Maria
Lawyer · Corfu, Greece
- 436 cases handled · 1 in this service
- 9+ years in practice
- Speaks: English, German, Greek, Russian
- Law, National and Capodistrian University of Athens
-
4.96(35 reviews)
Self-Employed Visa in Greece
The self-employed visa for Greece, also searched as the freelance visa, is the residence route for non-EU citizens who will earn their living in Greece through their own activity or business; it starts with a national D visa and ends with a residence permit for independent economic activity. English-speaking lawyers in Greece check the plan, the funds and the file.
About Self-Employed Visa in Greece
A self-employed visa for Greece, also searched as the freelance visa or freelancer visa, is the route for non-EU citizens who want to live in Greece and work for themselves there: for Greek clients, in a trade or profession, or through their own small business. In Greek law the status is the residence permit for independent economic activity, άδεια διαμονής για ανεξάρτητη οικονομική δραστηριότητα, reached through a national D visa. Two neighbouring words cause confusion. A “business visa” for Greece is a short Schengen visa for meetings and trade fairs with no right to work or stay; and the entrepreneur or startup visa people search for is a different, investment-based category. This page is about living in Greece as a self-employed person.
Who it is for
Consultants, designers, therapists, tradespeople, teachers and other independent professionals who will invoice Greek clients, and founders of a small company who will run it from Greece. If all the clients and employers stay abroad, the digital nomad visa is the fit; if a Greek company offers a job, the work visa or, for highly qualified posts, the EU Blue Card.
How the route works in Greece
The applicant presents, at the Greek consulate for the country of residence, a business plan that explains the activity, its market and the money behind it, proof of funds to start and to live on, qualifications, health insurance and a criminal record certificate. The consulate forwards the plan for assessment and decides on the D visa. After entry the residence permit is requested from the Ministry of Migration and Asylum, and the activity is opened with the tax authority (registration as self-employed) and the social security fund EFKA; a company goes through the business registry instead. The permit is renewed on proof that the activity is real and that tax and insurance obligations are met.
What to watch for
- The migration code was rewritten recently and amended again; the conditions for independent activity, including the funds to show, have moved more than once, so a plan drafted from an old guide may miss the mark.
- Regulated professions (health, law, engineering, education) need recognition of the foreign qualification before the activity can be opened.
- Greek social security contributions for the self-employed are due from the start, whether or not the business earns money yet.
- One Greek client who behaves like an employer can be treated as disguised employment, which is a different permit.
What a lawyer does
A lawyer tests whether the independent-activity route is right or whether the plan is really an investment or a job, shapes the business plan to what the authorities assess, obtains the Greek tax number (AFM) and opens the activity by power of attorney, prepares the consular and ministry files, and later handles the renewal or the change to another category.
Questions and answers
Do I need a company, or can I work as a freelancer?
Both are possible. An individual registers an activity with the tax office; a company is formed through the business registry. The choice affects tax and liability, so it is made before the file is drafted.
Is the Greek business visa the same thing?
No. The business visa is a short-stay visa for business trips. It gives no right to work in Greece or to stay.
Can I start as a digital nomad and then take Greek clients?
Not on the digital nomad permit. Taking Greek clients means switching to the self-employed category, which a lawyer can prepare in advance.
Can my family join me?
Family members can follow through family reunification once the main permit is issued.
4 lawyers who provide Self-Employed Visa in Greece
Sorted by experience in this service. Write to any of them — the reply comes from the lawyer, without obligation.
-
-
Joanna
Lawyer · Thessaloniki, Greece
- 345 cases handled
- 18+ years in practice
- Speaks: English, Greek, Italian, Spanish
- Law, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki - Universidad de Salamanca Spain- International Hellenic University- University of Cologne, Germany
-
4.86(40 reviews)
-
Tonia
Accountant · Athens, Greece
- 220 cases handled
- Speaks: English, Greek
-
5.00(10 reviews)
-
Fotis
Lawyer · Mytilene, Greece
- 11 cases handled
- 6+ years in practice
- Speaks: English, Greek
- MSc in law and informatics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
Contact form · a chat with a lawyer
Talk to a lawyer about Self-Employed Visa
4 registered lawyers provide this service in Greece. Describe your situation in a short chat — what happened, where, and how to reach you. Your enquiry is reviewed and passed to a lawyer who handles exactly this kind of case, with no obligation.
We are not just a place to list a profile: we work with every lawyer individually. Each one is registered with a bar association, and their experience, languages and client reviews are shown openly on their card.
Enquiries are answered by lawyers of AdvocateAbroad. This site provides legal information, not legal advice.
- EU Blue Card
- Citizenship Application
- Ending Tax Residency (Deregistration)
- Digital Nomad Visa
- EU Citizen Registration Certificate (Residency Certificate)
- Family Reunification Visa
- Financially Independent Person (FIP) Visa
- Golden Visa
- Residency Rights after Divorce or Separation
- Visa Refusal Appeals
- Work Visa
What our clients say about our service in Greece
-
The lawyer was very helpful and knowledgeable. Most important to me, he communicated clearly and left no grey area. I appreciate how he follows up, and honestly I find the value for money very convenient. I was completely satisfied with the result.
— Mona13 Jun 2023 -
She replied extremely fast to my first inquiry, quickly arranged a meeting to go over the details, and answered all my questions. Reaching her by phone or text was easy, she was punctual, and she was fun and personable to talk to as well, with perfect English. After I had struggled for months to get this done on my own, she sorted everything out for me in record time. Anyone trying to navigate Greek bureaucracy should hire her, and I would recommend her.
— Ine06 Aug 2026 -
She is knowledgeable, approachable and very professional, with perfect English. She went over and above to find what I needed.
— Tracey21 Oct 2025 -
We are very satisfied with the lawyer's services. She did not hesitate to help us even when we were fighting against time, always looked for solutions and responded promptly to our requests, in perfect English. We recommend her from the bottom of our hearts and thank her again for everything she has done for us!
— Christine01 Sep 2023 -
The lawyer was an amazing partner and gave me all the guidance and information I needed for the very important decisions I faced. She could not have done more, and I would recommend her without hesitation.
— Virginia09 Jun 2025 -
Very understanding and answered right away.
— Ahmed18 Apr 2023 -
The whole service was very smooth, and the help I received could not have been better. The lawyer was very patient in explaining the processes and offering suitable solutions, and she was also approachable whenever I wanted to give her an update on my case.
— Asma04 Apr 2023 -
The lawyer helped a great deal and always replied promptly.
— yazzan22 Feb 2023 -
She replied quickly, was understanding and answered all my questions in great detail. Excellent assistance.
— Laziza20 Sep 2022 -
I am really happy with her. Every time I wrote she answered fast, so I never had to chase her for news of how things were going. She understood what I needed straight away and, with her perfect English, explained the parts I had not followed without making me feel stupid. She was also nice to deal with. The price was fair, and in short she got it done, so I am glad I chose her.
— Antoine03 Jul 2026 -
I cannot thank the lawyer enough for her expertise and dedication in handling my case. She was thorough and persistent and kept up good communication, in perfect English, at all times. She made a very difficult and stressful situation much easier to manage from afar. Extremely professional and knowledgeable. Highly recommended.
— Angelica09 May 2026 -
I recently worked with a lawyer who managed to get my divorce certificate within the promised timeline, even though the information I first gave was limited. From our very first contact she showed great professionalism and expertise. She was patient and understanding and took me through the process step by step, and her English was perfect, so I never had trouble following. I was truly impressed by her attention to detail and her commitment to my case. I am grateful for her dedication and support at what could have been a stressful time, and I was completely satisfied with the result. I highly recommend her to anyone who needs legal assistance. Thank you for the outstanding service!
— Yvonne08 Aug 2025