Greece Investor Guide is your guide to doing business and investing in Greece.

Greece has entered a new era, unravelling new business opportunities across economic sectors.

Comprehend market dynamics through our sectorial analyses, gain an insider’s perspective by way of interviews and video testimonials with leading players, stay up to date with business insights, and discover the 'who’s who' in the new Greek economy.

Greece is open for business.

Insights

GIG Economic Bulletin – October 26, 2020

October 26, 2020 Economic Bulletin

Another market foray with a 15-year bond at record low yields underlined the markets’ confidence in the long-term prospects of the Greek economy, while the prospect of negative short-term growth until 2022 is being aired for the first time.

The New Golden Age of Greece’s Solar Energy Market

October 28, 2020 Featured Interviews

With €2.5 billion worth of PV projects earmarked for development by 2030 and investments yields that are, comparatively, close to 30% higher than its Northern EU counterparts, Greece’s solar energy market presents ...

A Home For Global Investors and Top Talent

October 22, 2020 Featured Interviews

Greece is taking steps to simplify its investment migration programmes, building upon the success of its lauded Golden Visa, says Notis Mitarachi, Minister of Migration and Asylum, with targets set ...

Spain and Greece: Like-Minded Regional Partners

October 21, 2020 Featured Interviews

Spain’s Ambassador to Greece, Enrique Viguera, says Greece’s pro-business environment, coupled with regulatory and strategic similarities between both countries, create significant potential for investments at a bilateral level, ...

When the Sky is the Limit: Unleashing Greece’s Wind Power

October 16, 2020 Featured Interviews

While a minimum of €3.5 billion worth of investments are required to meet Greece’s ambitious 2030 wind energy target, “they are realistic and can be achieved,” says Panagiotis Papastamatiou CEO of ...

Posidonia: Nexus for Global Shipping Plans Big Comeback

October 14, 2020 Featured Interviews

While the shipping industry will have to wait until 2022 for its touted biannual expo and conference, the organiser of Greece’s Posidonia Exhibition is delving into the digital world, says ...

Hellenic Chamber of Shipping: Turning the Tide

October 2, 2020 Featured Interviews

The legislative overhaul of Greece’s blue economy is going to benefit the state, the shipping industry, and the people, says George Pateras President of the Hellenic Chamber of Shipping, ...

Attica Bank: Drastic Changes to Fuel Economic Growth

September 29, 2020 Featured Interviews

Growth, consolidation, digitisation, and a customer-centric approach are at the core of Attica Bank’s strategic plan, says Chairman Costas Mitropoulos, who believes Greece’s fifth largest lender will become ...

A Blueprint for the New Greece

September 25, 2020 Featured Interviews

Greece’s new National Development Plan will be delivered by the end of September, says Minister of Development and Investments Adonis Georgiadis. Set to be a lever for the country’...

Port of Piraeus Takes Pole Position in the Mediterranean

September 22, 2020 Interviews

A €612 million investment plan is “absolutely necessary” for Greece’s largest port to maintain its attractiveness and comparative advantage, says Yu Zenggang, BoD Chairman of the Piraeus Port Authority, adding ...

Introduction

A NEW INVESTMENT LANDSCAPE

Interview with

Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Prime Minister of Greece

Interview with

Pierre Moscovici, Outgoing European Commissioner for Economic and Financial Affairs, Taxation and Customs

Interview with

Klaus Regling, Managing Director of the European Stability Mechanism (ESM)

Interview with

Yannis Stournaras, Bank of Greece Governor

Click on an item to see featured interviews or double click to view full story.

Introduction

A NEW INVESTMENT LANDSCAPE

Economic Overview

RECOVERY GATHERS MOMENTUM

Government Structure

GREEK GOVERNMENT AND STRUCTURE

Geopolitics

OLD ALLIANCES, NEW BRIDGES

Legal Framework

Important Measures Smooth Legal Framework

Doing Business

Starting a Business: Simpler, Faster, Cheaper

Human Capital

People Make the Difference

Investments and Privatisations

Investment Boom Follows Lull

GREECE AT A GLANCE

THE DYNAMICS OF THE HELLENIC MARKET

Video Testimonials

Yiannis Plakiotakis

Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy

 Testimonial 1

 Testimonial 2

 Testimonial 3

Greece’s most outward looking industry is set for a major transformation, says Yiannis Plakiotakis, Greece’s Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, from a new flag gain policy and the upgrading of maritime education across to the privatisation of strategic infrastructure assets, “we want to change everything.”

Read the Full Interview

Qiyue Zhang

China’s Ambassador to Greece

 Testimonial 1

 Testimonial 2

 Testimonial 3

 Testimonial 4

Qiyue Zhang, China’s Ambassador to Greece, says shared values, a joint desire for far-reaching cooperation, and Greece’s strategic location at the centre of Asia and Europe have been key to relations between both countries reaching their all-time high; meanwhile, the Mitsotakis government’s pro-investment and pro-development reforms mean now is the time to invest in Greece, with “anything and everything” being possible.

Read the Full Interview

Georgios Filiopoulos

CEO of Enterprise Greece

Testimonial 1

Testimonial 2

From its prized human capital and low asset prices across to its leaps into the digital era, Greece can stand its ground against international competition, says Georgios Filiopoulos, CEO of Enterprise Greece, as new investment opportunities unravel in multiple sectors.

Watch all testimonial videos

Gregory Dimitriadis

Chairman of Enterprise Greece and Secretary General for International Economic Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

 Testimonial 1

 Testimonial 2

 Testimonial 3

Gregory Dimitriadis is the Chairman of Enterprise Greece and the Secretary General for International Economic Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the cabinet of Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Enterprise Greece, Greece’s investment and export promotion agency, was recently restructured and now operates under the auspices of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Besides being a one-stop-shop for investors, Enterprise Greece promotes Greek products in foreign markets, organises business missions abroad as well as Greek participation in major international trade fairs. As the head of the national investment and trade promotion agency of Greece, Mr. Dimitriadis aims to increase the FDI inflow ratio to 10-15% of GDP. Enterprise Greece works hand in hand with investors to find the best investment opportunities in Greece’s 13 regions.

Watch all testimonial videos

Adonis Georgiadis

Minister of Development and Investments

 Testimonial 1

 Testimonial 2

 Testimonial 3

Adonis Georgiadis, Minister of Development and Investments, says now is the time to invest in Greece as the government is determined to implement substantial reforms, cut taxes further, and tackle bureaucracy in a bid to create an investment-friendly environment.

Read the Full Interview

Stock Market

Banking on Greece’s New Economy

Interview with

Socrates Lazaridis, CEO of Athens Exchange Group (ATHEX)

Cleo Lymberis Mytilineos' Investor Relations Director

Interview with

Cleo Lymberis, Mytilineos' Investor Relations Director

Click on an item to see featured interviews or double click to view full story.

Stock Market

Banking on Greece’s New Economy

Bonds

Bonds Are Back

Banking

Lenders tackle bad loans in bid to support the economy

Insurance

At a Crossroads

Energy

Energy Sector Powers Up

Infrastructure and Logistics

Growing infrastructure network is supporting improved growth prospects.

ICT

Delving Into the Digital Era

Start-ups

Innovators Take Greece to the Next Level

Real Estate

Brick by Brick, Real Estate Heads Higher

Maritime

Charting a Course for Success

Agri-Food

Food sector grows steadily, becomes key export driver

Health

Health Business on a High

Tourism

The Sun Shines on Tourism

Film and Culture

Lights, Camera, Action!

INVESTMENT SECTORS

PROFILES OF GREECE’S MOST ATTRACTIVE INVESTMENT SPACES

Click on a region to view an overview.

REGIONS IN GREECE

FROM NORTH TO SOUTH, 13 REGIONS AND COUNTLESS OPPORTUNITIES

Crete

Top tourist destination in Europe

Voted one of Europe’s Top 5 tourist destinations

The island of Crete is the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean and a premier tourist destination.

Regional Opportunities

Tourism

Infrastructure and Logistics

Start-ups

South Aegean

Greece’s iconic tourist islands

The South Aegean aims to be a top global tourism destination

The islands of the South Aegean are the showcase image of Greek tourism with their white-washed villages, sunny beaches, and blue skies.

Regional Opportunities

Tourism

Agri-Food

Maritime

North Aegean

Leading producer of speciality F&B products

Northeastern Aegean island chain with tourism and agricultural potential

Located off the coast of Asia Minor, the five major islands of the North Aegean offer strong potential in tourism, F&B products, and renewable energy.

Regional Opportunities

Tourism

Infrastructure and Logistics

Agri-Food

Ionian Islands

Accounts for 10 percent of Greece’s tourism receipts

Prime tourism destination for European visitors

Located off the west coast of Greece, the Ionian Islands draw more than 3 million visitors a year.

Regional Opportunities

Tourism

Infrastructure and Logistics

Energy

Peloponnese

Leading agricultural producer of olives and wines

Leading food producer with growing tourism potential

The Peloponnese is the third largest region of Greece by land area with a varied geography of mountains and fertile plains.

Regional Opportunities

Agri-Food

Tourism

Infrastructure and Logistics

Western Greece

Gateway to Western Europe

Agriculture and tourism are main economic drivers

Western Greece, via the port of Patras, is seen as Greece’s gateway to markets in western Europe.

Regional Opportunities

Tourism

Agri-Food

Energy

Attica

Ranks 1st in doing in business in Greece

Attica accounts for almost half of Greece’s national economy

Located in central Greece, Attica is the country’s commercial and cultural hub, the seat of government, and home to almost 40% of the population and 50% of economic activity.

Regional Opportunities

Tourism

Infrastructure and Logistics

Real Estate

Central Greece

Ranks 1st in wind power

Leader in food processing and light manufacturing

The second largest region in terms of land area, Central Greece is home to much of the country’s light industry and has excellent transport links to Greece’s major city and capital, Athens, to its south.

Regional Opportunities

Agri-Food

Energy

Tourism

Thessaly

Leading agricultural producer of olives and wines

Greece’s leading agricultural region and major food exporter

Located in central Greece, Thessaly is sometimes referred to as the “breadbasket” of Greece and is well connected with the country’s two major metropolitan areas.

Regional Opportunities

Agri-Food

Tourism

Energy

Epirus

Leading producer of dairy products

Major dairy and livestock producer, with a scenic mountain landscape

Located in the northwest corner of Greece, Epirus is one of the country’s most sparsely populated regions.

Regional Opportunities

Agri-Food

Tourism

Energy

Western Macedonia

Major power producer in Greece

Leading producer of thermoelectric power with 4,108 MW of installed capacity

Located in northern Greece, Western Macedonia is Greece’s smallest and least-developed region

Regional Opportunities

Energy

Human Capital

Tourism

Central Macedonia

Gateway to the Balkans

A diversified economy and home to Greece’s second largest port

Central Macedonia dominates the economy of northern Greece, acting as a gateway to the Balkans, while its capital city, Thessaloniki, is the country’s second most important commercial centre.

Regional Opportunities

Tourism

Energy

Agri-Food

Eastern Macedonia and Thrace

Natural gas hub for Southeastern Europe

Regional energy and transport hub

Located in the northeast of the country, the region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace is emerging as an energy and transport hub for Southeast Europe.

Regional Opportunities

Energy

Mining

Tourism

To get you started in your exploration of Athens and surrounding areas, we have compiled a brief guide to hotels, restaurants, bars, cafés, activities and trips, as well as pointers on how to get around, in and out of the city.

 <img width="708" height="279" src="https://www.greeceinvestorguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/3-Restaurants.1a-min-768x303.jpg" class="attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-post-image" alt="Greece Travel and Living Guide Restaurants" srcset="https://www.greeceinvestorguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/3-Restaurants.1a-min-768x303.jpg 768w, https://www.greeceinvestorguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/3-Restaurants.1a-min-300x118.jpg 300w, https://www.greeceinvestorguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/3-Restaurants.1a-min-1024x404.jpg 1024w, https://www.greeceinvestorguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/3-Restaurants.1a-min-1536x606.jpg 1536w, https://www.greeceinvestorguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/3-Restaurants.1a-min-200x79.jpg 200w, https://www.greeceinvestorguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/3-Restaurants.1a-min.jpg 1900w" sizes="(max-width: 708px) 100vw, 708px"/>
  Restaurants 

 <img width="708" height="279" src="https://www.greeceinvestorguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/5-Cafes-and-Meeting-Places.1a-min-768x303.jpg" class="attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-post-image" alt="Cafes and Meeting Places in Greece" srcset="https://www.greeceinvestorguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/5-Cafes-and-Meeting-Places.1a-min-768x303.jpg 768w, https://www.greeceinvestorguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/5-Cafes-and-Meeting-Places.1a-min-300x118.jpg 300w, https://www.greeceinvestorguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/5-Cafes-and-Meeting-Places.1a-min-1024x404.jpg 1024w, https://www.greeceinvestorguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/5-Cafes-and-Meeting-Places.1a-min-1536x606.jpg 1536w, https://www.greeceinvestorguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/5-Cafes-and-Meeting-Places.1a-min-200x79.jpg 200w, https://www.greeceinvestorguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/5-Cafes-and-Meeting-Places.1a-min.jpg 1900w" sizes="(max-width: 708px) 100vw, 708px"/>
  Cafes & Meeting Places 

 <img width="708" height="279" src="https://www.greeceinvestorguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/4-Bars.1a-min-768x303.jpg" class="attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-post-image" alt="Greece’s top bars chosen by Lambros Vakiaros" srcset="https://www.greeceinvestorguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/4-Bars.1a-min-768x303.jpg 768w, https://www.greeceinvestorguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/4-Bars.1a-min-300x118.jpg 300w, https://www.greeceinvestorguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/4-Bars.1a-min-1024x404.jpg 1024w, https://www.greeceinvestorguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/4-Bars.1a-min-1536x606.jpg 1536w, https://www.greeceinvestorguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/4-Bars.1a-min-200x79.jpg 200w, https://www.greeceinvestorguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/4-Bars.1a-min.jpg 1900w" sizes="(max-width: 708px) 100vw, 708px"/>
  Bars 

 <img width="708" height="279" src="https://www.greeceinvestorguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/2-Hotels.1a-min-768x303.jpg" class="attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-post-image" alt="Hotels in Greece" srcset="https://www.greeceinvestorguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/2-Hotels.1a-min-768x303.jpg 768w, https://www.greeceinvestorguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/2-Hotels.1a-min-300x118.jpg 300w, https://www.greeceinvestorguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/2-Hotels.1a-min-1024x404.jpg 1024w, https://www.greeceinvestorguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/2-Hotels.1a-min-1536x606.jpg 1536w, https://www.greeceinvestorguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/2-Hotels.1a-min-200x79.jpg 200w, https://www.greeceinvestorguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/2-Hotels.1a-min.jpg 1900w" sizes="(max-width: 708px) 100vw, 708px"/>
  Hotels 

 <img width="708" height="279" src="https://www.greeceinvestorguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/9-Archaeological-Sites.1a-min-768x303.jpg" class="attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-post-image" alt="The best attractions in Greece for tourists and travellers" srcset="https://www.greeceinvestorguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/9-Archaeological-Sites.1a-min-768x303.jpg 768w, https://www.greeceinvestorguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/9-Archaeological-Sites.1a-min-300x118.jpg 300w, https://www.greeceinvestorguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/9-Archaeological-Sites.1a-min-1024x404.jpg 1024w, https://www.greeceinvestorguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/9-Archaeological-Sites.1a-min-1536x606.jpg 1536w, https://www.greeceinvestorguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/9-Archaeological-Sites.1a-min-200x79.jpg 200w, https://www.greeceinvestorguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/9-Archaeological-Sites.1a-min.jpg 1900w" sizes="(max-width: 708px) 100vw, 708px"/>
  Archaeological Sites, Museums and Cultural Events 

 <img width="708" height="279" src="https://www.greeceinvestorguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/8-Day-and-Weekend-Trips.1a-min-768x303.jpg" class="attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-post-image" alt="Travel Greece on day trips and weekend adventures" srcset="https://www.greeceinvestorguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/8-Day-and-Weekend-Trips.1a-min-768x303.jpg 768w, https://www.greeceinvestorguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/8-Day-and-Weekend-Trips.1a-min-300x118.jpg 300w, https://www.greeceinvestorguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/8-Day-and-Weekend-Trips.1a-min-1024x404.jpg 1024w, https://www.greeceinvestorguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/8-Day-and-Weekend-Trips.1a-min-1536x606.jpg 1536w, https://www.greeceinvestorguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/8-Day-and-Weekend-Trips.1a-min-200x79.jpg 200w, https://www.greeceinvestorguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/8-Day-and-Weekend-Trips.1a-min.jpg 1900w" sizes="(max-width: 708px) 100vw, 708px"/>
  Day & Weekend Trips 

 <img width="708" height="279" src="https://www.greeceinvestorguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/10-Getting-Around.1a-min-768x303.jpg" class="attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-post-image" alt="The best local transport options for Greece and the islands." srcset="https://www.greeceinvestorguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/10-Getting-Around.1a-min-768x303.jpg 768w, https://www.greeceinvestorguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/10-Getting-Around.1a-min-300x118.jpg 300w, https://www.greeceinvestorguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/10-Getting-Around.1a-min-1024x404.jpg 1024w, https://www.greeceinvestorguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/10-Getting-Around.1a-min-1536x606.jpg 1536w, https://www.greeceinvestorguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/10-Getting-Around.1a-min-200x79.jpg 200w, https://www.greeceinvestorguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/10-Getting-Around.1a-min.jpg 1900w" sizes="(max-width: 708px) 100vw, 708px"/>
  Getting Around 

 <img width="708" height="279" src="https://www.greeceinvestorguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/6-Healthcare-In-Greece.1a-min-768x303.jpg" class="attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-post-image" alt="How to access healthcare or see a doctor in Greece" srcset="https://www.greeceinvestorguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/6-Healthcare-In-Greece.1a-min-768x303.jpg 768w, https://www.greeceinvestorguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/6-Healthcare-In-Greece.1a-min-300x118.jpg 300w, https://www.greeceinvestorguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/6-Healthcare-In-Greece.1a-min-1024x404.jpg 1024w, https://www.greeceinvestorguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/6-Healthcare-In-Greece.1a-min-1536x606.jpg 1536w, https://www.greeceinvestorguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/6-Healthcare-In-Greece.1a-min-200x79.jpg 200w, https://www.greeceinvestorguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/6-Healthcare-In-Greece.1a-min.jpg 1900w" sizes="(max-width: 708px) 100vw, 708px"/>
  Healthcare 

 <img width="708" height="279" src="https://www.greeceinvestorguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/7-Living-In-Greece-With-Kids.1a-min-768x303.jpg" class="attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-post-image" alt="Greece’s childcare and school options for tourists and expats" srcset="https://www.greeceinvestorguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/7-Living-In-Greece-With-Kids.1a-min-768x303.jpg 768w, https://www.greeceinvestorguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/7-Living-In-Greece-With-Kids.1a-min-300x118.jpg 300w, https://www.greeceinvestorguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/7-Living-In-Greece-With-Kids.1a-min-1024x404.jpg 1024w, https://www.greeceinvestorguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/7-Living-In-Greece-With-Kids.1a-min-1536x606.jpg 1536w, https://www.greeceinvestorguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/7-Living-In-Greece-With-Kids.1a-min-200x79.jpg 200w, https://www.greeceinvestorguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/7-Living-In-Greece-With-Kids.1a-min.jpg 1900w" sizes="(max-width: 708px) 100vw, 708px"/>
  Living in Greece with kids 