How to Get an AFM Tax Number in Greece: Online or at a Tax Office
The AFM is the first number you need in Greece: for a lease, a bank account, a phone contract or a job. Here is how to get it and what to do once you move to Greece.
An AFM (Arithmos Forologikou Mitroou) is the Greek tax identification number, and it is free. You can get one online through AADE’s myAADE portal with identity checked by video call on myAADElive, or in person at a tax office (DOY). With a passport and proof of address, the online route can be completed in a day.
AADE, the Independent Authority for Public Revenue, runs the tax registry. Almost every contract in Greece asks for an AFM, so get it before you sign a lease or open a bank account. The procedure below is as of November 2026.
Who needs an AFM?
You need an AFM for nearly any financial or contractual step in Greece, including:
- signing a rental contract, which the landlord must register on the AADE platform under your AFM;
- opening a Greek bank account;
- a mobile phone contract, home internet or electricity in your name;
- working as an employee or freelancer;
- buying or registering a car or property;
- getting an AMKA social security number and TAXISnet codes for gov.gr services.
Children need one only if they have income or property, or for certain benefit applications.
Can you get an AFM online?
Yes. AADE now lets individuals apply for an AFM and their access codes remotely, with identity checked by a live video call instead of a visit.
- Go to aade.gr, open myAADE and choose the option to apply for an AFM and access codes as a new taxpayer.
- Fill in the form with your details: name as in your passport, father’s and mother’s names, date and place of birth, address abroad or in Greece, email and phone.
- Upload a scan of your passport or EU identity card, plus any other document the form asks for, such as proof of address or a residence permit.
- Book a video appointment on myAADElive (slots up to 15 days ahead) or wait for an instant call with the next available agent. You need a device with a camera and microphone; on a phone the call runs through Microsoft Teams.
- Show your identity document on camera. If everything matches, the AFM is issued and you receive a key to set up your myAADE codes.
Only the person applying can use the video service. A representative cannot complete the call for you. If you are connecting from abroad, set the correct time zone when booking, and check your spam folder for the confirmation email.
How do you get an AFM at a tax office in Athens?
If you prefer to go in person or the video route does not work for your case, book an appointment at a DOY. Tax offices in Attica work by appointment, booked through AADE’s online appointment system or by phone through its contact centre. Which DOY you use depends on your address.
Bring the original documents and copies. The form used at the office is the M1 registration form, and staff will tell you if your case needs anything extra. Expect to leave with a printed AFM certificate.
Which documents do EU and non-EU citizens need?
| Applicant | Usual documents as of November 2026 |
|---|---|
| EU, EEA or Swiss citizen | Valid passport or national ID card; proof of address (Greek or foreign) |
| Non-EU citizen living in Greece | Valid passport; residence permit or proof of a pending application; proof of address in Greece |
| Non-EU citizen living abroad (for example, buying property) | Valid passport; proof of address abroad; in some cases a tax representative in Greece |
| Someone applying through a representative at a DOY | The above plus a power of attorney with a certified signature, and the representative’s ID and AFM |
Requests stop if documents are missing, if your details need correction or if a residence permit has expired or cannot be verified. Documents not in Greek or English may need an official translation; ask the DOY first, because rules can vary by case.
Do non-residents need a tax representative?
It depends on where you live. People who live in another EU country usually do not need a Greek tax representative and can deal with AADE online. People who live outside the EU and have tax obligations in Greece, such as owning property or receiving Greek income, may be asked to appoint one. The representative must hold a Greek AFM and active myAADE codes. Rules on this point have changed in recent years, so confirm with the DOY or a Greek accountant (logistis) before you appoint anyone.
How do you change your AFM to a Greek address and resident status?
An AFM issued while you lived abroad stays the same for life, but your details must be updated when you move to Greece. Change your address in myAADE under your registry details, or at your DOY. Tax residency is a separate question. In general, someone who stays in Greece for more than 183 days in a calendar year, or whose main home or centre of interests is in Greece, becomes a Greek tax resident. If that applies to you, tell AADE so that the competent DOY changes from the one for non-residents to the one for your address. An accountant can help if you also have income abroad.
Once the AFM is active, set up your TAXISnet codes. Our guide to TAXISnet codes and gov.gr login covers activation, and the first 30 days after moving to Athens puts the AFM in order with the other steps.
Bottom line
Apply for the AFM online a few weeks before you arrive, so a landlord or bank does not have to wait for you. Keep a PDF of the AFM certificate on your phone: shops, employers and utilities ask for the number more often than you expect.
FAQ
How much does an AFM cost?
Nothing. AADE does not charge for issuing an AFM. If an agency or lawyer applies for you, you pay only their fee.
How long does it take to get an AFM?
With a successful video call, the number is usually issued the same day. At a DOY, it depends on the appointment date; once you are seen, the certificate is normally printed on the spot.
Is the AFM the same as the AMKA?
No. The AFM is your tax number from AADE, and the AMKA is your social security number for healthcare and work. You need the AFM first to apply for an AMKA.
Can I use my AFM if I leave Greece?
Yes. The number does not expire. Update your address to the new country so that AADE moves your file to the tax office for non-residents.
