The border-free European single market opens up diverse business opportunities – for international large enterprises as well as for medium-sized companies seeking to benefit from the advantages of a larger market.
When planning an investment in Greece, companies face a choice between forming a new company, taking over an existing company, or acquiring a stake in one – together referred to as “mergers and acquisitions” (M&A).
Acquiring a company already established on the market can offer significant time advantages compared with organic growth through new formation: immediate market presence, existing production capacity, an established brand, or an already developed location. From the target company’s perspective, the involvement of an investor can open up new liquidity or – in the case of an outright sale – enable a succession arrangement.
Regardless of the structure chosen, the early involvement of legal and tax advisers specialising in cross-border transactions remains strongly advisable: despite the ongoing harmonisation of EU single-market law, significant national particularities remain – especially in company, tax and competition law – which smaller and medium-sized enterprises in particular increasingly need to take into account in cross-border transactions.
FAQ
In the European single market, diverse business opportunities arise from country-specific particularities and a price level that remains attractive by European comparison. It is no longer only large enterprises that consider expanding abroad into Greece, but increasingly also medium-sized companies.
Mergers and acquisitions (“M&A”) refers to corporate transactions such as the merger, takeover, or acquisition of a stake in companies.
The advantages are, in particular:
- synergy effects from combining the companies;
- immediate market presence and revenue generation;
- taking over an established brand;
- a location and immediately available production capacity.
Participation can generate new liquidity and improve the market position of an existing company. In the case of a sale, for example, the question of business succession can be resolved.
Participation can generate new liquidity and improve the market position of an existing company. In the case of a sale, for example, the question of business succession can be resolved.
The interaction between the Greek (subsidiary) company and the foreign (parent) company – for example, in Germany – from a tax, company-law and organisational perspective – is a key point in every M&A consideration.
As of June 2026. All information on these pages is provided without guarantee or liability.