Yes — a minor can get an AFM in Greece, but the process is different from the adult route. Gov.gr states that the AFM request can be submitted by the legal representatives of natural persons, including minors, and AADE’s myAADElive FAQ says that minors cannot go through the process alone. Instead, the request for a minor is submitted exclusively online by the legal representative using their personal TAXISnet access codes. That is the first big difference parents need to understand. A minor does not simply book a video call like an adult applicant. AADE’s guidance says the minor route is handled through the parent, guardian, or other legal representative, and for minor children of tax residents abroad the application is filed through the “TIN & Authentication Key” application on myAADE. AADE also states that, as a rule, the written consent of both parents is required, except in cases such as the death of one parent or where a court decision or notarial deed defines custody. This is exactly why many families prefer not to improvise the process. At AFM Greece, this is precisely what we help with: understanding the correct route for the child, preparing the right file, and avoiding delays caused by missing parental consent, missing translations, or the wrong representative paperwork.

Yes — in many cases, you can get an AFM in Greece without appointing a tax representative. This is one of the biggest points of confusion for non-residents, because many people still assume that living abroad automatically means they must appoint someone in Greece. Current AADE guidance says otherwise: the appointment of a tax representative is optional, and AADE’s Registry Procedures Guide also states that for taxpayers who do not wish to appoint one, the KEFODE of Attica is designated as the competent authority. That matters a lot, because it changes the whole mindset of the application. The real question is not “Do I have no choice?” but rather “What is the best route for my case?” If you want to avoid extra representative paperwork, that route often exists. And at AFM Greece, this is exactly what we propose: helping non-residents apply for their AFM with the simplest route possible, without pushing unnecessary tax-representative formalities where they are not required. The quick answer below reflects the current AADE position on optional tax representatives, self-submission, and identification routes.

If you are applying for an AFM in Greece from abroad, one of the most confusing parts of the process is the tax representative. Many people assume they automatically need one. Others think they can simply name someone informally and move on. In reality, the Greek authorities do allow the AFM application to be submitted electronically by the interested person, a legal representative, a tax representative, or an authorized third party, but when a tax representative is involved, the supporting paperwork has to be prepared properly. Just as importantly, AADE’s own FAQ makes clear that appointing a tax representative is not always mandatory. It can be optional when the taxpayer declares that they accept official notifications from the Tax Administration at the contact details they have declared themselves. That is why the real question is often not “Do I absolutely need one?” but “If I use one, how do I appoint them correctly?” .That is exactly where AFM Greece comes in. This is precisely the kind of support we offer: helping non-residents understand whether a tax representative makes sense for their case, preparing the right paperwork, and making sure the AFM application is not delayed by avoidable document mistakes.

Usually, yes — at least if you want to actually use your Greek tax profile online after getting your AFM. The official gov.gr service is not just about issuing an AFM: it is literally the service for the attribution of an AFM and key to a natural person, it asks for the desired username for the Taxisnet code issuance, and it states that the AFM certificate, pass key, and Taxisnet credentials are sent to the registered email. AADE uses the same logic on its side, referring to the delivery of the Authentication Key and the myAADE/TAXISnet online services access codes after successful processing.  That said, not every person who gets an AFM will need to actively use TAXISnet on day one. AADE’s non-resident FAQ says that an adult foreign tax resident is required to file a tax return in Greece only when they acquire Greek-source income, and that someone who merely owns a secondary residence or purchases property or a car in Greece, without Greek-source income, is not required to file an income tax return for that reason alone. But many common digital actions after the AFM stage do require personal TAXISnet or myAADE access, such as issuing a tax registry certificate, changing registry details, filing returns electronically, or sending digital questions through my1521. 

Yes — in many cases, you can get an AFM in Greece without physically going to a Greek tax office. The official process is now electronic, and the applicant can choose identification through video call via myAADElive instead of attending a tax office in person. Gov.gr states that the AFM request is submitted electronically, and identification can then take place either by videoconference or by physical attendance at the tax office. AADE’s own guidance says the interested person can choose an in-person appointment, a video call appointment, or a direct video call with the first available agent. 

That is the good news. The less glamorous part is that “possible online” does not always mean “simple.” The process still depends on the correct route, the correct documents, and the correct identification step. And if a representative is involved, the supporting paperwork must still be prepared properly. In other words, the real obstacle is often not the trip to Greece — it is the admin around the file. 

The draft below follows the current official AADE and gov.gr process for electronic AFM requests, video-call identification, representative filings, and supporting documents. 

One of the first questions applicants ask is also one of the hardest to answer with a single number: how long does it actually take to get an AFM in Greece? The official answer is that there is no single fixed published turnaround in days for every case. The process is electronic, but the timing depends on the route you use for identification, appointment availability, and whether your documents are complete from the start. Official AADE guidance says the applicant can identify themselves either by direct videocall with the first available agent, by scheduled videocall, or by physical appointment at a tax office. After identification, the application is processed by the service and the TIN issuance certificate is sent by email. 

That means the real answer is not “it always takes X days.” In practice, some applicants may move quite quickly if they use the direct videocall route and their file is clean, while others may wait longer because there is no suitable appointment, a document is missing, or the case is more complex. AADE’s own FAQ says direct videocall shows an estimated waiting time, while scheduled appointments open for the next 15 calendar days and new available slots are added every morning after 10:00 a.m. 

So the better question is not “What is the exact official number of days?” but rather “What affects the timeline, and what is the fastest realistic route for my case?” That is where most delays are won or lost. 

If you want to buy property in Greece, getting an AFM is usually one of the first practical steps. In simple terms, the AFM is your Greek tax identification number, and property-related tax steps in Greece run through that tax system. The official AFM process is open to natural persons regardless of tax residence, and the application can be submitted electronically, with identity verification by video call or in person. 

For buyers from abroad, the confusion usually starts here. People often ask whether buying a home in Greece makes them Greek tax residents, whether they must file a Greek tax return every year, or whether a tax representative is mandatory. The reassuring part is that the official rules are more nuanced than the internet horror stories suggest. AADE’s own FAQ states that a foreign tax resident who purchases property in Greece, but does not receive Greek-source income, is not required to file an income tax return in Greece for that reason alone. 

The other key point is that buying property does create tax and registry obligations around the purchase itself. The buyer is responsible for the real estate transfer tax, and foreign residents who acquire property in Greece must also submit an E9 real estate statement, with ENFIA then calculated annually for properties held on 1 January. 

One of the most common questions from people applying for an AFM from abroad is whether a tax representative is mandatory. The short answer is: not always.

This is where many applicants get confused. Some people assume that being a non-resident automatically means they must appoint a tax representative in Greece. In practice, the situation is more nuanced. The official process allows a person living abroad to apply for an AFM electronically, and the application can be submitted by the applicant themselves, by a representative, or by an authorized third person. That does not mean every non-resident is automatically forced to appoint a tax representative from the start.

At the same time, if a tax representative is used, the supporting paperwork must be prepared properly. And that is often where delays, misunderstandings, and rejected files begin.