In recent years, Greece has been making a strong entry onto the map of digital nomads. The special visa (Digital Nomad Visa) introduced in 2021, improved infrastructure in major cities and islands, and local hospitality initiatives have made the country one of the most attractive options for remote workers. In the following points, the Greek company ViOS, which operates in Greece with three coworking spaces with a total capacity of 650 people, records the data and challenges.
Presence of digital nomads in Greece in recent years – Areas or cities that stand out
Greece saw a significant increase after the introduction of the Digital Nomad Visa (2021) and increased visibility after 2023. In 2022, there were approximately 595 applications from third countries for the Digital Nomad Visa. In 2021, there were only 10. Applications have been increasing every year since then as Greece has improved its institutional framework and local initiatives to attract nomads.
Focused hubs: Athens and Thessaloniki (infrastructure, international connections), Crete (Heraklion, Chania), Syros/Ermoupoli, Kalamata, and individual island communities promoting “work from” projects and local housing/work platforms (data from Global Citizen Solutions, https://www.syros.gr/, https://punta.app/digital-nomad-guides/kalamaτα)
The main characteristics and preferences of digital nomads who choose Greece: As a rule, they come from third countries (outside the EU/EEA), but there is also interest from Europeans. Their average age is around 30-40 (millennials dominate), a large percentage have a bachelor’s degree, and a significant percentage have a master’s degree. The service sectors they are active in are IT, digital marketing, design, freelancing, and remote roles in startups/scaleups. They prefer to have a fast and stable internet connection, collaborative workspaces, flexible housing solutions, a sense of community, and direct access to the natural environment, such as the sea and nature. The duration ranges from a few weeks (tourist/trial) to 6-12 months or more for those living on a visa. The visa allows a 12-month stay for non-EU/EEA nationals. (DataReportal – Global Digital Insights)
Key reasons for choosing Greece as a work destination: Key motivations include quality of life (climate, sea, culture), competitive cost of living compared to many Western cities, improved digital infrastructure in cities, easy access to islands and experiential activities such as existing digital nomad communities, coworking spaces that bring people together, events, and meetups. The nomad visa allows for legal residence, and there is an attractive tax regime.
Services or infrastructure are more important for digital nomads: The priorities for digital nomads are stable fiber/5G internet with additional backup solutions, quality coworking spaces (quiet zones, meeting rooms, events space), reliable long-term housing, support with institutional/tax issues, quick access to healthcare, and local communities. Co-working spaces with wellness/ESG certifications or WELL standards increase attractiveness. Transport infrastructure/accessibility (e.g., to airports, islands) is also important.
Differences between nomads who come for a few weeks and those who stay for months or years: Digital nomads who stay for only a few weeks often choose more touristy spots with beautiful scenery and proximity to activities. Those who stay for months or more than 6-12 months seek greater stability in accommodation, tax breaks, more comfortable coworking spaces, and perhaps co-living spaces. There is a difference in the consumption of services: long-term residents live more locally, choosing local shops, public transport, and social integration, while short-term residents are essentially more like tourists.
Challenges faced—improvements in support or policy: The main challenges faced by digital nomads are the ambiguity of tax residency and declarations for those staying more than 183 days, bureaucracy and inconsistency in the application of visas/permits, and inadequate networking/backup internet on remote islands. There is also pressure on housing prices in popular locations, the lack of reliable English-speaking service in some areas (public, health, immigration). Proposed actions include simplifying procedures (one-stop digital hub), clear tax rules or special regimes for digital nomads, investment in digital infrastructure, and targeted incentives/cooperation programs with municipalities and the private sector. Especially in the area of taxation, if someone becomes a tax resident of Greece (staying > 183 days), they must declare their global income, which poses challenges.
Examples of collaborations that have helped develop the digital nomad ecosystem: Local projects, such as “Work From Syros/Kalamata,” which bring together accommodation and services, coworking collaborations with tourism agencies for hospitality and event packages, as well as municipal initiatives for pilot infrastructure packages. The integration of WELL/ESG standards into collaborative workspaces and the promotion of well-being enhance credibility and demand. At the market level, international data show strong growth in flex offices, which favors local collaborations. For example, in addition to the usual meeting rooms equipped for video calls, ViOS, which is opening a collaborative workspace in Psychiko, offers amenities such as a gym, quiet spaces, a massage room, and even a sauna—all of which are in demand by digital nomads, who are increasingly demanding when it comes to the services they seek.
In conclusion, Greece has now gained visibility on the global map of digital nomads, with clear signs of growing demand. What happens next will depend on how steadily the infrastructure, institutional framework, and local initiatives improve, so that the country remains an attractive option for those who work remotely.
Source: cretalive.gr
