How do credit scores work in Greece?

P

Parker1985

Member
I recently moved here (or I’m planning to), and I’m used to the credit systems in the U.S./UK where your credit score plays a big role in everything—loans, credit cards, renting, etc.

Does Greece have a similar system? Is there a credit score or agency that lenders use? If not, how do banks or landlords assess your financial reliability? I’ve heard things are more document-based here, but I’d love to hear from someone with first-hand experience.

Also, if you’ve moved to Greece from abroad, how did you manage credit or get approved for anything without local history?
 
Greece doesn’t really use credit scores like the U.S. does. There’s no FICO-style number floating around. Instead, banks look at your overall financial history, employment, income, and any debt you may have. It’s very document heavy.
 
There is a kind of blacklist system here called Teiresias....it records defaults, bounced checks, unpaid loans, etc. So while you won’t get a credit score, u can absolutely get flagged for bad credit behavior.
 
In Greece, what matters is your transaction history and relationship with the bank. Want a credit card? You’ll probably need to show income tax documents and payslips. No build credit hack like in the U.S.
 
It’s harder for expats with no Greek credit history. When I moved here from London i had to put down big deposits and show 6 months’ worth of bank statements.
 
Honestly feels like Greece is 20 years behind in fintech. No online credit check tools no way to build credit responsibly.
 
Isn’t it actually worse that there’s no standardized score? At least with a score, you know where you stand. Here it’s just… a mystery.
 
I feel you. When I moved from Boston, the confusion was real. But it gets easier.....Greek bureaucracy is slow but not impossible.
 
You’re not alone. Most expats struggle with this early on. Try reaching out to your embassy .......they sometimes have guides on navigating banking.
 
When we moved with our kids.. we couldn’t even get a furniture installment plan. Ended up paying in cash. Now 3 years in, things are smoother.
 
Don’t get discouraged. Greek systems may feel opaque but they’re also more personal. A good relationship with your bank officer goes a long way.
 
Tbh credit scores can be predatory too. At least in Greece there’s no gamification of debt. There’s good and bad to both systems.
 
Actually there’s movement toward modernizing this. Some banks are piloting risk assessment algorithms internally just not shared publicly like FICO.
 
I moved from Canada last year. Getting approved for anything was a bureaucratic nightmare. Had to show work contracts, tax returns, even proof i wasn’t on the Teiresias list. Took 3 months just to get a basic credit card.
 
For renting, landlords care less about your score and more about your job contract, references, and whether you look like someone who won’t throw raves on Tuesdays. Some even ask for 6 months rent upfront
 
Honestly the lack of a transparent credit score makes things murkier. At least with FICO you know where you stand. In Greece it feels like a secret society judging you behind closed doors.
 
There's no Experian/Equifax here. Everything’s centralized through the Bank of Greece and government tax portals. If you owe the state, everyone knows.
 
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