Greece Company Formation

INTRODUCTION TO REGISTERING A COMPANY IN GREECE

Company formation in Greece benefits foreign investors of tax-efficient business opportunities.Despite few challenges in the economy, registering a company in Greece is quite promising in the sphere of business.Tax allowance were introduced in the country for all the representatives of business encouraging the development of enterprises and companies in various fields.

Investors interested in Greek companies mainly because of the following factors:

Very low Real Estate prices
Very low labor costs
Legislation that provides that all third country investors get granted a permanent residency for investments in RE over €250,000. This can also be incorporated as capital of the companies and therefore all members of the board can enjoy this privilege
Roads, ports and train infrastructures in Greece are now been upgraded at 90% and within the next 20 months it will be concluded. This is a plan of Greece aiming to the main gateway for imports from China, India and Africa for the next decades to come. This is an aim for importing and exporting.
Tourism is hitting new records for the past three years, in 2017 a new record is expected. It is also nowadays the new trend that tourism last almost throughout the year giving Greece 19% of its GDP

Why is this a good time to open a company in Greece?

Assets are at a very low value since Bailout as above
massive investment in infrastructure projects, largely financed by the EU
Greek consumer spending is high considering austerity measures

What are the main types of Greek company?

There are four main forms of Greek business entity, and they are as follows:

limited liability corporation (EPE)
stock corporation (AE)
partnerships
branches

What are the main features of an EPE company?

the minimum share capital for an EPE company is €4,500
must be paid up at formation, at least half of it in cash
the minimum number of shareholders is usually two
popular format because of limited liability
statutory financial reporting requirement

What are the main features of an AE company?

the minimum share capital for an AE is €60,000
the standard format for major public companies
widely adopted by sole proprietors because of flexibility
board of directors and auditors required

What are the main features of a partnership?

available either as a general (OE) or limited (EE) partnership
foreign investors tend to prefer limited-liability EE partnerships
minimum of two partners, no minimum share capital required, but usually €1000
much lower level of regulatory intervention

What are the main features of a branch?

foreign parent must meet Greek share capital requirements
foreign parent responsible for legal and tax affairs of branch
branch required to register with Greek authorities
minimum of one director; there are formal accounting requirements
must appoint a local representative who is jointly and severally liable for payment of taxation unless the client opts for an S.A. company, where they will only need a proxy for the Greek Tax Authorities
bank guarantee may also be required

How easy is it to recruit staff in Greece?

Greece has significant unemployment and labor costs are among the lowest in the EU. The workforce is well educated however and recruitment is straightforward. It is advisable to use a local recruitment agency so contact us for help with this.

What is the regulatory environment like?

The business environment in Greece is surprisingly liberal given the country’s reputation for bureaucracy.There are new online systems that have drastically reduced the bureaucratic issues. These include Tax and National Insurance as well as Chamber of Commerce transactions, apart from the fully digitized banking.

Regulatory standards are in line with other EU member states. There are no import restrictions or tariff barriers and capital and earnings can be freely repatriated. Greece has double taxation treaties with a number of other countries. Nonetheless it is important to note that Greek tax regulations are detailed, complex and change frequently, and it is therefore strongly advisable to consult a local specialist for tax planning.

Are there financial incentives available?

The Greek government continues to offer investment incentives to promote regional development, environmental protection and energy-efficient initiatives. The scale of the incentive depends on the industry and the location, but will typically involve grants, interest subsidies or tax allowances. There are special incentives for certain projects relating to mining and tourism. We can offer your full assistance with registering a company in Greece.

And what about banking facilities?

The Greek banking sector has changed beyond recognition in recent years. It has expanded rapidly as a result of deregulation and merger activity. Investors can choose from a range of private and state banking facilities including venture capital and finance for new companies. Private banks may offer more flexibility than their state-owned counterparts. You will need to open a bank account in Greece, and we can advise you on this.

How can I get more information about a setting up a Greece Business?

Our Greek company formation service makes it easy for you to open a company in Greece, so please contact us and we will be happy to help you.