What the Non-Dom Regime Is

Greece introduced the Non-Dom regime in 2020 as part of a broader effort to attract foreign retirees and investors. There are two variants:

The Retiree Non-Dom (Article 5B)

Flat 7% annual tax on all foreign-sourced income. Minimum stay: at least 183 days per year in Greece (to establish tax residency). Valid for 15 years from first application.

The High-Net-Worth Individual Non-Dom (Article 5A)

Flat EUR 100,000 per year regardless of foreign income amount. Designed for ultra-high-net-worth individuals. Not the relevant regime for most Canadian retirees.

This guide covers the Retiree Non-Dom (Article 5B).

Who Qualifies

  • You must not have been a Greek tax resident for 5 of the 6 years preceding your application
  • You must transfer your tax residency to Greece (spend 183+ days per year)
  • You must be receiving a foreign pension or retirement income (broadly defined)
  • You must apply within a reasonable time after establishing Greek residency

Greek pension income is not a requirement. The 7% flat tax applies to all foreign-source income regardless of its form: pension, RRIF, investment income, and so on.

The Tax Math for Canadian Retirees

Below is a worked example using a common Canadian retiree income profile. All figures are illustrative.

Worked Example: $85,000 CAD/year in Foreign Income ($25,000 CPP/OAS + $60,000 RRIF drawdown)
Step 1 - Canadian Withholding

Under the Canada-Greece tax treaty, Canadian withholding on periodic pension and RRIF payments is 15% (periodic payments, not lump sums).

  • Canadian withholding on $85,000: $12,750 (15%)
  • Net received after Canadian withholding: $72,250
Step 2 - Greek Non-Dom Tax
  • Greek tax on $85,000 at 7%: $5,950
  • Less: credit for Canadian taxes already paid ($12,750)
  • Most treaties allow you to credit foreign taxes paid against domestic liability
  • Result: Greek tax liability ($5,950) is less than Canadian taxes already paid ($12,750)
Greek additional tax owing: potentially $0. Canadian withholding exceeds Greek Non-Dom tax.
Compare: Staying in Ontario
  • $85,000 income in Ontario: combined federal and provincial income tax approximately $19,000 to $21,000
Effective Rate Comparison
  • Under the Non-Dom regime: Canadian withholding (already paid at 15%) is your primary tax cost. Effective combined rate on foreign income: 15%
  • Ontario (same income): approximately 22 to 25% effective rate
For a retiree drawing $85,000/year, the Non-Dom structure saves approximately $7,000 to $9,000 annually in tax versus staying in Ontario. Over 15 years, that compounds materially.
Important caveat: The exact interaction of Canadian withholding with the Greek Non-Dom tax and treaty credits is complex and depends on the specific income types and treaty provisions. A Greek tax advisor with Canadian expat experience must confirm your specific situation. The above is illustrative math, not a tax opinion.

Greek Residency: How to Get There

Greece does not have a single, well-marketed passive income visa equivalent to Portugal's D7. The main pathways for non-EU retirees establishing residency are below.

Golden Visa (Investment Route)

Greece's Golden Visa requires a minimum EUR 250,000 real estate investment. The threshold has increased to EUR 400,000 in high-demand regions including Athens, Mykonos, and Santorini. This provides residency but is primarily an investment vehicle rather than a retirement-income visa.

National Visa / Long-Stay Visa (Type D)

Greece issues Type D visas for individuals who can demonstrate sufficient funds and accommodation. Typical requirements include: proof of income (EUR 2,000 per month suggested), health insurance, accommodation in Greece, and a clean criminal record.

EU Citizens' Directive Route

If you obtained EU citizenship through another member state (for example, Portuguese citizenship after five years in Portugal), you can reside in Greece under EU free movement rights without a separate visa process.

Practical note: Greece's immigration bureaucracy is slower and less transparent than Portugal's or Spain's. Working with a Greek immigration lawyer is strongly recommended before beginning any application.

The Non-Dom Application Process

  1. 1

    Transfer Tax Residency to Greece

    File with the Greek tax authority (AADE) to establish Greek tax residency. You must demonstrate 183+ days spent in Greece during the tax year.

  2. 2

    Apply for Non-Dom Status

    Submit the Non-Dom application to AADE within the same tax year you establish residency. Required documents include: proof of foreign pension or retirement income, prior country's tax residency certificate, and Greek residency documentation.

  3. 3

    Annual Renewal

    The Non-Dom status is renewed annually by paying the EUR 500 administrative fee and confirming continued eligibility. No complex reassessment is required in most years.

  4. 4

    Annual Greek Tax Return

    File a Greek tax return annually reporting your foreign-source income and applying the 7% Non-Dom rate. A local Greek accountant can handle this filing.

Greece vs Portugal vs Spain

For Canadian retirees with significant RRIF drawdown, here is how the major European regimes compare:

Regime Tax on Foreign Pension Income Years Available Annual Fixed Fee
Portugal NHR (pre-2024) 0% for qualifying pension income 10 years None
Portugal IFICI (2024+) Not applicable to retirees N/A N/A
Portugal (standard resident) Progressive 24 to 48% with treaty credit Indefinite N/A
Greece Non-Dom 7% flat + EUR 500/year 15 years EUR 500
Spain (standard resident) Progressive 19 to 47% with treaty credit Indefinite N/A

For Canadian retirees with significant RRIF drawdown (above $50,000 per year), Greece's Non-Dom at 7% (potentially offset by Canadian withholding credits) is mathematically competitive with any European destination available after the NHR ended.

Greece as a Destination

Healthcare

Greece ranks 14th globally by the WHO. Private healthcare in Athens is good quality and major international hospitals are accessible. Private clinics throughout Greece are available at low cost relative to Canada or Northern Europe.

Cost of Living

Athens, Thessaloniki, and many island communities are less expensive than Lisbon. A two-bedroom apartment in Athens rents for EUR 700 to 1,200 per month in residential areas.

Climate

Greece has a Mediterranean climate: hot, dry summers and mild winters. The islands have some of the most desirable climate profiles in Europe. Winter on Crete is mild. Summer in Athens is very hot, reaching 35 to 40 degrees in July and August.

Language

Greek is a distinct language with its own alphabet. English proficiency in Athens and tourist areas is reasonably high. Rural areas are more challenging. The language barrier is real for day-to-day life outside major centers, unlike Portugal where English is very widely spoken.

Lifestyle

Greece offers a quality of life that attracts a growing international community: Mediterranean diet, outdoor culture, deep history, and a relaxed pace. The combination of EU residency access, Non-Dom tax structure, and lifestyle quality makes it increasingly considered for Canadians researching European options.

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