Starting a business in Greece - impartial & independent advice

This Business in Greece Page is from the Simply Santorini website – an insiders guide to getting the most from Thira - the honeymoon island. Santorini hotels, resorts, romantic locations, beaches, history, sunsets & much more…

If you’re thinking about starting a business in Greece – perhaps a bar, restaurant, club or shop – then you really need to do your homework first to make a success of your enterprise.

Greek Island real estate agents advertise businesses for sale and for rent on many of the Greek Islands.

Whatever your business ideas are, you’ll need a good lawyer, local accountant, patience and determination!

Starting a business in Greece is not for the faint hearted. Those who dream of owning a beach bar, lazing the days away under blue skies and sipping your own carefully crafted cocktails may have a rude awakening! Long hours, hard work, stamina and tolerance of sometimes ‘crazy’ bureaucracy are called for.

It is common knowledge that Greek bureaucracy insists on several forms of identification, numerous photocopies of various documents, plenty of passport sized photos, an understanding of the Greek language and having the patience to visit and revisit numerous offices on several occasions.

If we haven’t put you off owning a business on a Greek Island then read on….

If you plan to open a bar, restaurant or club, it maybe in your best interest to approach the municipality’s Mayor’s office about acquiring the necessary licenses before going ahead with the renting or purchasing of property. There are usually a limited number of licenses issued per year, and you may need to be placed on a waiting list before getting the necessary licences. This could mean you cannot open up as soon as you wanted to. So before you part with any cash be certain that you can get the necessary licences to commence your business when you’d planned.

According to EU law EU citizens do not need a resident’s permit to take up residency in another EU country. Greece and the Greek Islands, however insists on people having a Residency Permit if they plan to stay for more than 4 months, despite this being illegal under EU law.

To get a residency permit you will need to go along in person to the local police station of the Greek island of your choice and take at the very least a copy of your passport and 4 Passport Size photographs.

If you want to buy or start a business in Greece you will need a Tax Number (AFM). Your Greek lawyer or accountant can help with the process or you can apply yourself in person at your local tax office.

To get a Tax number you will need a copy of your passport and a copy of your Birth Certificate and marriage certificate plus originals.

You’ll need a good English speaking Greek lawyer too to help you through the process. And you will need a Greek accountant to ensure you are aware of your liabilities and that any due taxes are paid.

For any business dealing with food and drink the business owner and staff must undertake a series of health checks and obtain a health book.

To get a health book will require you to undergo, at your expense, medical tests and checks. For more on what you’ll require to obtain a health care booklet ask your lawyer and/or consult KEP (Greek version of Citizens Advice Bureau).

Once you register a business in Greece or register as self employed you are obliged to make monthly contributions to the National Insurance fund for the self-employed. Registering with TEBE, OGA or another insurance fund (not IKA national insurance) depends on the type of business being started.

When employing a worker, you are obligated to provide a proper work contract and employer certification, so employees can get their Tax number (AFM) and sign up for IKA.

"Income tax is payable by all persons having income arising in Greece, regardless of nationality or place of residence. The total income acquired in the immediately preceding financial year is subject to income tax after the deduction of allowances and exemptions provided for. There is a bilateral taxation convention between the United Kingdom and Greece whose object is to avoid double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect of taxes on income, however, according to the Convention, persons are obliged to submit their tax declaration to the local tax authorities IN THEIR COUNTRY OF RESIDENCE irrespective of where his/her income arises. For example: a pensioner living in Greece on his/her U.K. pension must submit a declaration to the local Greek Tax Office. The Ministry of Finance will then, upon request, issue certificate for use with the UK Tax Authorities stating that the pensioner in question has been taxed in Greece. More information can be obtained from the Board of Inland Revenue, Somerset House, London S.W.2, and locally from the Greek taxation authorities or Ministry of Finance."

If you do decide to open a business in Greece we wish you the very best of luck!

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Starting a business in Greece…