Greece Investor Guide is your window into the Hellenic market.

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 – August 3

August 3, 2020 News

An escalation in the number of Covid-19 cases in the community is prompting the government to tighten hygiene rules, however measured steps continue to be taken to reopen tourism. Government and stakeholders are starting to look at how best to use EU recovery funds to transform the economy in the post-pandemic era.

Greece recorded the largest daily number of cases since the pandemic began and continues to impose a series of restrictive measures.

GIG Economic Bulletin – August 10

August 10, 2020 News

The Pissarides Committee delivered an ambitious blueprint for the transformation of the Greek economy in the post-Covid era. Meanwhile a resurgence of the virus is leading the government to consider ...

Tesla Sees Opportunity in Greece

August 4, 2020 News

Electric car company Tesla is hiring in Greece, and the Mediterranean country hopes that this will pave the way for increased sale and usage of electric vehicles

A Path to Recovery for Greece

July 28, 2020 Insights

The EU recovery fund offers a lifeline to Greece as the Mediterranean country attempts to recover from the coronavirus pandemic and the brutal recession left in its wake

Greece: A New Safe Haven for Investments

May 25, 2020 United Against Covid-19

Country lockdowns across Western Europe and North America have shed light on a direct correlation between epidemiological and financial volatility. And Greece, a country that has fared exceptionally well in ...

Safe Travel: Greece’s New Tourism Offer

May 19, 2020 Interviews

Widely seen as one of the safest country’s in the world following its acclaimed management of the coronavirus pandemic, Harry Theoharis, Greece’s Minister for Tourism, lays out plan ...

International Investor Interest in Greece “Remains Strong”

May 4, 2020 United Against Covid-19

Greece’s investment and export promotion authority, Enterprise Greece, delves into the digital era, says CEO Georgios Filiopoulos, who expects ongoing investor interest in landmark privatisation and infrastructure projects, and ...

How Coronavirus Will Impact Greece’s Real Estate Market

May 4, 2020 United Against Covid-19

Bank of Greece Deputy Governor, Theodoros Mitrakos, expects Greece to remain on the radar of foreign investors, leveraging comparatively high yields and a fortified country brand, while a restructuring of ...

Rising to the Challenge

May 4, 2020 United Against Covid-19

An unprecedented surge in data traffic during the lockdown has put telco operators to the test, while leading to a fast-tracking of digital transformation in Greece, says George Tsaprounis, Corporate ...

United States Ready to Stand by Greece in Recovery from Pandemic

May 4, 2020 Interviews

Now is the time to remind investors of Greece’s value proposition, says Geoffrey R. Pyatt, U.S. Ambassador to Greece, with an eye on deepening engagement in the technology ...

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

Aris Xenofos

Chairman of the Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund

 Testimonial 1

 Testimonial 2

 Testimonial 3

Aris Xenofos is the Executive Chairman of the Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund (HRADF), also known by its Greek acronym TAIPED. The HRADF was established in 2011 to promote and implement the Hellenic Republic’s privatisation programme, with the vision to deliver long-term, sustainable results for the economy and society. Mr. Xenofos focuses on the accomplishments of the privatisation programme and its positive impact on employment. The revenue target derived from privatisations for 2020 is €2.4 billion, according to the Greek state budget. Mr. Xenofos highlights numerous investment opportunities with a focus on energy, real estate and infrastructure.

Watch all testimonial videos

George Firtinidis

CEO of FRIGO STAHL

 Testimonial 1

 Testimonial 2

 Testimonial 3

A customer-centric approach catapults FRIGO STAHL’s expansion beyond Greece’s borders, leveraging its leadership within Greece’s industrial manufacturing space, while favourable prospects for incoming investments in the food and dairy products sector reinforce the company’s commitment to the domestic market, says CEO of FRIGO STAHL George Firtinidis.

Read the Full Interview

Kyriakos Pierrakakis

Digital Governance Minister

 Testimonial 1

 Testimonial 2

 Testimonial 3

Greece is undergoing a digital transformation to reduce bureaucracy, simplify procedures, and help the country converge with the EU average by the end of the government’s current term, says Digital Governance Minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis.

Read the Full Interview

Kostas A. Karamanlis

Minister of Infrastructure and Transport

 Testimonial 1

 Testimonial 2

 Testimonial 3

Kostas A. Karamanlis, Greece’s Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, says a series of major transport and infrastructure projects, spearheaded by the Hellinikon real estate development, will help drive growth in the future.

Read the Full Interview

Ioannis Arapoglou

Vice-President of Gastrade

 Testimonial 1

 Testimonial 2

 Testimonial 3

Ioannis Arapoglou is the Vice-President of GASTRADE, the first enterprise operating in Greece to have received a licence for an independent natural gas system from the Ministry of Environment and Energy. GASTRADE is developing an offshore floating unit in Alexandropoulis for the reception, storage, and re-gasification of LNG, that will secure new natural gas quantities for the supply of Greek and regional southeastern European markets. Mr. Arapoglou focuses on Greece’s new energy landscape and its role within the wider region. He acknowledges an increased interest in Greece’s energy sector from international investors.

Watch all testimonial videos

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 