What is the AFM?
The AFM (Αριθμός Φορολογικού Μητρώου) is a unique 9-digit number assigned by the Greek Tax Office (AADE) to every taxpayer in Greece. It's the Greek equivalent of a National Insurance Number or Social Security Number.
Why Do You Need an AFM?
The AFM is essential for: - Opening a bank account - Buying or renting property - Paying taxes - Registering a business - Connecting utilities (electricity, water) - Buying a car - Signing employment contracts - Accessing healthcare
In short: you cannot function in Greece without an AFM.
Who Can Get an AFM?
Anyone can obtain an AFM: - Greek citizens - EU citizens living in Greece - Non-EU citizens with residency rights - Non-residents buying property in Greece - Business owners
Required Documents
For EU Citizens
- Valid passport or national ID - Proof of address (Greek or foreign) - Sometimes: birth certificate or marriage certificateFor Non-EU Citizens
- Valid passport - Greek residence permit (or proof of application) - Proof of Greek address - Sometimes: birth certificate or marriage certificateFor Non-Residents
- Valid passport - Proof of address in home country - Greek tax representative (we can act as this)The Application Process
Option 1: Apply in Person
Pros: Free, can be done same-day Cons: Requires Greek language skills, long waits, confusing bureaucracy
Option 2: Use Our Service
Pros: No visit required, English support, guaranteed acceptance Cons: Small service fee (€50-€100)
Timeline
Costs
Taxisnet Setup
Taxisnet is Greece's online tax portal. Once you have your AFM, you need Taxisnet access to: - File tax returns - Pay taxes online - View your tax records - Communicate with the tax office
Setting up Taxisnet requires: - Your AFM number - A Greek mobile phone number (for SMS verification) - Online registration at aade.gr
We include Taxisnet setup in our AFM registration service.
Common Issues
"My name has special characters"
Greek systems don't handle all special characters well. We ensure your name is transliterated correctly to avoid issues later."I don't have a Greek address yet"
You can use a temporary address (hotel, friend's house) for initial registration, but you'll need to update it within 30 days."The tax office rejected my documents"
Common reasons: missing apostille, poor translation, wrong document type. We review everything before submission to avoid rejections."I lost my AFM certificate"
Your AFM never changes. We can retrieve your certificate from the tax office or you can find it on Taxisnet.AFM for Property Buyers
Even if you're not a Greek resident, you need an AFM to buy property. The process is slightly different: - You need a Greek tax representative (we can act as this) - Your home country address is used - The AFM is valid for tax purposes related to the property
How We Help
Our AFM registration service includes: - Document review and checklist - Certified translation arrangement - Power of attorney preparation - Tax office visit by our representative - AFM delivery - Taxisnet setup - Ongoing support
Book a free consultation or apply for AFM registration directly.
