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AMKA · AFM · EFKA · KEP · Greece Expat

Greek Practice for Expats Living in Greece

Living in Greece means engaging with one of Europe's most paper-intensive administrative systems in Greek. The AMKA (social security number) and AFM (tax number) unlock healthcare and financial services. The Kendra Exypiretieis Politon (KEP citizen service centers) are your gateway to most of these processes. Lucy OS1 gives you AI speaking practice in Greek for these real-life situations.

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Greek Administrative Registration: AFM, AMKA, and KEP

The AFM (Arithmos Forologikou Mitroou, tax registration number) is required for all financial and legal transactions in Greece: opening a bank account, signing contracts, property ownership, and employment. EU citizens obtain the AFM at the local tax office (DOY, Dimossia Oikonomiki Ypiresia) with their EU ID card. Non-EU citizens need a residence permit before applying for AFM. The AMKA (Arithmos Mitroou Koinonikis Asphalisis, social security and health number) is the social security number required for accessing the national health system, registering with EFKA (the unified social security organization), and many public services. AMKA is obtained at KEP (Kentra Exypiretieis Politon, citizen service centers) with AFM and identity documents. KEP centers are found in every municipality and handle a wide range of administrative registrations, saving trips to multiple government offices.

Housing in Greece: Enoikio, Symvolaio, and the Greek Rental Market

Greek rental housing is found through Spitogatos.gr, Xe.gr, and local real estate agents (ktematomesite). Athens neighborhoods from Kolonaki to Nea Smyrni and Piraeus offer very different rental experiences and price levels. The enoikiasterio symvolaio (rental contract) is typically for one year with monthly enoikio (rent) payment. Deposits (prokatavoli or eggyi) are usually two months rent. The contract requires both parties' AFM numbers. Utility connections (DE, the electric company; EYATH for water in Thessaloniki; EYDAP in Athens) require the tenant's AFM and the registered rental contract. The katanolikoi logariasmoi (utility bills) come monthly and are paid at banks, post offices, or online.

Healthcare in Greece: EOPYY, IKA, and EFKA

EFKA (Idrima Koinonikon Asfaliseon, the unified social security organization) replaced IKA and multiple previous insurance funds in 2017. All employed people and self-employed in Greece contribute to EFKA, which provides healthcare through EOPYY (National Organization for Healthcare Provision). After AMKA registration and EFKA enrollment, you can use the public healthcare network: IKA health centers (idrima koinonikon asfaliseon ygeionomiki ypiresia) for primary care, public hospitals (nosokomeio) for inpatient and specialist care, and private contracted clinics. In urban areas, many professionals use private insurance (asfalisi igeias) from AXA, Allianz, or Generali for faster specialist access while keeping EFKA for emergencies. Pharmacies (farmakia, green cross symbol) dispense prescription (me syntagi) and OTC (choris syntagi) medications.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the AMKA and how do I get one?
AMKA (Arithmos Mitroou Koinonikis Asphalisis) is Greece's social security and health number. EU citizens get it at a KEP (citizen service center) with their EU ID card. Non-EU citizens with valid residency get it at KEP or directly at EFKA. It is needed for employer registration, healthcare access, and many public service applications. The process is typically same-day at KEP.
What is KEP and what can I do there?
KEP (Kentra Exypiretieis Politon, citizen service centers) are one-stop-shops for Greek administrative services. You can get AMKA, submit tax documents, request certificates, and handle a range of government registrations. KEP staff are required to help complete administrative processes in Greek. KEP services are faster than going to individual government agencies.
How does Greek public healthcare work for EU expats?
EU expats with EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) from their home country can access Greek public healthcare in the same way as Greek citizens. For expats staying long-term, AMKA registration and EFKA enrollment provides ongoing public health access. The public system covers emergency care, primary care through IKA health centers, and hospital treatment with co-payments (sinastochasma ikonomikis) for some services.
Is English commonly spoken in Greek administrative offices?
English proficiency in Greek government offices varies significantly. KEP centers in tourist areas (Athens center, Thessaloniki, Rhodes) tend to have more English speakers. Regional municipalities and smaller towns often operate primarily in Greek. Preparing key vocabulary and questions in Greek before any administrative appointment significantly reduces the risk of communication problems.
What Greek vocabulary is most useful for expat administrative life?
Key Greek administrative vocabulary: AFM (tax number), AMKA (social security number), KEP (citizen service), EFKA (social security organization), enoikio (rent), katathesi (deposit), symvolaio (contract), farmakio (pharmacy), nosokomeio (hospital), syntagi (prescription), astynomia (police), diavatirio (passport), tautotita (ID card).

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