Getting an AFM From Abroad: What Non-Residents Need for a Greek Bank Account or Property Purchase

Short answer: Yes, you need an AFM (Greek tax number) before you can buy property or open an account at a Greek bank, even if you do not live in Greece. As a non-resident you can get one without flying in: through a myAADElive video call if you qualify, or by signing an authorisation at a Greek consulate or a local notary so that someone in Greece applies for you. Since 2024 a tax representative is optional, as long as you accept that the tax office contacts you directly.

Most people who search for this are in the same position. You have found an apartment in Greece, or your lawyer has told you to open a Greek account before the deed is signed, and the first thing everyone asks for is a nine-digit number you do not have yet.

This guide is for that situation: you live outside Greece and you need an AFM for one specific reason. If you are moving to Greece, our complete AFM guide covers the full setup.

1. Why the bank and the notary both ask for an AFM

The AFM is the number every Greek institution uses to identify you for tax purposes. Two places will stop you without it.

The bank. Greek banks will not open an account for an individual without an AFM. On top of it they usually ask for your passport, proof of your home address, and something that shows where your money comes from, such as a payslip or recent bank statements. Some ask for a Greek mobile number. Many will want you in a branch at least once to sign, even if the rest is done online.

The property purchase. The buyer’s AFM appears on the transfer tax declaration and on the notarial deed. In practice your lawyer will want it at the very start, before any offer becomes a preliminary contract, because nothing formal can be drafted without it. You will usually also need a Greek bank account for the purchase money, since the price is paid by traceable bank transfer. That is why the AFM comes first, then the bank account, then the deed.

What an AFM does not do: having one does not make you a Greek tax resident, and it does not on its own mean you must file a Greek tax return. Owning Greek property can create yearly obligations of its own, such as ENFIA property tax and declaring any rental income, but that comes from the property, not from the number.

2. The three routes, and which one fits you

There are three ways to get an AFM as a non-resident. Which one works depends mostly on your nationality and your paperwork, not on how far away you are.

Route A: myAADElive video call

myAADElive is the tax authority’s video service. You join a scheduled call on Microsoft Teams, show your original passport or ID on camera, and an AADE officer issues your AFM remotely. It works from anywhere in the world and is available in Greek and English.

It has limits worth knowing before you book:

• You must apply for yourself. It is for adults acting in their own name only.
• Non-EU citizens need a valid Greek residence permit that the officer can verify. If you are a US, UK, Canadian or Australian citizen buying a holiday home without a Greek permit, this route is usually closed to you.
• Interpreters are not allowed on the call.

For an EU citizen with a passport or ID card to hand, it is often the quickest route.

Route B: authorise someone in Greece, and certify your signature where you live

If myAADElive does not fit, someone in Greece applies for you: an accountant, a lawyer, or a person you trust. They need a written authorisation from you, and your signature on it must be certified. From abroad there are two ways to do that:

• At a Greek consulate or embassy. Consulates certify signatures on authorisations and solemn declarations. Appointments can take a while in busy cities, so book early.
• At a local notary, followed by an Apostille and an official translation into Greek. This takes longer and costs more, but it works in any country that is part of the Hague Apostille Convention.

Some cases need a full notarial power of attorney rather than a simple authorisation, for example when the same person will also act for you at the purchase itself. Ask whoever is handling your case which one they need before you certify anything. Certifying the wrong document means doing it all again.

Route C: at a Greek tax office in person

If you happen to be in Greece, for a viewing trip for example, you can book an appointment at a tax office (DOY) and apply there. It is free and can be quick, but appointments, opening hours and document requirements vary by office, and most of the conversation will be in Greek.

3. Documents you will usually need

Every case is a little different, but prepare these:

• Passport or national ID card, valid, and a clear copy
• Proof of your home address abroad, recent, in Latin characters (a utility bill or bank statement)
• Your parents’ full names, including your mother’s surname at birth. The Greek tax register asks for them, and people are often surprised by it
• Your foreign tax number, if your country issues one
• The certified authorisation or power of attorney, if you use Route B
• For non-EU citizens, proof of when you entered Greece may be requested. Now that the EU Entry/Exit System has replaced passport stamps, ask in advance which record the office accepts

When you send documents to a representative, send photos showing all 4 corners of each page. A cropped scan is one of the most common reasons for a rejected application.

4. Do you still need a tax representative?

For years, non-residents were told they must appoint a Greek “tax representative” to receive post from the tax office. That changed in 2024. Under AADE Decision A.1069/2024, appointing a tax representative is optional for non-residents who accept that the tax authority sends notices directly to the contact details they register. That applies to EU and non-EU citizens alike.

You may still want one. If you do not read Greek, someone has to notice when a letter from the tax office arrives and tell you what it means. The difference is that it is now your choice, not a legal requirement.

5. How long it takes from abroad

The AFM itself is issued quickly once the tax office has a complete application. What takes time is everything before that:

• A myAADElive call usually means waiting for an appointment slot.
• A consulate appointment can take days or weeks, depending on the city.
• A notary, Apostille and translation can easily add one to two weeks.

If you have a signing date for a property, work backwards from it and start the AFM first. It is the step that holds up everything else, and it is the one people leave too late.

6. Mistakes that cost non-residents time

• Certifying the wrong document. Get the exact wording from whoever will use it before you go to the consulate or notary.
• Assuming myAADElive works for everyone. Without a Greek residence permit, non-EU citizens usually cannot use it.
• Applying for the number only, then needing online access later. If you will rent the property out or file any Greek return, you will also need a TAXISnet login. Setting it up at the same time is far easier than going back for it.
• Mixing up passport number and ID or tax number. They are separate fields. When they get merged, the application is rejected.
• Leaving it until the week of the signing. From abroad, the paperwork before the application is the slow part.

Need an AFM from abroad?

We handle it in English from start to finish. We tell you which route fits your nationality and paperwork, prepare the authorisation in the right wording, check your documents before anything is certified, and a licensed Greek accountant files the application. AFM only from €69. AFM with TAXISnet and myAADE access from €99.

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Frequently asked questions

Can I buy property in Greece without an AFM? No. The buyer’s AFM is needed for the transfer tax declaration and the notarial deed, and in practice your lawyer will ask for it before drafting anything. Get it first.

Can I open a Greek bank account as a non-resident? Usually yes, but you need an AFM first, plus your passport, proof of address, and proof of where your money comes from. Many banks will ask you to visit a branch at least once.

Can I get an AFM without travelling to Greece? Yes. EU citizens can often use a myAADElive video call. Anyone can authorise a representative in Greece, with their signature certified at a Greek consulate or by a local notary with an Apostille and a Greek translation.

Is a tax representative mandatory for non-residents? Not since 2024. Under AADE Decision A.1069/2024 it is optional if you accept that the tax authority contacts you directly at your registered details. It can still be useful if you do not read Greek.

Can a US or UK citizen use myAADElive? Only with a valid Greek residence permit. Without one, the usual route is an authorisation certified at a Greek consulate or by a notary with an Apostille.

Does getting an AFM make me a Greek tax resident? No. It is a reference number. Tax residency depends on where you live and how long you spend in Greece. See our guide to the 183-day rule.

Do I need an AFM to sell a property in Greece? Yes. The seller’s AFM is on the deed too, so if you inherited or bought Greek property years ago, check that your AFM details are up to date before you sell.