Moving to Greece: Which Documents Need to Be Translated?

Relocating to Greece involves more paperwork than most people expect — and several of your personal documents will need certified translation before Greek authorities will accept them.

Documents Commonly Required for Residence in Greece

• Birth certificate: required for residence permit applications, school enrolment for children, and civil status registration with Greek authorities. One of the most commonly requested documents for anyone relocating.
• Marriage certificate: required if applicable, for joint residence applications, civil status records, and in some cases for tax and insurance registration as a couple.
• Criminal record certificate: required for long-term visa and residence permit applications. This is typically obtained from your home country's relevant authority and must be both recent and officially translated.
• Driving licence: if you plan to exchange your foreign driving licence for a Greek one, you may need a certified translation depending on the issuing country. EU licences generally do not require translation; non-EU licences usually do.
• Diplomas and academic credentials: if you plan to work in a regulated profession (medicine, law, engineering) or if a Greek employer requires credential verification, certified translation of your qualifications will be necessary.
• Employment or income documents: some residence categories — particularly those based on self-employment, remote work, or investment — require proof of income or financial means, which may need to be translated if issued in a foreign language.

When Do You Also Need the Apostille Stamp?

If your documents were issued by a public authority in a country that has signed the Hague Convention, they will need an Apostille stamp before translation. The Apostille certifies the authenticity of the issuing authority's signature and seal — it is not a translation, and it must be obtained before the translation is done, not after.

Learn about the Apostille stamp — what it is, when you need it, and how to get it in Greece.

Greek Tax Registration (AFM) and Social Insurance (AMKA)

You will need both of these to work legally in Greece and to access the public healthcare system. Your identity documents — passport and residence permit, once obtained — are usually sufficient for registration. However, some documentation submitted during the process may need translation depending on your specific circumstances and the issuing country.

These registrations are typically among the first steps after you have secured your initial residence status, so it is worth understanding which documents to have ready in translated form before you arrive at the relevant office.

The Practical Order of Events

The sequence matters. Going through these steps in the wrong order — translating a document before it has its Apostille, or submitting without a required translation — typically means starting over.

1. Gather your original documents and confirm which ones are required for your specific application category (EU citizen, non-EU resident permit, family reunification, etc.).
2. Check whether each document needs an Apostille. Documents issued by a public authority in a Hague Convention country need one. Obtain Apostille stamps before ordering translation.
3. Order certified translations of all required documents. Allow 1–2 business days for most standard personal documents.
4. Submit to the relevant Greek authority with all originals, certified translations, and any supporting documents required for your specific application.

Wordhub Can Help

We translate relocation documents for expats and individuals moving to Greece, across all major languages. Whether you need a single birth certificate or a full set of documents for a residence permit application, we provide certified translations accepted by all Greek public services.

Most personal documents are ready within 1–2 business days. For urgent requests, same-day delivery is often available — contact us directly with your deadline.