If you live in Greece — even part-time — and earn or hold income abroad, you may be legally required to declare your foreign income and assets to the Greek tax authorities.
This applies to:
✅ Salaries or pensions from abroad
✅ Bank interest or dividends from foreign accounts
✅ Property you own outside Greece
✅ Crypto or capital gains
✅ Foreign business income
✅ Offshore bank accounts
In this article, we explain who must declare, what to report, how to claim tax relief, and how Borderless Lawyers ensures full compliance.
⚖️ Who Is Required to Declare Foreign Income?
You must declare foreign income and assets if:
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You are considered a Greek tax resident (183+ days, or center of interests in Greece)
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You receive income from abroad (even if taxed abroad)
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You are enrolled in a Greek special tax regime (e.g., non-dom, 7% pension)
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You’re subject to FATCA/CRS reporting (as a U.S. or EU citizen)
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You own foreign bank accounts or real estate
🧑💼 Foreigners often don’t realize they’ve triggered tax residency — we review your situation and file proactively.
💼 Types of Foreign Income That Must Be Declared
| Type | Examples | Declare in Greece? |
|---|---|---|
| 🧾 Salary | Employment abroad | ✅ Yes |
| 💳 Dividends | Foreign stocks, ETFs | ✅ Yes |
| 💵 Interest | Bank accounts abroad | ✅ Yes |
| 🏠 Rent | Property in UK, US, etc. | ✅ Yes |
| 📈 Capital gains | Sale of shares, crypto | ✅ Yes |
| 🧓 Pension | Public/private pensions | ✅ Yes |
| 📊 Business income | Self-employment abroad | ✅ Yes |
| 🏦 Offshore funds | Trusts, structures | ✅ Yes |
| 💰 Crypto income | Trading or staking gains | ✅ Yes |
Even if taxed abroad, income must be declared — but Double Taxation Treaties (DTTs) can often eliminate additional Greek tax.
🏦 Do I Have to Declare Foreign Bank Accounts?
Yes — under Greek and international transparency rules, you must report:
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Bank accounts held abroad
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Foreign investment accounts (e.g., brokerage)
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Crypto wallets (if income-generating)
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Any account where you are signatory or beneficiary
Greece complies with CRS (Common Reporting Standard) and FATCA (for U.S. citizens) — so failure to declare can trigger investigations.
✅ We help prepare declarations and review bank data for compliance.
📄 How to Declare Foreign Income in Greece
Main Forms Used:
| Form | Purpose |
|---|---|
| E1 | Declare income from all sources |
| E2 | Rental income (domestic & foreign) |
| E3 | Business income (self-employed) |
| D1 / D2 | Income earned abroad (to claim tax credit) |
| E9 | Foreign real estate (voluntarily disclosed) |
You may also need:
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Certificate of tax residency (from foreign tax office)
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Bank or employer statements
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Tax paid abroad proof (to claim credit)
We gather and translate all required documentation on your behalf.
🧮 Can I Avoid Paying Tax in Greece on Foreign Income?
Yes — if a Double Taxation Treaty (DTT) applies, and the income has already been taxed abroad, you may:
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Exempt the income entirely from Greek tax
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Or claim a tax credit for tax already paid
For example, U.S. citizens often pay tax in the U.S. — and use the DTT to avoid Greek double taxation.
The key is filing the correct forms (D1/D2) and submitting proof of foreign taxation.
🧑💼 Example 1: Foreign Pension Income
Anna, a German retiree living in Greece, receives:
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German state pension (€20,000)
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German private pension (€12,000)
→ Under the Greece–Germany DTT, pensions are taxable only in the country of residence (Greece).
If Anna qualifies for Greece’s 7% pensioner regime, she pays €2,240 total tax — no matter how large the pension.
💰 Example 2: Bank Interest from Abroad
Leo, an Italian tax resident in Greece, earns:
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€5,000 interest from Italian savings accounts
He must:
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Declare the income in Form E1
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Provide documentation of any Italian tax paid
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Claim a tax credit (if eligible) under the DTT
🏘️ Example 3: Rental Income from Foreign Property
Sophia owns an apartment in the UK, rented for €1,000/month.
She must:
✅ Declare the income in Greece (E2 form)
✅ Include it in global income totals
✅ Possibly claim UK tax credit under the DTT
✅ Pay Greek tax on net income (after accepted deductions)
We handle the entire reporting chain — including DTT optimization and landlord deductions.
❗ Penalties for Non-Declaration
| Offense | Penalty |
|---|---|
| Undeclared foreign income | Up to 100% of unpaid tax |
| Late filing | €100–€500 + interest |
| No FATCA/CRS disclosure | Risk of audit or freezing of assets |
| Incorrect residency claim | Retroactive tax + fines |
| Unreported foreign bank account | Flagging through automatic exchange of info |
Greece receives foreign asset data automatically through FATCA and CRS — voluntary disclosure is always safer.
🧑⚖️ How Borderless Lawyers Helps
Our services include:
✅ Tax residency assessment
✅ Filing E1, E2, D1/D2, E3, and more
✅ Foreign income declaration & tax credit applications
✅ Bank account disclosure support
✅ Real estate income filing
✅ 7% pensioner regime and non-dom applications
✅ Translations and certified documentation
💼 We offer remote filing & full POA support, so you don’t have to be in Greece.
❓ FAQ – Foreign Income Declarations in Greece
Q: I don’t have Greek income. Do I still file?
A: If you’re a Greek tax resident, you must declare all global income — even if earned abroad.
Q: What if I already paid tax abroad?
A: You may be eligible for a foreign tax credit or exemption under a DTT.
Q: I didn’t declare past income. Can I fix it?
A: Yes — through voluntary correction and legal representation.
🇬🇷 Stay Transparent. Stay Compliant.
Declaring foreign income and assets properly avoids audits, penalties, and legal issues — especially as a foreign resident in Greece.
👉 Contact Borderless Lawyers for full support in declaring global income and optimizing your Greek tax filings.