AMKA (Greek social security number)
Definition
AMKA (Αριθμός Μητρώου Κοινωνικής Ασφάλισης, Social Security Registration Number) is the compulsory number that identifies everyone in Greece's social insurance system. Doctors, nurses and other health professionals from outside the EU need an active AMKA to be insured, to have contributions paid on their salary and to use public healthcare.
Also called: AMKA, AMKA number, ΑΜΚΑ, Αριθμός Μητρώου Κοινωνικής Ασφάλισης, Social Security Registration Number Greece, Greek social security number
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What is an AMKA?
The AMKA is your work and insurance identification number in Greece. Under the joint ministerial decision that governs it (Government Gazette B 7280/2023), it is required to register insured people and pensioners, to pay contributions and to receive any benefit, and it must appear on every related document. It never changes and belongs to one person only.
An AMKA has two states. It is issued inactive once you prove lawful stay and access to the labour market, and it is activated once you also prove that you actually live in Greece. Your employer can only insure you properly on an active number.
Who needs it and when
Every health professional who takes a salaried job in Greece needs one. You usually meet it after you arrive on your national D visa and apply for your residence permit, at the same time as your tax number, the AFM, which the decision makes compulsory for adults applying for an AMKA. It sits alongside the professional steps: DOATAP recognition through DOATAP and the certificate to practise from PIS or the Region.
How to get an AMKA as a third-country national
- Get your AFM first. The AMKA application asks for it.
- Go to an AMKA office. The decision names e-EFKA and the Citizens' Service Centres (KEP). It also names the Ministry of Migration and Asylum for third-country nationals from 22 December 2024, but in March 2025 the Ministry told e-EFKA and KEP to keep issuing AMKA until its own system is connected.
- Bring the issue documents. A valid passport and a valid residence title giving access to the labour market, plus a public document showing your civil details (such as a birth certificate) unless the passport or permit already shows them. Foreign-language documents need an official Greek translation.
- Activate it. Add proof of residence, such as a lease declared on the AADE platform or a hosting declaration (or an employer declaration if your employer houses you), and proof of work: a hiring certificate, or your contract posted on the ERGANI system.
The office registers you and gives you an AMKA issue certificate, which is also sent to you by email.
Cost and timing
The decision sets no fee for issuing or activating an AMKA. The office checks your documents and completes the issue or activation through an online application run by IDIKA, the state social insurance IT company. Plan for it in your first days in Greece, because your employer needs an active number to insure you and pay contributions on your salary.
Common problems
- Turned away with a pending permit. The Ministry of Migration reminded offices in 2025 that the electronic certificate of a residence permit application proves lawful residence and carries the rights of the permit applied for. Bring it, with your passport and any expired permit.
- Deactivation when your permit expires. An AMKA tied to a time-limited permit switches off automatically the day after the permit ends, unless a new or extended permit is recorded. A yearly check runs every November.
- Needing care during a gap. If your AMKA is deactivated, you can ask e-EFKA or a KEP for temporary reactivation once, for 30 days, and must bring the activation documents within that time.
Questions
The decision requires a valid residence title with access to the labour market for third-country nationals. The Ministry of Migration has said the electronic certificate of a residence permit application proves lawful residence, so bring it if your permit is still being processed.
An inactive AMKA exists but cannot be used for insurance cover. It becomes active once you show proof that you live in Greece and proof of work, such as a contract on ERGANI. Ask the office to activate it at the same visit if you have the documents.
Yes, for adults. The decision lists the tax registration number (AFM) as compulsory for adult applicants, although you do not need to bring the AFM certificate itself.
It is deactivated automatically the day after your residence permit expires unless a renewal is recorded, and an annual check runs each November. Renew your permit in time and update your AMKA record with the new permit.
No. The AMKA stays the same for life. You only update your details, for example a new permit, at an AMKA office.
At e-EFKA or a Citizens' Service Centre (KEP). The Ministry of Migration and Asylum is named in the rules for third-country nationals, but in 2025 it asked e-EFKA and KEP to keep issuing AMKA until its system is linked to IDIKA.