Key takeaways
- Greece has a standard VAT rate of 24%, reduced rates of 13% and 6%, and 0% for certain products.
- Businesses are required to register for VAT when annual turnover exceeds €10,000 to avoid fines & penalties.
- Companies in Greece must adhere to mandatory invoicing requirements, reporting deadlines, record keeping & storage regulations to remain compliant with Greek tax laws.
In short: Greek VAT (FPA) has a standard rate of 24% and reduced rates of 13% and 6%, with a 0% rate for items such as exports. Greece-based businesses must register for VAT with no threshold. Companies distance selling to consumers in Greece must register once annual sales exceed €10,000, and non-EU businesses need a fiscal representative.
Greece first introduced VAT legislation in 1987. It included the EU VAT Directives, which were designed to harmonize VAT systems across the EU. But with its many rates, rules and regulations, Greek VAT can be hard to understand when you do business in the country. Our guide explains VAT in Greece, from registration requirements to ecommerce and digital services VAT. It will help you stay informed and compliant.
What is Greek VAT?
Greek VAT, known as FPA or Foros prostithemenis aksias, is the tax on goods and services supplied in Greece. It is a crucial part of the Greek economy. Businesses operating in Greece must have a Greek VAT number, which follows the format EL999999999.
The Greek VAT system follows EU VAT directives. It is overseen by the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE), together with local tax offices. Greek VAT applies to goods and services supplied within the country. Businesses must follow the rules and procedures set by the Greek tax authorities.
Greek VAT has a range of rates, thresholds and registration requirements, so its details can be hard to grasp. But if you keep up with the latest VAT news and understand the basics, you can handle it with confidence.
What are the VAT rates in Greece?
The standard VAT rate in Greece is 24% for most goods and services. Greece also has reduced VAT rates of 13% and 6% for specific items. A 0% rate applies to certain products, such as exports and international transport services. A good grasp of the Greek VAT system is crucial for businesses operating in the country. Related reading: Malta VAT Rates and Compliance Explained.
With so many VAT rates in Greece, businesses need to know which rates apply to their goods and services. This helps them stay compliant and avoid penalties.
What is the standard VAT rate in Greece?
The standard VAT rate in Greece is 24%, and it applies to most goods and services. The taxable value is the base price of these goods and services. Greek VAT is charged on top of the base price, which affects the final cost for consumers. Businesses are responsible for collecting the correct amount of VAT and paying it to the Greek tax authorities.
What are the reduced VAT rates in Greece?
Greece has two reduced VAT rates of 13% and 6% for certain goods and services. Items such as food, baby products, water and medical equipment get the 13% reduced rate. The 6% reduced rate applies to many items, including medicines, magazines and books, hotel service, and theatre and movie tickets.
With these reduced VAT rates, the Greek government aims to support specific sectors and keep essential goods and services affordable.
What is the super reduced rate in Greece?
The super reduced rate in Greece is a 0% VAT rate that applies to certain products and services. One example is the supply and importation of gold. We cover this in more detail in Portugal VAT Compliance - What You Need to Know.
Exports and international transport services also benefit from the 0% VAT rate. With a 0% rate for these products and services, the Greek government gives businesses in international trade an incentive. It also encourages these sectors to grow.
Who needs to register for VAT in Greece?
Whether your business needs to register for VAT in Greece depends on several factors, such as where you are based and your sales to Greek consumers. To register, companies must submit the required forms and documents. Non-EU businesses must also appoint a fiscal representative to handle their VAT obligations in Greece.
Understanding and following these VAT registration requirements is crucial. It helps businesses avoid penalties and comply with Greek tax rules.
What is the VAT registration threshold in Greece?
There is no VAT registration threshold for domestic businesses in Greece. This means that if your Greece-based business carries out economic activity, it must register for VAT with the Greek tax authorities. Any company that distance sells to private individuals in Greece must register for VAT if its annual turnover exceeds €10,000. For a full country overview, see our Greece VAT manual.
If you fail to register for VAT in Greece, you can face fines and other sanctions. So businesses must watch their turnover closely and register for VAT when needed. By tracking turnover and respecting the registration threshold, businesses can avoid penalties and stay compliant with Greek tax rules.
Which forms and documents do you need to register?
To register for VAT in Greece, businesses must submit the right forms and supporting documents. EU-registered businesses must complete the relevant forms and email them to the local tax office. The Greek tax authorities may also ask for some of these documents to be translated.
Registration can take two to three weeks, although this can vary from case to case. Submit all forms and documents accurately and on time. This speeds up the process and helps you avoid delays in getting your Greek VAT number.
Do you need a fiscal representative in Greece?
Non-EU businesses must appoint a fiscal representative in Greece if they have no registered office, permanent home or place of business in the European Union. This fiscal representative is a person or legal entity based in Greece. Their main place of business, permanent establishment, home or usual residence must be in Greece. As a taxable person, they handle the tax obligations of the non-EU business they represent.
Appointing a fiscal representative is a critical step for non-EU businesses in Greece to comply with Greek VAT rules. The fiscal representative helps these businesses with the complex VAT rules. They also submit VAT returns and meet VAT obligations accurately and on time. You can also read VAT Rate Switzerland and Compliance 2024.
What are the VAT obligations for businesses in Greece?
Companies doing business in Greece must meet specific VAT obligations. These include invoicing requirements, keeping proper records and meeting reporting and submission deadlines. Following these obligations helps businesses avoid penalties and stay compliant with Greek tax rules.
Invoicing requirements
Greek businesses must meet specific invoicing requirements for their sales. They must issue VAT invoices for supplies to other taxable persons and legal entities, and keep these invoices for six years. Electronic invoicing is mandatory for business-to-business sales. It applied first to larger businesses from 2 February 2026 and to all other businesses from 1 October 2026. Electronic invoices must contain the same information as paper invoices. Our guide to B2B e-invoicing in Greece covers the rollout in detail.
Businesses must also use the myDATA platform for sending tax data and online tax bookkeeping. Greece's tax authority created myDATA to digitize business tax declarations and accounting information.
How long must you keep VAT records in Greece?
Businesses in Greece must keep records of all transactions for at least six years. These records must include details such as the date of the transaction, the amount of the transaction and the amount of VAT charged.
Proper record-keeping and storage of tax records help businesses follow Greek VAT rules. Accurate, up-to-date records help you avoid penalties. They also prepare you for a tax audit or investigation.
When are VAT returns due in Greece?
VAT returns in Greece must be submitted electronically by the last working day of the month after the end of the tax period. Missing these deadlines can lead to penalties, including fines and interest charges.
To avoid these penalties, make sure you meet the reporting and submission deadlines for your VAT returns. Stay organized and keep accurate records. Then you can submit your VAT returns and payments on time and stay compliant with Greek tax rules.
How do VAT refunds and recovery work in Greece?
Non-resident companies operating in Greece can recover VAT on expenses incurred in the country, under certain conditions and procedures. To reclaim VAT in Greece, you submit VAT return forms and follow the procedures set by the Greek tax authorities.
How long a VAT refund takes in Greece varies from case to case. The Tax Administration typically decides on refund requests from taxable persons not established in Greece within four months of receiving the request.
When you understand the VAT refund and recovery process in Greece, you can recover any eligible VAT and reduce your tax costs.
How does VAT apply to ecommerce and digital services in Greece?
Ecommerce businesses and digital service providers operating in Greece must follow Greek VAT rules, which may include registering for VAT. To sell digital products in Greece, ecommerce businesses can register with the One-Stop Shop (OSS) scheme. OSS makes VAT registration simpler for businesses operating in several EU countries.
With the OSS scheme, you do everything in one place. This makes VAT compliance easier and saves time and resources if you do business in more than one EU Member State.
What are Intrastat and VIES declarations?
Intrastat and VIES declarations are reports that Greek companies trading within the European Union must submit about their intra-community transactions. They submit Intrastat and VIES declarations electronically through the special Taxisnet network. The deadline for VIES declarations is the 26th day of the month after the reporting period.
Intrastat and VIES declarations give the Greek tax authorities valuable information on intra-community transactions. This helps them monitor and regulate cross-border trade.
What are the penalties for breaking Greek VAT rules?
If you don't comply with Greek VAT rules, you can face penalties, including fines and interest charges. For instance, late filing of VAT returns, including nil returns, carries a fixed penalty of €100 to €500, depending on the type of accounting books you keep. Interest also applies if you pay VAT late.
To avoid these penalties, make sure you fully comply with Greek VAT rules. This includes registration, invoicing, record-keeping and reporting requirements. Stay informed about the latest VAT news and requirements. Then you can deal with any compliance issues early and lower the risk of penalties.
Where can you get help with Greek VAT compliance?
You can get help with Greek VAT compliance from tax advisors, fiscal representatives or VAT compliance specialists. These professionals can guide you through the complex world of Greek VAT rules. They help businesses meet their VAT obligations and lower the risk of penalties. With their support, you can handle Greek VAT requirements with confidence and focus on your core business.
Conclusion
Understanding and following Greek VAT rules is crucial for businesses operating in Greece. That's why it's so important to keep up with any changes to VAT rules and regulations. A tax specialist can help with this.
Do you need help with your VAT compliance? Book a free call with one of our VAT experts to find bespoke solutions for your business, optimize your VAT costs, and reach millions of new potential customers.
How Taxually handles this
Taxually’s CrossTax handles VAT registration, VAT, OSS and IOSS returns and fiscal representation in the countries you sell into, and checks your sales data against 250+ validation rules before each filing. OneTax then pays every tax authority with one bulk payment in your chosen currency.
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Is VAT 24% in Greece?
Yes, the standard VAT rate in Greece is 24%.
Is Greece in the EU for VAT?
Greece has implemented the European VAT Directive, making it part of the EU VAT system. Along with this, the Greek Value Added Tax regime has been in place since 1987.
Can I claim VAT back from Greece?
Yes, if you're a VAT-registered company in an EU Member State and have conducted cross-border transactions in another Member State where you're not VAT registered, you can recover the VAT according to the full rules laid out in Directive 2008/9/EC.
These rules allow you to reclaim the VAT you've paid on goods and services purchased in another Member State. The process for reclaiming the VAT is relatively straightforward and can be done online. You'll need to provide evidence of the transactions and the VAT paid, as well as other relevant information.
Are there any reduced VAT rates in Greece?
Yes, there are reduced VAT rates of 13% and 6% for certain goods and services in Greece.
