Types of Corporations
In greece, the following forms of incorporation are accepted:
A company limited by shares (with the suffix A.E.)
- At least two shareholders are needed to form a company.
- The shareholders may be individuals who are Greeks or foreign residents, or a limited company.
- The liability of the owners of the company is limited to the sum of capital invested.
- The basic minimum capital may not be less than EUR 60,000, fully paid up, with a nominal value of EUR 0.30-EUR 100 per share.
- The company is managed by a board of directors.
- A general meeting of the shareholders must be held within 6 months of the end of the tax year to approve the financial statements.
The cost of establishing an AE company includes about EUR 1,500 for publications in the Government Gazette and about EUR 1,000 for lawyer's fees.
A company limited by liability (with the suffix E.P.E.)
- The company may be managed by a single director or by a number of directors.
- The shareholders' liability is limited to the sum of capital invested.
- The basic minimum capital will not be less than EUR 18,000, with a minimum of EUR 30 per share.
- A general meeting of the shareholders must be held within 6 months of the end of the tax year to approve the financial statements.
Branches
- Foreign companies can open a branch in Greece.
- The branch must have a same minimum share capital as required for local Greek companies.
