American woman explains why Greece is one of the 4 easiest countries to move to in Europe

Born and raised in the US to parents of Colombian and Iranian descent, she explains that she tried for over a decade to move permanently to Spain, but the limited residency options prevented her.

“Back then, my options for staying long-term seemed so limited: transferring through a company, marrying a local, or having rare skills that would qualify for a work visa,” she writes, emphasizing that none of them applied to her.

She finally made it in 2015 and now, as the founder of She Hit Refresh, she helps other women move abroad. She says that relocating to Europe is now easier thanks to digital nomad visas and the fact that some countries now allow visa applications after arrival, thus avoiding consulates and long waits. She also points out that, in addition to the financial requirements, one should calculate the possible costs of lawyers or relocation specialists.

According to her, the 4 countries in Europe that allow visa management after arrival are Spain, Greece, the Netherlands and Albania.

“If I ever decided to move, I would move to Greece”

About Greece, Tabibian writes:

“Greece is not only a popular holiday destination, but also an attractive place for remote workers looking for Mediterranean sunshine, a more relaxed pace and a lower cost of living. If I ever decided to move, I would move to Greece. What most people don’t realize is that Greece offers two separate options for remote workers: a digital nomad visa and a digital nomad residence permit. You must apply for the digital nomad visa, which grants a one-year stay, from your home country. But you can apply for the digital nomad residence permit, which is valid for two years, once you are in Greece. You will need to provide proof of a monthly income of at least €3,500, health insurance, and a lease or property ownership contract.”

Tabibian also quoted Kathleen O’Donnell, a 40-year-old who moved from Boston to Athens in 2022 and opted for a residence permit. “It was such a relief not to have to fly back to the US to apply,” she said on the Tabibian podcast. “The process took time, but it was worth it for the flexibility,” O’Donnell continued, who hired a lawyer to help her, which “made the process much less stressful.”