Why does Greece use EL instead of GR for EORI?

The EU EORI system assigns Greece the EL prefix (from the Greek name Elláda). Your EORI will start with EL, not GR.

How do I apply for a Greek EORI?

Apply through AADE customs guidance for Greek-established operators.

How do I check an EL EORI?

Use the EORI checker with the EL prefix.

What does a Greece EORI number look like?

A Greece EORI number follows the pattern: EL + up to 15 alphanumeric characters (Greece uses EL as the EORI country prefix in the EU system). A correctly structured example is EL123456789. You can verify the exact structure and validity with the free EORI checker on this site.

Can I use my Greece EORI number in other EU countries?

Yes. An EORI number issued in Greece is valid for customs declarations in all 27 EU member states — you register once, in the country where your business is established, and use the same GR number everywhere in the EU. It is not valid for Great Britain, where a separate GB EORI from HMRC is required.

Greece EORI Number — Apply, Check & Requirements

Format & example

EL + up to 15 alphanumeric characters (Greece uses EL as the EORI country prefix in the EU system).

Valid example EL123456789

Regex (reference):

^EL[A-Z0-9]{8,15}$

Check an EORI number EORI format hub

Authority & validation

Issuing authority Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE)
Processing time Typically days to several weeks depending on review.
Validation method EU EORI validation (EU EOS) + AADE confirmation.

Check an EORI number

Free validation on our website

Notes & what to watch out for

Greece uses the EL prefix (not GR) in the EU EORI system. Registration is handled via AADE customs services.

What is the EORI number in Greece?

In Greece, the EORI (Economic Operators Registration and Identification) number is the identifier that Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE) assigns to businesses moving goods across the customs border. It starts with the prefix GR followed by a national identifier — for example EL123456789, and one registration is valid for customs declarations in every EU member state. Customs will not process imports or exports declared in your name without it.

Who needs a GR EORI number?

Any business established in Greece that lodges customs declarations — or is named as importer or exporter on them — needs an EORI number before goods move. That includes companies, sole traders and partnerships importing stock from outside the EU, exporting to international customers, or selling through online marketplaces that ship across customs borders. Even when a freight forwarder or courier files the declaration for you, the declaration still carries your EORI.

A core rule of the EU system: you register once, in the member state where your business is established — for a business established in Greece, that means applying to Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE). The GR-prefixed number you receive is then valid for customs declarations in all 27 EU member states: you do not need a separate EORI for each country you trade with inside the EU. Non-EU businesses that first declare in Greece can also request their EORI there.

Note that an EU EORI is not valid for Great Britain. If your business in Greece also imports into the UK in its own name, it needs a separate GB EORI from HMRC — see our UK EORI guide.

How to apply for an EORI number in Greece

Check whether you already have one. Authorities often assign EORI numbers automatically when a business first interacts with customs. Search old customs correspondence or ask your forwarder, and try our EORI checker with your likely number — the format is usually GR plus your national tax or business identifier.
Gather your business details. You will typically need your company registration number, VAT or tax ID, legal form, registered address and contact details of an authorised person.
Apply with Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE). Applications go through the official portal — typically days to several weeks depending on review. Registration is free of charge; no official authority charges for issuing an EORI.
Validate before your first shipment. Once issued, confirm the number is active with our free checker so your first declaration is not rejected over a typo or a not-yet-propagated registration.

Official Greece EORI application page

Checking and using your Greece EORI number

EU EORI validation (EU EOS) + AADE confirmation. Because GR numbers sit in the EU-wide EOS database, any of your European trading partners can verify your number too — many businesses run a quick check on new suppliers and customers before the first shipment.

Once active, your EORI appears on every customs document tied to your business: import and export declarations, transit paperwork, safety and security filings, and any customs authorisations you hold. Couriers such as DHL, FedEx and UPS will ask for it before they can clear commercial goods in your name. Keep the exact string handy in your shipping profiles — a single mistyped character is enough to stop a consignment at the border. You can compare your number against the national pattern in our EORI format hub, which covers every country's structure with valid examples.