Greek Tax Number & Bank Account
Obtaining a Greek tax number and opening a bank account for non-residents and foreign companies.
Greek Tax Number and Bank Account for Non-Residents
Nothing financial happens in Greece without a Greek tax number (AFM). It is required to buy property, incorporate a company, connect utilities or open a bank account, and obtaining one is the first step in almost every matter we handle for a foreign client.
For non-residents, the AFM is issued through the Tax Office for Residents Abroad and requires the appointment of a tax representative who is tax-resident in Greece. We prepare the file and, where it assists the client, take on the representative role ourselves.
Opening a bank account as a non-resident is more demanding than it is for a resident. Credit institutions apply the customer due diligence obligations of Greek anti-money-laundering legislation and require full documentation of identity, tax residence and — most importantly — the source of the funds. Incomplete or unclear source-of-funds documentation is the single most common reason an application stalls or is declined.
We prepare the file so that it meets the bank’s criteria at the first attempt: certified translations, apostilles where required, a tax residence certificate, and a coherent chain of documents evidencing where the money came from. We deal with the institution directly and respond to requests for further information as they arise.
We also advise on the surrounding matters: registration on the gov.gr digital portal and issue of TAXISnet credentials, tax residence declarations, double taxation questions under the applicable treaties, and corporate account opening for foreign companies trading in Greece.
Why Choose Our Firm
Delay here is not an administrative inconvenience. A notary appointment, a deadline under a preliminary contract or a Golden Visa application can all fail because an account did not open in time or a tax number was not issued.
We know what each institution asks for and in what form, and we file something that does not need three rounds of correction. Where the source of funds is complex — the sale of a business, an inheritance, income arising in several countries — we structure the evidence so that a compliance officer can follow it without coming back with questions.
Our Approach
We begin with the purpose: property investment, corporate activity, residency, or simply managing assets in Greece. The purpose determines the type of account and the depth of documentation the bank will expect.
Depending on the matter, we handle:
- issue of the tax number and appointment of a tax representative;
- TAXISnet credentials and gov.gr registration;
- collection, certified translation and apostille of supporting documents;
- structuring the source-of-funds file;
- selection of the institution and all correspondence with it;
- drafting the power of attorney for steps taken in your absence;
- corporate account opening for foreign legal entities.
One point we make plainly at the outset: accepting a customer remains at each bank’s discretion, and no lawyer can guarantee an account. What we can do is make sure the file is not the reason for a refusal.
Core areas of expertise
Tax Number (AFM)
Application through the Tax Office for Residents Abroad, appointment of a tax representative and assumption of that role where it assists.
Bank Account Opening
Selection of the institution, preparation of the application file and correspondence with the bank through to activation.
Source of Funds
Structuring the evidence to meet the customer due diligence obligations imposed on credit institutions under anti-money-laundering legislation.
TAXISnet & gov.gr
Issue of access credentials, registration on the digital portal and activation of the electronic notifications mailbox.
Tax Residence
Residence declarations and certificates, and double taxation questions under the applicable bilateral treaties.
Corporate Accounts
Account opening for foreign legal entities, including evidence of representation and of ultimate beneficial ownership.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a Greek tax number if I have no income in Greece?
Yes. The AFM does not by itself create a tax liability; it is simply the identifier required for any dealing with a Greek authority or bank.
You will need one to buy property, connect utilities, incorporate a company or open an account, even where no taxable income arises in Greece.
What does a tax representative actually do?
A tax representative is a person tax-resident in Greece appointed as the point of contact with the tax authority on behalf of a non-resident.
The role is essentially procedural and does not transfer your tax obligations to that person. Our firm takes on the role where it is convenient for the client to have it handled in one place.
Why does the bank want so much documentation about my money?
Credit institutions are obliged by anti-money-laundering legislation to establish the origin of funds entering an account, and the obligation is applied more strictly to non-residents.
The more complex the origin, the fuller the file needs to be. Where funds come from the sale of a business, an inheritance or income arising in several jurisdictions, we build a documentary chain that explains each stage.
Can this be done without travelling to Greece?
The tax number can be obtained remotely under a special power of attorney. For account opening, practice varies by institution: some accept representation under a power of attorney, others require attendance in person or identity verification by video call.
We confirm the position with the specific bank before you book travel, rather than after.