English 
Français The short version
- Germany grants a longer initial stay (36 months vs 12), and it is renewable.
- Only Germany offers a direct path to permanent residence on this permit.
| Criteria | Germany Freelance | Greece DNV |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum income / month | No fixed threshold | €3,500 |
| Income basis | Freelance income | Mixed (salary, freelance or savings) |
| Initial duration | 3 years (better) | 1 year |
| Renewable | Yes | Yes |
| Maximum total stay | No fixed limit | No fixed limit |
| Path to permanent residence | Yes (better) | Indirect (switch required) |
| Path to citizenship | Yes | Via permanent residence |
| Family inclusion | Yes | Yes |
| Working for local clients | Allowed | Not allowed |
| Tax treatment | Standard resident taxation | Standard resident taxation |
| Health insurance | Required (explicit) | Required (explicit) |
| Insurance duration required | Full visa period | Full visa period |
| Application fee | ≈ €100 | ≈ €75 (better) |
| Where to apply | Embassy / consulate, In country | Embassy / consulate |
| Processing time | — | 1.5 weeks |
Green values mark the objectively better number in that row.
Full guide
Germany Freelance →
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 Visa for freelance business — Make it in Germany (Federal Government) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Government Visa for self-employed business — Make it in Germany (fees, health insurance) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Official gazette Residence Act (AufenthG) §21 — official English translation (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