How do I ask "Do you speak English?" in Greek?

Say "Δεν μιλάω καλά ελληνικά, μιλάτε αγγλικά;" (pronounced Then mee-LAH-o ka-LAH eh-lee-nee-KAH, mee-LAH-teh an-glee-KAH?).

What do I say at my residency appointment in Greece?

"I would like to apply for a residence permit." is "Θα ήθελα να υποβάλω αίτηση για άδεια διαμονής.". "Where is the Decentralized Administration office that handles residence permits?" is "Πού είναι το γραφείο της Αποκεντρωμένης Διοίκησης που ασχολείται με τις άδειες διαμονής;".

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Greece Bureaucracy Phrasebook

Q: Is an interpreter provided at government offices in Greece?

Generally no. At residency, healthcare, banking, and housing appointments in Greece you are usually on your own, and English is not guaranteed, which is exactly what this phrasebook is for. Carry your passport and photocopies to every appointment. The AFM (tax number) is issued at the local ΔΟΥ (tax office) or via an accountant through myAADE, not at the immigration office. The AMKA (social security number) is issued at a KEP (Citizens Service Centre) or online at amka.gr. The authority that handles residence permits (adeia diamonis) varies by region (in some areas the Αποκεντρωμένη Διοίκηση, in others the Δήμος under the Ministry of Migration and Asylum), so confirm the correct office for your area locally. Many procedures now begin online via gov.gr.

For the appointments where nobody hands you an interpreter: your residency office, healthcare registration, the bank, and signing a lease.

Polite, formal-register phrases in Modern Greek for the practical steps of relocating to Greece. Each phrase gives the correct Greek script, a plain-letter (non-IPA) pronunciation guide for an English speaker, and notes where useful. Where a speaker's gender changes a word ending, both forms are given, separated by a slash.

Before you go

Carry your passport and photocopies to every appointment. The AFM (tax number) is issued at the local ΔΟΥ (tax office) or via an accountant through myAADE, not at the immigration office. The AMKA (social security number) is issued at a KEP (Citizens Service Centre) or online at amka.gr. The authority that handles residence permits (adeia diamonis) varies by region (in some areas the Αποκεντρωμένη Διοίκηση, in others the Δήμος under the Ministry of Migration and Asylum), so confirm the correct office for your area locally. Many procedures now begin online via gov.gr.

Residency and immigration appointment

For applying for or renewing a residence permit (adeia diamonis), locating the correct authority, and obtaining an AFM and AMKA.

I would like to apply for a residence permit.

Θα ήθελα να υποβάλω αίτηση για άδεια διαμονής.

Tha EE-thela na ee-po-VA-lo EE-tee-see yah AH-thee-ah thee-a-mo-NEES.
Open in translator
Where is the Decentralized Administration office that handles residence permits?

Πού είναι το γραφείο της Αποκεντρωμένης Διοίκησης που ασχολείται με τις άδειες διαμονής;

Poo EE-neh to ghra-FEE-o tees a-po-ken-tro-MEH-nees thee-EE-kee-sees poo as-kho-LEE-teh meh tees AH-thee-es thee-a-mo-NEES?

The Decentralized Administration's Aliens and Immigration Service handles residence permit applications; separately, register your address with the local Δήμος (municipality), which is a prerequisite for the application.
Open in translator
I need an appointment at the immigration office.

Χρειάζομαι ραντεβού στο γραφείο αλλοδαπών.

Hree-AH-zo-meh ran-deh-VOO sto ghra-FEE-o a-lo-tha-PON.
Open in translator
I need to get a tax registration number, an AFM.

Χρειάζομαι να βγάλω ΑΦΜ.

Hree-AH-zo-meh na VGHA-lo ah-fee-MEE.

AFM is usually issued at the local tax office (ΔΟΥ), not at immigration.
Open in translator
I need to get a social security number, an AMKA.

Χρειάζομαι να βγάλω ΑΜΚΑ.

Hree-AH-zo-meh na VGHA-lo AHM-ka.
Open in translator
I don't speak Greek well, do you speak English?

Δεν μιλάω καλά ελληνικά, μιλάτε αγγλικά;

Then mee-LAH-o ka-LAH eh-lee-nee-KAH, mee-LAH-teh an-glee-KAH?
Open in translator
What documents do I need for the residence permit application?

Ποια δικαιολογητικά χρειάζομαι για την αίτηση άδειας διαμονής;

Pyah thee-keh-o-lo-yee-tee-KAH hree-AH-zo-meh yah teen EE-tee-see AH-thee-as thee-a-mo-NEES?
Open in translator
How long will it take to process my application?

Πόσο καιρό θα χρειαστεί η επεξεργασία της αίτησής μου;

PO-so keh-RO tha hree-as-TEE ee eh-peh-xer-gha-SEE-ah tees EE-tee-sees moo?
Open in translator

Healthcare registration and at the doctor

For registering with the health system using an AMKA, registering with a doctor, describing symptoms, and booking appointments.

I need to register for an AMKA number.

Χρειάζομαι να κάνω εγγραφή για ΑΜΚΑ.

Hree-AH-zo-meh na KA-no eh-ghra-FEE yah AHM-ka.
Open in translator
I would like to register with a local doctor.

Θα ήθελα να εγγραφώ σε έναν οικογενειακό γιατρό.

Tha EE-thela na eh-ghra-FO seh EH-nan ee-ko-yeh-nee-a-KO yah-TRO.
Open in translator
I would like to make an appointment with a doctor.

Θα ήθελα να κλείσω ραντεβού με έναν γιατρό.

Tha EE-thela na KLEE-so ran-deh-VOO meh EH-nan yah-TRO.
Open in translator
I have a fever and a sore throat.

Έχω πυρετό και πονόλαιμο.

EH-kho pee-reh-TO keh po-NO-leh-mo.
Open in translator
I have a pain here.

Έχω πόνο εδώ.

EH-kho PO-no eh-THO.
Open in translator
I am allergic to penicillin.

Είμαι αλλεργικός/αλλεργική στην πενικιλίνη.

EE-meh a-ler-yee-KOS / a-ler-yee-KEE steen peh-nee-kee-LEE-nee.

Use αλλεργικός if male, αλλεργική if female.
Open in translator
Do I need a referral to see a specialist?

Χρειάζομαι παραπεμπτικό για να δω έναν ειδικό;

Hree-AH-zo-meh pa-ra-pemp-tee-KO yah na THO EH-nan ee-thee-KO?
Open in translator
Where is the nearest pharmacy or hospital?

Πού είναι το πλησιέστερο φαρμακείο ή νοσοκομείο;

Poo EE-neh to plee-see-EH-steh-ro far-ma-KEE-o ee no-so-ko-MEE-o?
Open in translator

Opening a bank account

For opening an account, providing an AFM and proof of address, and getting a card.

I would like to open a bank account.

Θα ήθελα να ανοίξω τραπεζικό λογαριασμό.

Tha EE-thela na a-NEEK-so tra-peh-zee-KO lo-gha-rya-SMO.
Open in translator
I am a foreign resident of Greece.

Είμαι αλλοδαπός/αλλοδαπή κάτοικος Ελλάδας.

EE-meh a-lo-tha-POS / a-lo-tha-PEE KA-tee-kos eh-LA-thas.

Use αλλοδαπός if male, αλλοδαπή if female.
Open in translator
Here is my tax number, my AFM.

Ορίστε ο ΑΦΜ μου.

O-REE-steh o ah-fee-MEE moo.
Open in translator
I need proof of address.

Χρειάζομαι αποδεικτικό διεύθυνσης.

Hree-AH-zo-meh a-po-theek-tee-KO thee-EF-theen-sees.
Open in translator
What documents do I need to open an account?

Ποια δικαιολογητικά χρειάζομαι για να ανοίξω λογαριασμό;

Pyah thee-keh-o-lo-yee-tee-KAH hree-AH-zo-meh yah na a-NEEK-so lo-gha-rya-SMO?
Open in translator
I would like a debit card.

Θα ήθελα μια χρεωστική κάρτα.

Tha EE-thela mia hreh-o-stee-KEE KAR-ta.
Open in translator
Can I set up online banking?

Μπορώ να ενεργοποιήσω ηλεκτρονική τραπεζική;

Bo-RO na eh-ner-gho-pee-EE-so ee-lek-tro-nee-KEE tra-peh-zee-KEE?
Open in translator
What is the minimum deposit to open the account?

Ποιο είναι το ελάχιστο ποσό κατάθεσης για να ανοίξω τον λογαριασμό;

Pyo EE-neh to eh-LA-hee-sto po-SO ka-TA-theh-sees yah na a-NEEK-so ton lo-gha-rya-SMO?
Open in translator

Housing and signing a lease

For viewing a property, agreeing rent and deposit terms, signing the lease, and handling utilities.

I would like to view the apartment.

Θα ήθελα να δω το διαμέρισμα.

Tha EE-thela na THO to thee-a-MEH-rees-ma.
Open in translator
Is the apartment available for rent?

Είναι διαθέσιμο το διαμέρισμα για ενοικίαση;

EE-neh thee-a-THEH-see-mo to thee-a-MEH-rees-ma yah eh-nee-KEE-a-see?
Open in translator
What is the monthly rent?

Πόσο είναι το μηνιαίο ενοίκιο;

PO-so EE-neh to mee-nee-EH-o eh-NEE-kee-o?
Open in translator
How much is the security deposit?

Πόση είναι η εγγύηση;

PO-see EE-neh ee eh-GHEE-ee-see?
Open in translator
I would like to sign the lease agreement.

Θα ήθελα να υπογράψω το μισθωτήριο συμβόλαιο.

Tha EE-thela na ee-po-GHRAP-so to mees-tho-TEE-ree-o seem-VO-leh-o.
Open in translator
Are the utilities included in the rent?

Περιλαμβάνονται οι λογαριασμοί κοινής ωφέλειας στο ενοίκιο;

Peh-ree-lam-VA-non-teh ee lo-gha-rya-SMEE kee-NEES o-FEH-lee-as sto eh-NEE-kee-o?
Open in translator
Does the lease need to be registered with the tax office?

Χρειάζεται το μισθωτήριο να δηλωθεί στην εφορία;

Hree-AH-zeh-teh to mees-tho-TEE-ree-o na thee-lo-THEE steen eh-fo-REE-a?

Residential leases are typically declared electronically via myAADE by the landlord.
Open in translator
When can I move in?

Πότε μπορώ να μετακομίσω;

PO-teh bo-RO na meh-ta-ko-MEE-so?
Open in translator

Everyday essentials on arrival

Basic greetings, courtesy phrases, getting a SIM card, asking directions, and asking prices.

Good morning.

Καλημέρα.

Ka-lee-MEH-ra.
Open in translator
Good evening.

Καλησπέρα.

Ka-lees-PEH-ra.
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Please.

Παρακαλώ.

Pa-ra-ka-LO.
Open in translator
Thank you very much.

Ευχαριστώ πολύ.

Ef-ha-rees-TO po-LEE.
Open in translator
Excuse me, do you speak English?

Συγγνώμη, μιλάτε αγγλικά;

See-GHNO-mee, mee-LAH-teh an-glee-KAH?
Open in translator
I would like to buy a SIM card.

Θα ήθελα να αγοράσω μια κάρτα SIM.

Tha EE-thela na a-gho-RA-so mia KAR-ta seem.
Open in translator
Where is this address, please?

Πού είναι αυτή η διεύθυνση, παρακαλώ;

Poo EE-neh af-TEE ee thee-EF-theen-see, pa-ra-ka-LO?
Open in translator
How much does this cost?

Πόσο κάνει αυτό;

PO-so KA-nee af-TO?
Open in translator

Planning the move itself?

This phrasebook is the language layer. For the visa route, the true cost, and the tax reality of Greece, read the full corridor guide.

Moving to Greece from the USA All country phrasebooks

Take Root Abroad is a planning tool, not legal, tax, or immigration advice. Phrasing and office names change; confirm the current requirements for your situation locally. Translations are a starting point, not a substitute for a professional interpreter in high-stakes settings.