The 7% Flat Tax
Attracting Returning Greeks
In 2020, Greece introduced a 7% flat tax on foreign-sourced income for individuals who transfer their tax residence to Greece — one of the most competitive tax regimes in Europe for internationally mobile professionals and retirees. The scheme is available for up to 15 years and applies to income earned outside Greece, including pensions, investment income, and professional fees.
The measure was designed primarily to attract returning members of the Greek diaspora — the hundreds of thousands of highly educated Greeks who left during the crisis years and built careers in London, Frankfurt, New York, and beyond. The response has exceeded expectations: thousands of individuals have transferred their tax residence to Greece under the scheme, bringing capital, skills, and international networks back to the country.
The 7% regime sits alongside a separate non-dom scheme for high-net-worth individuals, which offers a flat annual tax of €100,000 on all foreign-sourced income regardless of amount — modelled on similar schemes in Italy, Portugal, and Malta. This has attracted a smaller but significant number of ultra-high-net-worth individuals to establish Greek tax residence.
Digital Nomad Visa
Remote Workers Choose Greece
Greece's Digital Nomad Visa, introduced in 2021 and significantly expanded since, allows non-EU citizens who work remotely for employers or clients outside Greece to live in the country for up to two years, with the option to renew. The visa requires proof of sufficient income (currently €3,500 per month) and health insurance.
The scheme has been particularly popular with professionals from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia — countries with large Greek diaspora communities and a significant population of remote workers. Several Greek islands, including Paros, Naxos, and Ikaria, have actively marketed themselves as digital nomad destinations, offering co-working spaces, community events, and local support networks.
The broader impact of the Digital Nomad Visa on Greek society is a subject of active debate. Proponents argue that it brings high-spending, high-earning residents to communities that need economic diversification. Critics point to the risk of driving up rents and the cost of living in already pressured island communities.