Documents Needed to Get an AFM in Greece (2026 Guide)
Applying for a Greek AFM from abroad can feel more complicated than it should be. The reason is simple: there is no single “one-size-fits-all” file. The documents you need depend on your situation, whether you are applying for yourself, whether you are married, whether a child is involved, and whether you are using a tax representative.
The good news is that for most adult applicants, the file is fairly straightforward. In most cases, it starts with a valid identity document and then expands only if your case includes a tax representative, marital-status details, or a minor. Official AADE guidance also confirms that the AFM request is now made electronically, with identity verification done either by videocall or in person.
AADE’s current guidance for foreign residents centers on an identity document, the online AFM application, and, where applicable, tax representative documents, marriage documents, or child-related civil-status documents.
Quick Answer
If you are applying for an AFM in Greece from abroad, you will usually need:
- A valid passport or national/EU identity document
- Your personal details for the online AFM application
- A tax representative appointment document, if a representative is used
- A declaration of acceptance from the tax representative, if applicable
- A marriage certificate or civil-status document, where relevant
- A birth certificate and parental consent, if the AFM is for a minor
- Official Greek translations and, where required, apostille/legalisation for foreign documents
For many applicants, the passport is the easy part. The documents that usually cause delays are the representative paperwork, translations, and civil-status documents. That is exactly where a guided service can save time.
AADE allows different routes: you may apply yourself, use a tax representative, or have a legal representative act depending on the case. The real difference between these options is usually not the AFM itself, but how much of the paperwork and document checking you handle on your own.
| Option | Who it suits | What you handle yourself | Main drawback | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apply yourself via the official route | People comfortable with Greek admin steps and document preparation | Identity verification, uploads, follow-up, checking whether translations or extra documents are needed | More admin work and more room for avoidable mistakes | Lowest-cost route, but not the simplest |
| Use a tax representative only | Applicants who already have a trusted person or lawyer in Greece | Preparing the representative appointment documents and coordinating the case | Still requires document coordination and careful preparation | Good middle ground if you already have local help |
| Use AFM Greece | Non-residents who want a smoother, guided process | Usually just sending the requested ID and signing the required paperwork when needed | Paid service | Best overall option for most applicants abroad |
If you want to avoid confusion, missing documents, and unnecessary delays, AFM Greece can guide you through the process from start to finish. We help non-residents understand exactly what is needed for their AFM application, so you can move forward with more clarity and less stress.
The basic AFM documents for most adults
If you are an adult living outside Greece, the first document is usually your valid passport or identity document. AADE’s guidance for foreign citizens residing abroad lists passport, EU identity card, and certain other official identity documents among the acceptable proofs of identity. In practical terms, most applicants will rely on a passport or EU/national ID.
You will also need the personal information required for the online AFM application. Today, the AFM request is tied to the digital registration flow, and the authorities may then verify your identity by videocall through myAADElive or by an in-person appointment.
That is the simple part. Where things usually become more technical is when your case includes a representative, marriage details, or a child.
If a tax representative is used
If a tax representative is involved, the tax office expects supporting documents for that representation. In the current AADE guidance, this usually means a document appointing the tax representative and a declaration from that representative accepting the appointment. The representative’s details and identification information must also be stated.
There is an important nuance here. AADE’s FAQ states that appointing a tax representative is optional if the taxpayer accepts that official notifications from the tax administration will be sent directly to the contact details declared to the authorities. However, when a representative is actually used, the appointment and acceptance documents still need to be correctly prepared.
For many people abroad, this is the stage where the process becomes less “simple” than it first looked. The AFM itself is not the issue. The real challenge is making sure the representative document is signed correctly, authenticated correctly, and translated correctly where needed.
If you are married or declaring civil status
Some applicants will also need civil-status documents. AADE states that a marriage certificate with translation may be required, and the more detailed FAQ also refers to a marriage certificate, certificate of marital status, or cohabitation document depending on the case.
This matters because the application is not always limited to identity only. If your file includes spouse-related details, you should be prepared to provide the relevant civil-status document rather than assuming your passport alone will be enough.
If the AFM is for a child or minor
When the AFM application is for a minor, the file becomes more specific. AADE’s published checklist for minors includes the child’s birth certificate or the parents’ marital-status certificate, an identification document, the tax representative documents where applicable, and written consent from both parents unless one parent is deceased or a court-backed custody arrangement applies.
So if you are applying for a child, it is better to assume from the beginning that you will need more than a basic ID document.
Do foreign documents need translation or apostille?
Very often, yes.
AADE’s guidance explains that if a representative document or other foreign public document has been drawn up outside Greece, it may need authentication under international rules and an official Greek translation. In practice, that usually means an Apostille for countries that are party to the Hague Convention, or consular legalization in other cases, followed by a proper Greek translation where required. AADE’s FAQ also states clearly that foreign-language documents submitted to Greek public services should be legally certified and accompanied by their complete translation into Greek.
This is one of the most important parts of the process, because a document can be perfectly genuine and still unusable if it has not been prepared in the format expected by the Greek authorities.
The practical reality
If you read the official rules from start to finish, one thing becomes clear: the document list is not always long, but it is very case-sensitive. A single applicant with a passport may have a very simple file. A married applicant, a child, or a file involving a representative can require additional documents very quickly.
That is why many non-residents prefer a guided service instead of trying to interpret every edge case alone. The value is not just “getting an AFM”. It is avoiding the wrong translation, the wrong signature format, the wrong representative wording, or an incomplete civil-status file.
At AFM Greece, that is exactly what we help with. Instead of guessing which documents might apply to your case, you can follow a clearer process and submit only what is actually needed.
Final word
So, what documents are needed to obtain an AFM in Greece?
For most adults abroad, start with a valid passport or identity document. Then add the documents that match your exact situation: representative documents if someone is acting for you, civil-status documents if you are declaring marriage details, and child-related documents if the AFM is for a minor. If the documents come from outside Greece, check carefully whether translation, apostille, or legalization is required.
If you want the simplest route, the smartest move is usually not to wait until something is rejected. It is to make sure the file is correct before it is submitted.
The FAQ block below reflects the same current AADE/gov.gr position on identity documents, representative documents, marriage documents, minor applications, and translations.
Ready to apply for your Greek AFM? Let AFM Greece help you handle the process with clear guidance and the right documents from the start. Submit your request today and take the next step with confidence.
FAQ
What documents do I usually need to get an AFM in Greece?
In most cases, you will need a valid passport or identity document, your application details, and any extra supporting documents that apply to your case, such as tax representative paperwork, marriage documents, or child-related civil-status documents.
Do I always need a tax representative?
Not always. Official guidance indicates that a tax representative can be optional in some situations. However, if a representative is used, the appointment and acceptance documents must be prepared correctly.
Can I use a passport instead of a national ID?
Yes. For many foreign applicants, a valid passport is one of the standard identity documents used for the AFM application.
Do married applicants need extra documents?
Sometimes, yes. If your marital status is declared as part of the file, the authorities may request a marriage certificate or another relevant civil-status document.
What if I am applying for a child?
Minor applications often require extra documents such as a birth certificate and written consent from both parents, unless a specific exception applies.
Do foreign documents need to be translated into Greek?
Very often, yes. If a foreign document is not in Greek, it may need an official Greek translation, and depending on the document and country, it may also need apostille or consular legalisation.
Can I apply for an AFM online from abroad?
Yes. The official process allows electronic submission, followed by identity verification either by videocall or in person, depending on the route used.
What is the easiest way to avoid delays?
The easiest way is to make sure the file is correct before submission, especially if your case involves representation, marital-status documents, child applications, or foreign-language paperwork.
