SWIFT/BIC codes in Greece

Finding a SWIFT code in Greece

For Greece we have 221 SWIFT/BIC codes, spread over 164 institutions. Every code identifies an institution or a specific branch or department and tells other banks where an international payment should go.

Select a bank from the list to view the head office code and its other codes, plus practical notes for sending and receiving money. The sections below explain how the codes work, what transfers cost and how to avoid mistakes.

The structure of a Greece SWIFT/BIC code

Bank identifier codes use one international format: eight characters. Characters one to four stand for the bank, characters five and six form the country code and the next two give the location.

In every code from Greece, letters five and six show the ISO country code of Greece. If those two letters do not match Greece, the code belongs to a bank in another country – worth double-checking.

If the last three are XXX, it means the main office, and the 8-character version leads to the same place. Use a branch code just when the recipient explicitly gives you one.

Sending EUR to Greece

Greece pays in the Euro, code EUR. If you send another currency, the amount gets converted at some point: by your bank, an intermediary or the receiving bank.

Where the conversion happens has an effect on the final amount, since every bank sets its own rate. In many cases it is cheaper to send EUR directly through a provider that converts near the mid-market rate. Exchange rates change during the day, so a quote is usually valid only briefly.

Paying in euros to Greece

Since Greece is in the SEPA zone, a euro transfer to a bank in Greece normally requires just an IBAN. Many banks no longer ask for the BIC for these payments.

You will still need a SWIFT code when sending non-euro payments or transfers from countries outside SEPA. Euro payments within SEPA normally land by the next business day. Fees are generally low provided no currency is converted – conversion is what costs money.

When does money sent to Greece arrive?

How quickly money reaches Greece depends on several factors: the currency, the number of banks in between, daily processing deadlines and differences in time zone. Public holidays in Greece or in the sending country add a day or more.

A growing number of banks are connected to SWIFT gpi for faster and traceable payments. Each gpi transfer carries a unique reference, the UETR. Save your transfer receipt until the recipient confirms.

What a sender needs to pay you in Greece

Someone abroad who wants to pay you needs several details from you – incomplete details often cause delays. That means: your name exactly as it appears on the account, your IBAN or account number, the BIC of your bank and sometimes your address.

Your bank’s code is in the list on this page but always compare it with your own bank details. Certain banks also want the name and address of your bank, so keep it at hand.

The amount you receive is often less than the amount sent. Fees for incoming transfers vary per bank – your bank’s price list tells you what applies. Make clear with the sender who covers the fees, especially for larger amounts.

Verifying a SWIFT code from Greece

The most reliable place for the right code remains paperwork issued by the bank. When the code you were given differs from our list, do not guess: check with the recipient or the bank.

We collect bank codes using publicly available data and check our list from time to time. Banks reorganise, close branches and change codes – a directory can be a step behind. Treat our data as a starting point rather than the last word; the recipient’s bank details are leading. GoldexPay is not a bank and is not affiliated with the banks listed.

Fraudsters often use payment requests with new bank details. Always verify changed details by phone on a number you know.

Sending money to Greece for less

An international bank payment to Greece often costs more than you think. There is a transfer fee, possibly fees from correspondent banks along the way and, most importantly, the margin on the exchange rate when currencies differ.

That exchange rate margin is often the largest part of the cost. Check the rate you are offered with the mid-market rate. The difference is your real cost.

For a lot of currency pairs, a specialist provider is less expensive than a traditional bank transfer. Before you send money to Greece, it is worth to compare the total cost via GoldexPay rather than accepting the first rate you see.

Which bank in Greece has the most codes?

Bank of Greece leads the list of Greece banks in SWIFT/BIC codes. Its head office code is BNGRGRAAXXX, which is the code to use when no branch is specified.

A large number of codes often reflects that the bank registers branches and departments separately – it says nothing about the size of the bank as such. Unless a branch code is given, BNGRGRAAXXX is fine for transfers to this bank.