Choosing a legal status in Greece: Atomiki Epicheirisi, IKE, EPE, AE (2026)

Atomiki Epicheirisi (sole proprietorship) is the Greek equivalent of the French micro-enterprise. Registration is done via AADE (tax administration) and e-EFKA (unified social security) in 5 to 10 days. The fiscal number AFM (SIRET equivalent) and e-EFKA number are assigned separately. No share capital required. Atomiki Epicheirisi is widely used by freelancers, liberal professions (doctors, lawyers, architects), individual traders, and craftspeople.

Fiscally, Atomiki Epicheirisi is taxed at personal income tax per the 2025 Greek progressive scale: 9% up to €10,000, 22% from €10,000 to €20,000, 28% from €20,000 to €30,000, 36% from €30,000 to €40,000, 44% beyond. To this add the solidarity contribution (solidaire 2.2% to 10% by income, partially suspended since 2021 for work income). For new Atomiki Epicheirisi independents, a 50% tax reduction applies during the first 3 years under certain income and activity conditions.

e-EFKA contributions (Unified Social Security Fund, created in 2017 by merging former funds) vary by activity and income. For freelancers « ελεύθεροι επαγγελματίες » (liberals), the system combines 6 contribution categories per income declaration. For 2025, monthly amounts are approximately: category 1 (low reference income) ~€230/month, category 6 (high reference income) ~€700/month. The founder chooses their category based on declared income, with possibility of annual adjustment.

IKE (Idiotiki Kefalaiouchiki Eteria, Private Capital Company) was created by law 4072/2012 to facilitate business creation during the Greek crisis. Minimum share capital €1, making it one of Europe's most accessible LLCs. IKE can be created by 1 sole partner (unipersonal IKE) or multiple. Creation is done via GEMI (Geniko Emporiko Mitroo, general commercial registry) in 2 to 5 days with reduced administrative cost (€200 to €500). Partners are liable only up to their contribution.

EPE (Eteria Periorismenis Efthinis) is the classical Greek LLC, predating IKE. Minimum capital €4,500 (reduced from €18,000 previously). Creation by notarial act, total cost €1,000 to €2,500. EPE remains used for existing structures established before 2012, but IKE has largely supplanted it for new creations due to administrative simplicity and 4,500-times-lower minimum capital. The 2018 reform maintained both forms in parallel.

Fiscally, IKE and EPE are subject to Greek IS at the 22% rate (progressively reduced from 29% in 2018 to 22% in 2022). This single rate applies on the entire taxable profit, without brackets. Dividends paid to individual partners are subject to the 5% liberation withholding tax (one of Europe's lowest rates). Total IS 22% + dividends 5% reaches approximately 25.8% of pre-tax profit — particularly competitive against the EU average (~30-35%).

An IKE or EPE director (διαχειριστής, diacheiristis) is compensated either under employment contract (with salaried e-EFKA contributions 13.87% employee + 22.29% employer), or as mandate compensation (with independent e-EFKA contributions). For partner-directors holding more than 3% capital, e-EFKA affiliation as independent is mandatory. The salary vs mandate compensation distinction is important for fiscal and social optimization.

• IKE: €1 capital, GEMI registration 2-5 days, ~€200-500
• EPE: minimum capital €4,500, notarial act, €1,000-2,500
• IS 22% on profit (unique rate without brackets)
• Dividends 5% liberation withholding (among EU's lowest)
• Total IS + dividend fiscal ~25.8%
• Director holding > 3% capital: e-EFKA independent mandatory

AE (Anonimi Eteria, Greek joint-stock company) requires a minimum capital of €25,000 (reduced from €60,000 before law 4548/2018). It can accommodate 1 shareholder (unipersonal AE) or multiple. Governance obligations are structured: board of directors (sole director possible for small AEs), mandatory annual audit beyond certain thresholds, account publication at GEMI. AE is used for listed structures (ATHEX Athens Stock Exchange) and large Greek enterprises (Coca-Cola HBC, OTE, Public Power Corporation, OPAP).

Several partnership forms complete the Greek system. OE (Omorithmi Eteria, general partnership) requires at least 2 jointly-liable partners. EE (Eterorithmi Eteria, limited partnership) combines unlimitedly-liable general partners and limited partners. SAE (European Joint-Stock Company, Societas Europaea equivalent) is used by multi-country EU structures. Cooperatives (Synetairismos) benefit from specific participative governance mechanisms and fiscal reliefs.

For startups and innovative businesses, several schemes are mobilizable. The « Elevate Greece » programme (since 2020) officially lists Greek startups and opens them access to fiscal and financial advantages: R&D tax credits, profit tax exemption for 3 years for new innovative startups (under conditions), facilitated access to public funds. The « EquiFund » programme co-finances venture capital funds investing in Greece. Law 4914/2022 instituted a « risk investment company » status with fiscal advantages for business angels.

For EU and non-EU nationals, Greece offers the « Greek Golden Visa » programme for investors (real estate purchase > €250,000), the « Digital Nomad Visa » (since 2021) for non-EU nomadic workers with monthly income > €3,500, and the preferential « Non-Dom » fiscal status introduced in 2020 for high incomes settling in Greece (€100,000/year flat tax for 15 years on non-Greek income). Law 4758/2020 also instituted a 50% income tax reduction regime for tech profiles and talents returning from abroad.

GEMI (Geniko Emporiko Mitroo) is the central Greek commercial registry. Every company (IKE, EPE, AE, OE, EE) is registered there with a unique number. Registration is done via businessportal.gr portal or via a local chamber of commerce. For an IKE, delay is 2 to 5 days after complete filing; for an AE, 7 to 14 days. Foreign document translation to Greek (by approved translator) is mandatory for non-Greek partners.

AADE (Authority for Public Revenue) is the Greek tax administration. VAT declarations (FPA) are monthly for companies with turnover above €1.5M, quarterly below. TaxisNet portal allows all procedures online (declarations, payments, VAT refund requests). Standard VAT rate is 24%, with reduced rates 13% (food, hotels, transport) and 6% (medicines, books, theater). For Greek islands and some regions, preferential rates (17%/9%/4%) apply.

e-EFKA (Unified Social Security Fund, created in 2017) manages affiliation and social contribution recovery for all statuses. The system combines former IKA (salaried), OAEE (independents), TSMEDE (engineers), TEE (technicians), and other professional funds. For freelancers and independents, contribution category choice (6 levels) is annual and can be adjusted by income. For company directors holding more than 3% capital, e-EFKA independent affiliation is mandatory regardless of possible salaried status.

Several schemes specific to foreign entrepreneurs complement the offering. « Greek Golden Visa » grants permanent residence to real-estate investors (purchase > €250,000 to €800,000 by zone). « Greek Digital Nomad Visa » (since September 2021) allows non-EU nomadic workers to reside in Greece up to 2 years with monthly income > €3,500, and benefit from preferential fiscal regime under conditions. « Greek Investor Visa » supports business creators creating local jobs.

The BoostPro IA « Choose my legal status » module covers the main Greek forms and orients by profile (solo vs team, available capital, tech or Non-Dom profile, transfer or fundraising ambition). The personalized report (€29, 10 minutes) compares projected taxation over 3 years, integrates applicable special regimes (Non-Dom, Returning Talents, Elevate Greece programme), and identifies optimal Atomiki → IKE switching thresholds.