Moving to Greece: taxes, residence and life
How to become tax resident in Greece: personal, dividend and corporate tax, 10 residence programmes, days needed, climate, safety and economy — compared with 194 countries.
Taxes
In Greece the top income tax rate is 44%, dividends are taxed at up to 5% and companies pay 22% corporate tax. Newcomers may use a special regime (2%): Non-dom regime: €100,000/yr flat tax on foreign income; 7% flat for foreign pensioners.
How to move and become tax resident
You can become tax resident in Greece from arrival once you take up residence (Permanent/main residence or centre of vital interests in Greece; or 183 days (resident from first day)). The typical route is EU/EFTA free movement (Swiss citizens: register as self-sufficient): Sufficient resources + comprehensive health insurance; register within ~3 months; clean record not formally required; optional non-dom: €100k/yr flat tax on foreign income (+€20k/relative), needs €500k Greek investment There are 10 open residence programmes in Greece — see the list below.
Living there
Athens has a hot-summer Mediterranean climate with winter highs around 13.4 °C and summer highs around 33.5 °C. The economy grew +2% in 2025; the IMF forecasts 2% for 2026. Its passport opens about 162 countries without a visa in advance. Security: No fighting; Aegean disputes with Turkey; sent jets/frigates to Cyprus Mar 2026.
Key facts
| Top income tax | 44% |
|---|---|
| Dividend tax | 5% |
| Corporate tax | 22% |
| Special regime for newcomers | 2% — Non-dom regime: €100,000/yr flat tax on foreign income; 7% flat for foreign pensioners. |
| Verotuksellinen asuinpaikka | saapumisesta — Permanent/main residence or centre of vital interests in Greece; or 183 days (resident from first day) |
| Reittisi | EU/EFTA free movement (Swiss citizens: register as self-sufficient) — Sufficient resources + comprehensive health insurance; register within ~3 months; clean record not formally required; optional non-dom: €100k/yr flat tax on foreign income (+€20k/relative), needs €500k Greek investment |
| Passi | viisumivapaa tai saapuessa 162 maahan |
| Economic growth | +2% (2025), forecast 2% (2026) |
| Ilmastotyyppi | hot-summer Mediterranean · 13.4° / 33.5° (Athens) |
| Sota ja konfliktit | none — No fighting; Aegean disputes with Turkey; sent jets/frigates to Cyprus Mar 2026 |
| Kaikki luonnonuhat | 6.7/10 |
| Pankkien vakaus | 6/10 · BBB |
| Omaisuuden suoja | 6/10 |
| Lämpimät kodit talvella | 4/10 |
Residence programmes in Greece
- Golden Visa — real estate — Sijoitus CHF 235'000 · open · 2026-10
- Golden Visa — capital / financial investment — Sijoitus CHF 235'000 · open · 2026-10
- Financially Independent Persons (FIP) residence permit — Tulot / v CHF 39'480 · open · 2026-10
- Digital Nomad residence permit — Tulot / v CHF 39'480 · open · 2026-10
- Non-dom alternative taxation for HNWIs (Art. 5A ITC) — Sijoitus CHF 470'000 · open · 2026-10
- 7% flat tax for foreign pensioners (Art. 5B ITC) — specialTax · open · 2026-10
- Residence permit for investment / business activity — Sijoitus CHF 235'000 · open · 2026-10
- Work permit (salaried / EU Blue Card) — employment · open · 2026-10
- EU/EEA/Swiss free movement (registration certificate) — freeMovement · open · 2026-10
- Family Reunification — family · open · 2026-10
Plan your residence route
Frequently asked questions
How many days do I need to spend in Greece to become tax resident?
saapumisesta. Permanent/main residence or centre of vital interests in Greece; or 183 days (resident from first day) €100k lump-sum non-dom (art. 5A) needs €500k investment and non-residence 7 of 8 prior years
How much tax will I pay in Greece?
In Greece the top income tax rate is 44%, dividends are taxed at up to 5% and companies pay 22% corporate tax.
Which residence programmes does Greece offer?
Golden Visa — real estate (CHF 235'000); Golden Visa — capital / financial investment (CHF 235'000); Financially Independent Persons (FIP) residence permit; Digital Nomad residence permit; Non-dom alternative taxation for HNWIs (Art. 5A ITC) (CHF 470'000)
What is the usual way to move to Greece?
EU/EFTA free movement (Swiss citizens: register as self-sufficient). Sufficient resources + comprehensive health insurance; register within ~3 months; clean record not formally required; optional non-dom: €100k/yr flat tax on foreign income (+€20k/relative), needs €500k Greek investment
Compare with nearby countries
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