English 
Français The short version
- Costa Rica has the lower entry bar: €2,760 per month versus €3,500 for Greece.
- Tax treatment differs: Costa Rica — foreign income exempt; Greece — standard resident taxation. Tax outcomes depend heavily on personal circumstances.
| Criteria | Costa Rica DNV | Greece DNV |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum income / month | €2,760 (better) | €3,500 |
| Income basis | Mixed (salary, freelance or savings) | Mixed (salary, freelance or savings) |
| Initial duration | 1 year | 1 year |
| Renewable | Yes | Yes |
| Maximum total stay | 2 years | No fixed limit |
| Path to permanent residence | No | Indirect (switch required) |
| Path to citizenship | No | Via permanent residence |
| Family inclusion | Yes | Yes |
| Working for local clients | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| Tax treatment | Foreign income exempt (Ley 10008 incentivos fiscales) | Standard resident taxation |
| Health insurance | Required (explicit), min. €46,000 | Required (explicit) |
| Insurance duration required | Full visa period | Full visa period |
| Application fee | ≈ €92 | ≈ €75 (better) |
| Where to apply | Online, Embassy / consulate | Embassy / consulate |
| Processing time | 2–3 weeks | 1.5 weeks |
Green values mark the objectively better number in that row.
Full guide
Costa Rica DNV →
Requirements, application steps, insurance and sources.
Full guide
Greece DNV →
Requirements, application steps, insurance and sources.
Don't forget insurance
Both programs have their own health-insurance rules — we match plans against each one's published requirement, with the evidence shown.
Sources
- Government Nómadas Digitales — Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Official gazette Reglamento Ley 10008 — Decreto Ejecutivo N.º 43619 (texto completo, SCIJ/La Gaceta) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Official gazette Ley N.º 10008 — texto completo (estancia de un año prorrogable) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Government Digital Nomad Visa - Hellenic Republic, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (pointer page to workfromgreece.gr) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-10
- Government Work From Greece (official state portal) - FAQs: visa, income EUR 3,500 +20%/+15%, healthcare/insurance, tax (180-day wording), permit renewal (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-10
- Official gazette Migration Code, Law 5038/2023, Gazette A' 81/01.04.2023 - Art. 68 (digital nomads Z.1, EUR 3,500/month, +20%/+15%), Art. 8(e) (insurance), Art. 12(7) original in-country route, Art. 163(8) (I.8 permit) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-10
- Official gazette Migration Code, Law 5038/2023 - Art. 68(2)(st): EUR 75 visa fee; Art. 68(2): 10-day consular response; Art. 171(1)(h): EUR 1,000 I.8 permit fee (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-10
- Official gazette Law 5275/2026, Gazette A' 17/06.02.2026 - Art. 13 repealing Art. 12(7) Migration Code (in-country route); Art. 12 (3-month late-renewal grace, EUR 100/month fine); commencement from publication (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-10
- Official gazette JMD (KYA) oik. 225679 on sufficient resources under L.5038/2023 - EUR 3,500/month for Art. 68(1)/Art. 163(8) digital nomads, +20% spouse, +15% per child, monthly or annual assessment (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-10
- Embassy Embassy of Greece in Islamabad - National Visas (updated 23 Dec 2025): general supporting documents incl. travel insurance with validity equal to the visa requested (MD F3497.3/Ap24245/2014) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-10
- Government AADE (Independent Authority for Public Revenue) - Tax residence for natural persons (Art. 4 ITC: >183 days cumulatively in any 12-month period; 365-day touristic/medical exception) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-10
- Law firm Zepos & Yannopoulos (11 Feb 2026) - New Immigration Law 5275/2026: digital nomads (Z.1) now require D visa, C-visa/visa-waiver route abolished; 3-month grace, EUR 100/month late fee (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-10
- Law firm EY Greece Law Alert - Law 5275/2026 immigration code amendments (3-month late-renewal window, EUR 100/month fine; no digital-nomad-specific commentary) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-10
- Government Ministry of Migration and Asylum - legislation index confirming Law 4825/2021 (Gazette 157 A'/4.09.2021, attraction of investors and digital nomads) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-10