Tonia
Accountant · Athens, Greece
- 220 cases handled · 10 in this service
- Speaks: English, Greek
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5.00(10 reviews)
Self-Employed Set-Up (Freelancer / Sole Trader) in Greece
English-speaking lawyers and accountants who register a foreigner as self-employed in Greece — a freelancer or sole proprietor (ελεύθερος επαγγελματίας, ατομική επιχείρηση): the start of activity (έναρξη) at the tax authority with the tax number, activity code and VAT regime, and the registration with ΕΦΚΑ.
About Self-Employed Set-Up (Freelancer / Sole Trader) in Greece
Self-employed set-up in Greece is the registration of a person as a freelancer or sole proprietor — in Greek ελεύθερος επαγγελματίας or ατομική επιχείρηση — so that they can lawfully invoice clients from Greece. The core is the start of activity (έναρξη επιτηδεύματος) at the tax authority (ΑΑΔΕ): a tax number (ΑΦΜ), an activity code (ΚΑΔ), a business address (επαγγελματική έδρα) and a VAT regime, followed by registration with the social security fund (ΕΦΚΑ). People search for register as self-employed in Greece, freelancer set-up Greece, sole trader Greece or how to become a freelancer in Greece. Some older lists and lawyer pages call this service “Self-Employed Set-Up Service”.
Who needs it
Expats who want to work for clients from Greece — consultants, developers, teachers, guides, tradespeople — and new arrivals who held a self-employed status at home and need the Greek equivalent. Non-EU citizens first need a residence permit that allows self-employment, see self-employed visa (a digital nomad permit is a different route); the registration itself does not grant the right to stay.
How it works in Greece
- The person obtains a tax number if they do not have one, see AFM number application, and an address in Greece that can serve as the business seat — a home address or a rented office, with the owner's consent or lease.
- The start of activity is filed with ΑΑΔΕ, online or at the tax office: the activity codes, the seat, the type of books and whether the person is inside or outside VAT. For some professions a membership of a chamber or professional body is needed first.
- ΑΑΔΕ confirms the start; the person registers with ΕΦΚΑ and chooses a contribution class.
- From the first invoice the documents go through myDATA; the running taxes are described at tax services for freelancers and the self-employed.
Points to watch
A freelancer who works mainly for one client in Greece (μπλοκάκι) is treated by the tax and social security rules in its own way. Many freelancers face a minimum presumed income for tax purposes from the start, so the choice between working as a sole proprietor and through a company (see business set-up) is worth making before the registration, not after. Contribution classes, thresholds and reliefs change every year; the accountant confirms the current ones. Closing the activity later (διακοπή) is a filing of its own and should not be left undone.
What the lawyer and the accountant do
They check that the person may be self-employed in Greece, obtain the tax number, choose the activity codes and the VAT regime, file the start of activity, register with ΕΦΚΑ and set up the books, often under a power of attorney for someone still abroad. The field is accounting services.
Questions and answers
Can I register as self-employed before I move to Greece?
You need a tax number and a Greek business address; an EU citizen can do the rest through a representative. A non-EU citizen needs the right permit first.
Freelancer or ΙΚΕ?
The sole proprietorship is simpler and cheaper to run; a company separates your private assets and may suit higher income or partners. The presumed income rules play a part in the choice.
What is a μπλοκάκι?
The everyday word for a freelancer who invoices one employer-like client instead of being on the payroll; the tax rules look at this situation specifically.
Do I need an accountant from day one?
In practice yes: the start of activity, myDATA and the periodic returns are in Greek and follow the Greek calendar.
2 lawyers who provide Self-Employed Set-Up (Freelancer / Sole Trader) in Greece
Sorted by experience in this service. Write to any of them — the reply comes from the lawyer, without obligation.
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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 Self-Employed Set-Up (Freelancer / Sole Trader)
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.
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Enquiries are answered by lawyers of AdvocateAbroad. This site provides legal information, not legal advice.
What our clients say about our service in Greece
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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