Company formation in Greece
Your private company (IKE), registered at a real office in Athens, with tax numbers, the bank application and accounting handled.
As of October 2026. If all profits are paid out as dividends, Greek tax totals about 26%. The shareholder's home country may also tax the dividends, and tax treaties or EU rules can reduce the 5%.
Why Greece
Registration in one filing
Once founders have Greek tax numbers, one filing registers the IKE with the business registry (GEMI), the tax authority and social security.
Smaller tax prepayments at first
Profits are taxed at 22% and dividends at 5%. New companies pay half the usual tax prepayment in their first three years.
Tax regimes for new residents
Newcomers may qualify for a flat tax on foreign income, or tax on only half their Greek work income for 7 years.
A real registered office
Your company is registered at a physical office in Athens that we arrange. We receive its mail, scan it and forward it to you.
Company types
IKE (private capital company)
Suits most foreign founders. Limited liability, one founder is enough, and it can be registered online if it uses the model articles.
Minimum capital: EUR 1
EPE (limited liability company)
An older limited company form with more formal rules. Partners set the capital freely, with no statutory minimum since 2018.
Minimum capital: No minimum
AE (société anonyme)
For larger, investor-backed or regulated businesses. It has a board of directors, and its capital must be fully paid at incorporation.
Minimum capital: EUR 25,000
Branch of a foreign company
Extends an existing foreign company into Greece. It has no separate legal personality, so the parent company carries the liability.
Minimum capital: None
From first call to a working company
Allow 1 to 4 weeks to register the company, mostly to get tax numbers and prepare documents; the online filing of an IKE itself has an official estimate of 3 days. A bank account often takes a further 2 to 4 weeks, longer for some non-residents, and banks give no official timeline.
Structure and name
We agree the company type, owners, manager and activity, and check the company name with GEMI.
Tax numbers
Each founder and the manager get a Greek tax number (AFM), by video call or through a representative.
Registration
With partner lawyers, we file online using model articles, or through a notary. The company gets its GEMI and tax numbers.
Bank account
We prepare the bank file and follow the application through the bank's checks on owners and managers.
Compliance
We register beneficial owners within 60 days, arrange a local accountant and set up e-invoicing.
What we will ask you for
For each founder, manager and beneficial owner. Powers of attorney and foreign company documents need an apostille and an official Greek translation. We arrange the official translations.
- Passport, or national ID card for EU citizens
- Greek tax number (AFM), if you already have one
- Notarised power of attorney, if a representative will act for you
- For a corporate shareholder: articles, a certificate of good standing issued in the last three months and a board resolution approving the investment
- Details of every beneficial owner
- Source of funds information for the bank
- Residence permit, only if a non-EU founder or manager will live or work in Greece
Greece questions
Can a foreigner open a company in Greece?
Yes. Company formation in Greece is open to foreigners, including non-residents, and they can own 100% of the company. Each founder and the manager need a Greek tax number (AFM), which can be obtained by video call or through a representative. A non-EU citizen needs a residence permit only to live or work in Greece. The digital nomad permit does not allow business activity in Greece.
How long does it take to set up a company in Greece?
Usually 1 to 4 weeks in total for founders abroad. Most of that time goes on Greek tax numbers, apostilles and translations. Once they are ready, the official estimate for an IKE filed online is 3 days. A corporate bank account often takes a further 2 to 4 weeks, and longer for some non-residents. Banks give no official timeline.
Do I need to travel to Greece to set up a company?
Usually not for the registration itself. Tax numbers can be issued after a video call with the tax authority or requested by a representative, and a representative with a power of attorney can sign for you. Banks set their own identification rules and may ask to meet the company's legal representative in person or by video.
Can my Greek company use your office in Athens as its registered address?
Yes. We arrange a physical office address in Athens for your company's registered seat, with a written agreement for the address. We receive the company's mail there, scan it and forward it to you.
What is the minimum share capital for a company in Greece?
EUR 1 for an IKE (private capital company). An EPE has had no statutory minimum since 2018. An AE (société anonyme) needs EUR 25,000, fully paid at incorporation. A branch of a foreign company has no capital requirement, because it is part of the parent company.
What taxes does a company in Greece pay?
Corporate income tax is 22% and dividend withholding tax is 5%. VAT is 24%, with reduced rates of 13% and 6%, and rates 30% lower on 24 designated islands. Companies also pay a yearly business levy of EUR 800 or EUR 1,000 depending on location (EUR 1,000 for a company based in Athens). In September 2026 the government announced its abolition, from tax year 2026 outside Attica and by 2029 in Attica. This is not yet law.
Can you help with the Greek golden visa?
Yes. We help non-EU investors apply for the Greek golden visa, a residence permit through investment. For property, the threshold is EUR 800,000 in Attica, Thessaloniki, Mykonos, Santorini and larger islands, EUR 400,000 elsewhere, and EUR 250,000 for converting commercial buildings to homes or restoring listed buildings. The property must be a single unit of at least 120 square metres for the higher routes, and short-term rental is not allowed.
What tax incentives does Greece offer new residents?
Three special regimes, each requiring several earlier years of non-residence. Article 5A: a flat EUR 100,000 a year on all foreign income for up to 15 years, with a EUR 500,000 investment in Greece unless the person holds a golden visa. Article 5B: 7% on foreign income for people receiving a foreign pension. Article 5C: income tax on only 50% of Greek employment or business income for 7 years.
When does e-invoicing become mandatory in Greece?
From 2 November 2026 for all businesses that were not already covered, including new companies. It covers invoices between businesses and was moved from 1 October 2026. Until 31 January 2027, other permitted methods can run alongside it, if the business declares an e-invoicing start date no later than 2 November. From 1 February 2027, these invoices must go through a certified provider or the tax authority's free tools.
Sources: AADE tax guide for non-residents (July 2025), Mitos (Greek government): setting up an IKE through the One-Stop Service, AADE: tax incentives for new residents under Articles 5A to 5C, AADE decision A.1197/2026 on the new e-invoicing dates (in Greek).
Open a company in Greece with us
We apply for tax numbers, register the company, prepare the bank file and arrange accounting. A written quote follows the first call.