U.S. and Greece: Social Security Agreement

What it covers

In force: Sep 1, 1994

For Greece, the agreement covers retirement, invalidity and survivors benefits. Greek social security contributions also cover other programs such as health insurance, maternity, unemployment, workers' compensation and family allowances; workers exempted from Greek coverage by the agreement pay no contributions for these programs and generally cannot receive benefits from them.

How the U.S. counts Greece credits

Applies to every U.S. agreement.

• SSA says that to have your Greece credits counted for a U.S. benefit you must have at least 6 U.S. credits (generally one and one-half years of work).
• If you already have enough U.S. credits for a benefit, the U.S. cannot count the foreign credits.
• If you are short, you may qualify for a partial U.S. benefit based on both countries' credits.
• In 2026, one U.S. credit takes $1,890 of covered earnings, up to 4 credits a year (SSA's pamphlet prints an older 2022 amount).

Greece's side

To have your United States and Greek credits counted together for a Greek benefit, you must have at least 300 days of coverage credited under the Greek system.

Ages, payments and forms

• The Greek system measures credits in days. SSA's pamphlet shows a full Greek retirement benefit at age 67 with at least 4,500 days (15 years) of contributions, with reduced benefits payable at age 62 and earlier ages possible in certain cases.
• Greek benefits are paid near the end of each month for the following month. The U.S. pays monthly. Each country pays its own benefit.
• SSA's pamphlet says to complete form SSA-2490-BK (Application for Benefits Under a U.S. International Social Security Agreement) and mail it to your local Social Security office.

Where to start

• You can apply in one country and ask that it count as a claim in the other. Each country processes the claim under its own laws, counts credits from the other country when appropriate, and tells you its decision.
• In the United States: visit or write any U.S. Social Security office, or call 1-800-772-1213 (8 a.m. to 7 p.m., business days; TTY 1-800-325-0778).
• If you live in Greece: contact any Greek social security office, apply online through e-EFKA (www.efka.gov.gr, which requires Greek Taxisnet passwords and a Greek social security number), or contact the Federal Benefits Unit at the U.S. Embassy in Athens.

What this page cannot tell you

• Whether your own record will qualify. Only SSA and the other country can decide that.
• Current ages and amounts. SSA's pamphlets show a 2022 credit amount and some older age tables, so confirm numbers with SSA or the other country.
• Anything not stated on SSA's page for this country.