Buying Property in Crete - Bank Account

Why do you need a Greek bank account? In order for there to be no complications with your tax affairs in Greece, you need to provide a "pink slip" (not always pink) to show legal importation of your money used for buying your property. Thus you need a bank account here to receive the money you will transfer to pay for your property.

We recommend Piraeus Bank for several reasons.

• Very efficient service
• Friendly staff who speak fluent English.
• the best on-line banking interface we have seen (in english)
• Conveniently situated branch network

To open a bank account you need your passport and your tax number. The bank staff will ask you for the other details that they need. The whole process takes about 30 minutes and you will walk out with a Visa Debit Card, which is normally issued whilst you wait. The type of account that you should open is a Savings Account. Current Accounts as you know them are not used in Greece by individuals.

You will have access to the complete range of services provided by Piraeus Bank, who are one of the most forward thinking banks in Europe. We are more than happy to assist you at the bank and will introduce you to the people who can help you with your requirements.

When you are ready you can transfer money into this account from your home bank either directly by SWIFT transfer or by using one of the specialist currency houses like Global Currency Exchange Network. We have an arrangement with them that guarantees you will receive the best rate possible. We do NOT take any commission from your currency deals and have asked that they pass the normal commission that they would pay us on to you in the form of better rates. When calling them make certain that you tell them that you have been introduced by us in order to receive the special rates.