In a world where digital nomads are increasingly common, it only makes sense that Greece would try to attract this type of traveler. But as has been the case with many countries, the Greek government is wary of letting anyone in who might not leave again. Because of this, getting a digital nomad visa for Greece is tougher than it might seem at first glance. There are some hoops to jump through and additional documents you need to have prepared before applying for the Greek Digital Nomad Visa (not to be confused with the Digital Nomad residence permit). So read on to learn everything you need to know about how to get a Greek Digital Nomad Visa and how long it will take you to process your application.
How to Apply for a Greek Digital Nomad Visa
The first thing you need to know about applying for a Greek Digital Nomad Visa is that you’ll have to apply at a Greek Embassy or Consulate. This is because you will need to provide fingerprints as part of your application process and these cannot be collected remotely. You also need to be aware that you can’t apply for a visa if you’re already in Greece. The next thing to know about applying for a Greek Digital Nomad Visa is that you’ll need to prepare a ton of documents. You’ll need to bring your original passport, a scan or a photocopy of your passport’s data page, a recent photograph, and a deposit fee (which will depend on your nationality). You’ll also need to prepare a letter explaining what you’ll be doing in Greece, how long you’ll be staying, and how much money you’ll be bringing with you. And you’ll need to have your travel itinerary ready.
Documents You Need to Get a Greek Digital Nomad Visa
As we mentioned in the section above, you need to bring a ton of documents with you when you apply for a Greek Digital Nomad Visa. You’ll also need to submit a few additional documents that show you can support yourself while in the country. These include proof of health insurance, proof of accommodation, and proof of funds. The health insurance is pretty self-explanatory, but you will need to bring a proof of insurance document that is less than one year old. The proof of accommodation can be a hotel reservation or a letter from a friend or family member who has agreed to let you stay with them. Finally, the proof of funds can be in the form of a bank statement or a letter from your employer. And it needs to be no older than three months.
How Long Does it Take to Get a Greek Digital Nomad Visa?
The short answer to this question is that there’s no way of knowing. The long answer is that you can expect a visa application to take anywhere between two and six months. So you should start your application process as early in the year as you can. The application process could take up to five months, or even six if you file it at the beginning of the season. As you can see, the application process is quite long. This is because the Greek government wants to be sure that you are a legitimate applicant who is not going to stay in the country for longer than it is permitted to do so. This is only sensible, of course.
Conclusion
Getting a Greek Digital Nomad Visa is doable, but it’s not an easy process. You need to be patient, prepared to wait, and have a flexible travel itinerary. And you’ll also need to be ready to provide lots of documentation proving that you’re not a flight risk. If you can meet these requirements and if you can be ready to apply for the visa at least two months before your trip, then you should be able to get a Greek Digital Nomad Visa.
Law Office Stathaki can help you navigate this process with professional and to-the-point advice in order to get your Digital Nomad Visa. Contact us today here.