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Perhaps Europe’s most iconic city is going against the grain in the era of overtourism.
Instead of ripping welcome mats from tourists’ feet, they are ready to embrace more despite already being a year-round hotspot for immersing yourself in the tangible history of ancient temples and open-air ruins.
With affordability across the board, easy access to endless islands and neighboring countries that are just as enticing to visit, the obvious question becomes, “Why wouldn’t anyone want to call this city their home?”
I already see an influx of remote workers from the United StatesGermany, France and several Scandinavian countries are implementing a “come on, come all” approach, while significant investment is pouring in to put the country at the top of Europe. digital nomad hub for the coming years.
Be sure to check the latest travel warnings and entry requirements before your trip.
Athena wants you To stay a while
Athena wants you.
Not to sound like Uncle Sam, but hey, that’s my name.
With the remote work craze still in full force, despite many old-school bosses trying to reinsert them, the army of laptop warriors may not have won every battle, but the war is tilting in their favor.
Some parts of Europe have had it up to their necks with digital nomads taking over their cities and driving up prices, especially Spain, where protests are common.
However, Greece is still largely affordable, with the exception of Santorini, with plenty of room to embrace more nomads living out of their backpacks.
The plan is actually to create even more space. Rather than relying on Europe’s notoriously cozy apartments to find a space to work in comfort, Athens is determined to open more workspaces in the city.
Athens leans on affordability compared to places like London, Paris and Amsterdam and knows they have an advantage in attracting more remote workers in the long run, as many are freelancers with varying monthly budgets.
According to Numbeo, rent in Athens is more than 50% cheaper than in Paris.
As cool as this legendary city is for a holiday, living here and waking up to the backdrop of the Acropolis and the gleaming Saronic Gulf, they are boldly trying to rebrand themselves as a serious digital nomad and flexible work hub, and not just a stopover between history and islands.
Requirements for digital nomads in Greece
As is the case with many digital nomad hotspots, each country has its own requirements for being an official nomad.
Some are stricter than others, but Greece is relatively simple and asks applicants to comply with the following:
- Minimum income: About $4,100 after tax and the threshold increases to $4,920 if you bring a loved one, and about $615 more per month for each additional dependent
- Proof of employment: you must be able to prove that you work remotely, or that you have concluded contracts with companies outside Greece
- Health insurance: taking out health insurance is mandatory and must be valid during your entire stay in Greece
- Criminal history: You must not have been convicted of serious crimes in your home country and you may be asked to provide a clean criminal record
- Application: Documents must be submitted to a Greek consulate or embassy in your home country before your move
- Validity period: stay for a maximum of 2 years, with the possibility of extension as long as you continue to meet the initial requirements
Besides the fact that rent is cheaper than in many major European cities, Athens also gives digital nomads plenty of reasons to stick around:
- Sunny weather: more than 300 days of sunshine per year, with mild winters and long periods of warm weather.
- Fast WiFi: A growing co-working scene offers high-speed internet and free Wi-Fi is easy to find
- Convenient transit: Metro, tram, bus and suburban rail links make it easy to get around the city without a car, and ferries make great trips to nearby islands seamless
- Tips not expected: Tipping is appreciated, but not required; Rounding up or leaving a little extra is usually enough to save you money
How safe is it to live in Athens?
Safety is perhaps the biggest selling point when it comes to mentioning a new city, especially abroad.
According to our real-time safety index, travelers score Athens’ safety at 81/100, which is pretty good.
As iconic as Athens may be, there are some rough spots. It’s not just picture-postcard streets with bougainvillea-draped tavernas and views of the Acropolis.
Keep in mind that my only visit to Athens was before the pandemic, but it is the only city in all my travels where I was arrested – and it almost completely ruined our trip.
In other words, don’t keep your passport in cargo shorts. Better yet, just don’t wear cargo shorts, guys.
Based on my own experiences and those of fellow travelers, the US Department of State last updated the Greek travel advisory in October 2025 and classified it as “Level 1: Practice normal precautions” — the lowest possible designation.
