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Business registration in Acharnes follows the national legal framework of Greece with local administrative steps in the Municipality of Acharnes and regional services in Attica. The process determines the legal form of the business, its registration in the General Commercial Registry - GEMI, tax registration with the Independent Authority for Public Revenue - AADE, and social security registration for employees with EFKA. Depending on the legal form, capital requirements, notarial acts and licensing requirements differ. Local permits and municipal obligations may apply for premises, signage, waste management and opening hours. Whether you are a sole trader, a partnership, a limited liability company or a public limited company, you must meet national rules and local municipal requirements to operate lawfully in Acharnes.
Registering a business involves a mix of legal, tax and administrative steps. A lawyer can help you choose the best legal form based on liability, tax consequences and growth plans. Lawyers draft and review foundational documents such as articles of association, shareholders agreements and partner contracts. They ensure compliance with mandatory notarial acts, handle filings with GEMI, advise on licensing for regulated activities and represent you in dealings with municipal or regional authorities. Lawyers are particularly useful in complex situations - for example when there are foreign investors, cross-border elements, real estate leases, intellectual property issues, disputes among founders, or when fast compliance is needed to avoid fines or administrative blocking.
Key legal elements relevant to business registration in Acharnes include the following.
- Legal forms - Greece recognises several business forms such as sole proprietorship (ατομική επιχείρηση), general partnership (O.E.), limited partnership (E.E.), private company (IKE), limited liability company (EPE), and public limited company (AE). Each has different liability rules, capital requirements and governance structures.
- Registration - All commercial entities must be registered with GEMI. Sole traders and small businesses also register with GEMI or local registries depending on activity. Registration triggers publication and public access to company information.
- Tax registration - Every business must obtain a tax identification number (AFM) and, where applicable, a VAT number through AADE. Tax classification determines filing obligations for corporate income tax, VAT and other taxes.
- Social security and employment - Employers must register with EFKA and comply with labour law, collective agreements and payroll deductions. Hiring employees creates immediate social security and withholding obligations.
- Capital requirements - Certain company types have minimum capital rules. For example, an AE requires higher minimum share capital, while an IKE has much lower formal capital needs. Partnerships typically do not have a statutory capital minimum.
- Notarial and publication requirements - Forming some companies requires notarised articles of association and registration formalities that include published extracts.
- Local permits and zoning - Municipal permits, health and safety clearances, food and hygiene licences, and use-of-premises approvals are often required. Acharnes municipal services may issue local operating permits and control signage, waste management and business hours.
- Regulated activities - Certain sectors require special licensing or authorisation such as food services, transport, tourism services, healthcare, professional services and waste handling. These may involve national ministries or regional authorities.
- Compliance - Annual financial statements, accounting records, tax returns, VAT returns and corporate filings are mandatory. Failure to comply can lead to fines, restrictions on operations and legal exposure for directors.
To register a sole proprietorship you generally need to obtain a tax identification number (AFM) if you do not already have one, register the business activity with AADE for tax and VAT purposes, and register with GEMI if your activity is commercial. You must also register as an employer with EFKA if you hire staff. Local municipal permits may be required for premises or specific activities. A lawyer or tax consultant can help prepare the necessary forms and ensure you choose the correct tax regime and VAT scheme.
IKE is a private company form with flexible rules and low formal capital requirements, suitable for startups and small businesses. EPE is a limited liability company with higher formalities and a statutory minimum capital which is typically higher than IKE. AE is a public limited company with the highest capital and governance requirements, suited for larger businesses or those seeking to issue shares publicly. Liability for shareholders in these company forms is generally limited to the capital contributed, whereas partners in general partnerships have unlimited joint liability.
Timing depends on the legal form and completeness of documents. Simple VAT and tax registrations can be completed within days, while company formation and GEMI registration typically take from several days to a few weeks. Notarial acts, translations of foreign documents and additional licenses can extend the timeline. Costs include notary fees, registration fees, professional fees for lawyers and accountants, and capital deposits where required. Expect variation depending on complexity and whether special licences are needed.
Yes. Non-EU citizens can establish businesses in Greece but may face additional steps such as securing a residency permit if they intend to live and run the business in Greece. Foreign individuals and companies must obtain a tax identification number and may need a fiscal representative for certain tax matters. Documents issued abroad will often require certified translation and legalisation or apostille.
VAT registration depends on the nature and expected turnover of your activity. Some activities require immediate VAT registration, while others depend on reaching thresholds. Even if VAT registration is not required initially, you may choose to register voluntarily. An accountant or tax lawyer can advise on the VAT implications and help with registration with AADE.
Local requirements can include a municipal operation permit, signage approval, opening hours permissions, waste management obligations, and health and safety inspections for certain businesses. If you lease or buy premises you must ensure the property's use is permitted for your activity and that any required building or fire safety certificates are in place. Check with municipal services in Acharnes for specific local controls.
Employers must register with EFKA and notify the relevant labour authorities of new hires. You must withhold income tax and social security contributions from employee wages, make employer social contributions, comply with employment contracts, minimum wage rules, working time and leave rules, and keep payroll and personnel records. Collective agreements may affect terms and conditions in some sectors.
Changing company structure or adding partners usually requires an amendment to the articles of association, possible notarisation, and re-registration in GEMI. Tax and accounting implications should be considered, and shareholders or partners agreements should be updated. For changes that affect control or ownership significantly, additional filings and disclosures may be necessary.
Dissolving a business involves legal and tax steps: approval by the owner(s) or governing body, liquidation of assets and liabilities, settlement of tax and social security obligations, and formal deregistration from GEMI and other authorities. Proper winding-up procedures are essential to avoid future liabilities for directors or partners. Consulting a lawyer and an accountant is recommended.
Seek a lawyer when the matter involves ownership and governance structure, shareholder or partner disputes, negotiation of complex contracts, foreign investment, licensing for regulated activities, real estate leases or purchases, litigation risk or when you need to draft binding agreements. Accountants handle tax filings and bookkeeping, but lawyers ensure that legal risks are managed and formal documents are properly drafted and enforceable.
Below are the main organisations and resources that assist with business registration and compliance in Acharnes and Greece in general. Contact these bodies for forms, official guidance and procedural details.
- General Commercial Registry - GEMI - national registry for business formation and corporate filings
- Independent Authority for Public Revenue - AADE - tax registration and VAT matters
- Single Social Security Entity - EFKA - employer and employee social security registration
- Municipality of Acharnes - local permits, zoning and municipal business obligations
- Attica Chamber of Commerce - local business support, advisory services and one-stop-shop services in some cases
- Athens Bar Association - for lists and referrals to qualified lawyers authorised to practise in Attica
- Certified accountants and tax advisors - for tax compliance, VAT and payroll procedures
- Ministry of Development and Investments and sectoral ministries - for licensing of regulated activities
If you need legal assistance with business registration in Acharnes, follow these practical steps.
- Clarify your business plan and goals - decide on activities, expected turnover and whether you will hire staff or have partners.
- Gather identification and corporate documents - passport or ID, proof of address, existing company documents for foreign entities and certified translations where needed.
- Choose the right advisors - engage a lawyer with experience in corporate law and a certified accountant or tax advisor. Ask for a written engagement letter setting out services and fees.
- Decide on legal form and prepare documentation - work with your lawyer to draft articles of association, partner or shareholder agreements, and prepare notarial deeds if required.
- Complete registrations - register with GEMI, obtain tax and VAT registration through AADE, and register with EFKA for social security obligations. Apply for any sectoral licences and local municipal permits.
- Open a business bank account - some company formations require proof of capital deposit and a dedicated bank account.
- Implement compliance processes - set up bookkeeping, payroll and reporting procedures to meet ongoing tax and corporate reporting obligations.
- Keep communication lines open - if you are a foreign entrepreneur, appoint a local fiscal representative or legal contact to ensure notices are handled promptly.
Final tip - ask for clear cost and timetable estimates from any lawyer or advisor before you begin. Early legal guidance can prevent costly mistakes, speed the registration process and ensure your business starts on a compliant foundation in Acharnes.
