Starting a Business in Greece as a Foreigner: A Legal Guide for International Investors
Greece is increasingly positioning itself as a destination for international investment and entrepreneurship. Under the country’s 2026–2030 National Extroversion Strategy, one of the stated objectives is to increase foreign direct investment inflows by approximately 40–45% by 2030.
For a foreign entrepreneur, however, the key question is not simply:
“Can I open a company in Greece?”
The more important question is:
“How should my business be legally structured from the outset?”
At Prili & Partners Law Firm, we view company formation as the legal foundation of an investment — not merely as an administrative registration.
Can a Foreigner Open a Company in Greece?
Yes. Foreign individuals and international investors may establish or participate in companies in Greece, subject to the applicable corporate, tax and, where relevant, immigration requirements.
For the electronic incorporation of a Greek Private Capital Company, or IKE, the official procedure requires, among other things, an active Greek Tax Registration Number (AFM) and TAXISnet credentials. Where applicants are third-country nationals and wish to reside in Greece, residence permit requirements must also be considered.
This distinction is important: owning or participating in a Greek company does not automatically grant a right to live or work in Greece.
For international investors who intend to establish both a business and a personal presence in Greece, corporate and immigration planning should therefore be considered together from the beginning.
Is a Greek IKE a Good Option for Foreign Investors?
The Private Capital Company (IKE) is one of the corporate structures frequently considered by entrepreneurs and investors establishing a business presence in Greece.
An IKE can be incorporated electronically through the Electronic One-Stop Service (e-YMS). The official procedure is digital and includes key steps relating to company formation and registration.
The fact that incorporation can be completed electronically, however, should not be confused with choosing the correct legal structure.
A company can be registered quickly. A sound corporate structure requires careful planning.
The appropriate structure depends on factors such as:
- the nature of the business;
- the number and relationship of the investors;
- management and decision-making arrangements;
- financing;
- future investment or expansion;
- and the shareholders’ long-term objectives.
What Should Be Decided Before Setting Up a Company in Greece?
Before incorporating a company, an international investor should clearly define how the business will operate from a legal perspective.
Key issues may include ownership percentages, management powers, voting rights, transfer of shares or interests, entry of new investors, funding obligations and mechanisms for resolving disagreements.
Particular attention should therefore be given to the company’s articles of association and, where appropriate, additional shareholder or investment agreements.
The official e-YMS framework allows the use of model articles of association, including models with additional content.
For a simple business structure, standard documentation may sometimes be sufficient. For a substantial international investment, however, relying only on standard provisions may leave important commercial relationships inadequately regulated.
At Prili & Partners, our role is to identify those issues before they develop into legal or commercial disputes.
Do I Need a Lawyer to Open a Company in Greece?
The administrative process of company formation in Greece has become significantly more digital.
But digital incorporation is not the same as legal structuring.
An experienced corporate lawyer can assess:
- which legal form best fits the proposed investment;
- how ownership and management should be structured;
- what provisions should regulate the relationship between shareholders;
- whether the planned activity requires specific licences or approvals;
- which commercial contracts may be required;
- and how the company’s structure interacts with the investor’s wider presence in Greece.
The value of legal advice therefore lies not only in creating the company, but in ensuring that the legal framework is capable of supporting the business as it grows.
Why Legal Structuring Matters for Foreign Investors
International entrepreneurs often focus first on the commercial opportunity: the market, location, financing, business partners and expected return.
The legal structure behind the investment deserves the same attention.
A poorly structured company may create problems later in relation to decision-making, ownership, investor exits, financing or disputes between business partners.
By contrast, a properly designed corporate structure can provide clarity from the outset and create a more stable foundation for future growth.
At Prili & Partners Law Firm, we assist international entrepreneurs, investors and companies seeking to establish, acquire or expand a business presence in Greece.
Our work goes beyond incorporation. We advise on corporate structuring, shareholder relationships, commercial agreements, legal risk and the wider framework supporting an international investment in Greece.
Planning to Start a Business in Greece?
If you are considering establishing a company or investing in Greece, the right time to obtain legal advice is before choosing the corporate structure and before committing capital.
At Prili & Partners Law Firm, our objective is to provide international investors with clear, commercially focused legal guidance from the earliest stage of their investment.
Contact our team to discuss the legal structure of your business or investment in Greece.
Prili & Partners Law Firm — Building the legal structure behind your investment.
