Establishing a branch in Greece requires proper coordination of corporate, tax, registration and compliance procedures. Our firm supports foreign companies throughout the entire branch registration process, from the initial assessment of the corporate structure to tax registration, Greek VAT obligations and ongoing accounting compliance.
Branch Registration Services for Foreign Companies
Initial Review of the Foreign Company Structure
We review the legal structure of the foreign company and assess the most suitable way to establish its presence in Greece through a branch. This includes an initial review of the parent company, its country of incorporation, corporate documents, legal representatives, business activity and tax registration requirements in Greece.
Corporate Documents, Legalisation & Translation Coordination
We guide you through the required corporate documentation for the branch registration process. This may include certificates of incorporation, articles of association, board resolutions, certificates of good standing, powers of attorney and other documents, depending on the jurisdiction of the foreign company. Where required, we coordinate legalisation, apostille and official translation procedures.
Branch Registration with GEMI
We support the registration of the foreign company’s branch with the Greek General Commercial Registry — GEMI. Our team assists with the preparation, review and submission of the required documentation, helping ensure that the branch is properly registered and that the process is completed with the correct corporate and legal details.
Greek Tax ID and Tax Office Registration
We handle the procedures required for the branch to obtain a Greek Tax Identification Number and complete its registration with the competent Greek Tax Office. This includes the registration of the branch’s business activity, legal representative, tax address and other information required for its tax operation in Greece.
VAT Registration and UBO Registry Compliance
Where applicable, we assist with VAT registration and the evaluation of the company’s VAT obligations in Greece. We also support the registration and update of beneficial ownership information in the Greek UBO Registry, ensuring that the branch complies with the relevant Greek transparency and reporting requirements.
Registered Office, Local Representation & Ongoing Support
We provide support with the practical requirements of establishing a branch in Greece, including registered office arrangements, local representation matters and communication with Greek authorities. Our firm can also support the branch after registration with accounting, tax compliance, payroll and ongoing administrative obligations.
Accounting, Payroll and Tax Compliance in Greece
We provide practical and fully coordinated support to foreign companies entering the Greek market. Our team assists with the required registrations, documentation, tax procedures and post-establishment compliance, ensuring that the branch is set up correctly from the beginning.
Contact our team for tailored support with branch registration and foreign company compliance in Greece.
Services for Establishing a Foreign Branch in Greece
Find professional support for establishing a foreign branch in Greece. N. KOLYDAS I.K.E. assists foreign companies with corporate document review, Greek branch registration coordination, tax registration, VAT direction, accounting setup and first compliance obligations.
A Greek branch can be a practical market-entry route when a foreign company wants direct presence in Greece without incorporating a separate Greek subsidiary. Before registration, find the correct tax, VAT, payroll, banking and compliance path.
Company GEMI AADE VAT Books
Find the connection between parent company and Greek branch.
A branch is connected to the foreign company. The registration path should align corporate documents, representation, GEMI, tax registration, VAT, accounting and recurring compliance.
Register a Greek branch with the right corporate, tax and accounting preparation.
Find support for a foreign company that wants a registered presence in Greece. A Greek branch setup should be planned carefully because it connects corporate documentation, Greek registry requirements, tax registration, VAT, accounting, UBO, payroll exposure and future compliance obligations.
Find whether a Greek branch is the correct structure
A Greek branch is often used when the foreign company wants to operate directly in Greece under the foreign legal entity. It can be relevant for trading activity, service provision, project execution, representative presence, local contracts, employees or ongoing Greek operations.
Find branch registration support in Greece
This service is designed for EU and non-EU companies, international groups, contractors, service providers, trading businesses and companies that need direct Greek presence without creating a separate subsidiary.
Find what must be reviewed first
Before filing, the branch file should clarify corporate status, representation, Greek address, legalisation, translations, tax registration, VAT treatment, accounting launch and payroll exposure.
Find whether a branch or subsidiary is better
A branch is not a separate Greek company. If liability separation, banking, contracts, dividend planning or local investment structure is important, compare branch registration with a Greek subsidiary route.
Find remote branch setup coordination
Many preparation steps can be coordinated remotely, including document review, branch file mapping, tax registration planning and ongoing accounting communication, where the procedure allows it.
Branch registration should follow a structured route, not isolated filings.
Find the correct sequence before the foreign company commits to filings. A Greek branch route usually connects corporate approvals, registry filing, tax registration, VAT status, accounting setup and first compliance obligations.
Find corporate document requirements
Review the parent company documents, corporate status, registry evidence, representation and legalisation needs.
- Company registry evidence
- Articles and constitutional documents
- Good standing where required
- Legalisation and translation review
Find the Greek branch decision file
Prepare the decision to establish the Greek branch, including address, scope, representative and operating framework.
- Branch establishment decision
- Greek branch name and address
- Representative appointment
- Authority and powers review
Find the GEMI and tax route
Connect the registry route with Greek AFM, business activity codes, VAT position and competent tax authority steps.
- GEMI registration coordination
- Greek tax registration
- Activity codes
- VAT and myDATA readiness
Find first compliance obligations
Prepare the branch for accounting books, VAT returns, payroll exposure, annual obligations and recurring reporting.
- Accounting launch
- VAT returns and filings
- Payroll exposure
- Annual tax obligations
Remote branch setup advantage
Find a structured way to work with a Greek accounting office remotely. We can review documents, map the branch route, coordinate communication, prepare the tax and accounting file and support the first compliance obligations without unnecessary physical meetings, where the procedure allows it.
Find whether the Greek branch route fits your case.
A foreign company may need a branch, a Greek subsidiary, VAT-only registration, payroll setup or a broader permanent establishment review. Find the right route before implementation.
Find a direct Greek presence for the foreign company
A branch may be suitable when the foreign company wants direct operations in Greece under the foreign legal entity, with Greek registry presence, tax registration, accounting books and local compliance.
- Find the corporate document and legalisation requirements.
- Find who will represent the Greek branch.
- Find the Greek AFM, VAT and accounting setup route.
- Find first compliance obligations after registration.
Find whether a Greek subsidiary is more practical
A Greek subsidiary may be better where liability separation, local banking, local contracts, investor structure, profit distribution, staffing or long-term market presence requires a separate Greek legal entity.
- Find whether a Greek IKE or another company form is more suitable.
- Find whether separate liability is important.
- Find banking, contracts and commercial implications.
- Find tax and dividend planning differences.
Find whether Greek VAT registration is enough
In some cases, the foreign company may need Greek VAT registration without a full branch or subsidiary. This depends on transactions, place of supply, goods, services, local activity and invoicing flow.
- Find whether Greek VAT registration applies.
- Find whether the activity requires a branch or only VAT registration.
- Find VAT return and myDATA implications.
- Find the ongoing filing model.
Find payroll and employer obligations in Greece
If the foreign company will hire employees or use people in Greece, branch registration may need to be reviewed together with payroll, EFKA, labour law and permanent establishment issues.
- Find whether employer registration is required.
- Find payroll, EFKA and labour reporting obligations.
- Find whether local people create tax presence issues.
- Find the right recurring compliance model.
Find Greek permanent establishment risk before deciding
If the foreign company has people, premises, projects, representatives or recurring activity in Greece, a permanent establishment review may be needed before branch, VAT or payroll steps are selected.
- Find whether local activity creates Greek tax exposure.
- Find whether branch registration should be implemented.
- Find documentation and reporting consequences.
- Find tax, VAT and accounting obligations before operations expand.
Choose the branch route only after comparing it with a Greek company structure.
Find whether a Greek branch, Greek subsidiary, VAT-only registration or payroll route better supports the commercial, tax, banking and compliance needs of the foreign company.
Find branch registration suitability
Useful when the foreign company wants direct registered presence and Greek activity under the parent entity.
- Direct link with foreign company
- Greek registry presence
- Greek tax registration
- Ongoing branch compliance
Find Greek subsidiary advantages
Useful when a separate Greek legal entity is preferable for liability, banking, contracts or local operations.
- Separate Greek company
- Potentially clearer local structure
- Banking and contract flexibility
- Dividend planning review
Find VAT-only registration route
Useful where the foreign company has Greek VAT obligations without needing a full registered branch.
- Greek VAT review
- Tax representative where needed
- VAT filings
- myDATA impact
Find PE and payroll exposure
Useful where people, premises, projects or recurring activity may create Greek tax or payroll obligations.
- Permanent establishment risk
- Payroll and EFKA review
- Employment obligations
- Compliance calendar
We review the corporate and tax file before the branch registration begins.
A successful branch registration depends on the foreign company’s documents, legalisation, representation, registered address, Greek tax requirements, VAT status and first compliance obligations.
Find foreign company document needs
Corporate status, articles, registry certificates, good standing, directors and legal existence.
- Registry extracts
- Articles and statutes
- Directors or officers
- Legal existence evidence
Find branch establishment decision needs
Decision to establish a Greek branch, including scope, address, name and representative model.
- Branch decision
- Operating scope
- Greek address
- Representative appointment
Find tax and VAT registration needs
Branch AFM, activity codes, VAT status, tax office route and commencement of business activity.
- Greek AFM
- Activity codes
- VAT status
- Tax registration
Find accounting and compliance needs
Accounting books, VAT returns, financial statements, myDATA, payroll exposure and annual obligations.
- Accounting books
- VAT returns
- myDATA
- Payroll exposure
Prepare the branch file before submitting the case.
The exact document list depends on the foreign company’s legal form, country, registry, EU or non-EU status, legalisation rules and Greek authority requirements. The file should be mapped before the process starts.
Find corporate registry evidence
Evidence that the foreign company exists, is active and is properly represented under its domestic registry.
- Registry certificate
- Good standing where needed
- Directors or officers
- Registered office evidence
Find articles and company documents
Articles of association, constitutional documents and registered company information.
- Articles or statute
- Company information
- Shareholder or officer details
- Legal form review
Find branch establishment decision
Decision to establish a Greek branch, including scope, address, representative and operating framework.
- Branch decision
- Greek branch address
- Representative appointment
- Branch activity scope
Find representative documents
Identity, tax ID needs, powers of attorney and authorisation documents for the Greek branch representative.
- Representative identity
- Greek AFM needs
- Authorisation documents
- Power of attorney where needed
Legalisation and translation review
Find whether foreign documents require apostille, consular legalisation, official translation or additional confirmation before being used in Greece. EU and non-EU files often follow different practical document paths.
From document review to operational compliance launch.
The purpose is not only to register the branch. The purpose is to make the Greek branch ready for tax, VAT, accounting, payroll exposure, bank file preparation and recurring compliance.
Find the facts
We collect details about the foreign company, country, legal form, activity, branch purpose and Greek plans.
Find document gaps
We identify corporate documents, legalisation, translations, representative documents and filing needs.
Find the registry route
We coordinate the branch registration route and prepare the information needed for Greek registry filing.
Find tax launch needs
We connect the branch with Greek tax registration, VAT status, activity codes and accounting setup.
Find compliance flow
We prepare the first recurring obligations for accounting books, VAT, myDATA, payroll and filings.
Find the Greek tax, VAT and compliance obligations of the branch.
A Greek branch should be ready for tax registration, VAT, accounting books, myDATA, invoicing, payroll exposure, possible banking/KYC documentation and recurring compliance from the first stage.
Compass
Find the Greek registry route
The branch registration file should align foreign corporate documents with Greek registry requirements.
Find the tax registration route
The branch must be connected with Greek tax registration, activity codes and commencement of activity.
Find VAT and invoicing obligations
VAT status, invoicing model, returns and digital reporting should be reviewed before operations begin.
Find digital accounting flow
Greek accounting and invoicing must be aligned with electronic books and digital reporting requirements.
Find payroll exposure
If the branch hires or uses staff in Greece, payroll, labour and social security obligations may arise.
What should be clear before establishing the Greek branch.
Find the structure before treating the branch as a simple registration.
A Greek branch is linked to the foreign company. The branch file should be planned together with tax, VAT, accounting, representative authority, banking, UBO, payroll exposure and ongoing compliance.
This is why our service starts with branch route review and not only with document collection.
Services for establishing a foreign branch in Greece.
The exact scope depends on the foreign company’s jurisdiction, documents, legal form, representation model, activity and compliance needs. The following areas can be included in the branch setup support.
Find branch route assessment
We review whether branch registration is the appropriate route compared with a Greek subsidiary or VAT-only route.
- Branch suitability review
- Subsidiary comparison
- VAT-only alternative review
- Permanent establishment considerations
Find document preparation support
We map the corporate documents and practical filing requirements before the case moves forward.
- Corporate document checklist
- Legalisation and translation alerts
- Representative document review
- Branch establishment decision file
Find tax and VAT launch support
We connect the branch registration with tax registration, VAT status and the first accounting setup.
- Greek AFM direction
- Activity codes
- VAT and invoicing flow
- myDATA readiness
Find ongoing compliance support
After registration, the branch may need accounting, VAT, payroll, tax filing and advisory support.
- Monthly accounting support
- VAT and tax returns
- Payroll support where required
- Annual financial and tax obligations
Common foreign branch scenarios we review.
Open the relevant scenario below to find what usually needs to be checked before establishing a Greek branch.
Find support for an EU company establishing a branch in Greece.
We review the EU company’s registry documents, branch decision, Greek representative, address, GEMI route, tax registration, VAT status, accounting books and first recurring compliance obligations.
Find support for a non-EU company establishing a branch in Greece.
Non-EU cases usually require closer document review, legalisation checks, translation planning, representative authority review, tax registration sequencing and practical coordination before filing.
Find whether a branch or Greek subsidiary is better.
If the foreign company needs liability separation, local investors, local contracts, easier banking, dividend planning or long-term operational independence, a Greek subsidiary may need to be compared with the branch route.
Find whether VAT registration is enough without a branch.
In some cases, Greek VAT registration may be sufficient. In other cases, the activity, local presence, people, premises or recurring projects may require branch, subsidiary or permanent establishment review.
Find payroll and employee obligations for the branch.
If the branch will employ staff or use people in Greece, payroll, EFKA, employment documentation, monthly reporting and potential permanent establishment consequences should be reviewed before the first employment begins.
Questions foreign companies usually ask before establishing a Greek branch.
These questions usually determine whether the foreign company should proceed with branch registration, Greek subsidiary formation, VAT-only registration, payroll setup or permanent establishment review.
What is a Greek branch of a foreign company?
A Greek branch is a registered presence of the foreign company in Greece. It is not a separate Greek company. The branch is linked to the foreign legal entity and should be reviewed for registry, tax, VAT, accounting, representation and compliance obligations.
Is a branch the same as a Greek subsidiary?
No. A branch is connected to the foreign company, while a subsidiary is a separate Greek legal entity. The correct choice depends on liability, tax, banking, contracts, employees, profit distribution, commercial needs and long-term plans.
Does a branch need Greek tax registration?
In practice, branch registration should be connected with Greek tax registration, activity codes, VAT status, accounting books and first compliance obligations. The exact route depends on the facts of the case.
Can the branch setup be coordinated remotely?
Many preparation steps can be coordinated remotely, including document review, branch file mapping and tax registration planning. The exact process depends on the foreign company’s country, documents, legalisation, translations, representative authority and identification requirements.
What documents are usually reviewed for a Greek branch?
Common document areas include corporate registry evidence, articles, good standing or equivalent documents, decision to establish the Greek branch, representative appointment, authorisations, address evidence, legalisation and translation requirements.
Can a foreign company register for VAT without opening a branch?
In some cases, yes. A foreign company may need Greek VAT registration without a branch or subsidiary. This depends on the type of activity, transactions, local presence, invoicing model and VAT rules. The route should be reviewed before filing.
Does a branch need accounting support after registration?
Usually, yes. After registration, the branch may need accounting books, VAT returns, myDATA compliance, tax filings, payroll support where relevant, annual obligations and ongoing communication with Greek authorities.
Should we compare branch registration with company formation?
Yes, especially where the foreign company needs liability separation, local banking, investment structure, long-term Greek operations, local contracting or dividend planning. A branch is not always the best route.
Find the correct way to establish a foreign branch in Greece.
Send us the facts of your foreign company, country, activity, intended Greek presence and timeline. We will review the likely branch route, document needs, tax and VAT registration path, accounting launch and first compliance obligations.