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Greek subsidiary formation
Set up a Greek subsidiary with tax, legal and accounting coordination from day one.
We support foreign groups that want to establish a separate Greek legal entity for local operations, hiring, VAT registration, invoicing, contracts, property activity or long-term market presence in Greece.
26+
years of accounting and tax experience
13
accountants supporting Greek compliance
22%
standard corporate income tax rate
Formation
Greek company setup through the appropriate registration route.
Tax
Corporate tax, VAT, withholding tax and permanent establishment review.
Accounting
Bookkeeping, myDATA, payroll and ongoing compliance after incorporation.
Coordination
Tax advisor, legal support and audit collaboration where required.
Overview
A Greek subsidiary is a separate Greek company owned by a foreign shareholder.
A subsidiary is usually selected when a foreign group wants a distinct Greek legal entity, local management structure, Greek VAT registration, independent accounting books and the ability to contract, invoice, employ staff and operate in Greece under a stable corporate vehicle.
Separate legal entity
The Greek subsidiary operates as a Greek company. It has its own tax registration, accounting books, statutory filings and compliance obligations.
Foreign-owned structure
The shareholder may be a foreign company. In practice, the parent company’s documents, representation powers and beneficial ownership data must be reviewed before registration.
Long-term market presence
This route is suitable where the activity in Greece is expected to be continuous, operationally independent or commercially visible to clients, banks, suppliers and authorities.
When is a Greek subsidiary the right route?
A subsidiary is not always the simplest option. Before incorporation, the structure should be compared with a branch, VAT-only registration or direct cross-border activity.
Foreign shareholder
Greek operations
Local invoicing
Greek payroll
Commercial presence
Use it when
- The foreign group wants a Greek legal entity with its own tax identity.
- There will be Greek contracts, local clients, suppliers or operational staff.
- The activity requires Greek VAT, payroll, premises or local management.
- The business model requires clearer separation from the parent company.
Review first when
- The parent only needs limited Greek VAT registration.
- The activity may create a permanent establishment without a company.
- The group wants to test the market before committing to a full entity.
- The parent company already operates through a Greek branch.
⚠
Structure review before setup
For foreign groups, the most important decision is not only the company type. It is whether the Greek presence should be a subsidiary, branch, VAT registration or another route. We review the intended activity before recommending the setup path.
Formation process
From structure decision to Greek tax and accounting activation.
The process depends on the shareholder type, legal form, powers of representation, documentation country, translation requirements and whether the company will immediately need VAT, payroll, bank account support or commercial registrations.
01
Initial structure review
We review the parent company, business activity, Greek operating model, expected transactions, invoicing flows, payroll needs and VAT exposure.
02
Shareholder and representative documentation
We prepare the document checklist for the foreign parent company, directors, legal representatives, beneficial owners and any person signing before Greek authorities.
03
Greek Tax ID requirements
Where required, Greek Tax ID registration is arranged for foreign shareholders, directors, managers or representatives involved in the company setup.
04
Company formation filing
The Greek subsidiary is formed through the applicable Greek company registration route, with articles, capital, registered seat, management and activity details.
05
Tax, VAT and accounting setup
After formation, we coordinate tax registration details, VAT activation where applicable, accounting records, myDATA setup, invoicing compliance and payroll onboarding if staff will be hired.
Documents
Typical information and documents required before forming a Greek subsidiary.
The exact list depends on the country of the parent company, legal form, apostille/legalisation rules and whether documents must be officially translated into Greek.
✓
Parent company corporate documents
Certificate of incorporation, good standing or equivalent registry extracts.
✓
Representation powers
Documents proving who may legally sign for the foreign parent company.
✓
Board or shareholder decision
Approval to establish and participate in the Greek subsidiary.
✓
Beneficial ownership data
Information required for UBO assessment and Greek beneficial ownership filings.
✓
Directors / managers details
Identification, tax data and role allocation for Greek company administration.
✓
Registered office information
Greek business address and lease, concession or ownership documentation.
✓
Business activity description
Clear description for KAD/activity code selection and VAT review.
✓
Capital and ownership structure
Share capital, shareholder percentage, payment method and ownership documentation.
Tax & compliance
Key tax and accounting points after incorporation.
A Greek subsidiary is subject to Greek accounting and tax compliance. The setup should be designed from the beginning around VAT, payroll, invoicing, related-party transactions and reporting obligations.
Corporate income tax
Greek companies are generally taxed on their taxable profits at the applicable corporate income tax rate. Taxable profit is determined through Greek accounting and tax rules.
VAT registration
VAT should be reviewed according to the activity, place of supply, clients, goods movements, platforms, services and whether intra-EU transactions will take place.
myDATA and invoicing
The subsidiary must be aligned with Greek electronic books, invoice transmission, accounting classification and periodic tax filings.
Payroll and hiring
If employees are hired in Greece, payroll, employment registrations, social security, withholding tax and labour compliance must be activated.
Related-party transactions
Transactions between the foreign parent and the Greek subsidiary should be reviewed for transfer pricing, documentation and commercial substance.
UBO and statutory filings
Beneficial ownership, company registry updates, annual filings and other corporate obligations must be monitored after formation.
Subsidiary vs branch
Subsidiary and branch are not the same structure.
For foreign companies entering Greece, one of the most common comparisons is whether to form a Greek subsidiary or register a Greek branch of the foreign company.
Separate Greek company
Greek subsidiary
A subsidiary is a Greek legal entity owned by the foreign parent. It is usually preferable where the group wants a separate local corporate vehicle, clearer local presence and independent Greek accounting identity.
Extension of foreign company
Greek branch
A branch is not a separate Greek company. It is the Greek establishment of the foreign legal entity. It may be suitable when the group wants direct operation through the existing foreign company.
Our deliverables
What we can handle for your Greek subsidiary setup.
We combine formation support with tax and accounting implementation, so the new Greek company is not only incorporated but operationally ready.
Structure review
Assessment of subsidiary, branch, VAT registration and permanent establishment considerations.
Document checklist
Detailed checklist for the foreign parent company, legal representatives and beneficial owners.
Tax ID coordination
Support with Greek Tax ID requirements for foreign persons involved in the structure.
Company formation
Coordination of the Greek company setup process and registration requirements.
VAT and activity review
KAD/activity code review, VAT registration assessment and transaction flow mapping.
Accounting onboarding
Bookkeeping setup, myDATA alignment, tax calendar and recurring compliance framework.
Payroll activation
Payroll setup where the subsidiary intends to hire employees in Greece.
FAQ
Greek subsidiary formation — common questions.
Can a foreign company own 100% of a Greek subsidiary?
Yes, in most cases a foreign company may own a Greek subsidiary. The parent company’s registry documents, representation powers and beneficial ownership structure must be reviewed before setup.
Is a Greek subsidiary different from a Greek branch?
Yes. A subsidiary is a separate Greek legal entity. A branch is the Greek establishment of the foreign company and is not a separate company. The correct route depends on liability, operations, contracts, tax exposure and group structure.
Does the Greek subsidiary need VAT registration?
It depends on the activity. If the company will make taxable supplies, intra-EU transactions, imports, local sales or platform-based transactions, VAT registration and VAT reporting should be reviewed before trading starts.
Does the foreign parent company need a Greek Tax ID?
In many foreign-owned structures, Greek Tax ID requirements may arise for the parent company, directors, managers, legal representatives or other persons involved in the formation and tax registration process.
Can the subsidiary hire employees in Greece?
Yes. Once the company is formed and properly registered, payroll and social security procedures can be activated. Employment contracts, payroll reporting and withholding tax obligations should be planned before hiring.
Can you support the subsidiary after formation?
Yes. We can provide recurring accounting, VAT, tax filing, payroll, myDATA, corporate compliance coordination and advisory support for foreign-owned companies operating in Greece.
Related services
Continue with the right setup route.
Planning a Greek subsidiary?
Send us the parent company details, intended Greek activity and expected transaction flow. We will review the correct setup route and the first tax, VAT and accounting steps.