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Greece SWIFT/BIC code validator
How the SWIFT/BIC code format works
- Format
- 8 or 11-character bank identifier code, country code GR in positions 5-6
- Example
- CRBAGRAA
Things to watch for
- Structure: 4-letter bank code + GR (country) + 2-character location code, plus an optional 3-character branch code
- An 8-character code (or one ending XXX) refers to the bank's head office — Greece's largest banks all register theirs in Athens, even the one named for the nearby port city of Piraeus
- No checksum digit — this is a format check only; it confirms positions 5-6 read GR, not that the bank or branch actually exists
^[A-Z]{4}GR[A-Z0-9]{2}([A-Z0-9]{3})?$A Greek SWIFT/BIC code identifies the bank behind an international wire transfer, paired with the 27-character Greek IBAN that identifies the account. Every Greek BIC has GR fixed at positions 5-6, right after the 4-letter bank code, and Greece’s largest banks all register their SWIFT head office in Athens — including Piraeus Bank, named for the port city just outside the capital, which nonetheless uses the Athens location code like its peers.
Major Greek bank BIC prefixes
| Bank | BIC | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Alpha Bank | CRBAGRAA | Athens |
| National Bank of Greece | ETHNGRAA | Athens |
| Piraeus Bank | PIRBGRAA | Athens |
| Eurobank | ERBKGRAA | Athens |
How this validator works
This tool checks that the code is 8 or 11 characters, the first 4 characters are letters, positions 5-6 read GR, and the location and optional branch segments use only letters and digits — entirely client-side, with nothing sent to a server.
What a pass doesn’t tell you
A pass confirms the code fits the Greek BIC pattern, not that CRBA, ETHN, PIRB, or ERBK still names an operating bank, or that the branch suffix is current. A BIC has no checksum digit, so a fabricated code that matches the shape still passes.
Scope: format validation only. Greek transfers also need the 27-character IBAN, validated separately with its own mod-97 checksum.
SWIFT/BIC code FAQ
What's the SWIFT code format for a Greek bank?
A Greek BIC is 8 or 11 characters: a 4-letter bank code, GR fixed at positions 5-6, a 2-character location code, and an optional 3-character branch code — for example CRBAGRAA for Alpha Bank's Athens head office.
How do I read a Greek BIC?
In ETHNGRAA, ETHN comes from Ethniki (National), reflecting the National Bank of Greece's Greek name; GR is the country, and AA is the Athens location code shared by every one of Greece's largest banks.
Does an 8-character code work for a Greek bank?
Yes — the 8-character BIC and its 11-character form ending XXX both identify the same head office and are accepted interchangeably on payment instructions, including within SEPA.