How to open a bank account in Greece as a UK non-resident?

Greece has so much to offer international visitors - culture, climate, cuisine, and some of the friendliest people in the world. So it’s no surprise that many people fall in love with the Mediterranean gem and choose to settle in Greece for the longer term.

If you’re thinking of moving there from the UK as an expat, you're likely to need a local bank account. But how easy is it to open a bank account in Greece?

Read on for everything you need to know, including the documents you’ll need and some of the best Greece bank accounts for expats.

We’ll also show you a smart alternative to a bank account from the money services provider Wise - the Wise account. It lets you manage your money in 40+ currencies in Greece, the UK and worldwide.

Moving to Greece and want to take your savings with you? With Wise, you can send secure and trackable large amount transfers to Greece and 160+ countries worldwide for low fees* and mid-market exchange rates.

Learn more about the Wise account 💰

Table of contents

How to open a Greece bank account as a non-resident? Do you need a bank account in Greece? Can you use your UK bank account in Greece? Can you open a bank account in Greece as a British expat? Can you open a Greece bank account online as an expat from the UK? Can you open an account as an international student? What documents do you need to open a bank account in Greece? Proof of ID Proof of address Local tax number Tax returns Proof of income Best Greece bank accounts for expats Piraeus Bank Alpha Bank National Bank of Greece (NBG) Eurobank Other banks and money management alternatives worth looking into What are the banking fees and costs in Greece? Is there a free Greece bank account for non-residents? Wise – An international alternative to a bank account

How to open a Greece bank account as a non-resident?

There is no legal restriction on offering financial products to non-residents, although each bank will have its own policies and products.

One thing you'll need is a local tax number. This is called an AFM (Arithmo Forologiko Mitro). To get your hands on this, you’ll need to visit a tax office in Greece and submit an application and provide supporting documents. Alternatively, you can appoint a tax representative to carry out the process for you, so may not have to be physically present in the country to apply for an AFM.¹

Even better, you don’t need a residence permit to get your AFM, although you may be asked to provide a temporary residential address in Greece.¹ This means in theory, you can get your AFM and apply for a Greek bank account without actually living in Greece.

Do you need a bank account in Greece?

There’s no law or rule that says you have to open a Greek bank account in order to live in the country.

It may be possible to manage without one for a period, especially if you make use of multi-currency solutions such as the Wise account to send, spend and receive money.

But you might find that paying bills, getting paid, covering rent and other day-to-day things become more complicated without any kind of local or international current account.

And if you’re buying or selling property in Greece, it’ll be almost impossible to carry out the required transactions without a bank account.

📚 Read more: How to transfer large amounts of money from the UK?

Can you use your UK bank account in Greece?

You might be tempted to keep using your UK bank account when you move abroad, to avoid the hassle of dealing with foreign banks. But is it actually possible to use a UK account in Greece?

The answer is likely to be no, but it depends on who you bank with in the UK.

Major UK banks such as Barclays only let you keep your account open when living abroad under very specific circumstances. For example, if you’re a UK Crown employee or are planning to live abroad for less than 6 months before returning to the UK.²

Other banks take a different approach. Spanish-owned international bank Santander says it will continue to service accounts when the holder moves abroad.³

So if you’re an existing customer, you should in theory be able to continue using your UK account once you’ve moved to Greece.

However, you may not be able to access branch services and ATMs. Santander does operate in Greece, but only its consumer finance arm.

An important thing to bear in mind though is the currency. If you’re using a UK bank account, it’ll likely be denominated in GBP. You’ll be spending in euros (EUR) while in Greece, so you could lose out when it comes to currency exchange.

📚 Read more: Is it better to use cash or card in Greece?

Can you open a bank account in Greece as a British expat?

You shouldn’t have any problems opening a bank account in Greece as a British national, whether you’re a retiree, international student or digital nomad.

As long as you have the right documents (we’ll cover what you need shortly) and your local tax number, you should be able to open an account just like a local.

Can you open a Greece bank account online as an expat from the UK?

Yes, you can open an account online with many major Greek banks. It used to be the case that you’d have to visit a branch in person to provide your signature (and some banks may still require this).

But nowadays, banks such as Piraeus Bank let you apply online and verify your identity through a video call.⁴

You’ll just need to check whether you’re eligible for online account opening as a foreign expat. It’s likely that Greek residency will be a key requirement,⁴ so you might not be able to apply online while living outside the country.

Can you open an account as an international student?

Many banks in Greece offer dedicated student accounts, which are open to all applicants who meet the eligibility requirements.

Options to check out include the Student Life Account at National Bank of Greece, and the Alpha Bank 1 | 2 | 3 Account for people aged 18-27 years old.

📚 Read more: Best debit card to use abroad: Top 6 UK picks

What documents do you need to open a bank account in Greece?

The requirements vary between banks, but you’ll generally need the following documents and details to open a bank account in Greece:⁵

• Proof of ID
• Proof of address
• Local tax number
• Tax returns from the UK (or your previous country of residence)
• Proof of income.

Proof of ID

To verify your identity, you’ll need to provide your passport or another form of acceptable photo ID.

Proof of address

A recent utility bill should be acceptable as proof of address. You’ll need to check with the bank whether the address needs to be in Greece, or if proof of address in the UK or another country will suffice.

Local tax number

This is the AFM (Arithmo Forologiko Mitro) we mentioned earlier. You can get this by applying at a tax office in Greece, or by appointing a tax representative to carry out the process for you.

Tax returns

Some banks may ask to see a tax return from your previous country of residence.

Proof of income

You’ll need to provide payslips or a letter from your employer as proof of salary/income.

Best Greece bank accounts for expats

Now, let’s take a look at your options when choosing a bank in Greece. There are plenty to choose from, including a mix of both local and international banks.

Here’s a list of the most expat-friendly banks in Greece to check out:

• Piraeus Bank
• Alpha Bank
• National Bank of Greece (NBG)
• Eurobank

Let’s take a closer look at each one.

Piraeus Bank

One of the largest banks in Greece, Piraeus Bank offers personal accounts, credit and debit cards, investments, mortgages, insurance and more.

Good options for expats include its regular Current Account and a Foreign Currency Current Account. The latter could be handy if you need to make regular transactions in your home currency. Both can be opened online, and Piraeus also has a version of its website available in English.

And if you’re looking to start a business in Greece, Piraeus Bank also has a range of business banking solutions available.

Alpha Bank

Another of the country’s biggest banks, Alpha Bank has a full range of retail banking products available. This includes current and savings accounts, credit, debit and prepaid cards, investment solutions, insurance and mortgages.

For an easy way to manage your money while on the go, there’s the myAlpha mobile app.

You can open the Alpha Bank current account online if you meet the eligibility requirements.

National Bank of Greece (NBG)

The country’s oldest bank, NBG is a popular option with both locals and expats.

It has a number of low cost current and savings accounts available, including the fee-free, basic NBG current account - which is available to open online or in a branch.

The bank also offers a Student Life account and a Foreign currency savings account.

Eurobank

Eurobank has dedicated retail banking for international customers, including expats.

The bank has set up a one-stop hub designed for new arrivals, including a Digital Customer Onboarding service for accounts and other services.

You can open a Eurobank current account digitally, without needing to visit a branch.

Other banks and money management alternatives worth looking into

High-street banks aren’t your only option for managing your money in Greece. You can also take a look at digital banks and money apps, including the following:

• N26 – a fully digital bank offering an app-based personal account and N26 debit card. An account with N26 can be opened from your phone with no paperwork.
• Revolut – the innovative Revolut (which holds an EU banking licence) offers a choice of monthly plans, starting with a basic free Standard plan. All accounts include a debit card and app-based banking services.

You can also check out other non-bank alternatives, which don’t have a banking licence but offer services such as accounts, payments and cards.

This includes the money services provider Wise, which has a multi-currency account, international debit card, transfer services and app available to use in Greece.

📚 Read more: Best online bank accounts in the UK

What are the banking fees and costs in Greece?

Like in most countries, there are some fees to look out for when banking in Greece. This includes fees for transfers and maintaining the account.

These vary between banks, and you should always check the small print before signing up for an account.

But here’s a quick look at what kinds of charges to expect:

Transaction/fee type	Typical fee
Current account - monthly fee	Usually none
ATM cash withdrawal	Usually free at your own bank’s ATM⁶
Getting a debit card	€0 to €0.50⁷ a month (up to €20 a year at some banks)⁶
Domestic payments (i.e. within Greece)	€0 to €0.50 a payment⁶
International payments (i.e. to the UK from Greece)	Up to €22 (varies depending on speed, destination and payment type)⁸

📚 Read more: The best UK banks for sending money abroad

Is there a free Greece bank account for non-residents?

Many banks in Greece offer everyday accounts without monthly fees, although other banking charges may apply.

You can also apply as a non-resident, as long as you have that all-important local tax number and meet any other eligibility requirements.

Wise – An international alternative to a bank account

Need to manage your money in multiple currencies or send transfers back home to the UK? There are alternatives to using a bank, such as Wise.

Open a Wise account and you’ll only pay a small, transparent fee* to send money in 40+ currencies (including EUR and GBP). Better still, you’ll get the mid-market exchange rate for every foreign currency transaction and your transfers are always secured and trackable.

Here are the main benefits for using Wise:
Fast and easy setup with no physical paperwork Low, upfront, transparent fees Fully trackable transfers Fast transfer times Two-factor authentication and real-time notifications Dedicated support for large transfers

You can also get a Wise card for a one-time fee of just £7 and use it to spend like a local in Greece and 150+ countries worldwide. There are no hidden fees*, and you can even connect your Wise card to Google Pay or Apple Pay.

Importantly, you can open a Wise account in advance of your move to Greece. This means you’re not left without a payment method while you’re waiting for your new bank account to be opened.

Sign up with Wise today 💰

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Sources used:

1. My Greek Expat Journey - How Do I Get a TIN (AFM) in Greece?
2. Barclays - Living or moving outside the UK
3. Santander - Brexit and Santander UK plc
4. Piraeus Bank - Digital Onboarding Service
5. Get Golden Visa - How To Open a Bank Account in Greece: Step-by-Step Guide
6. Alpha Bank - Fee Information Document
7. NBG - Deposits - Rates and Charges
8. Piraeus Bank - Remittance Calculator

Sources last checked on date: 31-Jul-2024