Find information on how to set up a bank account to receive your salary and link it with the tax declaration and other public procedures.
Who can get a bank account
Most employers in Greece pay workers’ salaries directly into a Greek bank account. Once you have a job offer, you have to go to a bank to open a bank account. It may be most efficient to open an account at your employer's bank because you may receive your salary on the same day your employer transfers it.
Before you go to the bank, you need to have:
- A document that states your AMKA number.
- A document that states your AFM number.
- A document proving that you have a telephone number under your name. Ask your mobile phone company for this document.
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Proof of address.
- The original and a copy of your valid “applicant for international protection card” or “asylum seeker’s card”.
- Tax clearance.
You will also need to ask your new employer for the following:
- A letter to the bank that confirms your employment and states that you should be allowed to open a bank account where your salary will be deposited monthly
- A copy of the document that announces your recruitment to the Greek Employment Office (OAED or, as it is now named, "DIPA" - ΔΥΠΑ).
What to bring
Bring these documents to a bank:
- Your International Protection Applicant’s smart card, if it is still valid, otherwise a certificate of status provided by the Asylum Service following an online application
- or your residence permit (and passport or travel documents)
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If you are a Ukrainian national and have obtained Temporary Protection status, you can work in Greece. The AMKA (Social Security Number) and AFM (Tax number) are written on the card.
- A copy of the document that lists your AFM number (If you are still an asylum seeker, you provide your PAYYPA number instead).
- A copy of the document that lists your AMKA number.
- A document from your mobile company stating that your phone number is listed under your name. The mobile number should be valid because the debit card's pin will be sent to that number.
- Proof of address. The address declared at the bank should be valid because that address will be delivered the debit card by post. The name of the debit holder should be on the doorbell. Otherwise, if he/she is not found, the card will not be delivered and will be returned to the bank.
- Your job contract, employer’s letter or any other document (e.g. labour stamp “εργόσημο”) proving that you have been employed.
Note: Some banks in Greece might provide their forms (usually available in Greek and English) for you and your employer to fill out and sign. In this case, give all the forms from the bank to your employer, who should fill out theirs and help with yours. Then go back to the bank with the documents signed.
Note: Sometimes, the bank may ask you to bring with you a witness or interpreter who understands the Greek language to sign the documents required to open a bank account