Italy wins IF…
- you want higher earning potential — avg salary €32,400 vs €18,500
- you want lower taxes — effective rate 28% vs 31% on €90k
Greece wins IF…
- your budget is tight — monthly costs from €805 vs €1,330
The real answer depends on your income, savings, and profession. Get Your Free Verdict →
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Metric |  Italy |  Greece |
|---|---|---|
| Visa Pathways | 9 | 7 |
| Cost of Living Range | €1,587 – €2,100/mo | €1,403 – €2,330/mo |
| Processing Time | 30–180 days | 30–180 days |
Visa Programs Comparison
Italy (9 pathways)
| Program | Type | Min Income |
|---|---|---|
| Nulla Osta - Subordinate Work Visa | skilled-worker | — |
| EU Blue Card (Italy) | skilled-worker | — |
| Elective Residency Visa | retirement | €31,000/yr |
| Digital Nomad Visa (Italy) | digital-nomad | €28,000/yr |
| Startup Visa (Italia Startup) | startup | — |
| Investor Visa | investor | — |
| Self-Employment Visa (Lavoro Autonomo) | self-employment | €8,500/yr |
| Family Reunification Visa | family | €6,085/yr |
| Seasonal Work Visa | seasonal | — |
Greece (7 pathways)
| Program | Type | Min Income |
|---|---|---|
| EU Blue Card | skilled-worker | €2,660/mo |
| General Employment Visa | skilled-worker | €800/mo |
| Digital Nomad Visa | digital-nomad | €3,500/mo |
| Golden Visa | investor | €33,333/yr |
| Seasonal Worker Visa | seasonal | €800/mo |
| Intra-Company Transfer | intra-company-transfer | €1,000/mo |
| Self-Employment Permit | self-employment | €1,000/mo |
Cost of Living Side-by-Side
Italy
Greece
Professions Compared
Italy
| Profession | Salary |
|---|---|
| Software Engineer | €4,133/mo |
| Data Analyst | €3,358/mo |
| Mechanical Engineer | €3,358/mo |
| Teacher | €1,808/mo |
| Doctor | €5,683/mo |
Greece
| Profession | Salary |
|---|---|
| Doctor | €3,708/mo |
| Software Engineer | €2,187/mo |
| Data Analyst | €2,187/mo |
| Cybersecurity Specialist | €2,521/mo |
| AI Engineer | €2,967/mo |
Who Should Choose Italy
- Wide choice of visa pathways (9 programs)
- High earning potential (up to €5,683/mo)
Who Should Choose Greece
- Wide choice of visa pathways (7 programs)
- Affordable cost of living (from €1,403/mo)
Find your best visa pathway
Take our free 3-minute quiz and get matched with programmes that fit your profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Italy or Greece better for immigration?
Italy has 9 visa pathways on record and Greece has 7. Which one suits you depends on your nationality, budget and family situation — the tables above show the requirements for each route, and the free quiz gives a verdict on your profile.
Which is cheaper to live in, Italy or Greece?
Italy cost of living: €1,587 – €2,100/mo. Greece: €1,403 – €2,330/mo.
Does Italy or Greece have more visa pathways?
Italy has 9 active visa pathways; Greece has 7.
Is it easier to get permanent residency in Italy or Greece?
Both countries offer PR pathways. Processing times and requirements differ. Check the visa programs comparison above.
Can I work remotely in Italy or Greece?
Both countries offer digital nomad or remote work visas.
Not sure between Italy and Greece?
Get a side-by-side comparison report matched to your profile, qualifications, and budget.
Get Your Free VerdictSources: OECD (2026), World Bank Open Data, official government immigration portals. Full methodology
← Complete Greece Emigration Guide 2026
← Complete Italy Emigration Guide 2026
Official sources
Italy
- Italy Digital Nomad / Remote Worker Visa — ambpristina.esteri.it — last re-checked 2026-06-21
- MISSIONE — constoronto.esteri.it — last re-checked 2026-06-24
- New EU Blue Card rules for highly qualified immigrants — home-affairs.ec.europa.eu — last re-checked 2026-06-24
Greece
- Greece Digital Nomad Visa — workfromgreece.gr — last re-checked 2026-06-21
- Dependent employment and provision of services or work - Initial granting under Article 15, paragraph 1 (Law 4251/14) or first renewal (change of residence purpose). — apdattikis.gov.gr — last re-checked 2026-06-24
- EU Blue Card (Law 4251/2014, art. 114) — migration.gov.gr — last re-checked 2026-06-24
Figures are compiled from official government sources and re-checked on a rolling basis. Always confirm on the official page before applying.