Hello from Greece! I know many people living abroad still have bills, property, family or other financial ties in Greece. So, can you open a Greek Bank Account from abroad without traveling to Greece?
The answer is increasingly yes.
And there has just been a new development that will be particularly interesting for Greeks living in the UK, USA and Israel.
On September 28, 2026, Alpha Bank expanded its remote on boarding service to eligible customers living in those three countries. The service was already available to eligible residents of Germany and Cyprus, so the bank has now extended it to five countries.
This doesn’t mean that every Greek bank now lets anyone abroad open an account online. The rules are different from bank to bank.
But if you live abroad and need to manage your finances in Greece, there are now several options worth knowing about.
What is new?
The important thing is that remote banking itself isn’t new.
Alpha Bank already offered remote on boarding to eligible residents of Germany and Cyprus.
What’s new is the expansion announced on September 28 to:
🇬🇧 the UK
🇺🇸 the USA
🇮🇱 Israel
Alpha Bank says eligible customers in these countries can start a banking relationship without visiting a branch in Greece.
So the current list of countries covered by Alpha Bank’s remote on boarding is:
Germany, the UK, the USA, Cyprus and Israel.
The bank also says it plans to expand the service to more countries over time.
How to Open a Greek Bank Account from Abroad with Alpha Bank
It’s not quite as simple as downloading an app and immediately getting an account.
You first fill in an online form expressing your interest.
An Alpha Bank advisor then contacts you and explains what documents you need.
You then complete a video call with an authorised agent, who verifies your identity and receives your documents.
The video call takes about 30 minutes and can be done in Greek or English.
Once the on boarding process has been completed, Alpha Bank says that, within approximately two business days, your account and e-Banking access are set up and your debit card is issued.
What do you get?
Eligible customers can receive:
– A Greek deposit account
– A debit card
– e-Banking access
Alpha Bank also offers additional products to international customers, including mortgage solutions for people who want to buy or renovate property in Greece.
Who can use the service?
There are requirements.
For Alpha Bank’s remote on boarding, you must:
– Be over 18
– Not already be an Alpha Bank customer
– Live in one of the selected countries
– Have a valid passport or European ID card
– Have a device with a camera and a good internet connection
You’ll also need documents proving things such as your identity, tax information, home address and occupation.
If your documents aren’t in Greek or English, Alpha Bank says they need to be accompanied by an official translation into Greek or English.
And, as with any bank account, additional regulatory or tax checks may be required depending on your circumstances.
Other Options for a Greek Bank Account from Abroad
Alpha Bank isn’t the only option.
Other Greek banks already offer services for people living abroad, although the process and requirements can vary from one bank to another.
Eurobank
Eurobank currently offers Digital Customer On boarding for International Customers.
Eligible customers can open a Day to Day Account through the Eurobank Mobile App without going to a branch. You upload your documents through the app and then have a short video call with a Eurobank representative.
Eurobank says you need to:
– Be over 18
– Be a permanent resident of a country participating in PRADO
– Work in a country participating in PRADO
– Have an ID or passport issued by a country participating in PRADO
– Not already bank with Eurobank
There is also an important restriction: if you have two or more foreign residencies, you cannot open an account through the online process.
The bank asks for documents such as your passport or ID, your latest tax return, proof of your profession and proof of your home address.
If your application is approved, the debit card is sent to your address by registered mail.
Eurobank also has services specifically aimed at Diaspora Greeks and expatriates, including banking, property and relocation-related services.
Piraeus Bank
Piraeus Bank also has a dedicated service for Greeks living abroad.
The process is different, though.
If you are able to come to Greece, you can visit a Piraeus branch and complete the necessary procedures.
If you cannot travel to Greece, Piraeus allows you to appoint a representative in Greece, such as a relative, friend or lawyer, who can visit the branch on your behalf.
There is more paperwork involved with this option. Depending on where you live, you may need a power of attorney, document certification, an Apostille and other supporting documents.
So this is a way to start or maintain a banking relationship from abroad, but it isn’t the same simple online process offered by Alpha Bank and Eurobank.
What about National Bank of Greece?
National Bank of Greece also offers digital banking and online account-opening services.
However, I couldn’t find equally clear current information confirming that its standard online account-opening process is available to permanent non-residents abroad in the same way as the services described above.
So if NBG is the bank you prefer, it’s best to contact the bank directly and ask about opening an account as a non-resident living abroad.
Why would you need a Greek bank account if you live abroad?
There are actually quite a few reasons.
You might:
– Own a home or other property in Greece
– Pay bills or taxes in Greece
– Receive income from Greece
– Send money to family in Greece
– Spend part of the year in Greece
– Be planning to move back
– Be thinking about buying property in Greece
For someone who lives permanently abroad, having to travel to Greece just to start a banking relationship can be a major inconvenience.
That’s why remote on boarding can be useful.
And you don’t necessarily have to be Greek to use these services. For example, Alpha Bank describes its remote on boarding as being available to eligible international customers living in the selected countries.
What Documents Do You Need for a Greek Bank Account from Abroad?
Every bank has its own requirements, but if you’re applying from abroad, expect to provide information about:
– Identity
– Address
– Tax residency
– Tax identification number
– Your income
– Your profession or employment
– The source of your funds
You may also need a Greek AFM, depending on the bank and your circumstances.
Don’t assume that everyone living abroad needs one, though. The requirements can differ.
For example, Piraeus Bank says that EU residents do not need a Greek tax identification number to become a customer, while non-EU residents do.
What if you’re buying property in Greece?
This is another reason remote banking can be useful.
If you’re living abroad and thinking about buying or renovating a home in Greece, you may want to establish a Greek banking relationship before or during the process.
Both Alpha Bank and Eurobank offer mortgage products for non-residents, although opening an account does not mean you automatically qualify for a mortgage. The mortgage application is assessed separately.
So, can you open a Greek bank account from abroad?
In many cases, yes. But it depends on the bank, your country of residence and your circumstances.
Here’s the simple version:
| Bank | Options for people living abroad | Can you avoid travelling to Greece? |
|---|---|---|
| Alpha Bank | Remote onboarding for eligible residents of Germany, UK, USA, Cyprus and Israel | Yes |
| Eurobank | Digital onboarding for eligible international customers | Yes |
| Piraeus Bank | Dedicated services for Greeks abroad, including a proxy option | Yes, in eligible cases |
| NBG | Online banking and account-opening services, but non-resident eligibility should be confirmed directly | Check with the bank |
The services aren’t identical, so it’s important to check the current requirements before applying.
What this new development means
For Greeks living abroad, the interesting part isn’t that Greek banks have suddenly discovered remote banking.
They haven’t.
Eurobank already offers digital on boarding for international customers, and Alpha Bank already had remote on boarding for selected countries.
What’s new is that Alpha Bank has now expanded its service to the UK, USA and Israel, giving eligible residents of those countries another way to start banking in Greece without traveling to the country.
And Alpha Bank says it intends to expand the service to additional countries in the future.
So if you’ve been living abroad and thinking, I’d love to have a Greek bank account, but I really don’t want to fly to Greece just to open one, it’s definitely worth checking the options available to you now.
Just make sure you go through the official bank websites and check the requirements for your particular situation before sending any documents or making plans.
Managing Life in Greece from Abroad
If you live abroad but Greece is still a big part of your life, you probably know that dealing with everyday things from a distance isn’t always easy. Having a Greek bank account can make some of those things a little simpler.
The options and requirements vary from one bank to another. If you’re thinking about opening an account, check which banks offer remote services in your country of residence and what documents you’ll need. I’ve left the official links below so you can check the latest information directly with each bank.
Official information
Alpha Bank: Remote account opening for selected countries
Eurobank: Digital Customer On boarding for International Customers
Piraeus Bank: Services for Greeks living abroad
National Bank of Greece (NBG) also allows new customers to start a banking relationship online through its mobile app, including identification by video call. However, its requirements for customers living abroad can differ, so non-residents should check directly with NBG before applying.
I hope this makes things a little easier if you’re trying to manage your life in Greece from abroad. Good luck, and I hope the process is nice and straightforward!
