Individuals with Greek ancestry living abroad may be eligible for exclusive tax advantages by transferring their tax residency to Greece. If you are considering relocating to Greece for work or to start your own business, the Expat Regime (Greek Income Tax Code - Art. 5C Law 4172/2013) can offer significant benefits.
We offer comprehensive services that help expats navigate every step of the legal process, streamlining the procedure and ensuring confidence and clarity throughout.
The Expat Regime is a special tax framework, introduced by the Greek government in the past few years to attract international talent and business activity. It offers a 50% tax exemption on income earned in Greece through employment or freelance/business activity, provided specific conditions are met.
It is intended for professionals relocating their tax residency to Greece, either as employees or self-employed individuals (e.g. freelancers, consultants, or entrepreneurs).
Who Is Eligible?
To qualify for the Expat Regime, you must meet all the following criteria:
1. You must not have been a Greek tax resident for 5 out of the 6 years preceding your relocation.
2. You must relocate from:
- An EU or EEA member state, or
- A country that has a valid tax administrative cooperation agreement with Greece.
3. New Employment or Business Activity in Greece
You must either:
- Be employed by a Greek company or a Greek branch of a foreign company in a new position, or
- Register as self-employed (freelancer or entrepreneur) and begin a new business activity in Greece.
NOTE: The position or business must be new, not a continuation of existing employment or activity from abroad.
4. You must commit to staying in Greece for at least two consecutive years.
What Are the Tax Benefits?
If accepted into the Expat Regime, you will benefit from:
50% Income Tax Exemption
- Half (50%) of your Greek-source income from employment or self-employment is exempt from:
- Income tax, and
- The solidarity contribution.
- The remaining 50% is taxed according to standard Greek tax rates.
Duration of Benefits
You can benefit from this regime for up to 7 years, starting from the year of acceptance.
Tax Treatment of Other Income
All other income, including foreign-source income or non-qualifying Greek income, is taxed under the general rules of the Greek tax code.
Application Process & Deadlines
When to Apply:
- If your employment or business activity begins on or before July 2, you must apply by December 31 of that same year.
- If your activity starts after July 2, you can apply by December 31 of the following year.
How Long Does It Take?
The Greek tax authority typically processes applications within 60 days of submission.
