Banking

In Greece you can find a significant number of commercial banks and foreign-owned banks. Residents and non-residents can open bank accounts.

If you get a job, your employer will deposit your salary in a Greek bank account. In order to open the Greek bank account, you must go to the bank in person and book an appointment with a bank employee. You will have to fill in some forms and submit a few documents. The most common document requirements for opening in Greek bank account are your passport, your Greek tax number, proof of address (a contract of the house you will be living is often required), proof of salary. You can check with your chosen bank if they require anything else.

Also, you need to submit 2 documents which you will get from your country:

1. ANY official document that states your permanent residence in your home country which needs to be stamped by an official authority and it should state your full address. The document must be in English.
2. If you declare income in your home country, you need an official document where the income of the previous year will be shown, as well as the fact that you paid taxes for that previous year. The document can be from your Tax Office or your employer if you are employed (if the tax is paid directly from your salary).

If you DON’T declare income in your home country, you need to submit ANY official document declaring that you did not have income or that you are not obliged to make a declaration to the Tax Office; again, this needs to be for the previous year.

It is important to check and compare the fees charged for services like international money transfers before choosing a bank.

Banks offer cash withdrawal (ATM) and debit cards. You can use your debit card to make purchases inside and outside Greece. You can request a credit card, but most banks may ask a recommendation from your bank in your native country.

Some banks will charge you if you withdraw from an ATM that is not owned by that specific bank. Also, there are withdrawal, as a security measure, even if you have significant funds in your account.

Currency transfer that involves transferring amounts to bank account outside Greece, in the local currency, will charge a flat fee per transaction. You may also find that your receiving bank charges you for receiving the transfer. Charges vary by bank and it is better to transfer large amount of money less frequently than small amounts more often.

Banks are open from 8am to 2.30pm on Mondays to Thursdays and from 8am to 2pm on Fridays. However, banking hours may be different from branch to branch. They, also, offer online banking and 24/7 client support via telephone.

Because sometimes the requirements are changing, anyone who wants to open a Greek bank account should contact the bank and verify the documents they need to provide.

Domestic banks

• Piraeus Bank https://www.piraeusbank.gr/
• National Bank of Greece https://www.nbg.gr/
• Eurobank https://www.eurobank.gr/
• Alpha Bank https://www.alpha.gr/

International Banks

• ProCredit Bank https://www.procreditbank.gr/
• HSBC https://www.hsbc.gr/