Greece is proposing a new Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Incentives Scheme aimed at attracting substantial international capital into strategic sectors of the economy. The framework is currently included in a draft law under public consultation. Therefore, the final eligibility conditions, maximum aid intensities, eligible sectors, investment thresholds and other implementation details will be confirmed following the completion of the consultation process and the adoption of the final legislation.
Subject to the final framework, the proposed scheme is designed to strengthen investment incentives in Greece for foreign investors by combining tax, financing and administrative support for qualifying projects funded by non-domestic capital.
Its broader objectives include attracting new Foreign Direct Investment, supporting technological transformation and innovation, creating highly skilled employment and encouraging investment in the Greek regions.
Who Can Benefit from Foreign Investment Incentives in Greece?
Eligible beneficiaries may include investment entities that finance, support or participate in new companies established in Greece, as well as existing foreign companies establishing a new branch in Greece.
According to the proposed framework, eligible companies may operate in one of the following legal forms:
- Société Anonyme / Greek S.A. (A.E.)
- Private Company (I.K.E.)
- Limited Liability Company (E.P.E.)
For the purposes of the scheme, a company is considered “new” if it has been incorporated no more than 12 months before the date of submission of the application.
Shareholders may include individuals permanently resident abroad or legal entities headquartered outside Greece.
Which Sectors Are Eligible for the New FDI Incentives Scheme?
The proposed foreign investment incentives in Greece target projects in selected strategic sectors, including:
- Manufacturing and industrial production
- Research, applied innovation and artificial intelligence
- Industrialised primary production
- Biotechnology
- Defence industry and aeronautics
- Supply chain, warehousing and logistics
- Healthcare, including rehabilitation and recovery centres
- Social care, including elderly care facilities
Strategic Investment Incentives in Greece for Tech Companies
The inclusion of research, applied innovation, artificial intelligence and biotechnology makes the proposed framework particularly relevant for companies seeking strategic investment incentives in Greece for tech companies.
Technology-led businesses and international investors planning projects involving innovation, AI, biotechnology or advanced industrial applications may therefore find the scheme particularly relevant, provided that their projects satisfy the applicable eligibility requirements.
What Are the Main Investment Objectives?
The new FDI support framework is designed to mobilise non-domestic capital for productive investments in selected areas of the Greek economy.
Its key objectives include:
- attracting new Foreign Direct Investment into Greece;
- supporting digital and technological transformation;
- encouraging innovation and the introduction of new technologies;
- creating economies of scale;
- promoting highly skilled employment;
- strengthening new entrepreneurship;
- encouraging investment in the Greek regions; and
- improving competitiveness in high value-added sectors.
For international companies reviewing Greece investment incentives, the new scheme is particularly relevant because it combines financial benefits with measures intended to facilitate the implementation and operation of major investment projects.
Large Investment Incentives Greece: What Is the Minimum Investment Size?
For international investors searching for large investment incentives Greece, the proposed FDI scheme is specifically aimed at substantial investment projects.
The minimum eligible investment must be €10 million.
This places the scheme among the investment support mechanisms most relevant to international groups, industrial investors, technology companies and other businesses considering a significant long-term presence in Greece.
How Much Regional Investment Aid Can a Foreign Investor Receive?
Regional aid intensity depends on the applicable Greek Regional Aid Map.
The maximum aid rate established under the Regional Aid Map is 75%, depending on the geographical location of the investment and the size of the beneficiary.
Maximum State Aid Amounts
The proposed framework provides for the following maximum aid amounts:
- up to €20 million per individual investment project;
- up to €20 million for an individual undertaking; and
- up to €50 million in total for cooperating or linked enterprises.
The cumulative limits for individual undertakings and cooperating or linked enterprises are assessed over a three-year period, subject to the applicable EU State aid rules.
What Types of Financial Support for Foreign Investors in Greece Are Available?
The proposed framework introduces four main categories of support. Together, they form a comprehensive package of financial support for foreign investors in Greece, combined with administrative and mobility-related incentives.
Corporate Income Tax Exemption
Eligible investment projects may benefit from a corporate income tax exemption.
The amount of the tax exemption is calculated as a percentage of the approved eligible investment expenditure or, where applicable, the value of new machinery and equipment acquired through financial leasing.
The corresponding benefit is recorded as a reserve in the company’s financial statements.
Fast-Track Licensing
A key feature of the scheme is the introduction of an accelerated licensing process.
Required permits and approvals relating to the implementation, installation or operation of eligible investments, including certain spatial planning approvals, are intended to be issued within two months following the submission of a complete application file.
Where the competent authority requests additional information, the relevant timeframe may be suspended until the required documentation is submitted.
Loans Guaranteed by the Hellenic Development Bank
SMEs approved under the FDI scheme may apply for short- or long-term financing supported by a guarantee from the Hellenic Development Bank.
Financing may be provided through the Development Law Financial Instrument Guarantee Fund (DeLFI) or another eligible financing instrument, subject to the applicable EU State aid limits.
Facilitation of Residence Permits
The proposed framework also provides for the facilitation of residence permits for qualifying third-country investors and employees involved in the implementation and operation of an approved investment project.
The relevant residence permits remain subject to the applicable Greek immigration legislation.
Which Investment Costs Are Eligible?
Eligible expenditure may include both tangible and intangible investment assets.
Tangible Investment Costs
Potentially eligible tangible costs include:
- construction, expansion and modernisation of buildings and facilities;
- special and auxiliary building installations;
- accessibility infrastructure;
- acquisition and installation of new machinery and equipment;
- financial leasing of new machinery and equipment, subject to specific ownership conditions;
- modernisation of specialised and mechanical installations; and
- under certain conditions, acquisition of fixed assets belonging to a closed establishment.
Intangible Investment Costs
Eligible intangible assets may include:
- intellectual property rights;
- licences;
- patents;
- know-how;
- non-patented technical knowledge;
- software;
- certification systems;
- quality assurance systems; and
- business organisation systems.
When Will the FDI Incentives Scheme Open for Applications?
The FDI Incentives Scheme is intended to be launched once every year by decision of the Greek Minister of Development.
Each annual call is expected to define the operational terms of the scheme, including:
- the available budget;
- minimum and maximum investment size;
- eligible investment activities and sectors;
- eligible expenditure;
- type and level of incentives;
- applicable aid percentages;
- evaluation criteria and scoring;
- required documentation;
- application procedures and deadlines; and
Important Timing Requirement for Investors
One of the most important requirements for prospective applicants is the timing of the investment.
Under State aid rules, the application must be submitted before the start of the investment works in order for the aid to have the required incentive effect.
Investors considering an eligible project should therefore assess the available incentive framework and structure their investment at an early stage, before entering into commitments that could be considered the formal start of works.
Why the New FDI Scheme Matters for International Investors
The proposed framework creates a potentially important new route for international investors seeking investment incentives in Greece, particularly for large-scale projects in strategic and high-value sectors.
The scheme may be especially relevant where an investment:
- is financed by non-domestic capital;
- falls within an eligible strategic sector;
- meets the applicable investment size requirements; and
- is structured appropriately before the start of investment works.
Early preparation can help investors assess eligibility, identify the most suitable incentive structure and prepare their project for the relevant application process.
Plan Your Investment in Greece with VK PREMIUM
Understanding the available incentives and structuring an investment correctly from the outset can be critical to the success of an application.
VK PREMIUM is the right partner to guide foreign investors through the next steps, from the initial eligibility assessment and investment structuring to application preparation and the implementation of the investment project.
Our team can help you evaluate the available investment incentives in Greece, identify the appropriate support framework and prepare your investment plan in line with the requirements of the new FDI scheme.
Contact VK PREMIUM to discuss your investment project in Greece and explore the next steps.
Contact Form
* Required fields
