COREDO – EU Legal & Compliance Services Expert legal consulting, financial licensing (EMI, PSP, CASP under MiCA), and AML/CFT compliance across the European Union. Headquartered in Prague, we provide seamless regulatory solutions in Germany, Poland, Lithuania, and all 27 EU member states.
Gregory Lutsenko
01.12.2025 | 6 min read
Updated: 16.10.2026
In 2025 Greece attracts entrepreneurs not only with its ancient history. Why do entrepreneurs from Europe, Asia and the CIS choose 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.
For many of our clients at COREDO, Greece becomes the strategic gateway to Europe thanks to transparent rules, flexibility for startups and options for remote management.
Key points for founders:
- The partners of an ΙΚΕ (LLC) set its share capital freely, with no statutory minimum amount, and they can also contribute work, services or a guarantee for the company's debts. A general partnership (ΟΕ) needs no capital at all. This keeps the financial entry threshold for startups low.
- The common company forms (ΙΚΕ, SA and general partnership) are set up through a one-stop shop. This is usually a chamber GEMI service when the model articles of association are used, or a certified notary when a notarial deed is required. With the model articles, and where no notarial deed is needed, founders can also form the company fully online through the e-YMS. This requires identification with an eIDAS electronic ID or Greek TAXISnet credentials and an electronic signature.
Particular attention should be paid to the options for company registration for foreigners in Greece and for companies without residency permits. Remote management mechanisms, minimal administrative costs and reduced legal risks make this jurisdiction especially attractive for international structures seeking minimal tax liabilities and operational risks. The COREDO team has implemented dozens of projects in which optimizing compliance procedures allowed clients not only to enter the market quickly but also to build a long-term strategy with minimal reputational risks.
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) | Set freely by the partners | 1+ | Limited | Director | 22% |
| Α.Ε. (JSC) | 25 000 EUR | 1+ | Limited | Board of Directors (min. 3) or a single managing adviser for small companies | 22% |
| ΟΕ (Partnership) | Not required | 2+ | Unlimited | Partners | 22% |
ΙΚΕ (Limited liability company) - the optimal choice for startups, small and medium-sized businesses, as well as for companies with a single founder or remote management. Because the partners set an ΙΚΕ's share capital freely, it can start with minimal investment, and limited liability reduces legal risks.
Α.Ε. (Joint-stock company) is suitable for large projects requiring investment and a more complex management structure. It can be set up by a single founder and is managed by a board of at least three members, although small and very small SAs may instead elect a single managing adviser.
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
Company registration in Greece: it is a structured process in which each stage requires attention to detail and strict compliance with the law. Our experience at COREDO has shown: success depends on how thoroughly the documents are prepared and how communications with regulators are organized.
Key stages:
- Choosing the legal form and preparing the founding documents.
- Choosing the company's legal address in Greece.
- Collecting and formalizing the package of documents for registering a company in Greece.
- Filing the application with a one-stop shop and paying the single formation fee and, for an SA, the Hellenic Competition Commission duty of 0.1% of the share capital; no capital duty is charged on incorporation.
- Formation in the General Commercial Registry (GEMI, Γ.Ε.ΜΗ.): the one-stop shop automatically assigns the company's tax number (ΑΦΜ) and issues the formation certificate.
- Automatic registration with e-EFKA as an employer where required and with the competent chamber. Publication now happens through GEMI, which replaced the special Government Gazette issue for SAs and ΕΠΕ companies.
- opening a bank account for the company in Greece.
Preparation of documents for company registration in Greece
The set of documents depends on the chosen form, but typically includes:
- Articles of association (katastatiko), usually in Greek. For an ΙΚΕ, articles drawn up as a private document may also be drafted in one of the official EU languages; towards third parties the Greek text prevails.
- Passport details of founders and directors.
- Certificate of no criminal record for the director.
- Proof of source of funds (bank statements, declarations).
- KYC questionnaires.
- Documents confirming the legal address.
- For foreigners: notarization, apostille, translation into Greek.
In COREDO cases for foreign founders, conducting Due Diligence is of particular importance: we analyze ownership structure, check beneficiaries, and assess reputational and AML risks. This helps minimize delays during the review stage at GEMI and banks.
Obtaining a Tax Identification Number (AFM) and VAT number for a company in Greece
Registration with the Greek tax authorities (ΑΑΔΕ) is mandatory for doing business.
- The company receives its ΑΦΜ (tax identification number) automatically at formation: the one-stop shop sends its data to the tax system, which registers the company and issues the number. Foreign legal entities that become partners or managers and have no Greek ΑΦΜ receive one through the one-stop shop, while individual founders and managers need their own ΑΦΜ.
- 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.
For companies with foreign founders and remote management, COREDO recommends preparing all translations and certified documents in advance; this speeds up the process and reduces the risk of refusal.
Opening an account for a company in Greece
Banks in Greece impose strict KYC and AML requirements. To open an account you will need:
- 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)
Registration in GEMI, a key stage that confirms the legality of the business.
- 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.
In COREDO's practice we often encounter questions about timelines: by law, the one-stop shop processes a complete application on the same or, at the latest, the next working day. If something is missing, the founders have 5 working days to correct it. This statutory deadline covers the formation itself, not the opening of a bank account or other later steps.
Choosing a legal address in Greece
The legal address is not just a formality but an important element of compliance.
- The registered seat must be in the Greek municipality named in the articles, so foreign founders also register a company with a local legal address. At formation, the one-stop shop checks the seat against the lease or free-use declaration filed with the tax authority.
- COREDO recommends using verified addresses to minimize legal and reputational risks.
Registration with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Greece
Chamber membership: a mandatory requirement for most types of activity.
- The one-stop shop enters the company in the competent chamber's register automatically at formation; chamber fees are owed only if the company uses chamber services.
- For companies with remote management, electronic interaction is possible.
Company registration in Greece for foreigners
Special rules apply to foreign founders and directors:
- Founders do not have to be Greek: foreign companies can be partners or managers and receive a Greek tax number through the one-stop shop.
- Board members of an SA and administrators of an ΕΠΕ (a limited liability company form separate from the ΙΚΕ) need a Greek tax number and, where applicable, a Greek residence permit before formation. For non-EU citizens, the permit takes time to obtain.
- For companies with foreign founders and directors, thorough preparation of KYC questionnaires, notarization of documents and extended due diligence are critically important.
COREDO's practice confirms: minimization of AML/KYC and compliance risks is achieved through a transparent ownership structure, the use of a local legal address and engaging an experienced representative agent. This is especially important for startups and innovative companies, where the speed and transparency of registration are critical for market entry.
Risk minimization and AML/KYC when registering a company in Greece
Current AML/KYC requirements in Greece comply with EU standards and FATF:
- 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.
The COREDO team develops tailored compliance solutions:
- 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.
If you are planning company registration for foreigners in Greece, starting a business with minimal investment, or remote management, the COREDO team is ready to offer solutions that take into account all the nuances of the 2025 legislation, minimize costs, and provide reliable protection of your interests at every stage.
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.