Starting a business in Greece involves choosing the right legal structure, registering the business, arranging tax and social-security requirements, checking whether your activity needs a licence, and setting up appropriate accounting and payment systems.
This guide explains the main steps for entrepreneurs, small-business owners, foreigners and startup founders who want to establish a business in Greece in 2026.
Greece has a diverse business environment covering tourism, hospitality, food, retail, professional services, technology, logistics, shipping, agriculture, real estate, digital services and many other sectors.
The country also has a developing startup ecosystem. Elevate Greece operates the National Startup Registry and provides information about the Greek innovation ecosystem, registered startups, investors, accelerators, incubators, coworking spaces and other ecosystem participants.
For traditional small businesses, the most important decisions are usually the business activity, legal structure, location, financing, tax treatment and regulatory requirements. For startups, additional considerations can include innovation, scalability, intellectual property, investment and access to funding.
Define exactly what products or services you will provide and identify your target customers.
Depending on your circumstances, you may establish a sole proprietorship or a company such as an IKE, EPE, AE, OE or EE.
The appropriate structure depends on factors such as liability, ownership, taxation, financing, number of founders and expected growth.
Your activity must be correctly identified for administrative and tax purposes. Certain activities also have additional professional or licensing requirements.
Company formation can be completed electronically through Greece's e-YMS Electronic One-Stop Shop for eligible company forms.
The government service allows founders to submit company information and articles electronically.
For company formations through e-YMS, the required registrations are integrated into the electronic process. Depending on the case, this can include registration with GEMI, obtaining an AFM tax identification number and notification to EFKA.
Some activities can require specific permits, professional qualifications, notifications, health requirements, environmental approvals or other regulatory conditions.
Never assume that registration alone gives permission to operate a regulated activity.
A Greek accountant can help establish the appropriate accounting, invoicing, VAT and tax procedures for your business.
Your obligations depend on the legal form and activity.
Set up appropriate banking and payment arrangements for collecting customer payments and paying suppliers, employees and business expenses.
If you employ workers, additional employment, payroll, social-security, workplace and reporting requirements apply.
Once the business is operational, track revenue, costs, customer acquisition, cash flow and profitability.
Use the first months to determine which products and services actually generate sustainable demand.
Greece offers several legal forms. The correct structure depends on the circumstances of the founders and the type of business.
| Structure | General Description | Potential Use |
|---|---|---|
| Sole Proprietorship | Business operated by an individual. | Freelancers, professionals and smaller individual businesses. |
| IKE | Private Capital Company. | Small companies, founders and growing businesses. |
| EPE | Limited Liability Company. | Businesses requiring a corporate legal structure. |
| AE | Société Anonyme / public limited company. | Larger businesses and companies with more complex ownership or financing needs. |
| OE | General Partnership. | Businesses operated by partners under a partnership structure. |
| EE | Limited Partnership. | Partnership businesses with different partner roles. |
The table is a simplified overview and does not constitute legal or tax advice. Speak with a Greek accountant or lawyer before selecting a legal structure.
A sole proprietorship can be suitable for individuals who want to operate a business without establishing a separate company.
The Greek government provides a digital procedure for starting a sole proprietorship. The current official service states that eligible individuals can start a sole proprietorship digitally.
The official requirements include having a valid and active Greek VAT number, being a Greek citizen or citizen of another EU member state over 18, having the business headquarters in Greece and meeting the other conditions of the service.
The Greek government provides an electronic company-formation service known as e-YMS, the Electronic One-Stop Shop.
According to gov.gr, one of the founders or an authorized third party can log into e-YMS using Taxisnet credentials, select the company formation procedure, perform an electronic name check or reservation, complete the model articles of association and obtain acceptance from the other members.
The system then performs the necessary registration actions, including registration in GEMI / Chamber, obtaining the company's AFM and notification to EFKA, with a certificate of establishment issued after the process.
The IKE, or Private Capital Company, is one of the company forms available in Greece and can be established electronically through the One-Stop Service.
The current National Registry of Administrative Public Services lists the establishment of an IKE through e-YMS as a digital procedure.
Because company structures have different legal, tax and ownership implications, entrepreneurs should obtain professional advice before deciding that an IKE is the best structure for their particular business.
GEMI stands for the General Commercial Registry (General Commercial Registry of Greece).
It is an important part of the Greek business-registration system. Company formation through e-YMS can automatically include registration with GEMI and the relevant Chamber as part of the electronic process.
Businesses should also keep their company information and required filings up to date after formation.
The AFM is the Greek Tax Identification Number. Businesses need the appropriate tax registration for their activities and legal structure.
When a company is established through the e-YMS process, obtaining the company's tax identification number is integrated into the formation process according to the government description of the service.
Tax obligations can include income tax, VAT where applicable, withholding obligations, payroll-related requirements and other reporting responsibilities. The exact obligations depend on the business.
VAT is an important consideration when establishing a business in Greece. However, not every business or transaction is treated identically.
VAT treatment can depend on the type of product or service, customer location, business activity and applicable exemptions or reduced rates.
Before setting prices, calculate the effect of VAT and other applicable taxes on your actual profit margin.
Not every Greek business needs the same licences. Regulatory requirements depend heavily on the activity.
Before signing a commercial lease or buying equipment, check whether your business activity can legally operate at the proposed location and whether additional licences, notifications or technical requirements apply.
The best location depends on the business model.
Large consumer market, international visitors, professional services, technology companies and startup activity.
Important commercial and university centre with opportunities in technology, food, education, logistics and professional services.
Strong tourism economy combined with local demand and opportunities in food, hospitality, agriculture and services.
Tourism creates potential demand, but seasonality, transport and staffing must be carefully considered.
University population and regional business activity can support education, food, services and technology-related businesses.
Smaller cities can provide lower-cost opportunities for businesses targeting local residents and specialized regional markets.
Technology entrepreneurs can investigate the Greek startup ecosystem through Elevate Greece, the official platform for the Greek startup ecosystem.
The National Startup Registry is designed to record eligible startups, monitor their progress through KPIs and provide visibility within the Greek innovation ecosystem.
The current registry covers sectors including:
The startup ecosystem also includes incubators, accelerators, venture capital funds, science parks, innovation clusters and coworking spaces.
The National Startup Registry has specific eligibility requirements. Current criteria include certain legal forms and a connection to Greece through a headquarters, subsidiary or branch with a Greek VAT number where applicable. Other conditions include age and employee thresholds.
Registration is not automatic simply because a company describes itself as a startup. Applications are assessed according to the applicable eligibility and evaluation requirements.
Entrepreneurs should check the current Elevate Greece rules before applying, because eligibility conditions and calls can change.
Foreign nationals can investigate business establishment in Greece, but the requirements depend on nationality, residence status, business structure and activity.
EU citizens generally have a different administrative position from non-EU citizens and may have access to business-establishment procedures that require Greek tax and identification arrangements.
Non-EU citizens need to consider immigration and residence requirements in addition to company registration, taxation and business regulations.
Having a Greek company does not by itself mean that a foreign national automatically receives the right to live or work in Greece.
Foreign residents may have opportunities to combine international experience with local Greek demand.
Foreign entrepreneurs should nevertheless understand Greek tax, accounting, consumer-protection and employment rules rather than assuming that operating a business online removes local obligations.
If your business employs workers, you need to comply with applicable Greek employment, payroll, social-security and reporting requirements.
Employer obligations can include:
Because employment rules can change and depend on the circumstances, use a qualified Greek accountant or employment specialist for current compliance.
A business needs appropriate payment and banking arrangements to receive customer payments and pay business expenses.
The documentation required by a bank can depend on the legal form, ownership, tax status, directors, residence and the bank's compliance procedures.
Foreign founders should expect banks to perform identity and source-of-funds checks before opening or activating an account.
Business owners and employers can have social-security and insurance obligations depending on their role and business structure.
Businesses may also need or benefit from commercial insurance such as:
Not every policy is mandatory for every business, so determine the requirements for your specific activity before purchasing insurance.
Startup costs vary dramatically depending on the business model.
| Expense | Examples |
|---|---|
| Registration | Company formation and applicable administrative fees |
| Professional services | Accountant, lawyer or consultant |
| Premises | Rent, deposit and utilities |
| Equipment | Computers, machinery, furniture and tools |
| Inventory | Initial stock or materials |
| Technology | Website, software, hosting and online services |
| Marketing | Advertising, branding and customer acquisition |
| Employees | Salary, contributions and related employment costs |
| Insurance | Applicable business and professional insurance |
| Working capital | Cash required to operate before revenue becomes stable |
A business plan does not need to be a 50-page document. A simple financial model can reveal whether the idea is viable.
Entrepreneurs who do not want to establish a large company can investigate service businesses and specialized local businesses.
For many entrepreneurs, testing demand with a relatively small service business before taking on a large lease or expensive equipment can reduce initial risk.
These official platforms are useful starting points when researching business formation and entrepreneurship in Greece.
First choose your business activity and legal structure, prepare your business plan, check licensing requirements and complete the appropriate registration process. Eligible company formations can be completed electronically through the Greek e-YMS One-Stop Shop.
Yes. Greece provides an electronic company-formation process through e-YMS. Depending on the company form, the process can include electronic submission, company registration and related tax and social-security notifications.
e-YMS is the Electronic One-Stop Shop used for company formation in Greece. The government describes it as a digital service through which founders can establish eligible companies without visiting multiple public services.
GEMI is the General Commercial Registry of Greece. Company formation procedures through e-YMS can include registration with GEMI and the relevant Chamber.
AFM is the Greek Tax Identification Number. Businesses and individuals who are subject to Greek tax administration requirements may need an AFM.
Foreigners may be able to establish a business in Greece, but requirements depend on nationality, residence status, business structure and activity. Non-EU citizens should check immigration and residence requirements separately.
There is no universally best structure. Sole proprietorships, IKE, EPE, AE, OE and EE structures have different legal and financial characteristics. The appropriate choice depends on the founders, activity, liability, financing and expected growth.
An IKE is a Private Capital Company, one of the corporate forms available in Greece. An IKE can be established electronically through the e-YMS One-Stop Shop subject to the applicable requirements.
Yes. Small businesses operate across sectors including tourism, food, retail, professional services, cleaning, property services, education, technology, digital marketing and e-commerce.
Greece has an established startup ecosystem supported by Elevate Greece, the National Startup Registry and a network of incubators, accelerators, investors, science parks and other innovation organizations.
No. Requirements depend on the activity. Certain sectors, including food, hospitality, healthcare, tourism and other regulated activities, can have additional licensing, notification or compliance requirements.
The most important first step is not registering a company. It is determining whether customers will actually pay for your product or service at a price that can cover your costs and generate sustainable profit. Research the market, calculate your costs, choose the appropriate legal structure and verify all regulatory requirements before committing significant capital.