Greece has quietly become one of the faster EU countries to incorporate in, mostly because of the IKE, a limited liability structure that skips the notary entirely and files through a single digital portal. Here's what it takes to start a business in Greece in 2026.
1. Which business structure fits you?
Before you register anything, it helps to know what you're actually choosing between.
- Atomiki epicheirisi (sole proprietorship). The default for individual entrepreneurs, with unlimited personal liability and the least paperwork.
- IKE (Idiotiki Kefalaiouchiki Etairia). A private capital company with no meaningful minimum capital requirement, and the structure most new Greek SMEs choose. Filed digitally with no notary needed, one shareholder and one director is enough, and both can be non-residents.
- EPE or AE. Traditional limited liability (EPE, minimum €4,500) or public limited company (AE, minimum around €25,000), generally reserved for larger operations or businesses needing institutional funding.
2. Register your business
Company registration runs through GEMI (the General Commercial Registry) via the e-YMS one-stop-shop portal, accessible at businessportal.gr. You'll first need an AFM (tax number) from AADE, Greece's tax authority, which is free and permanent; non-EU founders typically get this through a Greek tax representative if they can't apply in person. From there, you draft your Articles of Association, which for an IKE can use a simple digital template with no notary involved, reserve your company name through GEMI, and submit the full filing through e-YMS. A clean IKE filing typically processes in 1 to 3 business days; the entire remote formation process, including AFM and tax representative setup, usually runs €1,300 to €3,200 all-in.
Once GEMI issues your registration, the system automatically generates your company AFM, Chamber of Commerce membership, and social security registration in the same workflow.
3. Get your AFM
Your AFM (tax registration number) is the single identifier that anchors everything, tax filings, invoicing, social security, and it's free. Individuals get one through their local DOY tax office or a Greek tax representative if applying from abroad; companies receive theirs automatically at GEMI registration.
4. Check licenses and permits
Greece doesn't issue a single national business license. What you need depends on your industry and municipality, and every business needs a registered legal address in Greece, which non-resident founders typically arrange through a service provider for around €300 a year. Regulated professions and certain sectors carry their own permits on top of standard registration.
5. Understand Greek taxes
Sole proprietors pay progressive personal income tax from 9% up to 44%, with taxpayers under 25 paying 0% on the first two brackets, up to €20,000.
Companies, IKE, EPE, and AE alike, pay a flat 22% corporate income tax rate, unchanged since 2022 with no further reductions currently planned. Dividend withholding tax is a comparatively low 5%.
VAT (FPA) is 24% standard, one of the higher rates in the EU, with reduced rates of 13% and 6% for specific categories. Registration is required once turnover exceeds €10,000, though you can register voluntarily below that.
6. Stay compliant
Every VAT-registered business in Greece reports through myDATA, the AADE's mandatory digital invoicing and bookkeeping platform, which is expanding to cover all B2B invoicing from March 2026 onward. Companies file annual financial statements to GEMI and tax declarations to AADE. Directors and self-employed individuals register with EFKA, Greece's unified social security fund, for mandatory monthly contributions based on income class.
Greece business costs at a glance
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| GEMI registration (state fee) | ~€100 to €500 |
| IKE minimum capital | Symbolic (from €1) |
| EPE minimum capital | €4,500 |
| AE minimum capital | ~€25,000 |
| AFM (tax number) | Free |
| Corporate tax (flat rate, all company types) | 22% |
| Dividend withholding tax | 5% |
| VAT (FPA), standard rate | 24% |
| VAT registration threshold | €10,000 turnover |
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to register an IKE in Greece?
The full remote formation process, including AFM and tax representative setup, typically runs €1,300 to €3,200 all-in.
How much capital do I need to start an IKE in Greece?
No meaningful minimum capital requirement. Symbolic amounts from €1 are common.
What's the corporate tax rate in Greece?
A flat 22% for IKE, EPE, and AE companies alike, unchanged since 2022.
When do I need to register for VAT in Greece?
Once turnover exceeds €10,000, though voluntary registration is available below that. The standard VAT rate is 24%.
Does an IKE in Greece need a notary to form?
No. An IKE can use a simple digital template for its Articles of Association with no notary involved, unlike EPE or AE structures.
Fees and rates above come from AADE and GEMI as of 2026, and they do change over time, so double check before you file. None of this is legal or tax advice. Talk to a Greece-qualified accountant or lawyer about your specific situation.