Getting an AMKA
Why you need an AMKA
- You need an AMKA to work.
- You need an AMKA to get insurance for yourself and your family.
- Once you have an AMKA, you will need it to access health care.
Where and how to get an AMKA
You get an AMKA by visiting the closest citizens service center to where you live. In Greece, citizens service centers are called KEP (or “ΚΕΠ,” in Greek) offices.
You can find the closest KEP office on this database here.
You do not need an appointment. Most KEP offices are open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
What to bring
In February 2018, KEP offices got a uniform, official rule on which documents you need to get an AMKA.
Documents you should bring to a KEP office are either:
- Pre-Registration card
- Full Registration card
- Residence Permit or Travel Document, if you have one
- Proof of address
Learn how to prove your address with one official document:
The recent guideline to KEP offices by the relevant Greek ministries clearly states that the address you provide is for communication only and it could also be the address of a camp or of a shelter.
Can I get an AMKA with my Pre-Registration card?
Yes!
It has been made clear now to all KEP officers that AMKA is also meant for pre-registered asylum-seekers.
Can I get an AMKA for my children and other family members?
Yes. To get an AMKA for your children, bring:
- Their Pre Registration or Full Registration cards or Residence Permits
- All other documents they have
It is easiest if any relatives who are 18 or older come to the KEP office to ask for their own AMKAs. But if your adult relative can’t come with you, you can get them an AMKA. You must bring:
- Their Pre-Registration card, Full Registration card or Residence Permit
- All other documents they have
- A letter your family member wrote that:
- Says you can represent them at a KEP office, specifically to get them an AMKA
- Was signed and officially stamped in a police or KEP office
Find an editable sample of this letter here. Find an English translation of the letter here.
I am under 18, and I don't have a parent with me in Greece. Can I get an AMKA?
Yes, you can go to a KEP office and get an AMKA.
Bring with you either:
- Pre Registration card, Full Registration card or Residence Permit
- A proof of address
Ask your guardian or a social worker to accompany you. An adult who is responsible for you should be with you at a KEP office, but his or her AMKA won't be linked with yours.
Get help
If you need legal advice, contact a legal aid provider.