Thousands of internationals live and work in Greece — but most Greek accountants work exclusively in Greek, in person, and on paper. If you’ve just moved here (or are about to), choosing the right accountant is one of the few decisions that will affect you every single month. Here’s how to get it right.
Why “speaks some English” isn’t enough
Greek tax life happens in deadlines: myDATA invoice transmission, quarterly VAT, monthly social security, the annual return. When something goes wrong, it goes wrong in writing — a notice from AADE (the Greek tax authority), a mismatch flag, an automatic fine. You need an accountant who can explain these things to you, not just translate them. The difference between “we speak English” and “we work in your language” is whether your questions get answered before the deadline or after it.
And English is only part of the story: many internationals in Greece are German, Spanish-speaking or Greek diaspora returnees. An accountant who works in English, German, Spanish and Greek covers the conversation with you, your clients and the Greek authorities — without anything getting lost in between.
What to look for
1. A licensed professional, not just an office
In Greece, accountants are licensed by the Economic Chamber of Greece (ΟΕΕ). Ask for the license class and number. A legitimate firm will tell you immediately.
2. Written, digital communication
If everything happens by phone or in person, you’ll have no record of advice — and no proof when something was submitted. Look for firms that confirm filings in writing and accept documents digitally.
3. Clear scope and a real price list
The single biggest source of expat-accountant conflict is scope: the client assumed VAT filings were included; they weren’t. A serious firm tells you exactly what the monthly fee covers — before you sign.
4. Response time as a promise, not an accident
Ask directly: “How fast do you respond in August?” (Greek offices traditionally go quiet in summer — the tax office doesn’t.)
5. Experience with international income
Foreign clients, foreign platforms (Upwork, Stripe, PayPal), double taxation treaties, cross-border setups — if the accountant has never handled international cases, you’ll be their training material.
The red flags
- “Don’t worry” as an answer to specific questions. Greek bureaucracy punishes vagueness. You want details, deadlines and document lists.
- Cash only, no engagement letter, no invoices for their own fees. An accountant who doesn’t invoice properly will not defend your books convincingly either.
- No mention of myDATA. Since e-invoicing became mandatory, myDATA is the center of Greek bookkeeping. If it doesn’t come up in your first conversation, run.
- Prices far below market without a scope list. €30/month sounds great until every declaration costs extra — see our price guide for what things really cost in 2026.
- They’re unreachable in the months that matter. July (tax return deadline) and January (year-opening) are exactly when you’ll need them most.
Questions to ask in the first call
- What exactly is included in the monthly fee — VAT, myDATA, annual return, tax office correspondence?
- What is your license and registration number?
- How do I send you documents, and how do you confirm submissions?
- What’s your typical response time — including in summer?
- Have you worked with clients who invoice foreign companies?
If the answers are specific, you’ve probably found the right partner. If they’re vague, keep looking — in Greece, your accountant isn’t a once-a-year service. They’re the person standing between you and the fine.
How taxomade can help
Looking for an accountant who ticks every box above? Our ongoing bookkeeping service covers myDATA, VAT declarations and your annual tax return at one fixed monthly rate — with written confirmations and fast response times as standard.
taxomade works with internationals across Greece — bookkeeping, filings and tax advice in English, German, Spanish and Greek, handled by our state-certified Greek accountant. The first call is free.