How to Get an AMKA in Greece: KEP, e-EFKA and Documents
You need an AMKA to be hired, see a public doctor or collect a prescription. Here is who issues it, what to bring and how temporary PAAYPA numbers fit in.
An AMKA (Arithmos Mitroou Koinonikis Asfalisis) is the Greek social security number you need to work, use the public health system and fill prescriptions. Foreign residents apply free and in person at a KEP (citizen service centre) or an e-EFKA office, bringing a passport, an AFM tax number and a residence document. It usually takes 15 to 30 minutes.
Each person has one AMKA for life, and it has been compulsory for anyone working or insured in Greece since 2009. e-EFKA, the national social security fund, keeps the register. Greek citizens are usually given one at birth or through online services; most foreign residents still apply in person. The procedure below is as of November 2026.
Who needs an AMKA?
You need an AMKA if you:
- start a job, because the employer cannot register you for insurance without it;
- work as a freelancer, since you are registered with e-EFKA for contributions;
- want a personal doctor in the public system or a referral to a specialist;
- need an electronic prescription for medicines or vaccines;
- book a public hospital appointment or vaccination;
- apply for most benefits or for school enrolment of children.
If you live in Greece on savings or a foreign pension and never use public healthcare, you may manage for a while without one, but most residents end up needing it within months.
Where do you apply for an AMKA in Athens?
Third-country nationals with a residence permit apply in person at a KEP or an e-EFKA local office. There is no online application for this group as of November 2026. KEPs are run by municipalities and are found across Athens; many take walk-ins and some work by appointment, so check with the one nearest you. Our guide to getting an AFM tax number covers the step you need first.
- Get your AFM and make sure the details match your passport exactly.
- Collect the documents in the table below, originals and copies.
- Go to a KEP or e-EFKA office, or book an appointment if the office requires it.
- The clerk enters your data in the AMKA register. You leave with a printed AMKA certificate.
- Check that the number works: your employer, doctor or pharmacist will look it up in their systems.
Someone else can apply for you with a signed authorization. The authorization can be issued on gov.gr or as a solemn declaration with a certified signature; the representative brings their own ID and a copy of yours.
Which documents do you need?
| Applicant | Documents as of November 2026 |
|---|---|
| Non-EU citizen with a residence permit | Valid passport (or travel document for beneficiaries of international protection); residence permit; AFM and proof of AFM |
| EU, EEA or Swiss citizen | Passport or national ID card; AFM; the registration certificate for EU citizens, if you have it, or proof of work or residence; check with the office for your case |
| Family member of an insured person | The above plus documents proving the family relationship, such as a marriage or birth certificate |
| Through a representative | The above plus a signed authorization |
The AMKA of a third-country national is activated once actual residence in Greece is shown, which is why the residence permit matters. Foreign certificates may need an apostille and an official Greek translation. Our guide to registering as an EU citizen in Greece explains the certificate that EU nationals usually show.
What is a PAAYPA number?
A PAAYPA (Prosorinos Arithmos Asfalisis kai Ygeionomikis Perithalpsis Allodapou) is a temporary insurance and healthcare number issued to some third-country nationals who do not yet qualify for an AMKA, mainly applicants for international protection. It gives access to public healthcare and the right to work while the application is pending. If protection is granted, the PAAYPA is replaced by an AMKA; if the application is finally rejected, the PAAYPA is deactivated. PAAYPA numbers are issued through the asylum service process, not at a KEP on request.
How do you find or check your AMKA online?
If you already have an AMKA and have lost the certificate, you can look it up online. The official AMKA service on gov.gr lets you search with your AFM and personal details, or log in with TAXISnet codes, and print a certificate. Your AMKA also appears in your e-EFKA account and on payslips.
If the online search finds no match, the usual cause is a spelling difference between your passport and the register. Take your passport to a KEP or e-EFKA office and ask them to correct the record.
How does the AMKA connect to healthcare?
Having an AMKA is not the same as being insured. The AMKA identifies you; insurance comes from work, self-employment contributions or being a registered dependant of an insured person. Once you are insured, EOPYY, the national health insurer, covers you, and your doctor can issue e-prescriptions on your AMKA. Insured residents can also register with a personal doctor (prosopikos iatros) through gov.gr. Our guide to how public healthcare works in Greece explains coverage in detail. For questions about your contributions or insurance record, the e-EFKA website lists contact options.
Bottom line
Apply for the AMKA in your first weeks, right after the AFM, even if you do not start work yet: a pharmacy or vaccination appointment can need it sooner than you think. Write the number down in the same note as your AFM, because forms often ask for both.
FAQ
Does an AMKA cost anything?
No. Issuing an AMKA is free at KEPs and e-EFKA offices.
Can I get an AMKA before my residence permit is issued?
Third-country nationals generally need a residence permit or a document the office accepts as proof of legal residence. If you only have proof of a pending application, ask the KEP whether it is enough for your case.
Does my AMKA change if I leave Greece and come back?
No. The number stays the same for life, though it may need to be reactivated when you return and show residence again.
Do children need their own AMKA?
Yes. Children need their own AMKA for vaccinations, doctor visits and school records. Parents apply for them with the child’s passport and proof of the family relationship.
