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Akif Hazarvi

Greece IBAN

GR·EUR·SEPA

The International Bank Account Number (IBAN) for Greece is 27 characters long and is used to identify bank accounts for international transactions, within the SEPA network for euro transfers and via SWIFT for non-euro currencies.

A Greece IBAN begins with the country code GR and two check digits, followed by the 23-character BBAN (Basic Bank Account Number). The Greece BBAN encodes a 3-character bank code, followed by a 4-character branch code, followed by a 16-character account number. As a SEPA member, Greece supports low-cost euro transfers across 36+ European countries using the EUR currency. Always include the full 27-character IBAN together with the bank's BIC/SWIFT code when making or receiving international payments.

IBAN Length

27 chars

Currency

EUR

SEPA

Yes

Banks

4+

Example IBAN

Electronic format

GR1601101250000000012300695

Print format

GR16 0110 1250 0000 0001 2300 695

IBAN structure for Greece

A Greece IBAN is 27 characters long and consists of the following components:

Country code

GR

Check digits

16

Bank code

3 chars

Branch code

4 chars

Account number

16 chars

Total length27 characters

BBAN format details

The Basic Bank Account Number (BBAN) is the domestic part of the IBAN, following the country code and check digits. Here is the BBAN validation format for Greece:

Bank code3 characters

^[0-9]{3}

Branch code4 characters

^[0-9]{4}

Account number16 characters

^[a-zA-Z0-9]{16}

Major banks in Greece

4 banks in Greece that support IBAN-based international transfers:

N

National Bank Of Greece S.A.

P

Piraeus Bank Sa

A

Alpha Bank Ae

E

Eurobank Ergasias S.a.

Understanding IBAN in Greece

What is the IBAN format in Greece

An IBAN (International Bank Account Number) is an internationally-agreed code made up of up to 34 letters and numbers that helps banks make sure that international transfers are processed correctly. Each set of characters represents a different detail for your bank account. You can see the breakdown of this IBAN below.

What is the IBAN code in Greece

IBAN in Greece consists of 27 characters: 2 letter country code 2 digit check number 3 characters from the bank's bank code 4 digit code for the bank branch 16 digit code for the bank account number

Do you need an IBAN in Greece

Yes. If you’re making – or expecting to receive – an international money transfer to a bank account in Greece, then just a standard bank account number isn’t enough. If you want your money to arrive quickly and safely, you’ll usually need to give the bank a few extra details, such as an IBAN or SWIFT code. Banks assign IBANs to each of their accounts to make sure that international transfers are processed correctly. IBANs contain all of the country, bank, and account details you need to send or receive money internationally. This system is used throughout Europe, and also recognised in some areas of the Middle East, North Africa and the Caribbean.

Frequently asked questions

What is the IBAN format for Greece?

A Greek IBAN is exactly 27 characters long. It starts with GR, 2 check digits, a 3-digit bank code, a 4-digit branch code, and a 16-digit account number. Example: GR16 0110 1250 0000 0001 2300 695.

Is Greece part of SEPA?

Yes. Greece is a eurozone and SEPA member. Euro transfers from other EU and EEA countries are processed via SEPA Credit Transfer (SCT) or SEPA Instant Credit Transfer (SCT Inst). For transfers within SEPA, only the GR IBAN is required — no BIC/SWIFT code is needed.

What bank codes do Alpha Bank, Eurobank, Piraeus Bank, and National Bank of Greece use?

The 3-digit bank codes in Greek IBANs are: 014 for Alpha Bank, 026 for Eurobank, 017 for Piraeus Bank, and 011 for National Bank of Greece (Ethniki Trapeza). These codes appear in positions 5–7 of the 27-character IBAN.

How do I find my IBAN at a Greek bank?

Log in to your bank's online banking or mobile app — your GR IBAN is typically shown on the account overview. Alpha Bank's Alpha Web Banking, Eurobank's e-Banking, and Piraeus Bank's winbank all display the 27-character IBAN. It also appears on bank statements and correspondence.

Do I need a SWIFT code to receive a transfer from outside the EU to Greece?

For SEPA transfers within the EU and EEA in EUR, no SWIFT code is needed — just the GR IBAN. For transfers from non-SEPA countries (such as the US, UK, or Australia), the sender needs both your 27-character GR IBAN and your bank's SWIFT/BIC code.

How long does it take to receive a SEPA transfer to a Greek bank account?

SEPA Credit Transfers (SCT) typically arrive within one business day. SEPA Instant Credit Transfers (SCT Inst) can settle within seconds if both the sending and receiving banks support the instant scheme. Most major Greek banks support SCT Inst for inbound eurozone payments.

Can Greeks living abroad receive remittances using their Greek IBAN?

Yes, but the arrangement works in reverse — it is Greeks living in Greece who can receive remittances from Greeks abroad. To send a transfer to a Greek bank account from outside the EU, the sender should provide the recipient's full 27-character GR IBAN and the bank's SWIFT code. If the sender is within SEPA, just the IBAN suffices.

What is DIAS and how does it relate to the Greek IBAN?

DIAS (Diateraiki Agora Simeoseon) is the Greek interbank clearing and settlement organisation that operates the domestic payment infrastructure, including SEPA scheme processing in Greece. All Greek bank-to-bank transfers — domestic and cross-border — are processed through DIAS using the IBAN as the account identifier.

How IBAN is used in Greece

Greece uses a 27-character IBAN and is a founding eurozone and SEPA member. The Bank of Greece (Trapeza tis Ellados) regulates the payment system, and all bank accounts in Greece are denominated in euro. Greek IBANs are used for domestic DIAS clearing as well as cross-border SEPA transfers, making the IBAN the universal account reference for all banking transactions in the country.

A Greek IBAN starts with GR, two check digits, a three-digit bank code, a four-digit branch code, and a 16-digit account number. Major banks — Alpha Bank (bank code 014), Eurobank (026), Piraeus Bank (017), and National Bank of Greece (011) — each have their own code ranges. Your full 27-character GR IBAN appears on bank statements and in your online banking settings.
Within SEPA, only the Greek IBAN is required for euro transfers — no BIC is needed for SEPA Credit Transfers. For payments from outside the SEPA zone, such as from the United States or Australia, the sender will need both the IBAN and the receiving bank's SWIFT/BIC code. Greek banks typically settle incoming SEPA transfers within one business day.
Greece has a high proportion of its diaspora sending remittances back to the country. When directing a transfer to a Greek bank account, use the full GR IBAN rather than any abbreviated domestic account number. If the sending service supports SEPA, the transfer will be faster and cheaper than a SWIFT-routed payment; confirm which routing the provider uses before initiating the transfer.