Country：希腊 · Entity Incorporation
Greece · Entity Incorporation
Greek incorporation is highly digitalized. The private capital company (IKE) is the most popular: minimum capital of just €1, online registration via e-YMS in 1-3 days, 100% foreign ownership allowed, no notarization required (model charter). EPE minimum €4,500, AE minimum €25,000. No mandatory local directors or residence requirements; foreign directors can serve remotely. From 2026, GEMI and the tax authority are linked with automated enforcement - stay compliant on time.
Key points
- IKE (private capital company): minimum capital €1, 1-3 day online registration, 100% foreign ownership, no local director requirement.
- EPE (limited liability company): minimum capital €4,500, at least 50% payable at registration.
- AE (public limited company): minimum capital €25,000, board of at least 3, for large enterprises or IPO.
- Foreign investors can hold 100%; no nationality or residence restrictions on directors.
- Registration via GEMI (e-YMS), tax registration via AADE.
Procedure
- Check name availability in the GEMI system.
- Draft the articles (IKE can use the model charter to avoid notarization).
- Register electronically via GEMI to obtain the registration number.
- Complete AADE tax registration to obtain the tax number (AFM).
- Open a bank account and register for social security (if employees).
Hard requirements
- Documents must be in Greek (certified translations accepted); local accountant or lawyer assistance recommended.
Costs
IKE registration fees low; EPE and AE depend on capital.⏱ ⏱ Timeline：IKE registration 1-3 days; EPE 3-5 weeks; AE 4-6 weeks.⚠ Common risks
- From 2026, GEMI and the tax authority are linked; failure to publish financial statements triggers automatic fines.
- Documents must be in Greek, which may cause delays.
- Late compliance filings trigger automated penalties.
Handbook
📘 Step-by-Step Handbook (with owner / timeline / cost / penalties)
Applies to：Foreign investors (including Chinese) establishing an operating entity in Greece; mainstream form IKE (private capital company), also EPE or AE; does not cover branches and representative offices.
Prerequisites
- Entity type determined (IKE most common; EPE and AE have higher capital requirements)
- Proposed company name checked available via GEMI
- At least 1 director or shareholder (no nationality or residence restrictions; foreigners can serve remotely)
- Greek registered address (physical address or recognized virtual office)
- If held by a Chinese parent: domestic ODI filing must be completed (see odi dimension)
- Applicant or director holds a Greek Taxisnet account (for e-YMS e-signing)
| Step | Action | Owner | Timeline | Cost | Official form / system | Notes & penalties |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Structure and entity type confirmation Confirm feasibility of the IKE vehicle and plan the shareholder structure. If held by a Chinese enterprise, complete domestic ODI filing (NDRC, MOFCOM, SAFE) before outbound capital injection | Founder or Chinese legal counsel | 1-3 days | Internal cost | Internal decision documents | 100% foreign ownership allowed; IKE is the most flexible limited-liability form Penalty：Wrong type leads to unmet capital or governance requirements |
| 2 | Name check and reservation (GEMI e-system e-YMS / businessportal.gr) Submit name search and reservation via GEMI (businessportal.gr) or gov.gr e-YMS; prepare 2-3 backup names | Applicant | Instant to 2 business days | Name reservation fee (per schedule) | GEMI name or trade-name search | Names must be in Greek or with certified translation Penalty：Duplicate or similar names cause rejection and delay |
| 3 | Draft articles (IKE can use model charter without notarization; EPE/AE need notarization) IKE uses the One-Stop model charter to avoid notarization; EPE/AE require notarization. Collect director/shareholder ID and address proof | Lawyer/applicant | 1-3 business days | Lawyer/notary fees by complexity | Articles (Καταστατικό)/notarial deed | Single-member IKE allowed Penalty：Inaccurate or incomplete documents cause rejection |
| 4 | Submit incorporation application via the e-YMS one-stop system (Taxisnet login) Log into e-YMS with Taxisnet credentials, fill in the model charter, all members confirm online; the system automatically completes GEMI/chamber registration, AFM tax number, EFKA registration and issues the incorporation certificate | Applicant/CSP | IKE 1-3 business days | GEMI incorporation fee (per system) | e-YMS incorporation application | Fully digital; foreigners can complete remotely Penalty：False information leads to registration revocation and penalties |
| 5 | Bank account opening and capital injection (if applicable) Open a EUR corporate account with the incorporation certificate, AFM and director/UBO documents; EPE/AE deposit statutory capital | Bank | 2-4 weeks (subject to AML review) | Bank fees per bank | Bank KYC/UBO | See banking dimension Penalty：AML review delays, blocked opening |
| 6 | Continuous compliance (annual reports, GEMI updates, financial statement publication) Submit financial summaries/annual reports and publish on time; update director, address and capital changes promptly | Accountant / company | Continuous (mainly annual) | Annual maintenance (accounting/registered address etc.) | GEMI annual report/financial statements | Historical pending registrations must be cleared by 2025-12-31 to avoid fines Penalty：From 2026, GEMI-tax authority linked automated fines (JMD 46982/2025, up to €100,000) |
✅ Self-check list
⚠ Common pitfalls
2026 GEMI-tax authority linked automatic fines影响：Late financial statement publication or updates automatically penalized (JMD 46982/2025, up to €100,000)规避：Build an annual compliance calendar; engage local accountants to clear historical pending registrations by 2025-12-31
Greek-language documents cause delays影响：Foreign documents without certified translation rejected规避：Prepare apostille and Greek translations early
Misbelieving local directors are required影响：Unnecessary cost规避：Greece has no mandatory local director or residence requirement; foreign directors can serve remotely
IKE using complex charter影响：Unnecessary notary fees and delay规避：Use the standard business model charter (One-Stop, no notarization)
Outbound capital injection before Chinese ODI影响：SAFE violation, affects profit repatriation规避：Complete NDRC, MOFCOM and SAFE filings first (see odi dimension)
UBO registration omitted影响：Penalties and blocked bank accounts规避：File the Ministry of Finance central UBO register at incorporation
📅 Ongoing post-incorporation obligations
- Submit financial summaries and annual reports to GEMI and publish annually
- Update director, address and capital changes promptly (GEMI)
- Maintain AFM tax filings and myDATA (see tax dimension)
- EFKA social security registration (if employees)
- Update UBO changes promptly (Ministry of Finance central register)
- Maintain a valid registered address
🔗 Official portals
📎 Source：GEMI (General Commercial Registry, businessportal.gr); AADE Tax Authority
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