Why Start a Company in Greece?

Greece is becoming a popular base for foreign entrepreneurs, remote businesses, and investors due to:

✅ Affordable labor and office costs
✅ Gateway to the EU market
✅ Residency pathways for founders
✅ Favorable tax options for new businesses
✅ Growing tech and tourism sectors

If you’re looking to open a company in Greece as a foreigner, this guide explains every legal step — with or without traveling to Greece.

---

🧑‍💼 Can a Foreigner Start a Business in Greece?

Yes — both EU and non-EU citizens can register a business in Greece.

• You don’t need citizenship or permanent residency

• You can operate remotely using a Power of Attorney

• You’ll need a Greek Tax ID (AFM) and a business address

💼 At Borderless Lawyers, we handle full company formation for foreigners — fully online or in person.

---

🏢 Common Company Types for Foreigners

⚖️ We recommend IKE for most foreign founders due to its simplicity and tax efficiency.

---

📋 Legal Requirements to Open a Greek Company

To register a company, you’ll need:

✅ AFM (Greek Tax Number) for all shareholders
✅ Articles of Association (contract outlining the company structure)
✅ A Greek business address (can be virtual office)
✅ A company name, approved by GEMI
✅ Bank account (optional pre-registration, mandatory post)
✅ Capital deposit (if required)
✅ Appointing a Greek accountant

Non-EU citizens may also need:

• A residence permit or visa (entrepreneurial or digital nomad visa)

• Power of Attorney if registering remotely

---

📝 Step-by-Step: How to Open a Company in Greece

1. 🔢 Get a Greek Tax Number (AFM)

You must have a personal AFM to own or manage a company in Greece.

2. 🏛️ Choose Legal Form & Draft Articles

We help you choose the right structure (IKE, AE, etc.) and draft your articles of incorporation.

3. 📝 Submit to GEMI (General Commercial Registry)

Register the company with Greece’s commercial registry. This includes:

• Articles of association

• Shareholder information

• Company seat

• Director appointments

4. 💼 Register for VAT and EIN with AADE

All companies must register for:

• VAT number

• EIN (Employer ID Number)

• Payroll registration (if hiring)

5. 🏦 Open Business Bank Account

After registration, you’ll open a corporate bank account in Greece.

🖋️ We handle everything remotely with Power of Attorney.

---

🌐 Can You Register a Company Remotely?

Yes. Foreigners can register a Greek company without visiting Greece by using:

• A local Power of Attorney

• Remote ID verification

• Email or courier for document signatures

We regularly register companies in Greece 100% online for foreign clients.

---

💶 How Much Does It Cost?

We provide fixed-fee packages for company setup, residency permits, and accounting.

---

📑 Example: German Entrepreneur Setting Up an IKE

Klaus, a German citizen, wants to open a digital agency in Athens.

• Registers an IKE with €1 capital

• Uses our virtual office address

• Appoints himself as director

• Operates remotely with Greek accountant

• Pays only corporate tax on profits in Greece

He completes the entire process without visiting Greece — all via POA.

---

💼 Do You Need a Visa or Residency?

If you’re non-EU, you may need a:

• Digital Nomad Visa (if you work remotely)

• Business/Investor Residency (if you plan to stay and operate locally)

• Financially Independent Visa (if no active income)

We help combine company formation + visa support for a seamless launch.

---

❗ Common Mistakes to Avoid

• ❌ Choosing the wrong legal structure (e.g. SA for a startup)

• ❌ Failing to register with AADE for VAT

• ❌ No accountant or Greek speaker → compliance issues

• ❌ Trying to operate from a personal bank account

• ❌ Missing residency requirements (for non-EU owners)

✅ We prevent all of these with end-to-end legal & tax support.

---

🧑‍💼 How Borderless Lawyers Helps

We offer complete company setup in Greece for foreigners:

✅ Legal structure advice (IKE, AE, branch)
✅ POA-based remote registration
✅ Greek AFM, VAT, EIN registration
✅ Articles of association + GEMI filing
✅ Bank account coordination
✅ Ongoing tax and accounting support
✅ Residency or visa application (if needed)

---

❓ FAQ – Starting a Company in Greece as a Foreigner

Q: Can I open a company in Greece without living there?
A: Yes. Many clients run companies remotely using POA and a local accountant.

Q: Is Greece good for startups?
A: Yes — costs are lower than most of Europe, and IKE is a flexible, low-cost legal form.

Q: Do I need a Greek partner?
A: No. 100% foreign ownership is allowed.

---

🚀 Ready to Launch Your Business in Greece?

Whether you’re setting up a consulting firm, e-commerce store, or tech startup, we make Greek company formation simple, fast, and 100% legal.

👉 Contact Borderless Lawyers to start your Greek business — with full legal setup, remote service, and visa support.