The AMKA (ΑΜΚΑ) — Greece’s social-security number
What it is
AMKA (Αριθμός Μητρώου Κοινωνικής Ασφάλισης) is the social-insurance registry number held by ΗΔΙΚΑ; its first six digits are your date of birth. It is the key to employment, social insurance (EFKA / ΕΦΚΑ), public healthcare, prescriptions, and pensions.
Why it gates money
An active AMKA is required to be legally employed and insured. Your employer registers you for payroll and EFKA using it. No AMKA means no legal salary and no access to the public health system — so for anyone coming to work, this is as important as the AFM.
Where and how
Issued free at a KEP (Citizens’ Service Centre), a KEM (Migrant Integration Centre), or an EFKA office. Usually no appointment. Bring your ID/passport, (for non-EU) your residence permit, your AFM, and proof of a Greek address.
The sharp EU / non-EU divide
- EU/EEA citizens do not need a residence permit to get an AMKA.
- Non-EU (third-country) nationals must hold a residence permit first. Tourist or short-stay status usually does not qualify.
- Passive-income permit holders (Financially Independent Person, Golden Visa, Digital Nomad) are generally not eligible for AMKA, because they are not in the Greek labour/insurance system — they rely on private health insurance instead.
- Asylum seekers and temporary-protection holders use a parallel number, ΠΑΑΥΠΑ (PAAYPA), instead of AMKA.
The dependency trap
AMKA needs the AFM first; a non-EU AMKA needs a residence permit first; yet some processes expect a job/recruitment statement to trigger the AMKA — a loop that can strand newcomers. Budget one to four weeks and do not agree a job start date assuming the AMKA will be instant.
How not to get cheated
like the AFM, the AMKA is free. If a recruiter, landlord or “agency” asks for money to obtain your AMKA, that is a red flag — the cost is your time at a KEP/EFKA office, not a fee.
Related
AFM (tax number) · residence permit as ID · first IDs, in order
This is general information, not immigration, legal or tax advice. Eligibility and office practice can change — confirm your own case with EFKA (e-efka.gov.gr), amka.gr or gov.gr. WTP Finance is informational only.