The Ultimate Guide for Greek Entrepreneurs
Forming a Company Abroad
Comparing Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, England, Dubai & USA. Advantages, disadvantages, taxation – and the best choice for your business model.
✓ 100% Legal Solutions
✓ Comparison of 6 Countries
✓ Specialization in US LLCs
The New Reality of International Business
Market globalization, the rapid rise of e-commerce, and the dominance of remote work have radically changed the business landscape. Previously, forming a company abroad was an option exclusively for large multinational corporations and multi-million dollar groups. Today, relocating a business's headquarters or starting a new digital entity outside national borders is a perfectly accessible, legal, and strategic move for any freelancer, solo entrepreneur, digital agency, and e-commerce brand.
When a business model is based on remote service provision or e-commerce, the business is by definition international. Legally and fiscally restricting it to an environment with high bureaucracy, suffocating social security contributions, and constant legislative changes hinders its growth. Opening a company abroad offers the freedom to focus on what truly matters: scaling your business and maximizing your net profit.
Comparison with the Greek Business Environment
Analyzing the Greek reality, the fixed corporate tax at 22%, dividend taxation, but primarily the complete lack of stability with constant changes (presumptive income, MyData, sudden audits) stifle creativity. A comparison with other countries reveals a huge gap. While in Greece an entrepreneur is required to pre-finance the state, foreign jurisdictions offer an environment where you only pay tax on what you actually earned, without "punitive" collection policies that drain liquidity.
Which industries are ideal for this solution?
Relocating headquarters or forming a new company abroad isn't suitable for all professions (e.g., a local brick-and-mortar store or a cafe). However, it's the ultimate solution for:
Digital Agencies
Marketing, SEO, Web Design
E-commerce & Dropshipping
Shopify, Amazon FBA, WooCommerce
Software & SaaS
Developers, SaaS founders
Affiliate Marketers
Traffic Arbitrageurs
Consultants & Coaches
Remote Consultants, Online Coaches
Content Creators
YouTubers, Creators
Key Advantages of an International Headquarters
Low corporate taxation in Europe and internationally
Access stable flat rates with no surprises.
Legal Exemption from EFKA through an International Entity
Separation of corporate profits from personal social security contributions.
Elimination of Bureaucratic Friction
Digital states with a zero-paperwork philosophy. All processes are completed online.
Global Banking & Seamless Payments
Connect with leading payment processors without fear of sudden account freezes. A Stripe and PayPal account for an international company offers the stability every online business needs.
International Tax Planning vs. Tax Evasion
It is extremely critical to distinguish between two concepts often confused in Greece. Legitimate International Tax Planning is the use of official laws and international treaties to optimize a business's tax burden. Freedom of establishment and provision of services is a fundamental pillar of European Law. In contrast, tax evasion involves concealing income through illegal and undeclared structures (such as old-style offshore companies in non-cooperative jurisdictions). Here, we exclusively discuss 100% legal, transparent, and modern solutions.
Detailed Country Comparison
Advantages & disadvantages for each jurisdiction
🇨🇾 Cyprus (Cyprus LTD)
Popular choice due to shared language & culture
Advantages
- ✓ Stable corporate tax of 15% on net profits
- ✓ Full EU member (access to VIES)
- ✓ Zero dividend tax with Non-Dom status
- ✓ Legal system based on Common Law
Disadvantages
- × High initial setup costs & annual fees
- × Mandatory annual audit by Auditors
- × Strict Substance checks by authorities
- × Public register of members
🇧🇬 Bulgaria (OOD / EOOD)
The cheapest solution within the EU
Advantages
- ✓ Lowest corporate tax in the EU: 10% flat
- ✓ Only 5% dividend tax
- ✓ Affordable annual accounting support
- ✓ Geographical proximity to Greece
Disadvantages
- × On the "red list" of Greek tax authorities
- × Outdated bureaucracy
- × Lev currency – exchange costs
- × Public register of members
- × Mandatory monthly social security contributions
🇬🇧 England (UK LTD)
Mecca for Tech Startups & SaaS
Advantages
- ✓ Fully digital setup in 24 hours
- ✓ Top global prestige
- ✓ Excellent ecosystem for online payments
- ✓ Low startup costs
Disadvantages
- × Post-Brexit, a "third country" – complex VAT with the EU
- × Corporate tax up to 25% on high profits
- × Strict annual filings
- × Public register of members
🇷🇴 Romania (SRL)
Special regime for micro-enterprises
Advantages
- ✓ 1% tax on turnover for micro-enterprises up to 100k, or 16% otherwise
- ✓ Developing tech hub with low operating costs
- ✓ EU member – free movement
Disadvantages
- × Mandatory 1+ local employee for 1% tax
- × Complex accounting reporting system
- × Language barrier – everything in Romanian
- × Public register of members
- x 16% dividend tax
- x Continuous annual changes and tax increases
- x Unstable environment
🇦🇪 Dubai / UAE (Free Zone)
A magnet for digital nomads
Advantages
- ✓ 0% personal income tax
- ✓ Excellent privacy protection
- ✓ Global prestige & stability
- ✓ Exemption from European regulations
Disadvantages
- × Very high setup & renewal costs
- × Difficult to open a bank account for non-residents
- × New 9% corporate tax on profits over ~€85,000
OUR SPECIALTY
🇺🇸 America (USA LLC – Wyoming)
Our specialty – the top choice
Advantages
- ✓ 0% corporate tax for non-residents (Wyoming LLC)
- ✓ Complete anonymity – owners are not disclosed
- ✓ Stripe, PayPal & US bank account
- ✓ Online account opening without travel
- ✓ 100% online formation in 24 hours
- ✓ Low annual maintenance cost
Disadvantages
- × If you sell B2C, registration with the EU's OSS is required
- × Filings with IRS, state & FinCEN are required – we handle them
Jurisdiction Comparison Table
A quick look at the basics
| Country | Corporate Tax | Mandatory Accounting | Maintenance Cost | Within EU |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cyprus | 15% (on profits) | Yes (& Audit) | High | Yes |
| Bulgaria | 10% (on profits) | Yes | High | Yes |
| England | 19% – 25% (on profits) | Yes | Moderate | No |
| Romania | 16% + 10% dividend tax | Yes (requires employee) | Moderate | Yes |
| Dubai | 0% – 9% | Yes | Very High | No |
| 🇺🇸 America (Wyoming) | 0% for non-residents | Simplified | Low | No |
Don't know which country suits your business?
Book a free 30-minute consulting session with one of our experts to analyze which structure fits your model, with no obligation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I own a company abroad while permanently residing in Greece?
Yes, it is 100% legal to participate in companies based abroad.
What is tax prepayment and how can I avoid it?
In Europe, businesses prepay tax for the following year. In most foreign countries (UK, Cyprus, USA), there is no prepayment system – you are only taxed on profits you have already realized.
How does VIES affect country selection?
For B2B within the EU, an EU company (Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania) enters VIES with zero VAT (reverse charge). For non-EU countries (UK, USA), transactions are considered exports – also zero VAT with different procedures.
What about my personal presumptive income in Greece?
Owning a foreign company does not exempt you from presumptive income if you remain a tax resident of Greece. To cover presumptive income, legally import money as salary or dividends and declare it on your E1 tax form.
Ready for the next step?
Whether you prefer a US LLC with 0% corporate tax, or want to discuss other jurisdictions – our team is here to guide you.
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