Greece — Tax Guide, Residency & Cost of Living for Expats
Europe · Southern EuropeUpdated 2026
Tax Score
38/100WorldwideTax Data
Residency & Visas
Cost of Living & Quality of Life
Tax Overview
Greece applies a worldwide tax system with high progressive rates. Residents are taxed on their global income, which can represent a significant burden for high earners.
Personal Income Tax
Personal income tax in Greece ranges from 9% – 44% progressively. The top marginal rate is high by regional standards.
Corporate & Capital Gains
The corporate tax rate is 22%. Capital gains are taxed at 15%.
Indirect Taxes & Wealth
VAT/GST is 24%, high by international standards. There is no wealth tax. Inheritance tax applies.
Crypto & Digital Assets
Greece takes a standard approach to crypto taxation (score 3/5). Gains are generally treated as capital gains or ordinary income.
Residency Guide
Relocating to Greece is relatively straightforward. The country offers several residency pathways for foreigners.
Visa Options
Digital Nomad Visa: Greece offers a dedicated visa for remote workers, with processing taking approximately 2 months. Golden Visa: Available with a minimum investment of USD 400,000.
Investment Requirements
The golden visa requires a minimum investment of USD 400,000. Residency by investment requires a minimum of USD 400,000.
Path to Citizenship
The path to citizenship in Greece takes approximately 7 years — a lengthy timeline by international standards.
Practical Considerations
As a non-LATAM destination, applicants should consider potential language barriers and cultural differences. Working with a local immigration attorney and verifying apostille/legalization requirements for documents is recommended.
Also consider: Monaco, Vatican City, Andorra
Lifestyle
Greece has a moderate cost of living, with good standards at a reasonable price. It is considered a safe destination with good infrastructure.
Cost of Living
With an index of 42, Greece offers a balance between quality and price. Expenses are lower than New York City (index 100), but quality of life is high.
Safety & Infrastructure
A safety score of 7/10 indicates a generally safe environment, with normal precautions recommended. Internet speed of 60 Mbps — adequate for remote work.
Healthcare
A healthcare score of 6.5/10 indicates a decent healthcare system. Private health insurance is recommended to supplement public services.
Quality of Life
Greece has a Human Development Index of 0.893 (classification: very high). This indicates excellent standards of education, health, and living standards.
Data: 2026 · Source: pwc,numbeo,undp,ookla
Pros & Cons
Pros
- No wealth tax
- Digital nomad visa available
- Residency by investment (from USD 400,000)
- Very low cost of living (index 42)
- High safety rating (7/10)
- Very high human development (HDI 0.893)
- Excellent value: affordable and safe
Cons
- Worldwide tax system — global income taxed
- High top income tax rate (44%)
- Inheritance tax applies
- Private health insurance recommended (6.5/10)
- High VAT rate (24%)
Frequently Asked Questions
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About this guide
Researched and maintained by the TuLugar team, based in Asunción, Paraguay.
Data sourced from PwC, Numbeo, UNDP, and Ookla.
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