Can I Get a Visa to Start a Business in Greece?

Yes — Greece offers several business and entrepreneur residency options for non-EU citizens who want to live in Greece while managing their company.

Whether you’re launching a startup, investing in an SME, or relocating your business, there are legal residency pathways available.

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🔍 Who Needs a Visa?

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🧳 Option 1: Greek National Visa (Type D) – Business Purposes

This long-stay visa allows you to:

✅ Enter Greece to start a business
✅ Register a company (IKE, AE, etc.)
✅ Open bank accounts and apply for AFM
✅ Apply for a residence permit upon arrival

Key requirements:

• Solid business plan

• Proof of company formation or intent

• Financial means to support yourself

• Accommodation in Greece

📌 You apply through your local Greek consulate, then apply for residency inside Greece.

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💼 Option 2: Greek Residence Permit for Financially Independent Entrepreneurs

Once in Greece, you can apply for a 2-year renewable permit based on:

• Proof of company registration

• Active economic activity in Greece

• Business address & Greek tax number (AFM)

• Private or public health insurance

• Income of at least €2,000/month (can vary by family size)

✅ This is the most common pathway for business founders and digital entrepreneurs.

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💡 Option 3: Greek Startup Visa (Innovative Entrepreneurs)

Greece offers a Startup Visa Program under the Elevate Greece platform, ideal for:

• Tech startups

• Innovative solutions with international scale

• Teams or solo founders

• EU and non-EU citizens

Eligibility:

• Approval by the Ministry of Development

• Innovation-oriented business model

• Registered Greek company (IKE or AE)

• Funding or accelerator participation (optional)

⚠️ This route is selective and involves an application review panel.

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📈 Option 4: Company Owner as Director or Employee

You may also obtain residency by:

• Appointing yourself as Director or Manager of your Greek company

• Signing a local employment contract

• Paying into EFKA (Greek social security)

• Drawing a legal salary from the company

This can serve as the basis for a residence and work permit.

🧾 Must show minimum income, active company, and real economic presence.

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🏡 Residency via the Greek Digital Nomad Visa

If you run your company remotely and don’t serve Greek clients, consider the Digital Nomad Visa.

Key requirements:

• Work remotely for a non-Greek company (or your own)

• Minimum monthly income: €3,500 (solo)

• Valid health insurance

• Clean criminal record

• Commitment not to work for Greek clients

✅ This is a fast-track permit — valid for 1 year (renewable if you stay tax compliant).

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📂 Key Documents for Business Visa or Residency

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🔄 Renewal & Duration

📌 Most permits require you to reside in Greece for at least 183 days/year.

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🧑‍💼 Example: South African Founder Moves to Crete

Nadia, a South African national, launched a travel tech startup in Chania.

• Formed an IKE via POA

• Applied for a Business D-Visa at the consulate in Cape Town

• Entered Greece and secured a 2-year entrepreneur residence permit

• Now employs 3 local staff and sponsors her own renewal

All done with support from Borderless Lawyers, fully compliant and remote.

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❗ Common Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)

• ❌ Applying for a tourist visa instead of business visa

• ❌ No business plan or income proof

• ❌ Forming company after arriving — delays residence

• ❌ Using the wrong legal structure

• ❌ Failing to register AFM, EIN, or insurance

✅ We guide you through every step — from visa to tax filings.

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🧑‍⚖️ How Borderless Lawyers Helps

We offer full visa and relocation services for founders:

✅ Business plan preparation
✅ POA-based company formation
✅ Greek AFM, EIN, VAT setup
✅ Visa application support at consulate
✅ Health insurance & lease assistance
✅ Residency permit filing in Greece
✅ Ongoing tax, legal, and immigration support

💼 One legal partner — from idea to residency.

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❓ FAQ – Business Residency in Greece

Q: Can I get residency just by owning a company?
A: Not automatically — you must show activity, income, and comply with legal requirements.

Q: How long does the visa + residency process take?
A: 4–8 weeks with full documentation. We speed things up with POA and early AFM/VAT filing.

Q: Can I bring my spouse and children?
A: Yes — most business permits allow family reunification.

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🏛️ Ready to Build Your Business — and Life — in Greece?

Borderless Lawyers helps entrepreneurs relocate legally, grow their company, and obtain Greek residency — all with no stress.

👉 Contact us today to launch your Greek company and apply for the right visa — all done remotely.