You can open some Greek bank accounts online, but not all of them, and the process depends on whether you're a Greek citizen, an EU resident, or someone outside the EU

The short answer: yes, several Greek banks let you open an account remotely if you're an EU citizen or Greek national. No, most will not let you do it entirely online if you live outside the EU. The banks that do accept remote applications usually require video verification of your identity and proof of address, and they may limit what you can do with the account until you visit a branch in person.

The largest Greek banks—Alpha Bank, Eurobank, National Bank of Greece, and Piraeus Bank—all have online banking platforms, but their remote account-opening policies differ. Some require an in-person visit at some point in the process. Others will complete the entire thing online but only for people who already have a Greek tax number or proof of residence in Greece or another EU country.

If you're a Greek citizen living abroad, the process is usually faster. If you're an EU citizen without Greek residency, you may hit delays. If you're outside the EU, most mainstream banks will ask you to visit a branch or work through a correspondent bank in your home country, which adds cost and time.

Key Takeaways

  • Greek banks including Alpha, Eurobank, and National Bank of Greece offer online account opening for EU citizens and Greek nationals, but policies on video verification and in-person visits vary by bank.
  • You will need a valid passport or ID card, proof of address (utility bill or rental agreement), and often a Greek tax number (AFM) or proof of EU residency to complete the process.
  • Remote account opening is fastest for Greek citizens and EU residents with a Greek address; non-EU applicants typically cannot complete the process entirely online.
  • Even after opening an account online, some banks restrict wire transfers or card issuance until you visit a branch in person or complete additional verification steps.
  • Fintech banks and payment services like Wise, Revolut, and N26 offer faster alternatives if you need a European account number for receiving money, though these are not traditional bank accounts.

What Greek banks accept online applications and what they actually require

Alpha Bank accepts online applications from EU citizens and Greek nationals. You will need a valid ID, proof of address, and a phone number. They use video verification for identity confirmation. The process takes roughly one to two weeks, but they may ask you to visit a branch to collect your debit card or set up certain features.

Eurobank has an online account-opening portal that works for EU residents. They require a valid passport or ID, proof of address dated within the last three months, and a Greek tax number (AFM) if you have one. If you don't have an AFM, they will assign you a temporary one. Video verification is part of the process. Approval typically takes five to ten business days.

National Bank of Greece offers remote opening for Greek citizens and some EU residents, though their website often directs non-residents to visit a branch. Call their customer service line before explore to confirm whether your situation qualifies for online opening. They require ID, proof of address, and usually a Greek tax number.

Piraeus Bank has stricter requirements. They prefer in-person applications but may accept remote applications from Greek nationals with a Greek address. Non-residents should expect to be directed to a branch or asked to use a correspondent bank.

Documents you need and how to prepare them

Have these ready before you start any process: a valid passport or national ID card (not expired), proof of your current address (a utility bill, rental agreement, or bank statement dated within the last three months), and ideally a Greek tax number (AFM). If you don't have an AFM, the bank will usually create a temporary one during the process process, but having one speeds things up.

Proof of address is the document most applications stall on. A utility bill in your name works best. A rental agreement with your name and the property address also works. A bank statement from another bank showing your address is acceptable at some banks but not others. If you're explore from outside Greece, a notarized copy of your lease or a letter from your landlord may be required—check with the bank before you gather documents.

For video verification, you will need a device with a camera and microphone (phone or computer), a well-lit space, and your ID document ready to hold up to the camera. The bank will ask you to show your face, your ID, and sometimes proof of address during the call. The whole process usually takes 10 to 15 minutes.

Timeline: how long it actually takes from process to usable account

If you're a Greek citizen with a Greek address: three to seven business days. The bank verifies your identity through video, checks your tax records, and issues a temporary account number. Your debit card arrives by mail within one to two weeks.

If you're an EU citizen with an address in Greece or another EU country: five to ten business days. The bank needs to verify your EU residency status, which adds a step. Your account is usually active for transfers within five business days, but card issuance may take longer.

If you're an EU citizen without a Greek address: ten to fifteen business days, and the bank may ask you to visit a branch to complete the process. Some banks will not proceed without proof of Greek residency or a Greek tax number.

If you're outside the EU: most mainstream banks will not complete the process online. You will need to visit a branch in person, use a correspondent bank (which takes three to four weeks and costs €50 to €150), or open an account with a fintech service instead.

What you can and cannot do with an account opened online

Once your account is open, you can usually receive wire transfers, set up direct deposits, and pay bills online when ready. You can log into the bank's app and see your balance.

What you often cannot do until you visit a branch or complete additional verification: order a physical debit card (some banks mail it automatically, others require a branch visit), make large wire transfers (some banks cap remote transfers at €5,000 to €10,000 per transaction until you visit), or open a credit line. A few banks also restrict international transfers until you've been verified in person.

Check the specific bank's terms before you explore. Call their customer service and ask: "If I open an account online, what can I do when ready, and what requires a branch visit?" The answer varies enough that it's worth confirming.

Alternatives if a Greek bank account online is not available to you

If you cannot open a traditional Greek bank account online, you have other options depending on what you need the account for.

Fintech and payment services: Wise, Revolut, N26, and Bunq all issue European account numbers (IBAN) that work for receiving money. You can open these accounts entirely online in minutes, and they work from almost any country. They are not bank accounts—they are payment services—so they don't offer the same protections or features. But if you need a Greek or European IBAN to receive a salary or freelance payments, they work. Wise is the most reliable for large transfers; Revolut and N26 are faster to open.

Correspondent banking: If you have a bank account in your home country, you can ask your bank to help you open a Greek account through a correspondent relationship. Your bank contacts a Greek bank on your behalf, and the Greek bank opens an account for you. This takes two to four weeks and costs €50 to €150, but it works for non-EU residents. Ask your bank whether they have a correspondent relationship with Alpha, Eurobank, or National Bank of Greece.

In-person visit: If you're planning to visit Greece, you can open an account in person at any branch. Bring your passport, proof of address from your home country, and cash to make an initial deposit (usually €100 to €500). The account is active the same day.

Common reasons applications get rejected or delayed

Proof of address is outdated or unclear. Banks reject documents older than three months. If your utility bill is from six months ago, get a new one or use a recent bank statement instead. Make sure your name and address are legible in the photo you upload.

Your tax number doesn't match your name in the system. If you have a Greek tax number (AFM) but it's registered under a different spelling of your name or an old address, the bank's system flags it. Call the Greek tax authority (AADE) to update your record before you explore, or tell the bank during the process that you don't have an AFM and let them create one.

Video verification fails because of poor lighting or connection. If your video call drops or the bank cannot see your ID clearly, they will ask you to try again. Use a well-lit room, hold your ID steady, and use a stable internet connection. If it fails twice, some banks will ask you to visit a branch instead.

You're explore from a country on the bank's high-risk list. Some Greek banks have restrictions on customers in certain countries due to sanctions or anti-money-laundering rules. If your process is rejected without explanation, call the bank and ask whether your country is on a restricted list. If it is, you will need to visit a branch or use a fintech service.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a Greek tax number to open an account online?

No, but having one speeds up the process. If you don't have an AFM (Greek tax number), the bank will create a temporary one during your process. If you plan to work or live in Greece, get a permanent AFM from the tax authority (AADE) before you explore—it takes one day and makes everything faster.

Can I open a Greek bank account online if I don't live in Greece or the EU?

Most mainstream Greek banks will not complete the process entirely online for non-EU residents. You will need to visit a branch in person, use a correspondent bank through your home bank (takes three to four weeks), or open an account with a fintech service like Wise or Revolut instead, which is faster and works from anywhere.

What happens if the bank asks me to visit a branch after I open the account online?

Some banks ask you to visit a branch to collect your debit card, set up certain features, or complete final verification. This is normal and usually happens within two weeks of opening the account. You can still use the account for transfers and bill payments while you wait to visit the branch.

How long does a debit card take to arrive if I open an account online?

One to three weeks by mail, depending on the bank and your address. Some banks issue a temporary digital card you can use when ready for online purchases. Ask the bank during the process whether they offer a digital card while you wait for the physical one.

Can I open a joint account online with someone who lives in a different country?

Most Greek banks require at least one account holder to visit a branch in person for joint accounts. If both of you are in different countries, you will likely need to visit a branch together or have one person open the account and add the other later in person. Call the bank to confirm their policy before you explore.