Facebook Twitter LinkedIn E-Mail WhatsApp
 17 September 2020

Expat Banking in Greece

Anna MileikoWritten by Anna Mileiko

Expat Banking in Greece

Following the government-debt and political crisis in Greece, the Greek government has introduced several measures to attract foreign investors and entrepreneurs to the country to give a boost to the economy. In particular, non-EU nationals are granted a five-year residence permit when buying a property valued 250,000 EUR or higher. Financially independent persons including retirees are also eligible for a residence permit.

Although there is no formal requirement on having a local bank account when getting a residency or buying a property in Greece, Greece has implemented a number of restrictions on the use of cash, so having a bank account can be useful in everyday activities. Banking services in Greece are available not only to Greece residents, but also to non-residents, both individuals and companies. Greek banks are rather conservative and require a branch visit to open an account.

Account Opening

Greek banks do not provide online account opening option, however some banking products are offered online to existing bank customers.

Required Documents

When opening an account for a new customer, Greek banks are required to obtain the following details and supporting documents (according to the Law 3691/2008 and decision no. 281/5/17.3.2009 of the Bank of Greece, Banking and Credit Committee):

Account Access

Apart from branch banking, all of the banks provide online banking services to access the account.

Account Currencies

Accounts can be opened in Euros as well as in foreign currencies.

International Transfers

Banks in Greece are connected to SWIFT, so the banks can send and receive SWIFT transfers.

Greece is a member of SEPA (Single Euro Payments Area), so Greek banks are able to send and receive SEPA Credit Transfers (SCT) and SEPA Direct Debits (SDD); the banks will progressively adhere to other SEPA schemes, for instance SEPA Instant Credit Transfer (SCT Inst).

Card Providers

Visa and MasterCard payment cards are normally offered by banks in Greece.

Customer Support

Banks listed below offer their websites, online banking interface and mobile applications in both Greek and English. Customer support teams serve customers in Greek and English.

NameCurrenciesCard ProvidersTransfersWebsite Languages
EUROBANK S.A.EUEURVisaVisa
MasterCardMasterCard
SWIFT transfers
SEPA credit transfers
SEPA direct debits
GRGreek
GBEnglish
PIRAEUS BANK SAEUEUR
AUAUD
CACAD
CHCHF
+ 6 more
VisaVisa
MasterCardMasterCard
SWIFT transfers
SEPA credit transfers
SEPA direct debits
GRGreek
GBEnglish
ProCredit Bank (Bulgaria) EADEUEURVisaVisa SWIFT transfers
SEPA credit transfers
SEPA direct debits
GRGreek
GBEnglish
SANTANDER CONSUMER FINANCE, S.A., Greek BranchMasterCardMasterCard SWIFT transfers
SEPA credit transfers
SEPA direct debits
T.C. Ziraat Bankasi A.S.EUEUR
TRTRY
USUSD
GBGBP
n/a SWIFT transfers
SEPA credit transfers
SEPA direct debits
GRGreek
GBEnglish
TRTurkish
Optima bank S.A.EUEUR
USUSD
CHCHF
GBGBP
+ 6 more
MasterCardMasterCard SWIFT transfers
SEPA credit transfers
SEPA direct debits
GRGreek
GBEnglish
National Bank of GreeceEUEUR
USUSD
CHCHF
GBGBP
+ 7 more
VisaVisa
MasterCardMasterCard
SWIFT transfers
SEPA credit transfers
SEPA direct debits
GRGreek
GBEnglish
Attica Bank S.A.EUEURVisaVisa
MasterCardMasterCard
SWIFT transfers
SEPA credit transfers
SEPA direct debits
GRGreek
GBEnglish
BMW Austria Bank GmbHn/a SWIFT transfers
SEPA credit transfers
SEPA direct debits
GRGreek
CA Auto Bank GmbH - Hellenic BranchVisaVisa SWIFT transfers
SEPA credit transfers
SEPA direct debits
GRGreek
Aegean Baltic Bank S.A.VisaVisa SWIFT transfers
SEPA credit transfers
SEPA direct debits
GRGreek
GBEnglish
Alpha Bank S.A.EUEUR
foreign currencies
VisaVisa
MasterCardMasterCard
Diners ClubDiners Club
SWIFT transfers
SEPA credit transfers
SEPA direct debits
GRGreek
GBEnglish
 

How to Open Account in EUROBANK S.A.

Established in 1990, Eurobank is a part of Eurobank Group (Greece), a robust financial organisation which develops financial products and services, focusing on customers and their needs. Eurobank Group operates with transparency, builds credibility and applies modern corporate governance practices. Eurobank is a universal commercial bank, offering products and services in retail, private, business, corporate banking and wealth management to individuals, SMEs and business entities.

EUROBANK S.A. is the 4th largest bank in Greece in terms of total assets. In 2023 its total assets were 62 321,00 mln EUR, providing the bank with the market share of 19.40%. In 2023 the bank's net income was 794,00 mln EUR.

Products and Services

EUROBANK S.A. provides products and services in the areas of retail banking, private banking, business banking. EUROBANK S.A. offers a range of products including current accounts, children savings accounts, pension accounts, savings accounts, time deposit accounts, mutual funds, debit cards, prepaid cards, credit cards, consumer loans, mortgage loans.

Account Opening

Opening an account in EUROBANK S.A. can be done in a few steps:
1.
Visit bank branch

Required Documents

passport or ID card
utility bill
wage slip, employment contract or social insurance receipt
tax return

Identity Verification

branch visit

Remote Access

Remote access to the account is possible via online banking, mobile app.
Website Languages
GRGreek
GBEnglish

Account Currencies

EUEUR

Card Providers

VisaVisa
MasterCardMasterCard

How to Open Account in PIRAEUS BANK SA

Founded in 1916, Piraeus Bank is one of the largest banking groups in Greece serving customers on its domestic market with a very small presence abroad. Operating as a universal bank, Piraeus Bank is particularly focused on medium-sized and small enterprises, agricultural banking, consumer and mortgage credit and green banking, capital markets and investment banking, as well as leasing and factoring.

Piraeus Bank S.A. is a wholly owned banking subsidiary of Piraeus Financial Holdings S.A., a financial holdings company, listed on the Athens Stock Exchange.

PIRAEUS BANK SA is the 1st largest bank in Greece in terms of total assets. In 2023 its total assets were 76 151,00 mln EUR, providing the bank with the market share of 23.71%. In 2023 the bank's net income was 667,00 mln EUR.

Products and Services

PIRAEUS BANK SA provides products and services in the areas of retail banking, private banking, business banking, corporate banking. PIRAEUS BANK SA offers a range of products including current accounts, savings accounts, time deposit accounts, structured deposit accounts, debit cards, prepaid cards, credit cards, consumer loans, mortgage loans, mutual funds.

Account Opening

Opening an account in PIRAEUS BANK SA can be done in a few steps:
1.
Visit bank branch

Required Documents

passport or ID card
utility bill
wage slip, employment contract or social insurance receipt
tax return

Identity Verification

branch visit

Remote Access

Remote access to the account is possible via online banking.
Website Languages
GRGreek
GBEnglish

Account Currencies

EUEUR
AUAUD
CACAD
CHCHF
DKDKK
GBGBP
JPJPY
NONOK
SESEK
USUSD

Card Providers

VisaVisa
MasterCardMasterCard

How to Open Account in ProCredit Bank (Bulgaria) EAD

ProCredit Bank (Bulgaria) EAD is a member of ProCredit Group, a financial group headquartered in Germany and consisting of 13 banks operating in developing countries of Eastern Europe and Latin America. The group's business focus is providing lending products to small- and medium-sized companies. ProCredit Group also provides a range of retail banking products to natural persons.

ProCredit Bank (Bulgaria) EAD operates as a branch of ProCredit Bank (Bulgaria) EAD (Bulgaria).

ProCredit Bank (Bulgaria) EAD is the 8th largest bank in Greece in terms of total assets. In 2022 its total assets were 469,27 mln EUR, providing the bank with the market share of 0.14%.

Products and Services

ProCredit Bank (Bulgaria) EAD is focused on providing lending products to small- and medium-sized companies. ProCredit Bank (Bulgaria) EAD provides products and services in the areas of retail banking, business banking. ProCredit Bank (Bulgaria) EAD offers a range of products including current accounts, debit cards, savings accounts, time deposit accounts, company accounts, international payments, credit lines to finance working capital, amortization loans, annuity term loans, bank guarantees.

Account Opening

Opening an account in ProCredit Bank (Bulgaria) EAD can be done in a few steps:
1.
Submit online application
2.
Visit bank branch

Required Documents

passport or ID card
utility bill
wage slip, employment contract or social insurance receipt
tax return

Identity Verification

branch visit

Remote Access

Remote access to the account is possible via online banking.
Website Languages
GRGreek
GBEnglish

Account Currencies

EUEUR

Card Providers

VisaVisa


How to Open Account in T.C. Ziraat Bankasi A.S.

Established in 1863, Ziraat Bank is Turkey’s most deeply rooted bank, and offers the widest range of banking services in Turkey and is one of the country’s biggest banks offering retail, private, corporate and invesment banking products and services to domestic and international clients. T.C. Ziraat Bankasi A.S. (Greek Branch) provides retail and corporate banking products and services to straighten the connection between Greece and Turkey.

Products and Services

T.C. Ziraat Bankasi A.S. provides products and services in the areas of retail banking, business banking, corporate banking, trade finance, check clearing. T.C. Ziraat Bankasi A.S. offers a range of products including current accounts, time deposit accounts, overdraft loans, consumer loans, mortgage loans, business loans.

Account Opening

Opening an account in T.C. Ziraat Bankasi A.S. can be done in a few steps:
1.
Visit bank branch

Required Documents

passport or ID card
utility bill
wage slip, employment contract or social insurance receipt
tax return

Identity Verification

branch visit

Remote Access

Remote access to the account is possible via online banking.
Website Languages
GRGreek
GBEnglish
TRTurkish

Account Currencies

EUEUR
TRTRY
USUSD
GBGBP

How to Open Account in Optima bank S.A.

Optima Bank was established in July 2019, following the acquisition of the Investment Bank of Greece by Ireon Investments (Greece). Optima Bank aims to become a simple, flexible and contemporary bank that responds promptly and effectively to the needs of individuals and modern businesses.Optima Bank operates as a universal bank, providing retail, private, business and corporate banking products and services.

Optima bank S.A. is the 5th largest bank in Greece in terms of total assets. In 2023 its total assets were 3 855,00 mln EUR, providing the bank with the market share of 1.20%. In 2023 the bank's net income was 101,00 mln EUR.

Products and Services

Optima bank S.A. provides products and services in the areas of retail banking, private banking, business banking, online brokerage. Optima bank S.A. offers a range of products including current accounts, time deposit accounts, debit cards, housing loans, mutual funds.

Account Opening

Opening an account in Optima bank S.A. can be done in a few steps:
1.
Visit bank branch

Required Documents

passport or ID card
utility bill
wage slip, employment contract or social insurance receipt
tax return

Identity Verification

branch visit

Remote Access

Remote access to the account is possible via online banking.
Website Languages
GRGreek
GBEnglish

Account Currencies

EUEUR
USUSD
CHCHF
GBGBP
CACAD
AUAUD
SESEK
DKDKK
NONOK
JPJPY

Card Providers

MasterCardMasterCard

How to Open Account in National Bank of Greece

Established in 1841, National Bank of Greece is one of the largest financial groups in Greece, with a strong presence in Southeast Europe and Eastern Mediterranean. National Bank of Greece is a universal bank providing a broad range of products and services in the areas of retail, private, business, corporate and investment banking.

National Bank of Greece is the 2nd largest bank in Greece in terms of total assets. In 2023 its total assets were 74 584,00 mln EUR, providing the bank with the market share of 23.22%. In 2023 the bank's net income was 1 020,00 mln EUR.

Products and Services

National Bank of Greece provides products and services in the areas of retail banking, private banking, business banking, corporate banking, institutional banking, online brokerage. National Bank of Greece offers a range of products including current accounts, savings accounts, time deposit accounts, debit cards, prepaid cards, credit cards, consumer loans, housing loans, mutual funds.

Account Opening

Opening an account in National Bank of Greece can be done in a few steps:
1.
Visit bank branch

Required Documents

passport or ID card
utility bill
wage slip, employment contract or social insurance receipt
tax return

Identity Verification

branch visit

Remote Access

Remote access to the account is possible via online banking.
Website Languages
GRGreek
GBEnglish

Account Currencies

EUEUR
USUSD
CHCHF
GBGBP
SESEK
NONOK
DKDKK
CACAD
AUAUD
JPJPY
TRTRY

Card Providers

VisaVisa
MasterCardMasterCard

How to Open Account in Attica Bank S.A.

Established in 1925, Attica Bank is a dynamic financial services company operating via a broad network of branches in the main cities of Greece. Attica Bank is a universal commercial bank, providing a broad range of retail and business banking products and services to individuals, SMEs and large companies.

Attica Bank S.A. is the 6th largest bank in Greece in terms of total assets. In 2023 its total assets were 3 729,00 mln EUR, providing the bank with the market share of 1.16%. In 2023 the bank's net income was 27,00 mln EUR.

Products and Services

Attica Bank S.A. provides products and services in the areas of retail banking, business banking. Attica Bank S.A. offers a range of products including current accounts, savings accounts, time deposit accounts (1.00 - 2.30 %), sight deposit accounts, debit cards, prepaid cards, credit cards, consumer loans, housing loans, green loans, trading accounts, mutual funds.

Account Opening

Opening an account in Attica Bank S.A. can be done in a few steps:
1.
Visit bank branch

Required Documents

passport or ID card
utility bill
wage slip, employment contract or social insurance receipt
tax return

Identity Verification

branch visit

Remote Access

Remote access to the account is possible via online banking, mobile app.
Website Languages
GRGreek
GBEnglish
Mobile App (Attica Mobile) Supported Languages
GBEnglish
GRGreek

Account Currencies

EUEUR

Card Providers

VisaVisa
MasterCardMasterCard




How to Open Account in Alpha Bank S.A.

Alpha Bank was founded in 1879 by J.F. Costopoulos. Alpha Bank is the parent company and the main bank of Alpha Bank Group (Greece). Alpha Bank provides a broad range of banking and financial products and services, including retail and private banking, SMEs and business banking, corporate and investment banking, asset management, brokerage services, and real estate management.

Alpha Bank S.A. is the 3rd largest bank in Greece in terms of total assets. In 2023 its total assets were 66 779,00 mln EUR, providing the bank with the market share of 20.79%. In 2023 the bank's net income was 691,00 mln EUR.

Products and Services

Alpha Bank S.A. provides products and services in the areas of retail banking, private banking, business banking, online brokerage. Alpha Bank S.A. offers a range of products including current accounts, savings accounts, time deposit accounts, pension accounts, debit cards, prepaid cards, credit cards, mutual funds, consumer loans, housing loans.

Account Opening

Opening an account in Alpha Bank S.A. can be done in a few steps:
1.
Visit bank branch

Required Documents

passport or ID card
utility bill
wage slip, employment contract or social insurance receipt
tax return

Identity Verification

branch visit

Remote Access

Remote access to the account is possible via online banking, mobile app.
Website Languages
GRGreek
GBEnglish
Mobile App (myAlpha Mobile) Supported Languages
GBEnglish
GRGreek

Account Currencies

EUEUR
foreign currencies

Card Providers

VisaVisa
MasterCardMasterCard
Diners ClubDiners Club

See Also

TheBanks.eu Values Your Privacy

We use cookies to provide you with an excellent user experience. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to our use of cookies.

Customize Cookies

We use cookies to ensure an excellent user experience and provide personalized information. Below you will find a detailed description of all the types of cookies we use.

Necessary Cookies

Required for essential site functions, such as secure system log-in or setting your preference parameters. Necessary cookies do not store any personal data.

Analytical Cookies

Required for site usage statistics, allow the analysis of indicators such as the number of visits, traffic sources, etc.

Advertising Cookies

Required to provide personalized advertising based on visited pages and analyze ad campaign efficiency.