Subsidies in Greece under the New Investment Law
Update note: Investment Law 3908/2011 has also long been out of force; it was replaced in 2016 by Law 4399/2016 and in 2022 by the currently applicable Law 4887/2022 (as amended by Law 5203/2025). The filing deadlines then in effect (April/October 2011), investment categories, and maximum funding rates no longer have any practical relevance; current information can be found in our overview article “Funding – Subsidy Law.”
Compared to its predecessor, Law 3299/2004, Law 3908/2011 in particular aimed at transparency, efficiency, and procedural acceleration: fixed annual investment budgets, an expanded scope of application, electronic filing, fixed filing deadlines (April and October), and a national register of accredited assessors. It distinguished seven investment categories – including general enterprises, investments with a regional focus, technological growth, young entrepreneurship (aged 20 to 40), large investment plans from €50 million, multi-year investment plans, and business networks (clustering) – with funding rates of up to 80% of the statutory maximum funding limit, plus supplementary tax exemptions.
This structure was essentially adopted and further developed by the successor laws 4399/2016 and 4887/2022: today’s law is likewise divided into several sector- or purpose-specific funding regimes with comparable funding instruments (grants, tax exemptions, leasing and wage-cost funding), though with significantly higher investment thresholds today, updated deadlines, and an application and evaluation process that is noticeably more digitized compared to 2011.
FAQ
Law 4887/2022 focuses on transparency, efficiency, and alignment with European future-oriented goals. Its key features include:
- Focus on future markets: priority funding for the green transformation (environmental protection) and digital transformation (Industry 4.0).
- Fully digital processing: applications and evaluation take place entirely electronically via the central state information system (OPS-Anaptixiako).
- Accelerated procedures: filing, evaluation, and approval follow a strict timetable. The law aims for evaluation times of under 60 days.
- Guaranteed budgets: a fixed budget is defined in advance for each call, giving investors planning certainty.
- Third-party audits: to speed up the process, certified private auditors from the national register can be used to inspect and sign off on investments.
- Equity: the investor's required own contribution to the eligible costs is generally at least 25% (excluding state aid).
The current law is no longer divided into a few fixed categories, but comprises 13 specialized funding regimes. The most important include:
- Green transition: funding for energy efficiency, the circular economy, and environmentally friendly technologies.
- Digital and technological transformation: support in converting to modern, digital business processes.
- Tourism & alternative forms of tourism: funding for new hotel construction (generally from 4 stars), modernizations, as well as agrotourism and health tourism.
- Manufacturing and the agri-food sector: strengthening local production and supply chains.
- New entrepreneurship (start-ups): targeted funding for newly formed companies to strengthen innovative capacity.
- Research and applied innovation: support for R&D projects.
- Large investment plans: special rules for projects with a budget of over €15 million (up to major projects over €50 million, for which special aid limits apply).
Depending on the region, company size, and type of investment, the Greek state grants various incentives, which can often also be combined:
- State grants: direct, non-repayable cash payments to cover part of the eligible investment costs.
- Tax exemptions: exemption from corporate income tax on the company's profits until the approved funding amount is reached.
- Leasing subsidies: financial support for installments on the leasing of new machinery or technical equipment.
- Wage-cost subsidies: subsidizing the wage costs of newly created jobs directly connected with the investment project.
The Ministry of Development and Investments regularly publishes so-called “calls” for the individual funding categories.
- Application window: these calls are generally open for a period of 1 to 3 months.
- Transparency: investors submit their plans (including a business plan and feasibility study) digitally. Applicants can track the status of their project in real time via the portal at any time.
- Evaluation & disbursement: after the deadline expires, a rapid ranking process takes place. If the project is approved, the milestones for the disbursement of funds are contractually fixed.
As of June 2026. All information on these pages is provided without guarantee or liability.