Best Business Registration Lawyers in Melissia

About Business Registration Law in Melissia, Greece

Melissia is a suburb of Athens and is governed by the same national company and tax laws that apply across Greece. Business registration in Melissia follows the national procedures set out by Greek law and is administered through central registries and local authorities. Key steps typically include choosing a legal form, obtaining tax and social-security registrations, registering the company with the General Commercial Registry - GEMI, and securing any local permits or sectoral licences required by the Municipality of Penteli or other competent bodies. Many formalities can be started or completed using electronic government services, but some steps still require in-person actions or notarised documents. Local compliance obligations - accounting, tax filings, payroll contributions and periodic company filings - are ongoing and governed by national law.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

Business registration is not always a simple administrative form-filling exercise. A lawyer can help you choose the legal form that best matches your goals - for example sole trader, general partnership, private company limited by shares, or a private capital company with flexible rules. The choice affects liability, tax treatment, capital needs and governance.

You may need legal help to draft or review founding documents and articles of association, prepare shareholder agreements, and ensure compliance with statutory formalities that require legal or notarial involvement.

Foreign investors often need legal assistance to navigate tax identification, residency and permit requirements, translations and apostilles for foreign documents, and rules affecting foreign ownership in regulated sectors.

If your business activity requires licences, professional qualifications or municipal approvals - for example food service, retail, professional services, construction or regulated trades - a lawyer can identify the licences needed and manage interactions with municipal and state authorities.

Lawyers are also important for tax planning, employment law compliance when hiring staff, negotiating leases and commercial contracts, resolving shareholder or creditor disputes, and for restructurings, mergers or winding up a business.

Local Laws Overview

Legal forms - Greece recognises several business forms. Common ones are sole proprietorships, general partnerships, limited partnerships, private companies limited by shares, limited liability companies and the private capital company form that offers flexible capital and governance. Each form has different rules on formation, capital, board composition and shareholder liability.

Registration and corporate formalities - registration must be made with the General Commercial Registry - GEMI. Depending on the legal form, the constitution may require notarisation or can follow set electronic templates. Companies receive a registration number and must file their founding documents and any subsequent changes with GEMI.

Tax registration - every business and its principals must obtain a Greek tax identification number and register with the tax authority for corporate tax and, where relevant, VAT. VAT registration depends on activity and turnover thresholds and triggers VAT reporting obligations.

Social security and employment law - employers must register with the national social-security authority for employer contributions and comply with Greek employment law on contracts, minimum wages, working time, leave and dismissals. Payroll and social contributions are subject to regular reporting.

Local permits and zoning - local municipal rules govern use of premises, health and safety inspections and operating licences. In Melissia the Municipality of Penteli issues local business licences and enforces municipal regulations, including signage and waste management for businesses.

Accounting, auditing and filings - businesses must keep accounts under Greek accounting rules and prepare annual financial statements. Some entities must appoint statutory auditors or have audited accounts depending on size and legal form. Corporate tax returns and VAT filings are periodic obligations.

Sectoral regulation - regulated activities such as finance, insurance, pharmaceuticals, food, construction and professional services may require additional licensing, qualifications and ongoing supervision from national regulators.

Data protection - businesses processing personal data must comply with the GDPR and Greek data-protection rules, including appropriate technical and organisational measures, and possibly registration obligations.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I start the process of registering a business in Melissia?

Start by choosing the legal form that suits your goals. Obtain a Greek tax identification number for the founder or founders. Prepare founding documents or use available electronic templates, satisfy any notarial requirements, register the company at GEMI, register for VAT if required, register with the social-security authority if you will employ staff, and apply for any municipal or sectoral permits. An accountant and/or lawyer can provide a practical checklist tailored to your business.

Which legal form is best for a small local business?

There is no universal answer. Many small businesses use sole proprietorships or the private capital company form because of simplicity and limited capital requirements. Each form differs in liability exposure, tax treatment, ease of transfer and administrative burden. A lawyer or accountant can compare options based on your specific plans, capital and risk tolerance.

Do I need a Greek tax number to register a company?

Yes. The founders and the company must have a Greek tax identification number. Non-Greek nationals can obtain an AFM but may need to provide additional identification and, depending on nationality, residency or permit documents.

Can a non-EU citizen set up a company in Melissia?

Yes, non-EU citizens can set up companies, but additional practical and legal issues can arise. Non-EU founders typically need a Greek tax number, and foreigners may require a residency or work permit to live and work in Greece. In some regulated sectors there may be restrictions or additional approvals for foreign ownership.

How long does registration usually take?

Timing depends on entity type and whether all documents are in order. Simple registrations can be completed in days to a few weeks if documents are prepared and electronic options are used. More complex entities, notarial acts, foreign documentation or additional licences may extend the timeline to several weeks or months.

What costs should I expect when registering a business?

Costs include state and registry fees, notary fees where applicable, professional fees for a lawyer and an accountant, potential capital contribution, municipal licence fees and costs for translations and apostilles of foreign documents. Ongoing costs include accounting, tax and social-security contributions. Exact amounts vary by legal form and the scope of services required.

Do I need a physical office or local address in Melissia to register?

You must provide a registered business address in Greece. That address can be a rented office, commercial premises or, for some forms, a home address if local regulations allow. Certain licences and commercial leases may require proof of suitable premises that meet safety and zoning rules.

When do I need to register for VAT?

VAT registration depends on your turnover and the nature of your supplies. If your business makes taxable supplies above the national threshold or participates in intra-Community transactions, you must register for VAT. VAT registration triggers periodic VAT filings and issuing VAT invoices.

What municipal permits or licences might I need in Melissia?

Permits depend on your activity. Typical requirements include a municipal operating licence, health and hygiene approvals for food-related businesses, building and planning permits for premises changes, and signage permits. The Municipality of Penteli handles local approvals and can advise on municipal requirements.

How do I close or sell a business in Greece?

Closing or selling a business involves formal steps: notifying tax authorities, social-security authorities and GEMI, settling debts and employee obligations, preparing final accounts, and following statutory sale or liquidation procedures. Sales of company shares or assets require legal documentation. A lawyer will help manage liabilities and ensure compliance.

Additional Resources

General Commercial Registry - GEMI for company registration and filing obligations.

Independent Authority for Public Revenue - the national tax authority responsible for tax registration and VAT matters.

Unified Social Security Fund - EFKA for employer and employee social-security registration and contributions.

Municipality of Penteli - local authority for municipal licences, zoning and operational permits in Melissia.

Athens Chamber of Commerce or the relevant local chamber - practical advice and business support services.

Athens Bar Association - for finding lawyers qualified in corporate and commercial law.

GOV.GR - the Greek government digital portal for online public services, forms and guidance.

Local notaries and accountants - for notarial acts, tax registration and ongoing compliance support.

Next Steps

Gather basic information - your business idea, planned activity, expected turnover, intended capital contribution, number and role of partners, and draft business address. This will help any adviser give practical guidance.

Contact a local lawyer with experience in company formation and commercial transactions. Ask about experience with businesses in Melissia and the Municipality of Penteli, fees, estimated timelines and required documents. Request a written engagement letter describing services and fees.

Consult an accountant at an early stage to plan tax registration, VAT treatment, payroll setup and bookkeeping. Coordinating legal and accounting advice reduces delays and unexpected costs.

If you are a foreign national, prepare identification, certified translations and any residency or company documentation needed from your home country. Check whether documents need an apostille or consular legalisation.

Use the official registries and municipal offices for formal submissions and keep copies of all filings and receipts. Regularly review compliance deadlines for tax filings, social-security contributions and annual company obligations.

If you need help now, prepare a concise brief describing your planned business activity, preferred legal form and any urgent deadlines, and book an initial consultation with a lawyer and an accountant. An early professional review will save time and reduce risk.