Before you start

A Greek AFM (ΑΦΜ tax number) — free, from your local DOY tax office or remotely via gov.gr/AADE; this is the non-negotiable first step
Proof of a Greek address (rental/lease, utility bill, or AFM registration showing your address)
Proof of income or employment (contract, payslip, pension statement) and, for non-EU, a residence permit or proof of pending application

Step-by-step

1
Get your AFM (tax number) first
The AFM gates everything. Apply free at the local DOY (ΔΟΥ) tax office with your passport, or start remotely on gov.gr/AADE and verify by video call. You also receive a kleidarithmos (web PIN) for gov.gr. A lawyer/accountant can do it via power of attorney if you're not yet in-country.
In personWho: You (or accountant/lawyer via PoA)Same day at DOY; a few days onlineFree (translations/PoA extra if used)
2
Bridge the gap with a neobank IBAN
Before you have an AFM and a lease, open Revolut, N26 or Wise in-app for an instant euro IBAN. Revolut now runs a Greek branch issuing GR IBANs and is very widely used locally, including for IRIS. It covers card spending and P2P from day one — but isn't accepted everywhere a salary or rent guarantee is needed.
Mobile appWho: YouMinutes (app onboarding)Free / from ~€0 standard plan
3
Open a Big Four account in branch
With AFM + address + income proof, visit a National Bank of Greece (NBG), Piraeus, Alpha Bank or Eurobank branch. Bring originals. You'll sign a FATCA/CRS tax-residency self-certification. English service is variable — book ahead or pick a central Athens branch. Activate the app (myAlpha, Piraeus, etc.) on the spot.
In personWho: YouSame day to a few days€0 min deposit at most banks (some ask €1–€250)
4
Enable IRIS instant payments in the app
In your bank's app, link your phone number to your IBAN for IRIS — Greece's instant payment rail. It's how Greeks send P2P money and pay freelancers and small shops (mandatory for all businesses since Dec 2025). Free, real-time, no IBAN swapping. P2P limit was raised to €1,000/day in Jan 2026.
Mobile appWho: YouMinutes once account is liveFree (IRIS transfers free for sender)

Documents you’ll need

Passport or national ID (EU)
AFM (Greek tax number)
Proof of Greek address (lease, utility bill, or AADE address registration)
Proof of income/employment (contract, payslip, pension statement)
Residence permit or proof of pending application (non-EU)
Greek mobile number (a phone bill is sometimes requested as proof)
FATCA/CRS tax-residency self-certification (signed at the bank)

Things most newcomers don’t know

No AFM, no account — and the AFM is a separate appointment people discover too late.

Banks turn you away without an AFM, and it has its own DOY/gov.gr process. Sort it in week one and the account opening itself is trivial.

Source: AADE / gov.gr (official)

A Revolut GR IBAN now covers most daily life, but a Greek bank is still the bureaucracy workhorse.

Revolut's Greek branch (GR IBANs, IRIS) handles spending and P2P from arrival — yet salary deposits, rent guarantees, and some government/utility direct debits still expect a traditional Greek bank.

Source: Revolut Greece (provider)

Turn on IRIS immediately — it's how Greece actually pays day-to-day.

IRIS P2P and pay-the-business are now ubiquitous (mandatory for all businesses since Dec 2025); a neobank-only setup leaves you fumbling for cash with freelancers and small shops.

Source: DIAS / GreekReporter

Common mistakes to avoid

Walking into a branch without an AFM — you'll be sent to the tax office first.
Assuming the account is free: most Big Four now run a monthly package fee (~€0.60–€0.80) unless you meet a payroll/min-balance/premium condition.
Relying only on a neobank, then finding your employer or landlord won't deposit salary or accept a rent guarantee to it.
Missing the FATCA/CRS self-certification or giving inconsistent tax-residency info — it can freeze or flag the account.
Letting the account sit dormant — inactivity fees (~€7–€10/year) quietly accrue.