather than summarised. No rule of ours tests these.

  • διαθέτουν επαρκείς πόρους για τον εαυτό τους και τα μέλη των οικογενειών τους, σύμφωνα με την παρ. 3 του άρθρου 8 του παρόντος, ούτως ώστε να μην επιβαρύνουν κατά τη διάρκεια της περιόδου διαμονής τους το σύστημα κοινωνικής πρόνοιας της Χώρας, καθώς και πλήρη ασφαλιστική κάλυψη ασθενείας

    Our translation: they have sufficient resources for themselves and their family members, in accordance with paragraph 3 of article 8 of this decree, so as not to become a burden during the period of their residence on the country's social welfare system, as well as full sickness insurance cover — Emigrator, machine-assisted and reviewed against the source

    Stated by Υπουργείο Μετανάστευσης και Ασύλου — Προεδρικό Διάταγμα 106/2007 (ΦΕΚ Α΄ 135/21.6.2007), ελεύθερη κυκλοφορία και διαμονή στην ελληνική επικράτεια των πολιτών της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης και των μελών των οικογενειών τους, άρθρα 7 και 8, άρθρο 7 παρ. 1 (β)

Digital nomad visa and residence permit (Z.1 / I.8)

Draft — not checked by us yet

We built these rules from the country’s own sources and have not finished checking them line by line.

Never checked · limit 45 days

RequirementRule saysType
Third-country national (EU/EEA citizens use free movement)Holds none of: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czechia, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Spain, Finland, France, Greece, Croatia, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Slovenia, Slovakiathe European Union, the EEA EFTA states — 30 countries, as read on 7 September 2026Mandatory
Stable income from work performed remotely*At least €4,200 per monthMandatory
No work for an employer or client based in GreeceMust be NoMandatory
Full sickness insuranceMust be YesMandatory

What the authority states and we cannot test

Quoted in the authority’s own words rather than summarised. No rule of ours tests these.

  • εκτός των γενικών δικαιολογητικών όπως αυτά ορίζονται στην απόφαση της παρ. 8 του άρθρου 176, και τα ακόλουθα:

    Our translation: apart from the general supporting documents as defined in the decision under article 176 paragraph 8, and the following: — Emigrator, machine-assisted and reviewed against the source

    Stated by Υπουργείο Μετανάστευσης και Ασύλου — ν. 5038/2023 «Κώδικας Μετανάστευσης» (ΦΕΚ Α' 81/1-4-2023), άρθρο 68 «Ψηφιακοί νομάδες (τίτλος διαμονής «Ζ.1»)», as hosted by the ministry itself, άρθρο 68, παρ. 2

  • β) σύμβαση εργασίας ή έργου ή αποδεικτικό εργασιακής σχέσης με εργοδότη, φυσικό ή νομικό πρόσωπο, ο οποίος είναι εγκατεστημένος εκτός της ελληνικής επικράτειας, αορίστου χρόνου ή σε περίπτωση σύμβασης ορισμένου χρόνου με υπολειπόμενη διάρκεια που καλύπτει το διάστημα της χορηγούμενης εθνικής θεώρησης

    Our translation: (b) an employment or works contract, or proof of an employment relationship, with an employer — a natural or legal person — established outside Greek territory, of indefinite duration or, in the case of a fixed-term contract, with a remaining term covering the period of the national visa granted — Emigrator, machine-assisted and reviewed against the source

    Stated by Υπουργείο Μετανάστευσης και Ασύλου — ν. 5038/2023 «Κώδικας Μετανάστευσης» (ΦΕΚ Α' 81/1-4-2023), άρθρο 68 «Ψηφιακοί νομάδες (τίτλος διαμονής «Ζ.1»)», as hosted by the ministry itself, άρθρο 68, παρ. 2, περ. β–δ

  • γ) να μην θεωρούνται απειλή για τη δημόσια τάξη, τη δημόσια ασφάλεια ή τις διεθνείς σχέσεις […] Εφόσον συντρέχουν λόγοι δημόσιας τάξης και ασφάλειας, η αρμόδια υπηρεσία μπορεί να αρνηθεί τη χορήγηση ή ανανέωση της άδειας διαμονής.

    Our translation: (c) not to be considered a threat to public order, public security or international relations […] Where grounds of public order and security exist, the competent service may refuse to grant or renew the residence permit. — Emigrator, machine-assisted and reviewed against the source

    Stated by Υπουργείο Μετανάστευσης και Ασύλου — ν. 5038/2023 «Κώδικας Μετανάστευσης» (ΦΕΚ Α' 81/1-4-2023), άρθρο 8 «Γενικές προϋποθέσεις δικαιώματος διαμονής», άρθρο 8, περ. γ

  • Κατά τη διάρκεια της διαμονής τους στην Ελλάδα δεν επιτρέπεται ο/η σύζυγος ή ο/η συμβίος/α και τα μέλη της οικογένειας του συντηρούντος να παρέχουν εξαρτημένη εργασία ή να ασκούν οποιασδήποτε μορφής οικονομική δραστηριότητα στη χώρα.

    Our translation: During their stay in Greece the spouse or partner and the family members of the sponsor are not permitted to provide dependent work or to carry out economic activity of any kind in the country. — Emigrator, machine-assisted and reviewed against the source

    Stated by Υπουργείο Μετανάστευσης και Ασύλου — ν. 5038/2023 «Κώδικας Μετανάστευσης» (ΦΕΚ Α' 81/1-4-2023), άρθρο 68 «Ψηφιακοί νομάδες (τίτλος διαμονής «Ζ.1»)», as hosted by the ministry itself, άρθρο 68, παρ. 3

  • Η θεώρηση εισόδου εξετάζεται από την προξενική αρχή εντός της δικαιοδοσίας της οποίας διαμένει νομίμως ο πολίτης τρίτης χώρας … Η προξενική αρχή εξετάζει αίτηση … νομίμως παρών πολίτης τρίτης χώρας, ο οποίος όμως δεν διαμένει εντός της δικαιοδοσίας της … εφόσον ο αιτών έχει αιτιολογήσει επαρκώς την υποβολή

    Our translation: The entry visa is examined by the consular authority within whose jurisdiction the third-country national lawfully resides … The consular authority examines an application lodged by a lawfully present third-country national who does not reside within its jurisdiction … provided the applicant has sufficiently justified lodging it there. — Emigrator, machine-assisted and reviewed against the source

    Stated by Υπουργείο Μετανάστευσης και Ασύλου — ν. 5038/2023 «Κώδικας Μετανάστευσης» (ΦΕΚ Α' 81/1-4-2023), άρθρο 68 «Ψηφιακοί νομάδες (τίτλος διαμονής «Ζ.1»)», as hosted by the ministry itself, ν. 5038/2023, άρθρο 7 παρ. 3 (general visa provision; same PDF, not a locator the route cites)

Residence permit for people with sufficient means (type I.8)

Draft — not checked by us yet

We built these rules from the country’s own sources and have not finished checking them line by line.

Never checked · limit 45 days

RequirementRule saysType
Third-country national (EU/EEA citizens use free movement)Holds none of: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czechia, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Spain, Finland, France, Greece, Croatia, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Slovenia, Slovakiathe European Union, the EEA EFTA states — 30 countries, as read on 7 September 2026Mandatory
Stable income covering living costs*At least €4,200 per monthMandatory
No employment or economic activity in GreeceMust be NoMandatory
Full sickness insuranceMust be YesMandatory

What the authority states and we cannot test

Quoted in the authority’s own words rather than summarised. No rule of ours tests these.

  • γ) να μην θεωρούνται απειλή για τη δημόσια τάξη, τη δημόσια ασφάλεια ή τις διεθνείς σχέσεις, και να μην είναι καταχωρισμένοι ως ανεπιθύμητοι στις εθνικές βάσεις δεδομένων για σοβαρούς λόγους δημόσιας τάξης και ασφάλειας για χρονική διάρκεια πέραν της πενταετίας. […] Εφόσον συντρέχουν λόγοι δημόσιας τάξης και ασφάλειας, η αρμόδια υπηρεσία μπορεί να αρνηθεί τη χορήγηση ή ανανέωση της άδειας διαμονής.

    Our translation: (c) not to be considered a threat to public order, public security or international relations, and not to be registered as undesirable in the national databases on serious grounds of public order and security for a period exceeding five years. […] Where grounds of public order and security exist, the competent service may refuse to grant or renew the residence permit. — Emigrator, machine-assisted and reviewed against the source

    Stated by Υπουργείο Μετανάστευσης και Ασύλου — ν. 5038/2023 «Κώδικας Μετανάστευσης» (ΦΕΚ Α' 81/1-4-2023), άρθρο 8 «Γενικές προϋποθέσεις δικαιώματος διαμονής», άρθρο 8, περ. γ

  • δ) να μην αποτελούν κίνδυνο για τη δημόσια υγεία. Οι ασθένειες που μπορούν να δικαιολογήσουν άρνηση εισόδου είναι εκείνες που προβλέπονται από τον Παγκόσμιο Οργανισμό Υγείας και το ενωσιακό δίκαιο, καθώς και άλλες λοιμώδεις, μεταδοτικές ή παρασιτικές ασθένειες, οι οποίες επιβάλλουν τη λήψη μέτρων για την προστασία της δημόσιας υγείας.

    Our translation: (d) not to constitute a risk to public health. The diseases that may justify refusal of entry are those provided for by the World Health Organization and by Union law, as well as other infectious, contagious or parasitic diseases requiring measures for the protection of public health. — Emigrator, machine-assisted and reviewed against the source

    Stated by Υπουργείο Μετανάστευσης και Ασύλου — ν. 5038/2023 «Κώδικας Μετανάστευσης» (ΦΕΚ Α' 81/1-4-2023), άρθρο 8 «Γενικές προϋποθέσεις δικαιώματος διαμονής», άρθρο 8, περ. δ

  • α) να είναι κάτοχοι έγκυρου ταξιδιωτικού εγγράφου αναγνωρισμένου από την Ελλάδα, η ισχύς του οποίου εκτείνεται τουλάχιστον τρεις (3) μήνες μετά την τελευταία προβλεπόμενη ημερομηνία αναχώρησης, να περιέχει τουλάχιστον δύο (2) κενές σελίδες και να εκδόθηκε εντός της προηγούμενης δεκαετίας.

    Our translation: (a) to hold a valid travel document recognised by Greece, valid for at least three (3) months beyond the last intended departure date, containing at least two (2) blank pages and issued within the previous decade. — Emigrator, machine-assisted and reviewed against the source

    Stated by Υπουργείο Μετανάστευσης και Ασύλου — ν. 5038/2023 «Κώδικας Μετανάστευσης» (ΦΕΚ Α' 81/1-4-2023), άρθρο 8 «Γενικές προϋποθέσεις δικαιώματος διαμονής», άρθρο 8, περ. α

  • εκτός των γενικών δικαιολογητικών όπως αυτά ορίζονται στην απόφαση της παρ. 8 του άρθρου 176

    Our translation: apart from the general supporting documents as defined in the decision under article 176 paragraph 8 — Emigrator, machine-assisted and reviewed against the source

    Stated by Υπουργείο Μετανάστευσης και Ασύλου — ν. 5038/2023 «Κώδικας Μετανάστευσης» (ΦΕΚ Α' 81/1-4-2023), άρθρο 163 παρ. 8, as hosted by the ministry itself, άρθρο 176, παρ. 8

  • Η θεώρηση εισόδου εξετάζεται από την προξενική αρχή εντός της δικαιοδοσίας της οποίας διαμένει νομίμως ο πολίτης τρίτης χώρας … Η προξενική αρχή εξετάζει αίτηση … νομίμως παρών πολίτης τρίτης χώρας, ο οποίος όμως δεν διαμένει εντός της δικαιοδοσίας της … εφόσον ο αιτών έχει αιτιολογήσει επαρκώς την υποβολή

    Our translation: The entry visa is examined by the consular authority within whose jurisdiction the third-country national lawfully resides … The consular authority examines an application lodged by a lawfully present third-country national who does not reside within its jurisdiction … provided the applicant has sufficiently justified lodging it there. — Emigrator, machine-assisted and reviewed against the source

    Stated by Υπουργείο Μετανάστευσης και Ασύλου — ν. 5038/2023 «Κώδικας Μετανάστευσης» (ΦΕΚ Α' 81/1-4-2023), άρθρο 8 «Γενικές προϋποθέσεις δικαιώματος διαμονής», ν. 5038/2023, άρθρο 7 παρ. 3 (same PDF as GR-N5038-2023-ART8 / -ART163; not a cited locator)

A month here, for a reference household

Reference household: two adults aged 38 and 37, a one-bedroom home, no children.

Residence fees and health cover are those of EU/EEA free movement (register after three months). The low, middle and high figures are the 25th, 50th and 75th percentiles where a publisher states them; each line says who published it.

illustrative Money figures on this page are illustrative unless the figure names its publisher. The illustrative ones are arranged so the shape is right — a larger flat costs more than a smaller one, and the expensive cities are the expensive ones — and they are accurate in nothing. Do not plan on them.

CityP25P50P75
AthensThis total does not include Building or service charge, Statutory levies and licences, Residence permit renewals, Domestic help and Household and leisure baseline, which nobody publishes for this city. It is the sum of what we hold, not of what the household will pay.not published€1,470not published
ChaniaThis total does not include Building or service charge, Statutory levies and licences, Residence permit renewals, Domestic help and Household and leisure baseline, which nobody publishes for this city. It is the sum of what we hold, not of what the household will pay.not published€1,140not published
ThessalonikiThis total does not include Building or service charge, Statutory levies and licences, Residence permit renewals, Domestic help and Household and leisure baseline, which nobody publishes for this city. It is the sum of what we hold, not of what the household will pay.not published€1,104not published

Its cities

Athens

Safety
98 / 100measured
Healthcare
87 / 100measured
Air quality
73 / 100measured

8 of 12 months between 10 and 26 °C

  1. Jan1297
  2. Feb13107
  3. Mar16129
  4. Apr191511
  5. May252015
  6. Jun302520
  7. Jul332823
  8. Aug322723
  9. Sept282420
  10. Oct231916
  11. Nov181512
  12. Dec14119

Each cell: average daily high, monthly mean, average daily low, in °C. These are averages of daily values over 2001–2020, not records — the hottest day is higher and is not shown.

Chania

Safety
98 / 100measured
Healthcare
87 / 100measured
Air quality
70 / 100measured

11 of 12 months between 10 and 26 °C

  1. Jan131210
  2. Feb131210
  3. Mar151311
  4. Apr181513
  5. May221916
  6. Jun262320
  7. Jul292623
  8. Aug292623
  9. Sept272421
  10. Oct232018
  11. Nov191715
  12. Dec151312

Each cell: average daily high, monthly mean, average daily low, in °C. These are averages of daily values over 2001–2020, not records — the hottest day is higher and is not shown.

Thessaloniki

Safety
98 / 100measured
Healthcare
87 / 100measured
Air quality
66 / 100measured

6 of 12 months between 10 and 26 °C

  1. Jan951
  2. Feb1162
  3. Mar1495
  4. Apr18138
  5. May241913
  6. Jun302418
  7. Jul332721
  8. Aug332721
  9. Sept272217
  10. Oct211612
  11. Nov15117
  12. Dec1063

Each cell: average daily high, monthly mean, average daily low, in °C. These are averages of daily values over 2001–2020, not records — the hottest day is higher and is not shown.

How this country is governed

World Bank Worldwide Governance Indicators, 2024, on a 0–100 scale the Bank publishes itself. They describe the country, not any city in it.

Political stability and absence of violence
68the World Bank governance score for political stability
Rule of law
62the World Bank governance score for rule of law
Control of corruption
54the World Bank governance score for control of corruption

Where this comes from

PublisherLast checked
EUR-Lex — Directive 2004/38/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 on the right of citizens of the Union and their family members to move and reside freely within the territory of the Member States. Consolidated version of 16/06/20118 September 2026
Υπουργείο Μετανάστευσης και Ασύλου — Προεδρικό Διάταγμα 106/2007 (ΦΕΚ Α΄ 135/21.6.2007), ελεύθερη κυκλοφορία και διαμονή στην ελληνική επικράτεια των πολιτών της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης και των μελών των οικογενειών τους, άρθρα 7 και 828 September 2026
EFTA Secretariat — Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No 158/2007 of 7 December 2007 amending Annex V (Free movement of workers) and Annex VIII (Right of establishment) to the EEA Agreement, incorporating Directive 2004/38/EC. Published at OJ L 124, 8.5.2008, p. 20 and EEA Supplement No 26, 8.5.2008, p. 1728 September 2026
Υπουργείο Μετανάστευσης και Ασύλου — ν. 5038/2023 «Κώδικας Μετανάστευσης» (ΦΕΚ Α' 81/1-4-2023), άρθρο 68 «Ψηφιακοί νομάδες (τίτλος διαμονής «Ζ.1»)», as hosted by the ministry itself11 September 2026
Υπουργείο Μετανάστευσης και Ασύλου — ν. 5038/2023 «Κώδικας Μετανάστευσης» (ΦΕΚ Α' 81/1-4-2023), άρθρο 8 «Γενικές προϋποθέσεις δικαιώματος διαμονής»11 September 2026
Κοινή Υπουργική Απόφαση αριθμ. οικ. 225679 (ΦΕΚ Β' 5223/17-9-2024), άρθρο 1 παρ. 1 περ. ι, final sub-paragraph on digital nomads, hosted by migration.gov.gr11 September 2026
Υπουργείο Μετανάστευσης και Ασύλου — ν. 5038/2023 «Κώδικας Μετανάστευσης» (ΦΕΚ Α' 81/1-4-2023), άρθρο 163 παρ. 8, as hosted by the ministry itself11 September 2026
Υπουργείο Μετανάστευσης και Ασύλου — ν. 5038/2023 «Κώδικας Μετανάστευσης» (ΦΕΚ Α' 81/1-4-2023), άρθρο 8 «Γενικές προϋποθέσεις δικαιώματος διαμονής»11 September 2026
Κοινή Υπουργική Απόφαση αριθμ. οικ. 225679 (ΦΕΚ Β' 5223/17-9-2024) «Καθορισμός του ύψους και του τρόπου απόδειξης διαθεσιμότητας των επαρκών πόρων…», άρθρο 1 παρ. 1 περ. ι, hosted by migration.gov.gr11 September 2026

Provenance

Rule set 1.58.0-2026-10-11 · read on 26 October 2026. Every figure on this page was computed by the engine from versioned rule files. No language model produced any number here, and translation happens only after the calculation.

Found an error or have newer information? Suggest a correction →

This is decision support, not legal advice. Confirm any route with a licensed adviser or the authority before acting.

Greece: residence routes, requirements and monthly costs — Emigrator