Greece: The bridge connecting Europe, Asia, and Africa
Greece is a strategic hub for global businesses seeking growth on multiple continents. It offers unparalleled access to the EU market and connections across Asia and Africa.
Pro-business reforms, a highly skilled multilingual workforce, and attractive tax incentives create a competitive edge for companies establishing a presence here. The General Commercial Registry (GEMI) streamlines the registration process, while Greece’s robust infrastructure provides a solid foundation for expansion.
The business benefits of registering your company in Greece
Greece is transforming its business landscape with reforms that make it easier for global employers to expand operations. For HR and business leaders, Greece offers a blend of opportunities that cater to both growth and compliance needs.
Here’s why Greece is an excellent choice for expanding your business:
- Access a competitive tax framework that supports business growth and profitability.
- Leverage Greece’s global connectivity for trade and partnerships across Europe, Asia, and Africa.
- Navigate streamlined registration processes with support from the General Commercial Registry (GEMI).
- Tap into a skilled, diverse workforce that fuels innovation and productivity.
- Gain full access to the EU market, enabling seamless trade and expansion opportunities.
- Benefit from government incentives designed to attract foreign investment and support business growth.
Whether you choose standard company registration or partner with an Employer of Record (EOR) for faster market entry, Greece offers a balanced approach to growth and compliance.
Up next, we explore these options to help you determine the best path for your business.
Exploring your options for company registration in Greece
Establishing your business in Greece comes with two clear options, designed to fit different goals. Whether it’s full operational control or quick market entry, each path offers a streamlined way to get started.
Aspect | Standard Registration | Employer of Record (EOR) |
Purpose | Set up a legal entity to gain complete control over your operations and finances. | Hire and operate in Greece without setting up a legal entity—EOR handles compliance and employment. |
Control | Full control over day-to-day operations, finances, and decisions. | Focus on managing your team while the EOR takes care of administrative and legal tasks. |
Compliance | You’re fully responsible for adhering to Greek tax laws, labor regulations, and filings. | EOR ensures end-to-end compliance with local labor laws, taxes, and reporting. |
Setup Time | Longer setup times due to documentation and legal requirements. | Quick and efficient—start hiring and operating almost immediately. |
Cost | Expect upfront costs for entity setup, legal fees, and operational overhead. | Pay service fees to the EOR, which is often more cost-effective than setting up an entity. |
Scalability | Perfect for businesses planning long-term, large-scale operations. | A highly flexible option for scaling your workforce without the need for a local entity. |
Standard company registration offers full autonomy and control, making it ideal for businesses planning a permanent, local presence in Greece. On the other hand, an Employer of Record (EOR) provides a hassle-free way to hire quickly and operate compliantly, eliminating the need to set up a legal entity.
In the next section, let’s see how an EOR makes it effortless to grow your team and stay compliant in 2025.
How an Employer of Record (EOR) simplifies company registration in Greece
Setting up a legal entity in Greece can be a long, complex process, but an EOR makes it simple and seamless. By managing compliance, payroll, and local hiring, an EOR eliminates the need for entity registration, allowing you to expand quickly and efficiently. For global HR leaders, this approach reduces operational headaches and ensures compliance, so you can focus on scaling your business with confidence.
Here’s how an EOR supports your expansion into Greece:
- Avoid lengthy setup procedures, as the EOR acts as the legal employer, enabling you to start operations immediately.
- Simplify administrative responsibilities by outsourcing payroll, taxes, and statutory filings to the EOR, freeing up your HR team for strategic initiatives.
- Stay compliant with Greek labor laws through the EOR’s local expertise, ensuring protection from potential legal challenges.
- Save on operational costs by eliminating the need for entity registration and redirecting funds toward business growth.
- Adapt quickly to market changes with the flexibility to scale your workforce up or down as needed.
- Access Greece’s skilled talent pool without the challenges of local hiring practices or geographical barriers.
- Provide competitive, locally compliant employee benefits managed entirely by the EOR to attract top talent.
- Minimize legal and compliance risks with the EOR’s comprehensive support, allowing you to expand confidently.
Now, let’s walk through a step-by-step guide to registering a company in Greece, breaking down the process into clear and actionable steps.
A step-by-step guide to registering a company in Greece
Navigating Greece’s company registration process requires a strategic approach tailored to your business goals. With the right preparation and insights, you can streamline the setup and focus on leveraging Greece’s unique advantages for your business.
Here’s a clear breakdown to guide you through every step.
Step 1: Choose the right business entity and name
Establishing a local entity in Greece can quickly become a maze of legal and administrative challenges. An Employer of Record (EOR) simplifies the process by acting as your legal employer, handling onboarding, payroll, tax filings, and compliance with Greek regulations—freeing you to focus on scaling your business.
For those opting to establish an entity, selecting the right business structure is critical, as it shapes your legal responsibilities, tax obligations, and operational flexibility.
- Common business entities in Greece:
- Sole Proprietorship: Ideal for individual entrepreneurs but carries unlimited liability.
- Private Company (IKE): Suitable for small to medium-sized businesses with limited liability for shareholders.
- Limited Liability Company (EPE): Popular among SMEs offering flexibility in ownership and liability.
- Public Limited Company (AE): Designed for larger enterprises planning to raise capital publicly.
- Naming your company:
Ensure your business name is unique and adheres to Greek naming regulations. Use the General Commercial Registry (GEMI) portal to verify availability.
Step 2: Prepare and submit the required documentation
Once you’ve chosen your business structure and name, the next step is to submit the necessary documentation to GEMI.
Required documents include:
- Articles of Association
- Founders’ personal identification and contact details
- Management board details
- Proof of a registered business address in Greece
- Notarized copies of identification for foreign nationals
Submission process:
- Online: Use GEMI’s online platform for electronic submissions.
- In-person: Visit a notary or Chamber of Commerce for manual registrations.
With an EOR, you skip this step entirely, as the EOR assumes the legal responsibility for compliance and registration.
Step 3: Open a business bank account in Greece
A local business account is crucial for handling your finances, such as payroll and tax payments.
Banking options:
- Traditional Banks: Banks like Alpha Bank and National Bank of Greece provide comprehensive services for local businesses.
- Digital Banking Solutions: Fintech options like Revolut and Wise offer accessible online accounts, especially for non-residents.
Required documents:
- Company registration certificate
- Articles of Association
- Proof of business activity and identification of representatives
However, an Employer of Record (EOR) eliminates the need to open a local bank account by managing payroll entirely on your behalf.
- Seamlessly pay your team in Euros (EUR) or other currencies without cross-border complications.
- Ensure compliance with Greece’s intricate tax regulations, handled with expertise.
- Eliminate the burden of global payroll logistics and administrative challenges.
With an EOR, you bypass the time-consuming setup of banking and payroll processes. It’s the ideal solution for companies looking to expand quickly while ensuring financial operations remain compliant and efficient.
Step 4: Register for tax and compliance
Compliance with Greek tax regulations is essential for operating your business.
- Tax registration:
- VAT Registration: Required if your taxable turnover exceeds €10,000 annually.
- Employment Taxes: Register with the tax authority to manage employee payroll taxes and social contributions.
- Ongoing compliance:
- Maintain accurate accounting records.
- File annual financial reports with GEMI.
- Adhere to local employment laws.
By partnering with an EOR, you can offload compliance and tax management, ensuring all obligations are met seamlessly.
Step 5: Accelerate operations with an EOR
An EOR simplifies your entry into Greece by taking on the burden of compliance, payroll, and entity setup. Here’s how:
- Skip lengthy registration processes.
- Stay compliant with local labor laws and tax regulations.
- Offer locally competitive benefits to attract top talent.
- Scale your operations quickly without long-term commitments.
With an EOR managing your administrative responsibilities, you can confidently and efficiently focus on building and scaling your business in Greece.
Next, let’s explore the costs involved in registering a company in Greece.
The real cost of registering a business in Greece
For businesses looking to establish operations in Greece in 2025, understanding the costs involved is essential for planning and budgeting. Here’s a breakdown of the key expenses to expect:
1. Registration costs
- State fees: Registering a business with the General Commercial Registry (GEMI) typically costs between €100 and €500, depending on the type of entity.
- Legal address: Businesses must provide a registered address in Greece, with costs averaging €300 per year.
- Notary fees: If required, notary services range from €200 to €500, depending on the complexity of the documents.
- Share capital:
- Private Company (IKE): No minimum share capital required.
- Limited Liability Company (EPE): Minimum €4,500.
- Public Limited Company (AE): Minimum €24,000.
2. Annual maintenance costs
- Accounting services: Fees start at €50 per month but may increase depending on the complexity of transactions.
- Annual reporting: Filing fees for financial statements typically range from €200 to €500.
- Taxes: Corporate tax is 22%, with additional costs for VAT (24%) registration if annual turnover exceeds €10,000.
- Renewal fees: Maintaining a legal address and any required licenses may cost €300 to €500 annually.
3. Additional considerations
- Banking fees: Setting up and maintaining a local bank account involves costs that vary by provider, with fintech options generally being more affordable.
- Licensing fees: Depending on the industry, additional licenses may be required, adding to the overall costs.
An EOR eliminates many of these costs by streamlining operations under a single predictable fee. With an EOR, you don’t need to:
- Pay for share capital, legal address, or notary fees.
- Navigate tax filings or handle VAT registration on your own.
- Manage payroll or annual compliance processes.
The EOR handles all administrative and compliance tasks, saving you time and money while ensuring your compliance with Greek regulations.
Next, let’s compare the costs and benefits of standard registration versus using an EOR.
Cost comparison: Standard registration vs. EOR in Greece
Understanding the financial implications of different business setup options is essential. Here’s a side-by-side comparison of costs between standard company registration and partnering with an Employer of Record (EOR):
Traditional company registration entails high upfront costs and ongoing administrative burdens. An EOR streamlines operations by eliminating setup fees and share capital requirements, consolidating services into a single, predictable fee while ensuring compliance and cost efficiency.
Next, we’ll explore how partnering with an EOR can streamline and accelerate your business operations in Greece.
Simplify your business expansion in Greece with Multiplier
Scaling your business in Greece doesn’t require grappling with tedious processes or endless documentation. With Multiplier’s Employer of Record (EOR) service, you can concentrate on growing your operations while we manage the complexities for you.
With Multiplier you can:
- Hire locally, grow globally
Tap into Greece’s diverse and educated workforce with ease. Our local HR experts manage the entire employment lifecycle—from drafting compliant contracts to seamless onboarding—ensuring your expansion is both smooth and compliant.
- Effortless payroll management
Ensure an accurate and transparent payroll processing for your Greece base, no more payroll-related interruptions. Multiplier handles all aspects of payroll, including tax withholdings, social security contributions, and employee payouts, in strict adherence to Greek regulations.
- Streamlined HR operations
Our comprehensive platform empowers you to centralize HR functions such as onboarding, expense approvals, and time-off management. This integration provides you with complete visibility and control over your teams in Greece, enhancing operational efficiency.
- Compliance you can trust
Navigating Greek labor laws and tax codes requires expertise. Multiplier’s proactive compliance approach ensures adherence to local requirements, including social security contributions and employee protections, mitigating risks associated with non-compliance.
- Tailored benefits for top talent
Attract and retain top talent in Greece by offering competitive, locally compliant benefits packages. Multiplier manages the administrative complexities, ensuring your employees receive the support they need, which enhances satisfaction and retention.
- Support you can count on
With 24/5 dedicated support, GDPR compliance, SOC 2 certifications, and AWS-backed security, Multiplier safeguards your operations and data. Our commitment to security and compliance provides peace of mind, allowing you to focus on strategic growth.
Multiplier serves as a trusted partner for CHROs navigating the complexities of expansion in Greece. Streamlining payroll, HR, and compliance enables leaders to focus on strategic priorities like fostering innovation, strengthening teams, and driving sustainable growth in one of Europe’s most dynamic markets.
Book a Demo today and see how Multiplier’s EOR services can fuel your expansion into Greece.