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Business registration in Vouliagmeni follows Greek national company and tax laws, with certain local rules set by the Municipality of Vari-Voula-Vouliagmeni and the Region of Attica. Most formations take place through the General Commercial Registry known as GEMI and the state one-stop digital system for incorporation known as e-YMS. Depending on the legal form you choose, your company can often be incorporated entirely online, then registered with the tax authority, social insurance, and the relevant professional chamber. Because Vouliagmeni is a coastal and tourism-heavy area, businesses that involve hospitality, food and beverage, beach services, wellness, and tourism often face additional local permits and operating conditions.
Common legal forms in Greece include sole proprietorship, general partnership OE, limited partnership EE, private company IKE, limited liability company EPE, and société anonyme AE. Each form has different rules on formation, liability, governance, capital, accounting, and disclosure. After incorporation, you must register for tax with the Independent Authority for Public Revenue AADE, select the correct activity codes known as KAD, enroll with social insurance EFKA if you will employ staff or are required to insure yourself, and comply with accounting and e-book reporting to AADE myDATA.
For many activities Greece uses a notification-based licensing regime. In practice this means you submit a standardized notification to the competent authority and may begin operating if you meet the stated conditions, subject to inspections. Other activities still need prior approval or a special license. In Vouliagmeni, coastal location, environmental protection zones, and tourism zoning influence what permits you need and how quickly you can open.
Choosing the right legal form and drafting compliant founding documents can have long-term effects on taxes, liability, investor relations, and exit options. A lawyer can help you compare IKE versus AE or other forms, draft articles of association and shareholders agreements, and ensure that governance provisions meet Greek company law.
Licensing in coastal and tourism zones can be complex. Opening a restaurant, cafe, bar, beach service, spa, or tourist accommodation in Vouliagmeni may require a combination of notification, prior approval, health and safety compliance, outdoor seating permits, signage permits, and in some cases special approvals related to the seashore and beach. A lawyer can map the full permit pathway, liaise with the municipality and other authorities, and reduce delays.
If founders or investors are non-Greek, you may face additional requirements such as tax number issuance, apostille or legalization, certified translations, bank know-your-customer screening, and beneficial owner disclosure. A lawyer can coordinate these steps and align timelines across GEMI, AADE, and the bank.
Disputes and compliance risks can be minimized with solid contracts and policies. Counsel can prepare commercial terms, employment agreements, privacy policies under GDPR, supplier contracts, and internal compliance manuals. They can also advise on labor rules, working time in the tourism season, and health and safety obligations.
National framework - Greek company law provides the core rules for corporate forms. IKE is the most common flexible form with private articles, while AE and EPE typically require a notary for the deed of incorporation. Law on one-stop incorporation enables e-YMS filings for most formations through GEMI. Many activities fall under the notification regime for licensing, while specific sectors still require prior approvals. Anti-money laundering rules require registration of ultimate beneficial owners in the central UBO register. AADE rules require tax registration, selection of KAD activity codes, and ongoing e-book reporting to myDATA.
Tax and accounting - New businesses must obtain a Greek tax number and register their professional premises. You will need an accountant to set up books according to Greek Accounting Standards, enroll for VAT if applicable, activate electronic reporting to AADE myDATA, and meet invoicing and receipt requirements. Many retail and service sectors must offer card acceptance POS. Local municipal fees may apply for signage, outdoor seating, and waste-collection services.
Employment and social insurance - Employers must register with EFKA and report hires and schedule information to the ERGANI information system. Written employment contracts, payroll, contributions, and health and safety measures are mandatory. The Hellenic Labor Inspectorate enforces labor compliance. Seasonal and Sunday working rules can apply in tourism-heavy areas of Attica.
Municipal and coastal rules - The Municipality of Vari-Voula-Vouliagmeni handles local permits such as outdoor seating on public space, signage, and business notifications for shops of health interest. Activities near the seashore or beach are subject to national coastal legislation that regulates use of the seashore and shoreline and may require special permits or concessions. The Vouliagmeni Lake and adjacent areas are environmentally sensitive, so environmental and zoning approvals may be stricter for certain uses.
Tourism activities - Hotels, short-term accommodations beyond platform activity, travel agencies, and certain wellness or sports facilities may need registrations or licensing with the Ministry of Tourism and the competent regional services. Food and beverage businesses must comply with health and safety rules, layout standards, noise limits, and in some cases HACCP protocols. Outdoor music, extended hours, and public space use often require additional municipal permissions.
Most small to medium ventures choose an IKE because it is flexible, has limited liability, and can often be formed with a private document. Partnerships OE and EE can work for simple ventures but expose partners to higher liability. AE is common for larger or investor-backed projects. A lawyer and accountant can model tax, liability, and governance to help you choose.
Typically you will need identification and tax numbers for founders or directors, a corporate name and domicile address, draft articles of association, a lease or title for the business premises, KAD activity codes, and statements regarding beneficial owners. For AE and some EPE incorporations a notarial deed is required. Foreign documents may need apostille or consular legalization and certified Greek translations.
Simple IKE incorporations filed through e-YMS can be completed within one to three business days if all documents are ready. AE and structures requiring a notary or special approvals can take longer. Costs include GEMI and registration fees, notary and lawyer fees where applicable, and later sector-specific permit or notification fees. Banks may also charge fees during account onboarding.
Yes, but you need a Greek tax number and in many cases a residence permit that allows you to conduct business activity. Some roles such as director or legal representative can be held by non-residents, but practical matters like bank onboarding and signing require presence or a representative with power of attorney. Always verify immigration and work authorization early.
KAD activity codes describe your business activities for tax, licensing, and statistical purposes. You must select the correct primary and secondary KAD codes at registration with AADE and GEMI. Choosing the wrong code can cause VAT or licensing problems. Your accountant and lawyer can map your planned services to the correct codes.
GEMI is the General Commercial Registry. The e-YMS one-stop service allows you to submit incorporation data electronically, issue a provisional GEMI number, receive articles certificates, and trigger tax registration. Many filings, including name checks and articles, can be completed digitally with a qualified electronic signature.
Food and beverage businesses are usually subject to a notification regime plus compliance with health and safety and layout rules. You may also need municipal permits for outdoor seating, use of public space, signage, and in some cases music. If you are close to the seashore or lake, additional coastal and environmental limits can apply. Always confirm the exact pathway with the municipality before signing a lease.
Use of seashore and beach areas may require special permits or concessions under national coastal law, in addition to municipal permissions. Structures, umbrellas, kiosks, or services on or near the beach cannot be installed without proper authority approval. Noise and hours may be restricted in residential or protected zones.
You must obtain tax numbers for the business, set up books under Greek Accounting Standards, enroll for VAT if required, issue compliant invoices and receipts, and report transactions to AADE myDATA. Many sectors must provide POS and accept card payments. Periodic VAT, income tax, and payroll filings must be submitted on time. Work with an accountant from day one.
Before hiring, register as an employer with EFKA. Report hires and schedules to the ERGANI information system. Provide written contracts, pay at least the statutory minimums, keep working time records, and ensure health and safety measures. Seasonal staffing common in Vouliagmeni tourism must still meet all labor rules. Inspections by the Hellenic Labor Inspectorate can occur at any time.
General Commercial Registry GEMI - corporate registry and filings. One-Stop Service for Business Incorporation e-YMS - online incorporation gateway. Independent Authority for Public Revenue AADE - tax registration, VAT, myDATA, local tax office competent for the Municipality of Vari-Voula-Vouliagmeni. EFKA - social insurance for employers and insured persons. ERGANI information system - employee hiring and labor filings. Municipality of Vari-Voula-Vouliagmeni - business notifications, outdoor seating, signage permits, local fees. Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry or the competent professional chamber - membership and certificates. Ministry of Tourism - licensing for tourist accommodations and related activities. Hellenic Labor Inspectorate - labor compliance. Hellenic Data Protection Authority - GDPR guidance for processing personal data.
Clarify your business plan and location - list activities, staffing, and whether you will need outdoor seating or coastal access in Vouliagmeni. This early scoping defines your KAD codes and licensing path.
Engage a local lawyer and accountant - request a brief feasibility review covering legal form, tax profile, licensing, and timeline. Ask for a document checklist tailored to your nationality and sector.
Choose the legal form and prepare documents - draft articles of association and any shareholders or partners agreements. Arrange notary support if your chosen form requires it. Collect identification, powers of attorney, and premises lease or title. Arrange apostille and certified translations for foreign documents where needed.
Reserve the name and file incorporation - use e-YMS and GEMI to file, obtain your registry number and corporate certificates, and trigger AADE tax registration. Register beneficial owners as required.
Complete post-incorporation steps - open a business bank account, register with the relevant chamber, set up accounting and myDATA, obtain POS if applicable, and register with EFKA and ERGANI if you will employ staff.
Secure sector and municipal permits - submit any required notifications or applications to the Municipality of Vari-Voula-Vouliagmeni, and obtain tourism, health, signage, outdoor seating, or coastal-use permissions before fit-out or opening.
Implement compliance - prepare privacy notices, workplace policies, health and safety measures, and supplier or customer contracts. Schedule renewal dates and filing deadlines to avoid penalties.
If you need legal assistance, prepare a short summary of your planned activities, location, target opening date, and the documents you already have. This will allow a lawyer to give you a clear action plan, costs estimate, and a realistic timeline for launching your business in Vouliagmeni.
