How corporate tax works in Greece
Greek tax-resident companies are generally taxed on worldwide income. A company can be resident because it is formed under Greek law, has its statutory seat in Greece or has its place of effective management in Greece. Non-resident companies are generally taxed on Greek-source income and Greek permanent-establishment profits.
The standard corporate income-tax rate is 22% for legal entities, partnerships, cooperatives and joint ventures. Qualifying credit institutions and Greek branches of foreign credit institutions can be taxed at 29% under the deferred-tax-claim regime.
Taxable profits are based on business income after qualifying expenses, depreciation and carried-forward losses. Tax losses can generally be carried forward for five consecutive years, but Greece does not provide a general loss carry-back.
Qualifying intra-group dividends can benefit from withholding and income-tax exemptions when the EU Parent-Subsidiary Directive or Greek participation conditions are satisfied. Related-party transactions remain subject to transfer-pricing and arm’s-length rules.
Greece has implemented Pillar Two. A qualifying multinational or large domestic group with at least EUR 750 million of consolidated revenue in at least two of the previous four years can face a domestic or other top-up tax when its effective rate is below 15%.
Tax rates at a glance
- Standard corporate income tax
- 22%General rate
- Qualifying credit institutions
- 29%
- Agricultural cooperatives and qualifying producer groups
- 10%
- Corporate tax advance
- 80%
- Pillar Two minimum effective rate
- 15%
- Dividend withholding
- 5%
Who benefits most
These profiles tend to benefit most when the rules match their real residence, payroll and business setup.
FoundersOperating companiesHolding companiesFamily officesEU businesses
Watch out for
- A 22% company rate does not equal a 22% founder burden. Dividend tax, payroll costs, social security, VAT, withholding and the owner’s tax residence can materially change the all-in result.
- Place of effective management matters. A company incorporated elsewhere can still create Greek corporate-residence exposure if strategic and day-to-day management is actually exercised in Greece.
- Corporate tax advance payments create a cash-flow cost. New entities can receive a 50% reduction in the advance obligation for their first three years, subject to the statutory exclusions.
- Pillar Two is relevant only to large groups, but the EUR 750 million threshold, group aggregation and effective-tax-rate calculation need to be tested at group level.
- Greece offers R&D, patent, family-office, shared-service and restructuring incentives, but these depend on documentation, substance and the particular legal regime.
Frequently asked questions
What is the corporate tax rate in Greece?
The standard corporate income-tax rate is 22%. Qualifying credit institutions can be subject to 29%, while certain agricultural cooperatives and producer groups can qualify for 10%.
Do Greek companies pay tax on worldwide profits?
A Greek tax-resident company is generally taxed on worldwide income. A non-resident company is generally taxed on Greek-source income and profits attributable to a Greek permanent establishment.
How are losses treated in Greece?
Tax losses can generally be carried forward for five consecutive years to offset business profits. Greece does not generally allow a loss carry-back.
Does Greece apply Pillar Two?
Yes. Greece has implemented a 15% minimum-tax framework for qualifying multinational and large domestic groups with at least EUR 750 million of consolidated revenue in at least two of the previous four years.