AFM, AMKA, banking, schools — the part nobody warns you about
A residence permit doesn't open a bank account, register a child at school or get anyone into the healthcare system. This is the admin layer where new arrivals lose weeks.
- AFM tax number and AMKA/EFKA social security registration
- Bank account, school placement and healthcare access
- Handled locally, in person, for the employee and their family
What settling-in covers
AFM — Greek tax number
Required for a lease, a bank account, a phone contract and payroll. We prepare the file and handle the tax office, including for family members.
AMKA and EFKA registration
The social security number that unlocks public healthcare and correct payroll contributions, with the documents each office actually asks for.
Bank account opening
Greek banks vary widely in what they accept from newly arrived foreign nationals. We prepare the pack and go with the employee.
Healthcare and doctors
Public system registration, plus guidance on private cover and English-speaking doctors, paediatricians and hospitals.
Schools and childcare
Public, private, international and bilingual options by neighbourhood, with realistic advice on fees, waiting lists and admission timing.
Daily-life setup
Mobile plans, utilities, transport cards, driving licence exchange and the government portals everything runs through.
How the process runs
Arrival checklist
A sequenced plan per person, because these steps typically depend on each other — AFM usually before lease, lease usually before some bank accounts. The exact order is adjusted to the employee's circumstances and each authority or provider's requirements.
Tax and social security
AFM issued, AMKA registered, and payroll given what it needs to run the first salary on time.
Banking and utilities
Bank account opened where the employee's profile is accepted, utilities and internet in the employee's name, standing payments set up.
Family and schools
School shortlist, applications and enrolment support, plus healthcare registration for spouse and children.
Ongoing support
Renewals, address changes, driving licence exchange and the questions that only appear in month three.
What to have ready
- Passport and residence permit or blue receipt
- Registered lease or proof of address
- Employment contract and employer details
- Birth and marriage certificates for family cases, translated and apostilled
- Previous school records for children, translated where required
Exact requirements vary by municipality, tax office, bank and each person's employment and family situation. We confirm your list before any appointment is booked.
Questions we get asked
What is the difference between AFM and AMKA?
AFM is the tax number used for leases, banking and payroll. AMKA is the social security number that connects the person to healthcare and insurance contributions. Most people need both, and in that order.
Can we start any of this before arrival?
Some of it. Document gathering, translations, school shortlisting and bank pre-checks all happen before the flight, which is why the first weeks go faster.
Do spouses and children need their own numbers?
Yes. Family members generally need their own AFM and AMKA for healthcare, schooling and any income of their own.
How do international schools work in Athens?
There are public, private Greek, bilingual and international options, with very different fees, curricula and admission windows. Popular schools fill early, so this should start well before the move date.
Is this included with the immigration service?
It's a defined part of the package rather than a favour we squeeze in. We publish what's included and what costs extra before you sign.
Related services
Most cases touch more than one workstream. Here is what usually comes before or after this step.
Work permits & residence
Employer-sponsored permits, residence cards and renewals.
See how it worksMetaklisi (invitation)
The national quota route for hiring outside the EU.
See how it worksEU Blue Card Greece
Fast-track permit for highly qualified hires.
See how it worksRelocation & housing
Housing search, leases, utilities and the move itself.
See how it worksWant the admin handled?
Book an intro call and we'll walk through what your arriving employee and their family will actually need, in order.