Greece — Ready Made Shelf Companies — Company Formation

Greece — Ready-Made Shelf Companies and Company Formation

Greece offers international entrepreneurs a EU + maritime/shipping tonnage tax regime-driven entry point. The Greek IKE (ιδιωτική κεφαλαιουχική εταιρεία) is the dominant corporate form for SMEs, holdings, and trading entities — and we hold a stock of pre-formed, never-traded IKEs ready for immediate ownership transfer through the Γενικό Εμπορικό Μητρώο (GEMI).

ShelfCompanies24 has been arranging company formation and the transfer of pre-registered Greek entities since 1995. We work with a network of Greek corporate-service providers, accountants, and banks to deliver a single-invoice, start-to-finish service — whether you need your Greece company ready in 48 hours or a brand-new one built from scratch in 7 days.

Why Greece for Your Business

• EU single-market passport — your Greek IKE can trade VAT-free across all 27 EU member states using its EU VAT number.
• EU + maritime/shipping tonnage tax regime — the structural reason serious operators choose Greece over neighbouring jurisdictions.
• Predictable corporate law — Γενικό Εμπορικό Μητρώο (GEMI) provides public, searchable filings; ownership transfers are documented and binding.
• 2026 corporate tax: 22% — see the detailed tax breakdown below.
• Pre-formed IKE stock — clean GEMI-registered companies with no trading history, ready for a 48 hours ownership transfer.
• Remote-friendly — most Greece corporate procedures can be completed without travel; we handle apostille, sworn translation, and digital signature.
• Corporate banking — introductions to local and international banks suitable for a Greek IKE, without the multi-month onboarding most foreign owners face when they apply alone.
• Single point of contact — your dedicated consultant manages incorporation, banking, accounting, and ongoing compliance for the whole life of the company.

Our Core Services in Greece

Greece Company Types at a Glance

Most Greece clients choose the IKE (ιδιωτική κεφαλαιουχική εταιρεία) for the combination of limited liability, ownership flexibility, and predictable GEMI treatment.

Greece Corporate Taxation 2026

The 2026 headline corporate tax position in Greece is 22%.

22% CIT; IKE EUR 1 minimum; GEMI commercial portal; tonnage-tax regime for shipping fleets.

VAT, withholding-tax, and treaty-network specifics are jurisdiction-dependent and best discussed in a free first call — your consultant will map your operational profile to the correct Greek tax treatment before you commit to a structure.

Compliance and Reporting Obligations

• Annual financial statements — prepared under Greek GAAP and filed with the GEMI on a calendar-year or financial-year basis.
• Beneficial ownership transparency — most modern jurisdictions, including Greece, require beneficial-owner registration alongside the GEMI entity record.
• Tax registration — GEMI entry typically auto-registers the company with the Greece tax authority; VAT/sales-tax registration is separate where turnover thresholds apply.
• Director and shareholder filings — changes to GEMI must be filed within statutory deadlines; we manage these end-to-end on retainer.
• DAC6 / DAC7 / Pillar Two — multinational groups face EU-mandated reporting obligations on aggressive cross-border arrangements and digital platform income.
• Audit thresholds — small IKEs usually file abbreviated accounts; medium-sized and large entities meet local audit requirements (typically based on balance-sheet, turnover, and headcount thresholds).

Corporate Banking for Your Greek Company

A Greek corporate bank account is critical to operating the company — and one of the practical bottlenecks foreign owners hit when they apply directly. Our consultant introduces you to the right banking partner for your profile (high-volume international transfers, EUR/USD/GBP multi-currency, e-commerce processing, custodial, or simple operating-account-only).

A pre-formed Greek IKE with clean GEMI entry typically passes bank KYC more smoothly than a newly formed entity, which is why operators in a hurry to begin trading specifically request a shelf company.

Cross-Jurisdiction Comparisons

Operators looking at Greece often also evaluate similar jurisdictions:

• Cyprus shelf companies — EU + 12.5% CIT, IP Box 80% deduction.
• Bulgaria company formation — Flat 10% CIT, EU member.

Why Choose ShelfCompanies24 for Greece

• 30 years of experience — operating since 1995 across Greece and 55 other jurisdictions.
• Licensed corporate-service provider with a dedicated Greek desk.
• Pre-formed IKE stock — clean GEMI-registered entities ready for immediate transfer.
• Single fixed-fee invoice — formation, GEMI fees, virtual office, and bank intro bundled.
• Remote-only — most clients never travel to Greece; we handle apostille, courier, and sworn translation.
• Post-formation support — accounting, VAT/tax filings, payroll, beneficial-owner register maintenance.

Frequently Asked Questions about Greek Companies

How quickly can I start trading with a Greek company?

With a pre-formed Greek IKE the share transfer is documented and the GEMI update filed within 48 hours; you can sign contracts in the company’s name from day one. A newly formed IKE takes 7 days end-to-end because the Γενικό Εμπορικό Μητρώο and the tax authority each add their own processing time.

What is the difference between a IKE and a EPE in Greece?

Both are Greek corporate vehicles registered with the GEMI. The IKE is the standard SME limited-liability form chosen by most operators. The EPE is typically used for larger, capital-raising or listed structures. Most foreign owners arriving in Greece pick the IKE unless they have a specific reason — listing plans, multiple investor classes, or a partner-structure preference — to choose otherwise.

Do I need to travel to Greece to form or buy a company?

No. Greece corporate procedures are remote-friendly through our consultant network. Documents are couriered, apostilled and sworn-translated where needed; signatures use either qualified electronic signature or notarisation in your home jurisdiction. We handle the GEMI interface end-to-end — most foreign clients never set foot in Greece.

What taxes will my Greek company pay in 2026?

The 2026 headline rate in Greece is 22%. 22% CIT; IKE EUR 1 minimum; GEMI commercial portal; tonnage-tax regime for shipping fleets. VAT/sales-tax, withholding-tax on dividends, and treaty-network impact depend on your operating profile — a free first call with our consultant maps your business model to the correct Greek tax treatment.

Can a non-resident foreigner be the sole shareholder and director of a Greek IKE?

In most cases yes — there is generally no Greece residency, citizenship, or work-permit requirement for shareholders or directors. Some jurisdictions require a local-resident director, a registered local agent, or a substance test for tax purposes. Your consultant will confirm which requirements apply to your specific operating model and source-of-income profile.

Is a Greek shelf company really ‘clean’?

All ShelfCompanies24 shelf entities in Greece were incorporated solely to be held in reserve. They have never traded, never opened a customer-facing bank account, never invoiced a third party, and never accumulated tax losses — so the GEMI record shows pure dormancy. This avoids the loss-utilisation and beneficial-owner-disclosure complications that a real ex-trading company would carry.

Should I buy a shelf IKE or form a new one in Greece?

Choose a shelf IKE from EUR 4,000 when you need to be trading immediately, when banking onboarding speed matters, or when a counterparty insists on dealing with an established legal entity. Choose new formation from EUR 2,500 when you want to design the constitution, share classes, or registered name from scratch and you can wait 7 days for the GEMI entry. Both options come with the same fixed-fee scope, banking introduction, and post-formation support.

What ongoing costs should I budget per year for a Greek IKE?

A dormant Greek IKE typically runs EUR 1,500–3,500 per year — covering registered office, the local accountant or tax adviser for nil filings, beneficial-owner-register maintenance, and any GEMI fees. An actively trading IKE budgets EUR 4,000–12,000 per year for full bookkeeping, periodic VAT/sales-tax filings, payroll, annual financial statements, and 22% corporate tax compliance. Your consultant gives an exact cost band based on your projected transaction volume and complexity before you commit.

Does Greece have a public beneficial-ownership register?

Yes — like every modern jurisdiction, Greece maintains a beneficial-ownership register that records every natural person controlling more than 25% of shares, voting rights, or profit distribution rights of a Greek IKE. Filings are made at the same time as GEMI registration; updates are required when ownership changes. We handle the filing and ongoing maintenance as part of standard service so the register record remains accurate and penalty-free.