Tonia
Accountant · Athens, Greece
- 220 cases handled
- Speaks: English, Greek
-
5.00(10 reviews)
Buying a Business in Greece
English-speaking lawyers and tax advisers who take a foreign buyer through the purchase of a business in Greece (μεταβίβαση επιχείρησης): the choice between taking over the business as a whole and buying the company's shares, the checks on debts, staff, lease and licence, and the registration at ΓΕΜΗ and ΑΑΔΕ.
About Buying a Business in Greece
Buying a business in Greece — a bar on an island, a taverna, a shop, a small hotel or a trading company — is done in one of two ways: the business is transferred as a whole (μεταβίβαση επιχείρησης, an asset deal: the stock, the equipment, the lease, the name) or the buyer takes over the company that owns it by acquiring its shares (μεταβίβαση εταιρικών μεριδίων). Foreigners search for business for sale in Greece, buy a bar or restaurant in Greece, take over a business in Greece or doing business in Greece; the Greek word for the whole subject is αγορά επιχείρησης. Some older lists and lawyer pages call this service “Buy Business”.
Who needs it
Expats and investors who found a listing and want to know what they would really be buying; owners abroad who inherit or are offered a share in a Greek business; and companies acquiring a Greek competitor or supplier.
How it works in Greece
- The buyer obtains a Greek tax number (see AFM number application); without it no transfer can be signed or registered.
- The business is checked: accounts and tax position, debts to the tax authority and the social security fund (certificates of no outstanding debts, ενημερότητα), the lease and the landlord's consent, the operating notification or licence, the staff, pending disputes. For a company, an audit of its accounts or a tax certificate may be asked for.
- The form follows the deal: a transfer of the business as a whole is usually signed before a notary; a transfer of shares in an ΙΚΕ or ΕΠΕ is registered with the business registry (ΓΕΜΗ), shares of an ΑΕ in the company's own register.
- Afterwards the licence or notification is re-registered in the buyer's name, the lease is assigned, the tax office and ΕΦΚΑ are informed, and the books continue or start afresh.
Points to watch
In a transfer of the business as a whole the buyer can be made to answer for debts of the business, up to its value, and the staff come with it: Greek law treats the contracts as continuing with the new owner, and dismissals made because of the transfer are not valid. In a share purchase everything the company ever did stays inside it — tax, lawsuits, old debts — so the warranties in the contract matter. A licence does not automatically cover a different activity, and a seasonal business is judged on more than one summer. Prices and taxes on the seller's side change and are not on this page.
What the lawyer does
The lawyer structures the purchase, runs the checks, negotiates the price adjustments and guarantees, drafts the agreement in Greek and English, attends the notary or files at ΓΕΜΗ, and completes the re-registration of the business licence, the lease and the tax records. Starting from scratch instead is covered at business set-up; the field is accounting services.
Questions and answers
Can a foreigner buy a business in Greece?
Yes, from inside or outside the EU. Working in it yourself is a separate question of residence and permits for non-EU citizens.
Business or shares — which is better?
Taking over the business leaves the company's history behind but brings the staff and some debts; buying the shares keeps everything as it was, good and bad. The lawyer weighs it for the particular case.
Do the employees stay?
In a transfer of the business as a whole, yes, on their existing contracts. In a share deal the employer does not change at all.
Does the bar's licence pass to me?
It is re-registered in the buyer's name, provided the premises and the activity still meet the conditions; this is checked before signing, not after.
2 lawyers who provide Buying a Business in Greece
Sorted by experience in this service. Write to any of them — the reply comes from the lawyer, without obligation.
-
-
Giannis
Accountant · Symi, Greece
- 11 cases handled
- 3+ years in practice
- Speaks: English, Greek
- Accounting and Finance, Hellenic Mediterranean University
Contact form · a chat with a lawyer
Talk to a lawyer about Buying a Business
2 registered lawyers provide this service in Greece. Describe your situation in a short chat — what happened, where, and how to reach you. Your enquiry is reviewed and passed to a lawyer who handles exactly this kind of case, with no obligation.
We are not just a place to list a profile: we work with every lawyer individually. Each one is registered with a bar association, and their experience, languages and client reviews are shown openly on their card.
Enquiries are answered by lawyers of AdvocateAbroad. This site provides legal information, not legal advice.
What our clients say about our service in Greece
-
She replied extremely fast to my first inquiry, quickly arranged a meeting to go over the details, and answered all my questions. Reaching her by phone or text was easy, she was punctual, and she was fun and personable to talk to as well, with perfect English. After I had struggled for months to get this done on my own, she sorted everything out for me in record time. Anyone trying to navigate Greek bureaucracy should hire her, and I would recommend her.
— Ine06 Aug 2026 -
I am really happy with her. Every time I wrote she answered fast, so I never had to chase her for news of how things were going. She understood what I needed straight away and, with her perfect English, explained the parts I had not followed without making me feel stupid. She was also nice to deal with. The price was fair, and in short she got it done, so I am glad I chose her.
— Antoine03 Jul 2026 -
I cannot thank the lawyer enough for her expertise and dedication in handling my case. She was thorough and persistent and kept up good communication, in perfect English, at all times. She made a very difficult and stressful situation much easier to manage from afar. Extremely professional and knowledgeable. Highly recommended.
— Angelica09 May 2026 -
She is knowledgeable, approachable and very professional, with perfect English. She went over and above to find what I needed.
— Tracey21 Oct 2025 -
I recently worked with a lawyer who managed to get my divorce certificate within the promised timeline, even though the information I first gave was limited. From our very first contact she showed great professionalism and expertise. She was patient and understanding and took me through the process step by step, and her English was perfect, so I never had trouble following. I was truly impressed by her attention to detail and her commitment to my case. I am grateful for her dedication and support at what could have been a stressful time, and I was completely satisfied with the result. I highly recommend her to anyone who needs legal assistance. Thank you for the outstanding service!
— Yvonne08 Aug 2025 -
The lawyer was welcoming and very knowledgeable in the area where I needed help, and went above and beyond with information and solutions to keep the process as smooth and simple as possible. Her English was flawless, everything was completed promptly, and I could not be happier with my experience.
— Dean02 Jul 2025 -
She guided and educated me on the AFM VAT/TIN number process so that I could do a real estate transaction in Greece. I am very satisfied: it was simple and easy to get through.
— George12 May 2025 -
The lawyer was amazing. Communication was excellent, her English flawless, and she was professional and informative.
— William25 Feb 2025 -
The lawyer took real care to explain the process and how best to meet our requests, and she was very good at telling us the timelines and what to expect. She moved quickly to get our process completed, and the assistance could not have been better.
— Flavia28 Mar 2024Criminal Record Check, Greece -
The lawyer phoned me back promptly after my first enquiry and reassured me that she could get me a duplicate of my Greek marriage certificate, translated into English. Throughout the process she kept me posted, in flawless English, and was quick to answer my questions. The service was good value for the work involved, and I would not hesitate to use her again if the need ever arises.
— John20 Oct 2023 -
We are very satisfied with the lawyer's services. She did not hesitate to help us even when we were fighting against time, always looked for solutions and responded promptly to our requests, in perfect English. We recommend her from the bottom of our hearts and thank her again for everything she has done for us!
— Christine01 Sep 2023 -
Very thorough, professional and efficient.
— James26 Jun 2023Complaints & Police Processes, Greece