In 2025 Greece surprises not only with its ancient history but also with the statistics: over the past three years the number of new companies with foreign capital has grown by more than 40%. Why are entrepreneurs from Europe, Asia and the CIS increasingly choosing to start businesses in Greece? The answer lies in a combination of tax incentives, access to the EU market and the steady liberalization of procedures.
Key changes came into effect in 2025:
- The minimum share capital for ΙΚΕ (LLC) has been reduced to 24 000 EUR, and for partnerships to a symbolic 1 EUR. This opens the way for companies with minimal investment and lowers the financial entry threshold for startups.
- For technological and innovative projects, simplified company registration procedures apply in Greece, including a fast-track for startups, remote document submission and electronic identification of founders.
- Strengthened AML requirements/KYC: now all participants in the process undergo enhanced due diligence, and banks and notaries are required to request confirmation of the source of funds and KYC questionnaires even for non-residents.
If you’re looking not just for instructions but for strategic insight on how to open a business in Greece taking into account the new requirements and avoid pitfalls, this article will provide answers you won’t find in public sources. I recommend reading to the end: this is not theory, but practical solutions proven by COREDO’s experience.
Organizational and legal form of a company in Greece
Choosing the organizational and legal form of a company in Greece is not just a formality but a strategic decision that affects taxes, management structure, share capital requirements and even reputational risks.
Main types of companies
| Form | Min. share capital | Founders | Liability | Management | Taxes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ΙΚΕ (LLC) | 24 000 EUR | 1+ | Limited | Director | 20% |
| Α.Ε. (JSC) | 60 000 EUR | 2+ | Limited | Board of Directors | 20% |
| ΟΕ (Partnership) | 1 EUR | 2+ | Unlimited | Partners | 20% |
Α.Ε. (Joint-stock company) is suitable for large projects requiring investment and a more complex management structure. At least two founders and a board of directors are required here.
ΟΕ (Partnership): a solution for companies where flexibility and minimal administrative costs are important, but one should take into account the unlimited liability of the partners.
In COREDO’s practice, we often encounter cases where ΙΚΕ becomes the optimal form for foreign founders and companies with remote management: it combines flexibility, simplicity of registration and minimal compliance risks. For tech startups and international holdings we also recommend ΙΚΕ, since this form allows registering a company with a single founder, a foreign director and even an agent-representative, which significantly simplifies management.
Company registration in Greece: step-by-step guide
legal registration steps of a company in Greece require not only a competent choice of legal form, but also the sequential completion of all procedures provided for by local legislation. This step-by-step guide will help you understand which stages to go through and which documents to prepare for successful business registration in Greece.
General registration process
Key stages:
- Choosing the legal form and preparing the founding documents.
- Collecting and formalizing the package of documents for registering a company in Greece.
- Submitting an application to the Hellenic Commercial Registry (GEMI) and Γ.Ε.ΜΗ.
- Obtaining a tax identification number (ΑΦΜ) and a VAT number.
- opening a bank account for the company in Greece.
- Registration with the social insurance fund (EFKA/IKA/OAEE).
- Choosing the company’s legal address in Greece.
- Obtaining the company seal.
- Publication of the articles of association in the national gazette.
- Payment of the capital concentration tax (1%).
- Registration with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Preparation of documents for company registration in Greece
The set of documents depends on the chosen form, but typically includes:
- Founding agreement (katastato) in Greek.
- Company charter.
- Passport details of founders and directors.
- Certificate of no criminal record for the director.
- Certificate of no tax arrears (Form A7).
- Proof of source of funds (bank statements, declarations).
- KYC questionnaires.
- Documents confirming the legal address.
- For foreigners: notarization, apostille, translation into Greek.
Obtaining a Tax Identification Number (AFM) and VAT number for a company in Greece
- ΑΦΜ (tax identification number) is obtained by all founders and the company. The procedure includes a personal or remote application to the tax office, providing a passport, founding documents and a KYC questionnaire.
- A VAT number is required for companies conducting trade or other taxable activities. The process for obtaining it is similar but requires additional business details.
Opening an account for a company in Greece
- Founding documents.
- Passport details and criminal record certificates of founders/directors.
- Proof of source of funds.
- KYC questionnaires.
- In some cases: the director’s personal presence or a power of attorney for a representative.
The solution developed by COREDO for remote account openings includes preparing an extended dossier and assisting with negotiations with banks that work with non-residents. This is especially relevant for companies without residence permits and with foreign directors.
Registration in the Hellenic Commercial Registry (GEMI)
- Filing the application with Γ.Ε.ΜΗ. is carried out online or through a notary.
- A full set of documents is required, including notarized copies and translations.
- After verification, a company registration certificate in Greece is issued, the main legal document for further operations.
Registration with EFKA/IKA and OAEE in Greece
Registration with EFKA/IKA is mandatory for all companies with employees.
- For entrepreneurs and partnerships – registration with OAEE (Organization for the Insurance of the Self-Employed).
- The document package includes founding documents, employee data and payroll statements.
- For companies without employees, the procedure is simplified, but registration is mandatory to comply with regulatory requirements.
Choosing a legal address in Greece
- For foreigners it is possible to register a company with a local legal address; using a foreign address is allowed only if there is an agent-representative.
- COREDO recommends using verified addresses to minimize legal and reputational risks.
Obtaining the company seal in Greece
- Issued after registration in GEMI.
- For companies with remote management, it is possible to obtain the seal through a trusted representative.
Publication of the articles of association and the capital concentration tax (1%)
- The articles of association must be published in the official national gazette.
- At the same time, the capital concentration tax (1%) is paid on the amount of the share capital.
- At COREDO, we support this stage to avoid delays and misunderstandings with the tax authorities.
Registration with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Greece
Chamber membership: a mandatory requirement for most types of activity.
- Documents are submitted after receiving the registration certificate.
- For companies with remote management, electronic interaction is possible.
Company registration in Greece for foreigners
- Citizenship and a residence permit are not required, but proof of legal status and the source of funds is required.
- Company registration without a residence permit in Greece is possible, as well as remote management through a representative agent.
- For companies with foreign founders and directors, thorough preparation of KYC questionnaires, notarization of documents and extended due diligence are critically important.
Risk minimization and AML/KYC when registering a company in Greece
- Each founder and director undergoes due diligence, including source of funds verification, KYC questionnaires and analysis of the beneficial ownership structure.
- Banks and notaries require transparency at every stage, and compliance breaches can lead to refusal of registration or account opening.
Команда COREDO разрабатывает индивидуальные compliance-решения:
- Selection of the optimal legal form and ownership structure to minimize tax and legal risks.
- Preparation of the complete document package for banks and regulators.
- Assistance throughout the registration process in compliance with all AML/KYC requirements.
Recommendation: do not skimp on due diligence: transparency and accuracy of documents help avoid delays and reputational damage.
Conclusions and recommendations
Registering a company in Greece is not only a formal process but also a strategic task that requires a comprehensive approach to choosing the form, preparing documents, and ensuring compliance. COREDO’s experience shows:
- For startups and international structures, the ΙΚΕ form is optimal, with minimal share capital and the possibility of remote management.
- The key success factor is proper document preparation, including KYC, due diligence, and proof of the source of funds.
- To minimize risks, choose verified legal addresses, work with banks that are friendly to foreign founders, and engage professional agent-representatives.
For consultation and support, contact us directly. COREDO’s practice is not only knowledge but also real cases where every detail matters for your success.