Konstantinos
Lawyer · Athens, Greece
- 28 cases handled · 3 in this service
- 11+ years in practice
- Speaks: English, Greek
- Degree in Law, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens
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5.00(1 review)
Relocation & Settling-In Support in Greece
Settling in Greece means a sequence of registrations: tax number (AFM), social security number (AMKA), residence registration, bank account, lease registration, utilities, healthcare and driving licence. English-speaking lawyers in Greece take the paperwork off your hands, in the right order and with the right documents, so that you can start living rather than queueing.
About Relocation & Settling-In Support in Greece
Moving to Greece brings a set of registrations that every newcomer meets: the Greek tax number (ΑΦΜ, AFM), the social security number (ΑΜΚΑ, AMKA), registration of your residence, a bank account, the registration of your lease, electricity and water contracts, access to healthcare and the exchange of a driving licence. This is settling-in support in the legal and administrative sense, what people search for as how to move to Greece, relocating to Greece from the UK or the US, or a relocation checklist; it is not a removal company and it has nothing to do with relocating with a child, which belongs to family law. Some older lists and lawyer pages call this service “Relocation Service”. English-speaking lawyers in Greece handle the steps for you.
Who uses it
- Retirees and financially independent people arriving under a residence permit, see financially independent person visa.
- Remote workers and employees arriving on a visa or a digital nomad permit.
- EU citizens who register after the first months of stay, see EU citizen registration certificate.
- Families and property owners who want the house, the bills and the taxes in order from the first day.
How it works in Greece
The AFM comes first: without it there is no lease, no bank account, no car and no tax return. It is issued by the tax office (ΔΟΥ) or through the tax authority’s online platform, and for people still abroad a lawyer obtains it under a power of attorney, see AFM number application. The AMKA follows, usually at a Citizens Service Centre (ΚΕΠ), and opens the door to employment, public healthcare and many online services. Non-EU nationals carry their residence permit procedure in parallel; EU nationals register their residence after an initial period. The bank asks for the AFM, proof of address and often the AMKA. A lease is registered on the tax platform by the landlord, and the tenant confirms it; utility contracts are moved into your name with the AFM and the lease, see lease and rental contract review. Tax residence, the first Greek income tax return and the exchange of a driving licence come later in the first year.
What to look out for
Greece has no address registration of the Spanish kind; your address is what the tax office holds, so a change of address is a tax filing, not a town hall visit. Most online services require Greek credentials (Taxisnet) that are issued together with the AFM, and until you have them someone has to go to the office for you. The order of steps matters, since each office wants a paper from the previous one. Requirements for permits and the conditions of the special tax regimes have changed more than once; a lawyer confirms the current ones. This page is general information, not legal advice.
What a lawyer does
Plans the sequence for your situation, obtains the AFM and the Taxisnet codes, accompanies you or acts under a power of attorney for the AMKA, the residence registration and the bank, checks the lease before you sign and sees to its registration, transfers the utilities, and hands over a file with every number and code you will need. Later needs, such as a business or a car, are referred to the right colleague.
Questions and answers
What is the first thing to get after arriving in Greece?
The AFM. Almost every other step depends on it, and it can be obtained before you arrive through a lawyer.
Can I open a Greek bank account on arrival?
Once you have an AFM and proof of address; some banks also want the AMKA or a residence document. Policies differ between banks.
Is there a town hall registration like in Spain or Germany?
No. The tax office record is your address in Greece, and EU citizens register their residence separately with the authorities for foreigners.
Does this service cover moving with children after a divorce?
No. That is a family law matter and is handled by family lawyers.
3 lawyers who provide Relocation & Settling-In Support in Greece
Sorted by experience in this service. Write to any of them — the reply comes from the lawyer, without obligation.
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Tonia
Accountant · Athens, Greece
- 220 cases handled · 1 in this service
- Speaks: English, Greek
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5.00(10 reviews)
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Joanna
Lawyer · Thessaloniki, Greece
- 345 cases handled
- 18+ years in practice
- Speaks: English, Greek, Italian, Spanish
- Law, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki - Universidad de Salamanca Spain- International Hellenic University- University of Cologne, Germany
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4.86(40 reviews)
Contact form · a chat with a lawyer
Talk to a lawyer about Relocation & Settling-In Support
3 registered lawyers provide this service in Greece. Describe your situation in a short chat — what happened, where, and how to reach you. Your enquiry is reviewed and passed to a lawyer who handles exactly this kind of case, with no obligation.
We are not just a place to list a profile: we work with every lawyer individually. Each one is registered with a bar association, and their experience, languages and client reviews are shown openly on their card.
Enquiries are answered by lawyers of AdvocateAbroad. This site provides legal information, not legal advice.
Other administrative law & processes services in Greece
All administrative law & processes services in Greece- Arrest Warrant Check
- Birth, Marriage & Death Certificate Applications
- Divorce Certificate or Decree Copy
- Close a Bank Account
- Fines & Administrative Penalties
- Enforcement of Foreign Judgments
- Criminal Record Certificate (Police Clearance Certificate)
- Power of Attorney
- Document Witnessing & Identity Verification
- Building Permits & Planning Permission
- Verify Identity
What our clients say about our service in Greece
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I am really happy with her. Every time I wrote she answered fast, so I never had to chase her for news of how things were going. She understood what I needed straight away and, with her perfect English, explained the parts I had not followed without making me feel stupid. She was also nice to deal with. The price was fair, and in short she got it done, so I am glad I chose her.
— Antoine03 Jul 2026 -
I recently worked with a lawyer who managed to get my divorce certificate within the promised timeline, even though the information I first gave was limited. From our very first contact she showed great professionalism and expertise. She was patient and understanding and took me through the process step by step, and her English was perfect, so I never had trouble following. I was truly impressed by her attention to detail and her commitment to my case. I am grateful for her dedication and support at what could have been a stressful time, and I was completely satisfied with the result. I highly recommend her to anyone who needs legal assistance. Thank you for the outstanding service!
— Yvonne08 Aug 2025 -
The lawyer was welcoming and very knowledgeable in the area where I needed help, and went above and beyond with information and solutions to keep the process as smooth and simple as possible. Her English was flawless, everything was completed promptly, and I could not be happier with my experience.
— Dean02 Jul 2025 -
The lawyer phoned me back promptly after my first enquiry and reassured me that she could get me a duplicate of my Greek marriage certificate, translated into English. Throughout the process she kept me posted, in flawless English, and was quick to answer my questions. The service was good value for the work involved, and I would not hesitate to use her again if the need ever arises.
— John20 Oct 2023 -
Kind and very helpful.
— Rajinder05 May 2026 -
Very responsive, helpful and good value for money. The lawyer was very professional and reported every step of the process. Excellent assistance. Thank you!
— Julie03 Jan 2023 -
I am in Canada and needed a Greek police clearance certificate, but could not get it anywhere, not even at the Greek embassy here. Then I found this service online, and the help could not have been better: my certificate came within 5 business days.
— Mukhpal19 Sep 2025 -
The lawyer was exceptionally helpful. The document was urgent, and she had it ready in only three days. Prompt communication from her was particularly reassuring and made the whole process stress-free. The price was very reasonable too, much cheaper than traveling to Greece myself, and I was completely satisfied with the outcome. Thank you for the outstanding support.
— Saleh03 Jul 2025 -
The lawyer replied promptly by phone and updated me at each stage of the process. I cannot fault her: she was perfect, and she even translated my document into English for me. I am completely satisfied with the quick turnaround, which took 5 days, exactly as she had promised.
— Patricia28 Feb 2025 -
She did such a great job obtaining a Greek police record for one of my clients, and I would recommend her. She answered my queries very quickly and professionally, and she is kind and did all she could to provide the service I needed.
— Prabhjot25 Jan 2023 -
Very communicative throughout the process, professional and friendly, with perfect English. The lawyer did an amazing job on our project, in good time.
— Lynda28 Nov 2022 -
The lawyer responded immediately to my needs and was able to provide instant solutions. Her English is faultless and her explanations are clear and accurate. She is approachable and answers any query or concern without delay, and her professionalism is perfect. I would not hesitate to recommend her to anyone, since she provides an outstanding service.
— Steve26 Aug 2022