Greece has recently introduced an important procedural change affecting third-country nationals who wish to obtain a residence permit as digital nomads. Law 5275/2026 modifies the way in which applicants must enter the country before submitting their residence application, and in practice makes the process more structured than it was until now.
Under the previous framework, individuals who intended to reside in Greece as digital nomads had a certain degree of flexibility. They could either apply for a national visa (Type D) at the competent Greek consulate abroad and then complete the residence permit process in Greece, or they could lawfully enter the country with a short-stay visa or under a visa-free regime and submit the application for the residence permit from within Greece during their permitted period of stay. The second option was widely used, as it allowed applicants to travel to Greece, arrange accommodation, gather supporting documents locally and proceed with the residence application without first obtaining a national visa.
Law 5275/2026 abolishes this possibility. From now on, anyone wishing to obtain a Digital Nomad residence permit must first be issued a national visa (Type D) specifically for this purpose before entering Greece. Entry as a tourist or under a Schengen short-stay regime is no longer sufficient in order to submit an initial application for this category of residence permit.
This change effectively shifts the starting point of the procedure to the Greek consular authorities abroad. Applicants must now prepare a complete and properly documented file at the visa stage, including evidence of remote work, sufficient and stable income, and confirmation that their professional activity is conducted exclusively for entities or clients outside Greece. Only after entering the country with the appropriate national visa can they proceed with the issuance of the residence permit.
For prospective digital nomads, this means that timing and preparation are more important than before. Travel planning should follow, not precede, the visa approval. In practice, early assessment of eligibility and careful compilation of documentation are essential in order to avoid delays or complications at the consular stage.
Anyone considering relocation to Greece under the Digital Nomad scheme should therefore assume that prior issuance of a Type D national visa is now a mandatory step in the process. Proper legal guidance at an early stage can help ensure compliance with the new framework and a smoother transition to residence in Greece.