For a foreign founder, the €1 IKE capital headline is rarely the difficult part. The real work is getting ownership, activity codes, tax registration and signing authority aligned before the filing. An IKE is a Greek private capital company with separate legal personality and limited liability.
What is a Greek IKE and when does it fit?
An IKE is a private capital company. Shareholders' exposure is generally connected to their agreed contribution, while director duties, taxes and sector licences still need their own review. Greece's General Secretariat for Commerce says an IKE can be formed with minimum company capital of €1. That statutory minimum is not a working-capital budget.
It can be worth assessing where a founder expects a real Greek operating presence, local contracts, staff or EU trading activity. Incorporation does not create residence rights. Banking and tax activation are separate operational steps.
What does Greek IKE formation cost in 2026?
The official EUGO IKE incorporation service lists a €18 charge for the standard electronic one-stop-shop procedure. Treat that as the official filing charge, not the total launch budget. A bespoke constitution, notarisation, translation, power of attorney, accounting setup, bank onboarding or regulated activity licence can add separate cost.
That distinction prevents a common budgeting error. The portal fee and the cost of putting a company into operation are different figures.
How does registration through e-ΥΜΣ work?
The process is handled electronically through the e-ΥΜΣ one-stop service. The EUGO record says the service is digital only and flags conditions such as TaxisNet access and no statutory requirement for a notarial deed on the standard route. Confirm ownership, representation, registered office and business activity before submitting anything.
- Confirm the name, activity and ownership structure.
- Check whether the constitution can use the standard electronic route.
- Prepare tax and representation documents for the applicable filing path.
- Put banking, accounting and the ongoing filing calendar into a separate post-registration workstream.
How is a Greek IKE taxed?
The company form alone does not determine the tax result. Profit source, management location, staff, VAT position, shareholder residence and distribution plans all matter. AADE's 2026 corporate-return instructions state a 22% rate for legal persons and legal entities. That is not the entire tax cost of a transaction. Dividend treatment, withholding, VAT and treaty analysis need separate review.
What should foreign shareholders settle before filing?
Check passports, corporate documents, translations, powers of attorney and beneficial-owner information at the start. A foreign shareholder does not automatically have the same access route to every digital step. Remote signatures, Greek tax identity, bank KYC and the representative structure should be mapped before a filing is drafted.
Our company formation and accounting team can coordinate the filing route, document sequence and post-incorporation compliance calendar. Immigration and personal tax consequences require a separate fact pattern.
Frequently asked questions
Is €1 really enough capital for an IKE?
The official company-characteristics page says the legal minimum is €1. It does not cover payroll, rent, stock or operating cash.
Is €18 the full incorporation cost?
No. It is the listed fee for the standard electronic procedure. File-specific work can create other costs.
Does an IKE give the founder a residence permit?
No. Company formation and immigration routes are separate legal frameworks.
What should happen immediately after incorporation?
Set up tax, accounting, banking and contract controls. Check sector notices and licences before trading.
For a practical pre-filing review of your shareholders, activity and document pack, contact Corpenza.
This is general information, not legal or tax advice. Requirements change and depend on the facts.
