Greek Branch Establishment

Legal Services
Greek Branch Establishment

The establishment of a branch of a foreign legal entity in Greece is an obvious possibility that unfortunately in our country involves additional difficulties due to complexities related to the administrative operation of the State.

Α. Name pre-approval [Step 1].

The “name pre-approval”, i.e. the registration of the name and the trading name of the company being incorporated, is carried out by our company before the One-Stop-Shop Service of the G.C.R. (General Commercial Registry – GEMI)
For this purpose, you are required to send us:

  1. at least three possible names and trading names of the branch being established,
  2. the scope of work of the branch,
  3. the Municipality in which it will be located and
  4. the legal form of the foreign company.

(Attention: The name must not exceed 120 characters and the trading name 80 characters.).

Β. Before drafting the decision of the supreme body of the foreign company [Step 2].
For the drafting of the decision of the supreme body of the foreign company (usually of the General Meeting) required, you should send us:

  1. Branch details:
    1. Name and trading name
    2. Purpose
    3. Registered office address
    4. Contact number and email
    5. Full details of legal representative (full name, father’s name, mother’s name, ID or passport details, date and place of birth, occupation, Social Security Reg.No.-AMKA, home address)
  2. Bank and IBAN account number for transactions of the branch being established.

C. Drafting of the decision of the supreme body of a foreign company [Step 3].

Upon the completion of the above, the drafting of the decision of the General Meeting of the foreign company in the Greek language follows, guided by the requirements of the current legislation.

D. Notarial Deed (Power of Attorney) of appointment of a legal representative, proxy, delegate and agent of the company branch in Greece [Step 4].

NOTE: The legal representative, proxy, delegate and agent, who will be appointed, shall reside in Greece and be the holder of a Greek Tax Identification Number (TIN) and must submit:
a) If an EU citizen: true copy of Police ID / Passport or
b) If a citizen of a non-EU state: if residing in Greece, a Residence and Work Permit is required (according to the ministerial decision Κ2-4900/30.10.14).

Ε. Publication of the branch being established before the One-Stop-Shop Service of the competent Chamber [Step 5].

The publication of the branch in the GCR is a fundamental obligation of the company. The publicity of certain deeds is a condition for them to acquire status to the State and third parties. Failure or omission may on the one hand lead to invalidity or the imposition of an administrative measure against the company or the branch. In addition, it may create an anomaly in the latter’s relations with third parties, such as the State, suppliers, employees, customers.

Supporting documents

  1. Articles of Association of the foreign company, as currently applicable, validated by the competent authority of the country where the company is based.
  2. Certification by the competent authority of the country where the registered office is located that the company has not dissolved nor has its authorization been revoked
  3. Certification by the competent authority, for the registered office of the foreign company and the persons representing the company at its registered office
  4. The registration number of the company at its registered office.
    NOTE: The exception to this are companies outside the European Union whose country law does not provide for registration.
  5. Certification by the competent authority for the paid capital of the foreign company.
    NOTE: For the approval of a branch establishment in Greece of a foreign LTD or SA outside EU countries, the minimum capital of the parent company must necessarily be equal to the minimum regulatory capital for Greek companies of a similar legal type.
  6. Certification of Name Pre-Approval by the G.C.R.
  7. Decision of the foreign company for the establishment of a branch in Greece, in which the following will be determined: a) the name of the branch b) the purpose, c) the registered office and d) the legal representative of the branch. The text of the decision will be drafted by us.
  8. Notarial deed (Power of Attorney) of appointment of a legal representative, proxy, delegate and agent
  9. An MI3 form, where required.
  10. Payment of the fees for the incorporation of the company, before the G.C.R.
  11. Application signed before the G.C.R. Office, upon submission of supporting documents.

The above supporting documents shall be submitted in printed form (originals legally signed) and in electronic form (usb with pdf files).
ATTENTION!!! The above supporting documents, issued abroad, must have an APOSTILLE or a consular post validation and an official translation into the Greek language. For companies based outside the European Union, there must be a reciprocal agreement with Greece for LTD companies.

In cases of establishment of branches of foreign LTD companies (from third countries) the submitted supporting documents shall be forwarded to the competent Regional Unit of Attica, for the issuance of an approval decision for the establishment (according to the provisions of article 57 of Law 3190/1955 and the document with Prot. no.Κ1-1875/15-12-2011 of the Ministry of Development, Competitiveness and Shipping/ General Secretariat of Commerce).

Extra services

  • Constant monitoring of the company’s management: Tax representative, keepin of mandatory books, General Assembly and Board of Directors minutes, services of secretary support, reconstruction of company structure, legal of the company, suggestions for Marketing and modern operation
  • Company’s name registration.
  • Articles of Association.
  • Certificates and permits from administrative authorities.
  • Brand name registration.
  • Legal Due Diligence (company, real estate).
  • Payroll (by a suggested accounting company).
  • Tax registration (by a suggested accounting company).
  • Lease agreements.
  • Bank account.

F. Legal Representative

Τhe prerequisite for being a legal representative of a Greek Company is the issuance of Tax Identification Number and the appointment of a tax representative in Greece.

For this purpose the following details are needed

  • Name and surname
  • Father’s name and surname
  • Mother’s name and surname
  • Date and Place of Birth
  • Place of residence, address, postcode
  • Telephone number and email address
  • a certified copy of all the pages of each Passport

Piperakis – Kostopoulos Law Firm has the experience and expertise to advise you and protect you in advance or after the risk has occurred. The issues raised above fall within the scope of our skills, which is a guarantee of our proper handling of the matter you entrust to us.