Register EPE Greece, Set up Limited Company Greece

The preferred form of business in Greece for small and medium entrepreneurs is the E.P.E, or Etaireia Periorismenis Efthinis. Basically, the costs and the duration for the process for company formation in Greece are lower when setting up the limited liability company (or EPE).

It is incorporated by at least one shareholder, natural or legal person. There is no minimum share capital for the EPE (each share must have a nominal value of at least EUR 1), and EUR 1 is enough for the simplified version of the legal entity.

For the latter requirement, investors have to take the necessary steps in order to open a bank account, at a local commercial bank, in the name of their company. Our consultants in company registration in Greece can help you register this company type, but they can also provide legal assistance on the process of addressing to a local bank. 

The Greek E.P.E. can purchase property in its own name (commercial property) and it can also rent an office space. Many investors opt for the latter solution, as it is less costly, at least when referring to the initial value of the investment, as a way to secure a registered business address, which is a mandatory procedure during the steps of opening a company in Greece.  

What are the main incorporation requirements for an EPE in Greece in 2026?

If one of the partners, or the director, is not an EU resident, then he/she must have a residence permit. The first step in establishing a Greek limited liability company is choosing the trade name and checking it at the General Commercial Registry (GEMI). If the name is available, then the investors can reserve it and a registration certificate is issued.

After this process, the articles of incorporation and other supporting documentation must be prepared by a competent lawyer; they can also be prepared by our team of consultants in company formation in Greece. The articles of association are signed as a notarial deed (or, if the standard articles are used, through the GEMI one-stop shop) by the founders or through the power of attorney.

Along with the articles of incorporation, the entrepreneur must submit the Taxation Identification Numberissued for the company.

The last step is the registration with the General Commercial Registry (GEMI), run by the chambers of commerce. The application issued by the Registrar Department of the Chamber must be sent along with the following: photocopies of the identity (cards or passports) of the partners (also the working and residence permits are accepted, if the partners are not EU residents), the Government Gazettewith the summary of the articles of associations and the certified copy of the articles of incorporation.

The liability of shareholders in a Greek E.P.E is limited to the invested capital. The general meeting of the shareholders is the main mechanism governing the limited liability companies in Greece. To approve the financial statements, a general meeting must be held within six months of the end of the tax year. The Greek LTD’s activity may also be conducted by an appointed director.

The company is required to register for VAT as well and pay in accordance with the tax rate established for its category of goods/services sold.

Things to consider when setting up a Greek EPE in 2026

The legislation which regulates the legal framework under which foreigners can open a company in Greece in 2026 as a limited liability company is given by the Law 3190/1955, A’ 91, which was amended by Law 4541/2018, A’ 93, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 

According to the law applicable in this case, the EPE is a type of company that has its own legal personality, different than the one of its founders. This is why the company has its own assets and debts; for the debts of the company, the shareholders are responsible only to the extent of their capital contribution. 

This is also why investors also have to set up a bank account when registering an EPE, as the founders can’t use a personal bank account for the transactions carried out by the company. Please note that the EPE in Greece is set up for commercial purposes, pursuant to the law which regulates its activity. This will be reflected in its activity, regardless if the articles of association clearly stipulate this aspect or not. 

When you will start the registration of a Greek EPE, you must know that the registration steps can take approximately 3 weeks. As mentioned above, you will also have to set up a corporate bank account, and for this, you can expect to spend in 2026 approximately 4 weeks. 

Selecting a trading name for a Greek EPE

The process of company formation in Greece will involve all the above mentioned requirements, but investors will also have to select a suitable trading name for their newly founded legal entity. This step will have to be completed at the beginning of the registration process, prior to starting other procedures, such as signing the company’s statutory documents. 

A suitable trading name for a Greek EPE can include the name of the founding partner (or the names of the founding partners provided that there are more – and here, usually two names are customarily for a suitable trading name) or it can be represented by the company’s object of activity. The company’s name will also have to include the words Etaireia Periorismenis Efthinis or the acronym EPE. 

The company’s name can be written in Greek, but the Latin letters are also accepted. Investors who want to start the process of Greek company formation should know that in the case in which the company is founded only by a shareholder, the name will have to reflect this situation. This will be done by writing in the company’s name the words Single Member Limited Liability Company. 

The Greek EPE can develop most of the business activities that are prescribed by the national law, but one has to know that this company type can’t be used as a vehicle when entering the banking and the insurance sectors. You can rely on our team of consultants in Greek company formation for advice on this matter. 

For more information on how to open a Greek EPE, we invite you to contact our team of consultants in company formation in Greece. Our team can provide legal representation and, through the power of attorney, can complete numerous incorporation steps in your name. Our team can also help you purchase a ready-made company in Greece, which is incorporated as a limited liability company. 

Obtaining legal representation

Please mind that it is not mandatory to be physically present when setting up a company in Greece. Foreign investors can delegate this task to our consultants, who can complete the registration process on behalf of the client through the power of attorney.

While foreign investors can arrive here for the incorporation process and supervise it directly, there isn’t any legal obligation in this sense – through the power of attorney, foreigners can stipulate all the tasks they allow a third party to complete on their behalf. By signing this document, our consultants will be able to handle legal matters such as:

1. drafting and signing the incorporation documents;
2. reserving a trading name;
3. obtaining certificates and licenses;
4. assigning a registered address (virtual office services are available, but we can also rent an office space or assist in buying a commercial property);
5. registering for taxation and complete VAT registration steps;
6. assisting investors in any immigration formalities (applicable to non-EU/non-EEA individuals).

Tax novelties in 2026

Companies operating in certain economic sectors can be affected by specific modifications concerning taxation, brought by the Budget 2026. For instance, companies involved in the construction of real estate designed for residential purposes will not be taxed with the VAT, typically charged at a rate of 24%, as, until 31 December 2026, these types of properties are exempt from this tax.

Companies offering cruise passenger services will also be affected by a new tax, the cruise passenger fee, in force since 2025. Although the tax is not directly charged to companies offering these services, but rather to the passengers/tourists, companies will most likely need to readjust their business strategies.

What are the withholding taxes charged in 2026?

Companies in Greece can be charged with withholding taxes. Such taxes are imposed on dividends, interest, royalties, management fees and others. In 2026, Greece applies 3 rates of withholding taxes. For dividends, a rate of 5%, for interest, a rate of 15% and for all others, 20%.

Companies that have their residency in Greece are not liable to the payment of the withholding tax on royalties. Exemptions in this sense can also be granted to foreign companies that do not have their residency in Greece through a permanent establishment (the tax exemptions are applicable to technical services, consultancy services, etc.).

Please mind that foreign companies are liable to these taxes if they do not have a permanent establishment in Greece.

Data on active companies in Greece

Greece is a country that has an active business market, in the sense that many investors opt to open a business here in various economic sectors. The market is characterized by the presence of all company types, ranging from micro companies to large enterprises. According to the Hellenic Statistical Authority, the latest data (2024) show the following:

• the overall number of company registrations increased in 2024, reaching for a total of 132,507 company incorporations (in total, Greece has around 900,000 active companies);
• on a year-to-year basis, it was observed an increase in the registration number, as, in 2023, there were only 112,002 registrations;
• we also mention that it is recommended to open a Greek company, as the economic performance of local businesses is very good, considering that in 2024 there were only 200 bankruptcies;
• concerning the most attractive industry, in 2024, the largest share of registrations was observed in the transportation and storage sector, accounting for 35,3% of all new companies.

Businessmen who want to open a limited liability company in Greece should know that this company type is most prevalent in the Greek economy – this business form is created specifically for the needs of small and medium-sized companies, which represent the majority of companies operating here.

For instance, in 2024, the large majority of companies were represented by those employing up to 9 employees – these accounted for a total of 755,288 companies, followed by those employing 10 to 19 employees (only 28,509 legal entities).

Our consultants can help you find out more on the procedure of opening a limited liability company in Greece in 2026. Our team can help you obtain a business address and apply for permits and licenses in 2026. For more details, please contact us. 

Partner: Firmengründung in Griechenland