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.