AFM in Greece for Ukrainians: how to get your tax number

You’ve just landed a job in Thessaloniki, and the employer says “give me your AFM” - and you don’t even know what that abbreviation means. Or you’re trying to open a bank account, and the clerk stares at you: “No AFM? Not possible.” The tax number in Greece is like a Social Security Number in the US or an INN in Ukraine - except without it, you literally can’t do anything official here. Let’s break down how to get one and what documents you’ll need translated.

What is AFM and why you need it¶

AFM (ΑΦΜ - Αριθμός Φορολογικού Μητρώου) is a 9-digit tax identification number assigned once and valid for life. It’s your identifier in the Greek tax system - similar to a TIN in the US, an INN in Ukraine, or a Steuer-ID in Germany.

Without an AFM, you can’t:

• Work legally (employers won’t sign a contract without it)
• Open a bank account
• Sign a rental agreement
• Get a mobile phone contract
• Buy a car or property
• Access tax online services (TAXISnet)

In short: AFM is the key to any official activity in Greece. Even if you’re just buying a holiday apartment on an island and never plan to come back - you still need one.

Two paths: temporary protection vs standard procedure¶

For Ukrainians in Greece, there are two fundamentally different scenarios for getting an AFM. Which one applies to you depends on your status.

Path 1: You have temporary protection¶

If you’ve registered for temporary protection in Greece, you’re in luck - AFM is issued automatically during registration at the Asylum Service. The number is printed right on your residence permit card. No extra visits needed.

But sometimes AFM isn’t assigned during registration for whatever reason. If that happens:

1. Book an appointment at the tax office (ΔΟΥ - DOY)
2. Bring your temporary protection card and proof of address (rental contract or utility bill)
3. Fill out the M1 form on the spot and get your number - usually the same day

Path 2: Standard procedure (without temporary protection)¶

Arrived on a work visa, to study, buy property, or staying longer than a tourist? Then you’ll need to apply for AFM through the tax office yourself. Two options: in person at a DOY or online via myAADE.

What documents you need for AFM¶

The list depends on your status, but here’s the basic set:

For third-country nationals (including Ukrainians)¶

Additional documents (when needed)¶

• Marriage certificate - if applying as a couple. Needs an apostille and certified Greek translation
• Child’s birth certificate - for registering minors. Also with apostille and translation
• Power of attorney - if a representative is applying on your behalf (lawyer or accountant). Notarized, with apostille

Good news: the AFM itself is free. No government fees or charges whatsoever.

Do you need a passport translation?¶

Here’s the thing. For DOY submissions, passport translation usually isn’t required - they read the data directly from the document. But if you have an internal Ukrainian passport (the booklet) without Latin script - a certified Greek translation might be necessary. A biometric international passport won’t cause any issues.

How to apply online via myAADE¶

Since 2023, Greece lets foreigners apply for AFM online. This made things much simpler - no standing in DOY queues.

Step by step¶

1. Go to myAADE (myaade.gov.gr) and select the “TIN and Authentication Key” service
2. Fill out the form - personal details, passport information, address
3. Upload document scans - passport, proof of address, additional documents
4. Complete verification - either a video call through myAADElive or an in-person visit to a DOY
5. Receive your AFM - after verification, your number and access codes arrive via encrypted email

Video verification works in Greek and English. If you don’t speak either - you’ll need to go in person or work through a representative.

Applying through a representative¶

Can’t or don’t want to come to Greece? You can get AFM through a tax representative - a lawyer or accountant. You’ll need:

• Power of attorney - arranged at a Greek consulate or a notary in Ukraine with an apostille and Greek translation
• Passport copy
• Representative’s fee - 100 to 300 euros depending on the lawyer

The representative submits the application via myAADE, handles verification, and sends you the number. The whole process takes one to three weeks.

Document translation: how it works in Greece¶

Greece’s system of certified translation differs from Germany’s or France’s. Since 2021, the Translation Service at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was replaced by the Register of Certified Translators.

Who can translate officially¶

Official translation into Greek is done by three categories of professionals:

• Certified translators from the MFA register - search at metafraseis.services.gov.gr
• Greek lawyers with knowledge of the relevant language
• Graduates of the Translation Faculty at the Ionian University

Only translations from these professionals are considered official and accepted by the tax office and other government agencies.

How much translation costs¶

Prices vary by translator and text complexity. Athens is pricier; islands or smaller cities tend to be cheaper. The average per-page rate is 15-25 euros plus 24% VAT.

The critical order of operations¶

The golden rule for Ukrainian documents in Greece: get the apostille in Ukraine first, then translate into Greek. Not the other way around. The apostille is issued by Ukraine’s Ministry of Justice - you can’t get it abroad. More details on this process in the article about sworn translation in Greece.

If you need a preliminary translation to understand your documents or as a base for the subsequent certified translation - ChatsControl can do the translation online in minutes. For the official certified translation, you’d then go to a registered certified translator in Greece.

In-person submission at a DOY: what to expect¶

If you’ve decided to go in person - here’s what you need to know.

Where to go¶

For foreigners without a Greek address, there’s a special tax office: DOY Katoikon Exoterikou (Tax Office for Foreign Residents), located at Mesogeion 207, 115 25, Athens. If you have a Greek address (rental, registration) - go to the nearest DOY to your place of residence.

What happens there¶

You show up with your documents, fill out the M1 form (Δήλωση Απόδοσης Α.Φ.Μ.) - basic information: surname, first name, father’s name, date and place of birth, passport number, address, marital status. Submit the form and documents. Usually, the AFM number is issued the same day - sometimes you wait a few hours.

On one expat forum about Greece, someone shared: “Showed up at the DOY at 8 AM, had my AFM by 10. But my friend went three times - each time they were missing some document. Advice: check the list twice before you go.”

After getting your AFM¶

Got the number - what’s next? A few things worth knowing:

• TAXISnet - register on the portal (taxisnet.gov.gr) for access to tax online services. You’ll need it for filing declarations if you work or earn income in Greece
• AMKA - if you don’t yet have a social security number, get it at an EFKA office. Both AFM and AMKA are needed for employment
• Bank account - you can now open a Greek bank account with your passport and AFM

AFM is valid indefinitely. Even if you leave Greece - the number stays yours forever.

FAQ¶

How much does it cost to get an AFM in Greece?¶

It’s free. No government fees for AFM issuance whatsoever. Costs may only come from document translation (15-25 euros per page + VAT) and from hiring a tax representative if you’re applying remotely (100-300 euros).

Do I need a passport translation for AFM in Greece?¶

For a biometric international passport - no, the data is read from the Latin script. For an internal Ukrainian passport without Latin text, you may need a certified Greek translation. Marriage and birth certificates need translation if you’re submitting them as supporting documents.

How do I get an AFM in Greece online?¶

Through the myAADE platform (myaade.gov.gr): fill out the form, upload document scans, complete verification via video call (myAADElive) or in-person visit. After review, your AFM is sent by email. If applying from abroad - you’ll need a tax representative in Greece.

Do Ukrainians with temporary protection get AFM automatically?¶

Yes. During registration for temporary protection at the Asylum Service, AFM is issued automatically along with the residence permit card. If for some reason the number wasn’t assigned - book an appointment at a DOY with your card and proof of address.

Where can I find a certified translator in Greece?¶

On the Greek MFA’s Register of Certified Translators portal: metafraseis.services.gov.gr. You can search by language pair, city, and specialization. Official translations are also done by Greek lawyers with language skills and graduates of the Translation Faculty at the Ionian University.