Registering with Greek Authorities

Greek Regulations Regarding Registration/Residence Certificates

The Registration Certificate replaces the old “Residence Permit” (Adeia Diamonis). It is obligatory. This new certificate is open-dated and therefore will not need to be renewed. The following documents are required when applying for the issue of a
Registration Certificate.

1) In the case of a working person

• The passport used when the applicant entered Greece
• A statement by the applicant’s employer, duly certified by the local Labour Inspectorate, or a statutory declaration (Ypefthini Dilosi) in Greek specifying the nature and duration of the work to be done by the applicant and confirming local health cover e.g. IKA.

2) In the case of members of his/her Family

• The passport used when the applicants entered Greece
• A document issued by the appropriate authority of the country of origin showing their relationship, i.e. marriage/birth certificates, which will need to be translated into Greek or, alternatively, applicants may sign a statutory declaration (Ypefthini Dilosi) in Greek to confirm the relationship.

3) In the case of pensioners or unemployed persons

• The passport used when the applicants entered Greece
• Applicants will be asked to prove that they have adequate funds to support themselves
• e.g. by producing their bank account booklet which must show a minimum balance. Alternatively, pensioners can produce written proof (translated into Greek) that they are in receipt of a pension from their country of birth.
• Applicants will need to be able to prove that they have health insurance. This can be an EHIC card, E121, UK or Greek Private Health Insurance.

A new document now available to all EU nationals is the “Permanent Residence Certificate” (Engrafo Monimis Diamonis). It is optional. This certificate may suit British citizens who are married to Greek citizens or British citizens who have made Greece their permanent home. Anyone wishing to obtain this certificate must be able to prove that he/she has been a permanent resident of Greece for over 5 years. Application for the above certificates should be made to the local Aliens Department office or local Police stations. In districts outside Athens, foreign nationals must go to the Police Station closest to their residence.

Greek Tax and Tax Number

One of the first things you should do when you decide to settle in Greece is to register for a tax number (AFM – pronounced aa-fee-mee). An AFM is required to buy a car, motorbike or property and to legally work in Greece.
The local Greek Tax Office (Eforia) is the place to do this. Your accountant or lawyer can obtain one for you or you can apply yourself in person. Once you have an AFM you are required to submit a yearly tax return in Greece, regardless of income. There is a bilateral taxation agreement between the UK and Greece whereby persons are obliged to submit their tax declaration to the tax authorities in their country of residence, irrespective of where his/her income arises.  The annual completion of tax returns can be done online (in Greek only.)

K.E.P. - Citizens Advice Bureau

K.E.P. is part of the Ministry of Interior, Public Administration and Decentralisation, their main objective is to simplify procedures and bureaucracy related to the Greek Government.  There is a K.E.P. office in most municipalities, and usually members of staff speak English. The K.E.P. national telephone hotline is 1500 and web address is www.kep.gov.gr.