Bank Account opening

There are currently four major banks in Greece.

• National Bank of Greece NBG (Ethniki / Εθνική) – With 1460+ ATMs and 350+ branches around Greece, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, North Macedonia, Egypt, Malta, the UK and Australia

• Piraeus Bank (Pireos / Πειραιώς) – With 1390+ ATMs and 440+ branches around Greece, Germany and Ukraine

• Eurobank With 920+ ATMs and 300+ branches around Greece, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Serbia, Luxembourg and the UK

• Alpha Bank With 860+ ATMs and 300+ branches around Greece, Luxembourg and the UK 

Further to the four main banks in Greece, several minor national banks operate such as Attica Bank – With 50+ branches all around Greece, Pancreta Bank (Pankritia / Παγκρήτια) – With 45+ branches in Crete, Athens and Milos, Optima Bank – With 25 branches, mainly in Athens and Thessaloniki and Aegean Baltic Bank.

All banks offer similar interest rates and exchange rates, which are set by the Bank of Greece. However, fees for some services (e.g. direct debit / standing order / money transfer) vary slightly between banks.  The cost of money transfers between banks may also vary. As these costs often change, it’s best to ask at the time you are planing to open your account.

Our professionals will assist you obtain and submit the below required documents for bank account opening

1. ID card or valid passport: the father’s name (and sometimes mother’s name) should appear on your ID document, if it doesn’t you will need to bring an additional official document which proves it, like your birth certificate.

2. Proof of AFM

A proof of Tax Identification Number is required. This is known in Greek as AFM / ΑΦΜ (Arithmos Forologikou Mitroou / Αριθμός Φορολογικού Μητρώου).

For people who are already in the Greek system, the 9-digit AFM is usually obtained from the income tax slip or income tax return.

If you don’t have an AFM, our team will assist you in obtaining one.

3. Proof of address and telephone number

Another document you will need to provide is proof of address. This is normally a recent utility bill or home / business premises lease contract in your name. The most common utility bills are those by the electricity / gas / water company.

You will also need to provide proof of your landline or mobile number. While a Greek mobile is not strictly necessary to open an account, it is essential for the e-banking services.

4. Documents proving your profession / current business address

Depending on the case, you may be asked to provide additional documents, such as:

• A Valid residency permit, if applicable

• A Proof of your employment status and business address, such as: Employer’s certificate / Copy of latest salary statement / Certificate of profession / Professional Identity Card / Social Insurance Institution Receipt / Copy of last pension statement etc

• A Previous bank account in your home country, showing source funds

• An official certificate from your home country’s tax office proving your tax residency before obtaining your Greek AFM (pistopoiitiko forologikis katoikias / πιστοποιητικό φορολογικής κατοικίας)

All the above should be original provided documents in Greek language. If the original documents are in another language, they should be translated and authorized with an apostille.