Opening a bank account in Greece is often required before you can:
🏠 Purchase property
🪪 Apply for residency (e.g., Golden Visa or FIP)
💶 Transfer investment funds
💳 Pay utilities or receive rental income
Whether you’re an EU or non-EU national, the process is possible — but it involves strict documentation and due diligence checks.
📋 Why You Might Need a Greek Bank Account
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💰 Deposit funds for a property purchase
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🛂 Satisfy financial requirements for a residence permit
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🔁 Handle local payments (e.g., utilities, insurance, taxes)
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🧾 Comply with capital controls or remittance rules
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🏦 Receive income from Greek rental properties or business
🗂 Required Documents (for Non-Residents)
To open a personal bank account in Greece, you typically need:
📄 Valid passport or national ID (EU)
🧾 Greek Tax Number (AFM)
📬 Proof of foreign residence (e.g., utility bill or rental contract)
💼 Proof of income or employment
📁 Tax returns or bank statements (from home country)
📝 Signed application and declarations
📌 Some banks also request a Greek phone number and face-to-face verification.
⚠️ KYC and Bank Interviews
Greek banks follow strict Know Your Customer (KYC) rules, especially for non-EU clients. You may be asked:
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About your source of income
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Purpose of the account
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Expected transaction activity
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Proof of tax compliance in your home country
📞 Interviews are usually held in Greek or English.
🏛 Which Banks Accept Foreigners?
Most major banks in Greece accept non-resident account holders:
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National Bank of Greece (NBG)
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Alpha Bank
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Eurobank
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Piraeus Bank
However, each has its own policies — and many branches will refuse service without a lawyer or representative assisting.
🌍 Can You Open an Account Remotely?
❗ In most cases, no — personal presence or a Power of Attorney (POA) is required.
Borderless Lawyers can open a bank account on your behalf without you being in Greece, by acting under notarized POA.
🧭 Step-by-Step: How We Help
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📑 We draft and legalize your Power of Attorney
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🏛 We liaise with the bank and prepare required forms
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🔍 We submit KYC documents and clarify your investment/residency purpose
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📬 We notify you when your account is open and deliver your IBAN details
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💳 We assist with online banking access and ATM card setup
⏱ How Long Does It Take?
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🔁 In-person: 2–5 business days
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✉️ With POA: 5–10 business days, depending on the bank
⚖️ Why Work with Borderless Lawyers?
✅ We speak directly with bank compliance teams
✅ We reduce delays caused by missing documents
✅ We act as your legal representative with Greek authorities
✅ We ensure full compliance with Greek and EU financial law
📞 Need a Bank Account in Greece?
Don’t let paperwork or local policies delay your investment or residency process.
💬 Contact Borderless Lawyers and let us open your Greek bank account securely — with or without your presence in Greece.
✉️ A secure account is your first financial step toward life in Greece.