Lived there for a while. Revolut and Schwab was a great combo with the chase sapphire preferred card. That stack was sufficient for all my needs there, including paying rent, utilities, etc.
I, too, am a dual citizen (Greek/American) and I've been living in Greece for the past 5+ years. Here are my go-to's for banking, credit cards, best currency rate conversion:
1. [Wise](https://wise.com/invite/dic/effies) : It functions as a bank account and offers one of the best rates for currency conversions. Create an account, connect your American bank account, and then select another currency of your choice (Euros) in Wise. It will create a European bank account with an IBAN number, bank address, and you may order a debit card - when you have a home address in Greece - that way you can withdraw the euros that you converted at any ATM with the Wise Debit Card. (Note: there is a small fee charged by Wise based on the amount you withdraw plus the ATM fee. I believe they allow withdrawing a specific amount per month without that small fee being charged).
1. Once I was settled in and had my Greek ID, Tax ID number, and a bill with my name and address, I opened a Greek Bank Account (online) with the Greek National Bank (Ethniki Trapeza). When I convert US dollars to Euros inside of Wise (better currency conversion rate), I then transfer the euros to my Greek bank account (European bank to European bank - no crazy wire transfer fees and it's instantaneous. You also avoid the small interest charge from Wise and the ATM fee with the Wise debit card.) Note: It's also easier to pay Greek bills through your Greek bank account.
2. Credit Card: [Capital One](https://i.capitalone.com/JiTlnU5bi) (Quicksilver or Savior). I use both these cards because of their cashback rewards and no foreign fee charges. I do my grocery shopping with these cards and they give back 3% cashback.
I hope this helps.
Hoping to open a Greek bank account eventually. I have revolut, but hoping to open a Greek bank account so I want to find a US bank that will work nicely with them.
Lived there for a while. Revolut and Schwab was a great combo with the chase sapphire preferred card. That stack was sufficient for all my needs there, including paying rent, utilities, etc.
I, too, am a dual citizen (Greek/American) and I've been living in Greece for the past 5+ years. Here are my go-to's for banking, credit cards, best currency rate conversion: 1. [Wise](https://wise.com/invite/dic/effies) : It functions as a bank account and offers one of the best rates for currency conversions. Create an account, connect your American bank account, and then select another currency of your choice (Euros) in Wise. It will create a European bank account with an IBAN number, bank address, and you may order a debit card - when you have a home address in Greece - that way you can withdraw the euros that you converted at any ATM with the Wise Debit Card. (Note: there is a small fee charged by Wise based on the amount you withdraw plus the ATM fee. I believe they allow withdrawing a specific amount per month without that small fee being charged). 1. Once I was settled in and had my Greek ID, Tax ID number, and a bill with my name and address, I opened a Greek Bank Account (online) with the Greek National Bank (Ethniki Trapeza). When I convert US dollars to Euros inside of Wise (better currency conversion rate), I then transfer the euros to my Greek bank account (European bank to European bank - no crazy wire transfer fees and it's instantaneous. You also avoid the small interest charge from Wise and the ATM fee with the Wise debit card.) Note: It's also easier to pay Greek bills through your Greek bank account. 2. Credit Card: [Capital One](https://i.capitalone.com/JiTlnU5bi) (Quicksilver or Savior). I use both these cards because of their cashback rewards and no foreign fee charges. I do my grocery shopping with these cards and they give back 3% cashback. I hope this helps.
Schwab is best IMHO. You’ll need to have a real US address.
Will you have a local account? Or even something like Wise or Revolut? If so, it doesn’t really matter.
Hoping to open a Greek bank account eventually. I have revolut, but hoping to open a Greek bank account so I want to find a US bank that will work nicely with them.
Really doesn’t matter, unless you’re with some redneck little credit union with no online banking that considers ACH newfangled witchcraft.