Opening a business bank account in Greece

A business account needs your GEMI registration, the company’s articles, founder ID and the corporate AFM, plus source-of-funds documentation. It usually takes 1–3 weeks because of KYC/AML — and it’s the step most likely to require a video call or branch visit even in an otherwise-remote formation. A neobank business account can bridge the gap, but you’ll still need a Greek-IBAN account for official flows.

What you need

the GEMI registration confirmation, the company statute (articles), the founders’ ID, the corporate AFM, and source-of-funds documentation for AML. You then deposit the capital — €1 for an IKE, €25,000 for an AE.

Why it’s the bottleneck

the bank’s KYC/AML checks take 1–3 weeks, and this is usually the only step that still needs a video-KYC or in-person visit even when the company was formed remotely. Build it into your timeline — the registration can be fast, but trading effectively waits on the account.

Foreigner lens

non-EU founders should bring apostilled ID; non-residents may face deeper due diligence, mirroring personal account opening. The corporate AFM and a clear, documented source of funds are what move it along.

The neobank bridge — and its limit

some founders open an EMI / neobank business account in parallel as a fast bridge for early cash-flow. But a Greek-IBAN business account remains necessary for Greek-official flows — tax, payroll, and the settlement linked to your POS and myDATA setup. Treat the neobank as a bridge, not a replacement (see the foreign-IBAN friction in neobanks in Greece).

How not to get cheated

the account itself is a standard product — the cost is your time and documentation, not a fee to “arrange” it. Have your articles, corporate AFM and source-of-funds evidence ready before you start, so the AML review doesn’t stall. Be wary of intermediaries charging large sums to “guarantee” a business account; the bank still runs its own checks regardless.

registering with GEMI · opening a personal account · neobanks in Greece · POS & cash-register interconnection

This is general information, not banking or legal advice. Bank requirements vary and change — confirm with the bank. WTP Finance is informational only.

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