Best Investment Lawyers in Thivais

About Investment Law in Thivais, Greece

Investment in Thivais, Greece operates within the national legal framework of the Hellenic Republic while also observing local municipal rules that affect how and where business activities can occur. Greece is an EU and eurozone member, so EU law, competition rules, and financial services regulations apply alongside Greek statutes. Investors commonly establish companies, acquire real estate, finance projects, or trade securities, and each path has distinct regulatory, tax, and licensing requirements. Local procedures in and around Thivais typically involve municipal permitting, urban planning compliance, and coordination with regional authorities, all of which sit on top of national company, tax, and investment incentive laws.

Greece offers a variety of investment vehicles, such as the private company IKE, the limited liability company EPE, the corporation AE, and sole proprietorships. Real estate investments require careful title checks and building approvals. Financial investments are overseen by the Hellenic Capital Market Commission and the Bank of Greece. Incentives are available under the national development law for qualifying projects, and EU funding streams may be accessible for specific sectors such as energy, manufacturing, tourism, and technology.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

You may need a lawyer if you plan to form a company and need advice on the right corporate form, shareholder agreements, governance rules, and regulatory registrations. You may need counsel to review contracts with suppliers, partners, or lenders and to negotiate risk allocation and security. In real estate, a lawyer can lead due diligence on title, encumbrances, zoning, building permits, and environmental constraints and can coordinate with a notary for the deed and with engineers for technical checks.

Legal help is valuable for cross-border issues such as bringing funds into Greece, complying with anti-money laundering checks, opening bank accounts, and repatriating dividends or capital. If you are investing in regulated sectors like energy, telecommunications, financial services, or health, counsel can map the licensing steps and ongoing compliance. Investors also seek lawyers for tax planning, incentive applications, data protection compliance, employment matters, immigration or residence permits tied to investment, and dispute resolution through courts, arbitration, or mediation.

Local Laws Overview

Company formation and operation. Greek corporate law recognizes several forms. The IKE is flexible and popular for small to medium investments. The AE is typical for larger share capital and regulated activities. Registration occurs with the General Commercial Registry known as GEMI and, in many cases, can be completed through one-stop services. Corporate governance documents should address management powers, transfer restrictions, and dispute resolution clauses.

Securities and financial services. Public offerings, portfolio management, brokerage, and collective investment schemes fall under the Hellenic Capital Market Commission. The Bank of Greece supervises credit institutions, payments, and certain financial infrastructures. Marketing or offering financial products to the public without authorization can result in penalties, so investor-facing activities require licensing analysis.

Real estate and construction. Property deals are completed before a notary and registered with the Hellenic Cadastre. Title searches should identify mortgages, liens, easements, and planning restrictions. Building works require permits under national building codes and environmental legislation, with additional municipal approvals for use, signage, and health and safety. In Thivais, local urban planning rules and zoning maps guide what can be built or operated at a site, and municipal services assess related fees.

Environmental and energy. Projects triggering environmental impacts follow permit procedures under national law, which may include environmental impact assessment and public consultation. Energy generation, transmission, and supply are licensed sectors, and renewable projects face site-specific constraints such as proximity to protected areas or grid capacity.

Investment incentives. Greece offers grants, tax exemptions, leasing subsidies, and wage cost support for eligible projects under the national development framework. Criteria vary by region, sector, project size, and job creation metrics. Certain activities may also access EU funds administered by national and regional authorities. Incentive applications are process-driven and documentation-heavy, so early legal and financial structuring is important.

Taxation. Corporate income tax applies at nationally set rates, with withholding taxes on dividends, interest, and royalties, often reduced by double tax treaties. VAT applies to goods and services at standard or reduced rates depending on the activity. Real estate transactions can trigger VAT or transfer tax, plus annual property taxes. Local municipal charges apply to business premises and services. Investors should obtain a Greek tax number known as AFM and register with the tax authority known as AADE.

Labor and immigration. Employment contracts must comply with Greek labor law on wages, hours, terminations, and social security known as EFKA. Hiring non-EU nationals requires residence and work permits. Certain investment routes may provide residence options, but thresholds and conditions change, so current official guidance should be consulted before relying on any residence-by-investment path.

Data protection and compliance. Processing personal data must comply with the EU General Data Protection Regulation and Greek implementing rules. Anti-money laundering obligations apply to many businesses, including KYC duties and reporting of suspicious transactions. Beneficial ownership information is recorded in designated registries.

Dispute resolution. Commercial disputes are heard in Greek courts, with increasing use of mediation under national mediation law. Arbitration is available for many commercial contracts, including international arbitration. For retail financial disputes, sectoral ombuds services may offer alternative resolution options.

Frequently Asked Questions

What company type is best for a new investment in Thivais

Many investors choose the IKE for flexibility and straightforward governance, while larger or regulated projects often use the AE. The EPE remains in use but is less common for new formations. The optimal choice depends on capital needs, investor number, sector licensing, and exit plans, so a legal and tax comparison is advisable before incorporation.

How long does it take to register a company

Simple incorporations can be completed within days once documents, translations, and bank compliance are ready. Timelines extend if shareholders are foreign entities requiring legalized corporate documents or if sector licenses must be in place before operations start.

Can foreign investors own 100 percent of a Greek company

Yes, in most sectors there is no general foreign ownership cap. Some activities such as defense-related operations, certain energy assets, and critical infrastructure may require sector-specific approvals or impose conditions.

What due diligence is essential for buying property

Key checks include title and encumbrances at the Hellenic Cadastre, planning and zoning compliance, building permits and as-built conformity, outstanding taxes or municipal fees, and any tenants or leases. An engineer should inspect structural and compliance aspects, and a notary coordinates the deed and filings.

How are dividends and profits repatriated

Dividends can be paid to foreign shareholders subject to withholding tax, often reduced by double tax treaties. Profit repatriation requires proper documentation, tax compliance, and bank AML review. Capital controls previously in place were lifted, but banks still conduct strict KYC checks.

Do I need a license to solicit investors or provide financial advice

Offering securities to the public, managing portfolios, or providing investment advice for remuneration generally requires authorization by the Hellenic Capital Market Commission. Unlicensed solicitation can trigger administrative and criminal liability, so obtain a licensing assessment before marketing.

Are there incentives for investing in Thivais

Incentives are granted under national schemes that apply across regions, subject to eligibility and intensity maps. Projects in manufacturing, logistics, tourism, agri-food, tech, and green energy often qualify for grants or tax relief. Applications are competitive and document-intensive, and the exact support level depends on project characteristics.

What taxes should I budget for

Expect corporate income tax on profits, VAT on most goods and services, withholding on outbound payments such as dividends, payroll taxes and social security for employees, and transaction and annual taxes for real estate. Municipal charges may apply for premises and services. A tailored tax model helps forecast net returns.

Is arbitration common for investment contracts

Yes. Parties frequently include arbitration clauses for cross-border contracts to improve enforceability and speed. Arbitration can be seated in Greece or abroad, and awards are enforceable in Greece under international conventions, subject to limited defenses.

Can investment lead to residence rights

Certain forms of investment can support residence permits under Greek law, typically linked to property or strategic projects. Thresholds, eligible assets, and conditions are subject to change by the legislature, and regional variations may apply, so always rely on current official rules before planning on immigration outcomes.

Additional Resources

AADE Independent Authority for Public Revenue for tax numbers, registrations, filings, and guidance on VAT and withholding obligations.

General Commercial Registry known as GEMI for company formation, corporate filings, and access to standard templates and procedures.

Ministry of Development and Investments for the national development law framework, incentives programs, and investment policy information.

Enterprise Greece for investor facilitation, sector briefs, and support with permits and incentives applications.

Hellenic Capital Market Commission for licensing and supervision of investment services, market conduct rules, and investor protection information.

Bank of Greece for banking, payment services oversight, and monetary and financial stability publications relevant to financial sector investments.

Hellenic Cadastre for property titles, maps, encumbrance checks, and registration procedures for real estate transactions.

Municipality offices and citizen service centers known as KEP in and around Thivais for local business licenses, signage permits, and municipal charges.

Ministry of Environment and Energy for environmental permits, building energy efficiency rules, and sectoral licensing in energy projects.

Hellenic Competition Commission for merger control notifications and antitrust compliance guidance.

Next Steps

Define your investment model and timeline, including vehicle choice, sector, and financing. Engage a local lawyer early to scope permits, structure contracts, and flag regulatory hurdles. Retain a tax advisor to model net returns and confirm treaty positions and withholding rates. If purchasing real estate, instruct a lawyer, notary, and engineer to run full due diligence and confirm all permits and use rights.

Collect identification and corporate documents for all investors and directors, and arrange certified translations and legalizations when needed. Open a Greek bank account and complete KYC procedures. Reserve your company name and prepare constitutional documents and shareholder agreements. Map license and registration steps before committing funds, especially in regulated sectors.

If you plan to apply for incentives, prepare a complete business plan, technical studies, budgets, and job creation forecasts, and align your corporate structure and location choice with program criteria. Include a realistic permitting and construction schedule in your financial model. Build dispute resolution and compliance provisions into all contracts, and establish internal policies for AML, data protection, and labor compliance.

Finally, agree on a communications and approvals plan with your legal team so that contract drafts, filings, and permit applications are submitted on time, and schedule regular reviews as laws and municipal practices evolve in Thivais and across Greece.