Greece offers a fully digital route to company formation, but foreign founders still meet the same question at every step: are your documents ready for a Greek registry, notary or tax office?
Choose the right form
- IKE (private company): limited liability with very low minimum capital — a common choice for start-ups and SMEs.
- OE / EE (partnerships): simple to set up; general partners are personally liable.
- AE (société anonyme): for larger projects, with a minimum share capital of €25,000.
- Sole proprietorship or branch: for individual professionals, or for a foreign company that wants a presence without a new legal entity.
The best option depends on liability, tax and investors — decide it with a Greek accountant or lawyer.
Registration through GEMI
Companies are registered in the General Commercial Registry (GEMI) through its one-stop shop. Standard IKE and partnership set-ups can be completed online on the Business Portal ↗; other cases go through a notary or a one-stop-shop office.
Before you register
- a Greek tax number (AFM) for every shareholder and director, including foreign ones;
- a tax representative in Greece, which is usually required for non-EU residents;
- a registered office address in Greece;
- a bank account and an accountant for your first filings;
- after registration: social-security (EFKA) and VAT steps, and any licence your activity requires.
For non-EU founders, owning a company does not automatically give the right to live in Greece. Separate residence routes exist, including the Golden Visa.
Documents that usually need translation
When a foreign company or individual becomes a shareholder, registries and banks usually ask for Greek translations of documents that carry an Apostille or legalisation:
- certificate of incorporation and a recent registry extract or certificate of good standing;
- articles of association or statutes;
- the board resolution approving the investment and appointing representatives;
- powers of attorney for the people who sign in Greece;
- passports and, where requested, proof of address.
Later on, the same applies to contracts, financial statements and licences. See official translations and the Apostille for the general rules.
A checklist for foreign founders
- Ask first: confirm with your accountant, notary or bank which documents they need and in what form.
- Apostille, then translation: so that the certificate is part of the translated file.
- Consistent names: keep company and personal names identical across every document.
- Recent extracts: many registries accept company extracts only if they are a few months old.
- One package: translating all documents together keeps terminology and names aligned.
This guide gives general information as publicly available in November 2026. Thresholds and procedures change; confirm the current rules with the competent authority and a Greek lawyer or accountant before acting. It is not legal or tax advice.