Establishing Your Business in Greece: A Comprehensive Guide for International Investors

Greece offers a welcoming environment for foreign investment, with multiple business structures available for international entrepreneurs. The legal framework permits various entity types, including Limited Liability Companies, Public Limited Companies, and partnership structures, alongside branch offices for foreign corporations. Additionally, individuals can operate as freelancers, providing flexible options for business establishment.

Limited Liability Company (EPE): Ideal for Small to Medium Enterprises

The EPE structure serves as an excellent entry point for entrepreneurs establishing small to medium-sized operations in Greece. This entity requires a minimum capital of €4,500 and can be formed by one or more individuals or legal entities. Partners benefit from limited liability protection, restricting financial exposure to their capital contributions. EPEs can engage in most business activities except banking and insurance sectors.

Key operational requirements include:

Appointment of at least one director responsible for organizational compliance
Directors must ensure proper tax and social security contributions to Greek authorities
Corporate tax rate of 22% applies to company profits
Profit distributions to partners subject to 25% withholding tax, with exemptions under EU Parent-Subsidiary Directive

Public Limited Company (AE): For Larger Business Ventures

Anonymi Etairia (AE) requires minimum share capital of €60,000 and suits larger business operations seeking investment opportunities. This structure allows shareholder anonymity when using bearer shares and provides robust governance frameworks. The board of directors, comprising at least three members, typically delegates operational authority to a managing director.

Consider this structure when:

Planning significant capital investment
Requiring complex shareholder arrangements
Needing clear separation between ownership and management

AEs face similar tax obligations as EPEs, with 22% corporate tax and 25% withholding tax on shareholder distributions.

Partnership Structures: Flexible Collaboration Models

Greece offers two primary partnership models: Limited Partnership (EE) and General Partnership (OE). The EE structure combines limited and unlimited liability partners, making it suitable for investment scenarios where some partners prefer passive involvement. The OE requires all partners to share unlimited liability, ideal for closely-knit business collaborations.

Recent case study: A German manufacturing firm successfully established an EE in Thessaloniki, combining local management expertise with international capital investment while maintaining liability protection for silent partners.

Branch Offices: Extending International Operations

Foreign corporations can establish branch offices in Greece without creating separate legal entities. The parent company remains fully liable for branch activities, requiring capital equivalent to Greek company requirements. Branches need at least one resident director and legal representative, with tax obligations mirroring other corporate structures.

Essential Documentation for Company Registration

Successful registration requires thorough preparation of:

Greek Tax Identification Numbers for all founders
Valid identification documents with appropriate residency permits
Notarized articles of association
Founder resolutions for corporate entities
Completed registration forms with digital signatures
Capital verification documents where applicable

Streamlined Registration Process

Greece has modernized its business registration system through digital platforms. The standard procedure involves:

Name reservation through local Chamber of Commerce
Drafting and notarizing articles of association
Capital deposit in Greek bank account
Submission to competent authorities
Simultaneous registration with tax, social security, and commercial registers

Most processes can be completed through the Enterprise Greece portal, significantly reducing processing times compared to traditional methods.

Greek Corporate Law Framework

The primary legislation governing companies is Law 2190/1920, regularly updated to align with EU directives. The legal framework emphasizes:

Legal Aspect	Key Requirements
Corporate Governance	Clear separation between management and ownership
Financial Reporting	Mandatory audited financial statements
Shareholder Rights	Protection mechanisms through general meetings
Compliance	Regular regulatory filings and tax obligations

Alternative Employment Solutions

For businesses seeking immediate market entry without entity establishment, SailGlobal offers comprehensive Employer of Record services. This solution enables:

Immediate hiring of Greek talent without entity setup
Full compliance with local employment regulations
Reduced administrative burden and costs
Flexible scaling of operations

Recent implementation: A UK tech startup used SailGlobal's EOR services to hire five developers in Athens within two weeks, avoiding six-month entity establishment delays.

Company Registration in Greece: Complete Guide for Foreign Investors 2024