Information guide for international students, not individual legal, tax or medical advice. Check requirements, amounts and procedures with the competent source before acting.
Operational framework
In Greece, citizenship, duration, course and work determine different procedures. For an Italian the path starts from an EU registration certificate with the competent police authority for stays over three months, with registration, resources and coverage; for a non-EU citizen from a national visa and residence permit for study according to the Migration Code. The sections separate the cases and indicate tests and risks.
AFM
Rule:It is the central identifier for AADE.
What to do:Protect TAXISnet and update tax domicile.
Operational verification:Link the rule to the current source, your category, and dated proof; note the deadline and competent authority.
I count
Rule:Bank verifies identity, address, AFM and tax residence.
What to do:Compare fees and do not send funds before KYC.
Operational verification:Check identity, complete document, territory and receipt. Don’t rely on verbal confirmation.
Tax residency
Rule:Days and center of interests, with Italy-Greece treaty, determine the position.
What to do:Maintain calendar and documents.
Operational verification:Enter the passage in the calendar with cost, deadline and alternative plan in case of delay.
Declaration
Rule:AADE manages digital tax returns and documents.
What to do:Check pre-populated data and deadlines.
Operational verification:Review the point when your course, major, duration, job or insurance changes.
Employee
Rule:Withholdings and contributions must coincide with payroll and ERGANI.
What to do:Compare payslip and credit.
Operational verification:Link the rule to the current source, your category, and dated proof; note the deadline and competent authority.
Autonomous
Rule:Starting business involves KAD, myDATA, e-EFKA and possible VAT/duties.
What to do:Do not open to disguise subordination.
Operational verification:Check identity, complete document, territory and receipt. Don’t rely on verbal confirmation.
Cards and scams
Rule:Fake bank, AADE and marketplace target OTP.
What to do:Call up official channels.
Operational verification:Enter the passage in the calendar with cost, deadline and alternative plan in case of delay.
Departure
Rule:Update AADE, close accounts and maintain access.
What to do:Download declarations and receipts.
Operational verification:Review the point when your course, major, duration, job or insurance changes.
Personal financial system in four logical accounts
Divide the money at least in accounting terms: tuition and annual obligations; fixed expenses; weekly life; emergencies/travel. Automate transfers after each entry. Calculate weekly, monthly and annual costs without mixing frequencies. For weekly rent use 52 weeks, not four per month. Update the budget when there is a change, an increase in rent or a reduction in shifts.
Don’t use the total balance as a measure of how much you can spend: subtract bills already accrued, future tuition, taxes to be set aside and bonds. Maintain a runway expressed in weeks of essential expenses. If it falls below your chosen threshold, reduce discretionary spending and contact your provider/creditor before the deadline.
Fiscal and documentary register
Maintain income statements, payslips, bank interest, scholarship letters, invoices, receipts and conversion calculations. For each deduction, note the income link, private share and proof of payment. Photographs of receipts must show vendor, date, amount and asset; the simple bank statement proves the payment but not always the nature.
Use your official tax account and check that your employer and bank details are correct. Do not leave statements with an intermediary without review. Ask for a copy of the return and assessment. A large refund does not prove that the return is correct; it can turn into debt after inspection.
Fraud protection
If you receive an urgent request, stop the channel and check via app or official number. Do not share passwords, OTPs, remote access or seed phrases. For an invoice with changed details, call an already known contact. Set notification and transfer limits; immediately block card and contact bank if you have authorized fraud.
Document reference number, recipient, time and conversation. Report early: Banks and platforms have operational windows. Change credentials starting from the email, check forwarding rules and open sessions. A complaint does not guarantee recovery but protects reconstruction.
Prepare for departure
Before closing your account, complete your final salary, bonds, tax assessment, any pension/super and refunds. Download statement and update foreign address. Maintain a method for MFA or change number early. Check tax obligations for the year of departure and keep documents for the applicable legal period.
Tax position and self-employment
An AFM does not by itself establish Greek tax residence. Days, home, centre of personal/economic interests and the Italy–Greece treaty determine the result. Keep presence, housing, family and foreign-income evidence and verify the pre-filled AADE return. Before freelancing, check business opening, KAD, myDATA, VAT, e-EFKA and whether the immigration permit allows self-employment. Protect TAXISnet and OTP codes and use clear payment references.
Official sources
Verified: 2026-08-22.