The income threshold for the Greek tech visa is approximately €2,500 per month net income, though this figure has shifted slightly as the program matures. Verify the current threshold with the Greek consulate in your jurisdiction before applying, as these numbers do change. The visa is available to remote workers, freelancers, and entrepreneurs with proof of income—bank statements, contracts, or tax returns from the past six months are standard. Processing time is typically four to eight weeks from submission to decision, though this varies by consulate.
The EU Blue Card, which was already available to Greece, is now easier to obtain. The salary threshold for the Blue Card dropped significantly in 2024. Previously, you needed to earn roughly 1.5 times the Greek average salary to qualify; now the threshold is closer to €2,000 per month gross, depending on your field. Tech roles, engineers, and specialized professions often qualify at the lower end. The Blue Card gives you the right to work for a specific employer in Greece and comes with a pathway to permanent residence after five years of continuous legal residence. If you move to another EU country, your Blue Card is recognized across the bloc—a genuine advantage over a Greece-only visa.
The difference between the two visas matters. The tech visa is for remote workers and entrepreneurs who don't have a Greek employer. The Blue Card is for people with a job offer from a Greek company or a subsidiary of a multinational based in Greece. If you're a software developer in Berlin working for a US startup and want to move to Greece while keeping your job, the tech visa is your path. If you've landed a job at a Greek tech company or a Greek office of an international firm, the Blue Card is faster and comes with EU-wide mobility.
Family reunification under the tech visa is straightforward. Your spouse and children under 21 can join you; the process typically takes four to six weeks. You'll need to prove you have sufficient income to support them—roughly €500 to €800 per month per dependent, though again, verify this with the Greek immigration authority. Children can attend Greek public schools immediately, and many expat families use Greek schools as a bridge to learning the language.
Taxation is the other draw. Greece offers a flat 7 percent tax rate on foreign-sourced income for new residents—a policy called the Non-Domiciled Resident (NDR) status. This applies if you're not a Greek tax resident and you move to Greece on the tech visa. If you're a US citizen, you still owe US federal tax on worldwide income, but the Greek rate is a genuine reduction from what you'd pay in most Western countries. The NDR status lasts ten years. After that, you pay standard Greek income tax, which ranges from 9 to 44 percent depending on income. Consult a tax advisor in your home country before moving; the interaction between Greek tax law and your home country's rules (especially if you're American, British, or Canadian) requires careful planning.
The tech visa does not come with automatic work authorization for a Greek employer. If you want to take a job with a Greek company while on the tech visa, you'll need to switch to a work visa or Blue Card. This is a common misunderstanding. The tech visa is for remote work and self-employment only. If your circumstances change and you want to work locally, you'll need to apply for a different visa category.
Healthcare access is included. Once you register as a resident and obtain a Greek tax ID number (AFM), you're eligible for Greece's public healthcare system. Registration takes about two weeks at your local municipality office. Public healthcare is free or very low-cost, though the system is stretched and wait times for specialists can be long. Many expats purchase private health insurance as a supplement; annual premiums range from €600 to €1,500 depending on age and coverage. Dental and vision care are not covered by public insurance.
The application process is straightforward but requires documentation. You'll need a valid passport, proof of income (bank statements, contracts, or tax returns), a clean criminal record, and proof of health insurance. Some consulates also require a letter of intent explaining why you're moving to Greece. Submit your application to the Greek consulate in your home country or, in some cases, directly to the Greek immigration authority if you're already in Greece on a tourist visa. Processing time is typically four to eight weeks, but this varies by consulate.
One practical note: the tech visa is relatively new, and not all Greek consulates have fully integrated it into their systems. If your consulate tells you it doesn't exist or they can't process it, escalate to the Greek immigration authority (Υπηρεσία Μετανάστευσης) directly or contact the Greek embassy. The visa exists and is being issued; some consulates are simply slower to implement it.
Housing in Athens averages €800 to €1,200 per month for a one-bedroom apartment in central neighborhoods like Exarchia or Psyrri. Outside the city center, you can find rentals for €600 to €900. Crete and the islands are cheaper—€500 to €800 for similar space. Utilities add another €80 to €150 per month. Groceries and dining are inexpensive by Western European standards; a meal at a local taverna costs €8 to €15. The cost of living is roughly 30 to 40 percent lower than Northern Europe or major US cities.
The visa does not lead directly to permanent residence or citizenship. After five years of continuous legal residence on the tech visa, you can apply for a residence permit, which is renewable. After ten years of continuous legal residence, you become eligible for Greek citizenship by naturalization. This is a genuine pathway, but it requires you to stay in Greece and maintain your legal status throughout. If you leave for more than six months in any year, your continuous residence clock resets.
One final consideration: Greece's bureaucracy is real. Opening a bank account, registering for taxes, and obtaining a tax ID number all require in-person visits and patience. Many expats hire a local accountant or immigration consultant to handle the paperwork; expect to pay €300 to €600 for this service. It's money well spent if you want to avoid repeated trips to government offices.
Greece is not offering this visa out of generosity. The country's economy is recovering, and tech talent and remote-worker spending are genuine economic drivers. If you're considering the move, the visa is real, the process is manageable, and the cost of living is low. The weather is excellent. The food is good. The people are warm. And the bureaucracy, while frustrating, is navigable if you go in with realistic expectations and patience.
