Though media stories are decrying investment immigration, dubbing it “the end of golden visas”, the picture couldn’t be more different. The number of applications for Greek Golden Visas grew nearly three times in the first six months of 2023 and people are increasingly looking at Digital Nomad Visas to work abroad. Indeed, more than 50 countries now have Digital Nomad Visa programmes.
The pandemic fundamentally changed the people work and perceive work. In the UK, the proportion of workers hybrid-working almost doubled in three months of 2022 between February and May; in the USA, it is predicted that 32.6 million people will work from home from 2025; and in Greece, surveys show that 67% of employees have positive/very positive to telework on a permanent basis. This demonstrates the evolving nature of work following the pandemic and the new opportunities that have opened up, including for people to work abroad.
With the rise of digital nomads – people who work remotely and travel – there are also new opportunities for people from across continents to connect both in Greece and across the world. Last year, it was reported that there are 35 million digital nomads worldwide, with a global economic value of $787 billion. Indeed, a recent 2023 survey conducted showed that Greece was in the top 15 most popular destinations for digital nomads, with a 5850% increase in the number of people choosing Greece as a destination between 2021 and 2022. This has paved the way for new cross-cultural opportunities to be harnessed.
Groups on social media have helped people from across the world learn more about their new destinations. This has allowed people to ask questions about the best neighbourhoods to stay in, the top locations to work from, opportunities for freelance work and indeed more specific questions about the visa process. Undoubtedly, the positive experience of digital nomads in Greece reflects the increasing awareness of what digital nomads are looking for. This can include appropriate workspaces, the best cafes, and the strongest Wi-Fi.
A study from the Greek thinktank Digital Nomads Observatory, titled Evaluation of the situation in Greece regarding digital nomads, found that the majority of those surveyed - close to 50% - “believe that the phenomenon of digital nomads has become very notable in our country in the last year”. Additionally, members of Nomad List, an online website that reviews locations for digital nomads and ranks them, has an 100% score for both Athens and Thessaloniki for being a location liked by their members. These members are people who have experienced first-hand what it is like living and working in their respective cities. In addition to this, Thessaloniki has become one of the top three cities in the world for digital nomads and our digital skills and infrastructure continue to receive huge investment through programmes like this.
In a globalised world, the power of social media has ensured people can remain connected and has enhanced the experience of those working remotely. Greater awareness of the needs of digital nomads has allowed businesses to adapt and that has consequently improved the experience of digital nomads in their host city. With Greece already seen as a top location for those who wish to travel and work, it seems likely that their experience will only improve as there is greater awareness of what digital nomads are and there remains opportunities for current and prospective digital nomads to ask questions and share experiences. This is clearly one of the great success stories of Greece in a globalised world.
For access to an affordable cost of living, beautiful natural surroundings, high quality food and drink and historic cultural sites whilst still being able to work, contact Georgaki and Partners Law Firm for excellent quality legal advice, making the process of obtaining a Digital Nomad Visa as smooth as it can be.