The Greek Strategic Investments Framework offers a complete set of tools and procedures designed to attract and facilitate major investment projects in Greece. Through an efficient fast-track licensing process and a combination of financial and tax incentives, the framework accelerates the implementation of projects that enhance economic growth, employment, and regional development.
It is one of the most effective gateways for investors seeking to establish a long-term presence in the Greek market for investments in Greece, which combine a high investment plan budget and the creation of a significant number of jobs.
VK PREMIUM successfully supported the approval of a €25 mil. cash grant for an investment of €99.8 mil., for Intertrade S.A., a Greek paper industry.
Under the same framework, VK PREMIUM has also successfully supported the approval of a €32 mil. cash grant for an investment of €83 mil. from the biotechnology JV of Orgenesis Inc. (NASDAQ: ORGS) & Theracell Advanced Therapies.
Recently, three more projects have been approved under the same investment incentive:
- Development of a luxurious, eco-friendly resort and village in Southern Greece
- Development of a new pharmaceutical facility
- Expansion of a metal structures production facility
VK PREMIUM undertakes the submission of proposals for investment plans within the Strategic Investments of National Importance framework.
As mentioned above, VK PREMIUM has already completed and submitted for approval two applications under the Strategic Investments framework. Additionally, there are several other large-scale investment plans in various sectors (pharma, tourism, circular economy) to be submitted soon in the same framework.
Key Sectors
Strategic Investments in Greece focus on sectors that foster innovation, sustainability, and competitiveness, including:
- Pharmaceutical Industry
- Tourism
- Manufacturing
- High-End Technology and Innovation
- Energy and Renewable Sources
- Waste Management
- Agro-Food Industry
These areas represent Greece’s growth priorities and offer significant opportunities for international investors aiming to invest in Greece.
Strategic Investment Categories
The framework defines four main categories of Strategic Investments, each with specific eligibility thresholds and incentives.
1. Strategic Investment 1
Applicable to all sectors of the economy, provided one of the following applies:
- Investment exceeding €75 million, or
- Investment exceeding €40 million with at least 75 new full-time jobs created
Incentives available:
- Tax incentives
- Fast-Track procedures
- Special Spatial Arrangements
- Cash incentives
2. Strategic Investment 2
Focused on innovation-driven and infrastructure projects.
A. Innovative and Knowledge-Based Sectors
Includes Agro, Research & Innovation, Biotechnology, Medical Tourism, Robotics, and Artificial Intelligence, provided that one of the following applies:
- Minimum investment of €20 million in Digital Transformation or Cloud Computing, or
- Minimum investment of €30 million with 50 new full-time jobs created
B. Business Parks
Applies to investments in Business Parks with:
- Minimum investment of €20 million and creation of at least 40 full-time jobs
Incentives available:
- Cash incentives
- Fast-Track procedures
- Tax incentives
3. Emblematic Investments of Exceptional Importance
These are landmark projects promoted by internationally recognized entities that contribute to sectors of national significance such as:
- Green Economy and R&D
- Renewable Energy Sources (RES)
- Hydrogen Technologies
- Electrical Energy Storage from RES
- Offshore Wind Farms or Floating Solar Parks
Eligible are investments that meet one of the following conditions:
- Minimum investment of €20 million
- Creation of at least 30 new full-time jobs
Incentives available:
- Cash incentives
- Fast-Track procedures
- Tax incentives
- Special Spatial Arrangements
4. Fast-Track Investments
Eligible are investments that meet one of the following conditions:
- Investment exceeding €20 million with 30 new full-time jobs, or
- Investment exceeding €10 million with 30 new full-time jobs, provided the project forms part of a broader strategic initiative, or
- Existing investments—strategic or not—that restructure, modernize, or expand their facilities with a total budget above €15 million, while maintaining at least 100 existing jobs sustainably.
Incentives available:
- Fast-Track procedures
Types of Aid and Incentives
The Strategic Investments Framework provides a blend of fiscal, financial, and procedural incentives that enhance investment feasibility and reduce administrative timeframes.
1. Tax Incentives
- Tax exemption on income from all company activities
- Tax rate stabilization, ensuring long-term predictability
- Accelerated depreciation of fixed assets included in the investment plan
These measures support profitability and long-term business planning for companies choosing to invest in Greece.
2. Cash Incentives
- Cash grants, determined as a percentage of eligible costs under the Regional Incentive Map (RIM)
- Support for Research and Development (R&D) projects, including:
- Up to €20 million for industrial research
- Up to €15 million for experimental development
- Up to €7.5 million for feasibility studies
These forms of aid may be combined, provided total assistance remains within established limits.
For Emblematic Investments of Exceptional Importance, aid may also take the form of:
- Direct grants covering part of the eligible costs
- Leasing subsidies
- Subsidies for job creation costs
3. Fast-Track Licensing
A defining feature of the framework is the fast-track licensing process. All permits, approvals, and opinions required for the establishment and operation of a strategic investment are issued within 45 calendar days from the submission of the investor’s dossier. This ensures project implementation without bureaucratic delay.
4. Special Spatial Arrangements
Investors may also benefit from favorable spatial and urban planning provisions, including:
- Increase in building factor for eligible investment properties
- Possibility of expropriation or establishment of real property rights when necessary for project development
These arrangements facilitate the timely and efficient realization of large-scale projects.
Advantages for investors
Strategic Investments framework offers many advantages to investors such as:
- Acceleration of licensing procedures with the obligation to issue licenses and opinions of services within 45 days
- Possibility of creating a Special Spatial Development Plan for Strategic Investments, according to which a single spatial decree is created with specific terms and conditions
- Approval of the development plan by a seven-member Interministerial Committee, in order to prevent as much as possible the suffering from anti-investment appeals
- Possibility of changing land use and justified deviations from the existing spatial and urban planning legislation
- Possibility of requesting concession to use seashore and beach
- Possibility of creating coastline embankments
- Providing the possibility of creating a holiday home
- Possibility of providing conditions for promotion and protection of archaeological finds in a reasonable time, so as not to impede the implementation of the investment
- Possibility of justified expropriating areas
- Possibility of requesting tax incentives for the investment
A Framework for Growth
The Strategic Investments Framework reflects Greece’s commitment to building a competitive, transparent, and investor-friendly environment. By combining speed, flexibility, and robust financial support, Greece provides an attractive destination for global investors pursuing projects that deliver high added value, technological innovation, and sustainable development.
With its clear procedures and modern incentives, the framework establishes Greece as one of the most promising hubs in Europe for strategic investments and long-term business growth.