Destination Guides
Moving to Greece: A Practical Checklist for Americans
Organise your Greek tax number, residence process, banking, utilities, driving documents and practical moving checklist.
Moving to Greece involves more than choosing a home and booking a flight. You may need a Greek tax number, a visa or residence permit, a way to manage banking and utilities, and a plan for driving once you are living there.
Starting early can make the process easier. Some steps depend on documents from another office or country, and requirements can vary according to your circumstances. Keep both digital and paper copies of important documents, and check current instructions before making commitments.
Obtain a Greek tax number early
The AFM is a Greek tax identification number. It is commonly needed for financial and administrative activities, including property transactions and dealing with banks. You may also be asked for it when arranging utilities or other services.
Obtaining an AFM early can help prevent delays, although it is not necessarily the first step in every person’s move. The order depends on your visa, where you are applying and the transactions you need to complete.
Greece’s tax authority, the Independent Authority for Public Revenue, or AADE, offers an application process that can include identity verification at a tax office or by video appointment through myAADElive. The requirements depend on your circumstances; for example, an applicant without a Greek postal address may need to appoint a tax representative.
Before applying, check which identification and supporting documents you need. Keep the resulting number and confirmation with your other relocation records.
Does an AFM automatically make you a Greek tax resident?
No. An AFM is an identification number; it does not by itself settle where you are tax resident.
If you are moving to Greece, ask a Greek tax adviser how your arrival date, living arrangements and income affect your tax position. U.S. citizens should also consider their continuing U.S. filing obligations.
Plan your visa and residence application
If you intend to live in Greece beyond a short visit, identify the visa or residence route that fits your plans before you move. The requirements differ depending on whether you intend to retire, work remotely, invest or qualify through another route.
Check the current document list and application procedure with the Greek consulate or authority responsible for your case. Do not assume that an AFM, property purchase or short-stay entry permission gives you the right to live or work in Greece.
When preparing your application, make a checklist of:
- Required identification and passport validity.
- Financial and insurance documents.
- Proof of accommodation, if required.
- Documents that need translation or authentication.
- Appointments and filing deadlines.
- Any steps you must complete after arriving in Greece.
A qualified Greek immigration professional can help you understand how the requirements apply to your situation. Ask about their qualifications, fees and the work included before engaging them.
When is the best time to relocate to Greece?
Moving between October and April may be worth considering if you want to compare travel and temporary accommodation prices outside the busiest summer period. It is not a guarantee of a cheaper move: prices vary by destination, dates, holidays and availability.
An off-season move can also help you see what daily life is like beyond a summer vacation. On an island, however, check winter ferry and flight schedules as well as the availability of the services you will need.
Compare the total cost and convenience of your own options. A lower flight price may be less useful if it requires expensive temporary accommodation or makes an important appointment difficult to reach.
Can Americans drive in Greece with a U.S. license?
For short-term car rentals, the U.S. State Department says visitors must carry a valid U.S. driver’s license. It also advises checking insurance requirements: an insurer may require an International Driving Permit, or IDP, in addition to the U.S. license.
The IDP accompanies your license; it is not a replacement for it. Check both the rental company’s conditions and the insurance policy before driving.
When do you need a Greek driving license?
The U.S. State Department advises that a Greek license is required if you stay in Greece for more than 185 days and recommends contacting the regional transportation office for details. The applicable process should be confirmed for your own residency circumstances.
Greece has a procedure for converting a valid U.S. driving license to a corresponding Greek license for eligible applicants. The Greek government’s guidance includes conditions concerning ordinary residence, a valid license, medical fitness and supporting documentation.
The published requirements can involve a residence document that has been issued for a specified period, as well as a translation and information from the U.S. license issuer. Because gathering documents and completing the process can take time, contact the Regional Office of Transportation and Communications early to confirm:
- When you may apply.
- Which documents and translations are required.
- Whether medical certificates or other checks are needed.
- Whether you may drive while the application is being processed.
- What happens to your U.S. license when the Greek license is issued.
Do not assume that the conversion is instantaneous or that an IDP extends your permission to use a U.S. license after the applicable period.
Allow time for administration
Moving abroad can involve several offices and providers, each with its own requirements. Even when a process is available online, you may need identification credentials, translations or a follow-up appointment.
Start applications early and leave room in your schedule for questions or additional document requests. Before visiting an office:
- Confirm whether an appointment is required.
- Check the current document list for your circumstances.
- Bring requested originals and paper copies.
- Keep digital copies securely accessible.
- Save receipts, application numbers and confirmation emails.
- Ask what happens next and how to follow up.
If a document is in Greek and you do not fully understand it, obtain a reliable translation or professional explanation before signing.
Banking, utilities and your new home
Before opening a bank account or arranging services, contact the bank or provider to ask what it accepts from a new arrival. Requirements may include identification, an AFM, proof of address or other documents, depending on the institution and your circumstances.
An AFM can be an important part of the process, but having one does not guarantee that a bank will open an account or that a utility contract will be approved.
If you need an account before you arrive, ask the bank whether it accepts nonresident applicants and whether any steps can be completed remotely. For utilities, check whether accounts are already active at the property and what must be done to transfer or establish service.
How the U.S. Embassy in Athens can help
The U.S. Embassy in Athens provides services and assistance for American citizens in Greece, including passport services and help in certain emergencies.
It is sensible to check passport renewal procedures before your passport approaches expiration, since an appointment or processing time may be involved. For voting, U.S. citizens abroad should check the requirements and deadlines for their state; embassy resources can help direct voters to the overseas voting process.
Keep the embassy’s current contact details with your important documents. In an immediate emergency in Greece, use the local emergency number 112.
A practical order for your move to Greece
The right sequence will vary, but this checklist can help you organize the main tasks:
- Before booking your move: Identify the appropriate visa or residence route and check its current requirements.
- Early in planning: Investigate how to obtain an AFM and whether you need a Greek tax representative.
- Before traveling: Check passport validity, insurance, accommodation and the documents you will need after arrival.
- Before driving: Confirm license and insurance requirements, including whether your insurer requires an IDP.
- After arrival: Complete the residence steps applicable to your situation and keep evidence of submitted applications.
- As you settle in: Arrange banking, utilities and other services, and begin the Greek license process if you will need it.
Moving to Greece is easier to manage when you understand which steps depend on one another and give yourself time to complete them.
If you’re planning a move to Greece and would like help identifying the next steps, contact Vantage Point Europe to discuss your plans and be connected with an appropriate independent provider.
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