Nikolai Timofejev
15 years in FinTech and payments. Maps your business model to the right licence scope and leads the file all the way to the HCMC decision, including banking and payment rails.
Get a crypto license in Greece.
Greece put MiCA into national law early, through Law 5193/2025, with the Hellenic Capital Market Commission as competent authority. CASP authorisation carries an EU passport across all 27 states - from a lower cost base than Western Europe. We build that file end to end.
27 yrs
on the international marketon the market
60+
in-house specialistsspecialists
400+
Crypto licenses obtainedlicenses obtained
Updated
Greece in brief
Southern Europe's early MiCA adopter.
Greece transposed MiCA through Law 5193/2025, published in April 2025, which names the Hellenic Capital Market Commission - the HCMC - as competent authority for crypto-asset service providers and gives the Bank of Greece prudential oversight of asset-referenced and e-money tokens. Firms that had registered under the earlier anti-money-laundering regime were given until the end of 2025 to move onto CASP authorisation or stop offering services. That makes Greece one of the earlier Southern European states with a complete MiCA framework in force, supervised by a regulator that already ran the country's capital markets.
The draw is arithmetic as much as legal. Greece sits inside the single market with a full EU passport, while wages, office space and running costs stay below Paris, Frankfurt or Amsterdam. Corporate profits are taxed at a flat 22%, one of the more moderate rates in the bloc, and crypto-to-fiat exchange is VAT-exempt as a financial service. Athens has a widening fintech scene, an English-comfortable professional layer and an economy built on shipping and tourism that already moves money across borders. We build the file end to end, from the Greek company to the HCMC decision.
Greece put MiCA into national law early, through Law 5193/2025, with the HCMC as competent authority and the Bank of Greece over tokens. CASP authorisation carries a full EU passport.
The draw is cost: the same single-market reach as France or Germany, run from a lower cost base. Corporate tax is 22%, and crypto-to-fiat exchange is VAT-exempt.
Licence classes
One authorisation, scoped to your services.
MiCA defines ten crypto-asset services across three capital classes. The HCMC authorises the exact scope you apply for, and that scope drives capital, systems and the depth of the file. We fix the perimeter first, then build once.
Ten MiCA services in three capital classes - the HCMC authorises the exact scope you apply for.
01 - CASP · CLASS 1-2
Core crypto services
For brokers, exchangers and custodians - execution, exchange and safekeeping of client crypto-assets under one HCMC authorisation. Minimum capital €50,000-€125,000 depending on scope.
For brokers, exchangers and custodians - execution, exchange and safekeeping of client crypto-assets under one HCMC authorisation. Minimum capital €50,000-€125,000 depending on scope.
- ✓Exchange of crypto ↔ fiat and crypto ↔ crypto
- ✓Execution, reception and transmission of orders
- ✓Custody and administration of client crypto-assets
- ✓Transfer services for crypto-assets
- ✓Advice and portfolio management on crypto-assets
- ✓Placing of crypto-assets
02 - CASP · CLASS 3
Lower cost baseTrading platform
The highest MiCA tier - operation of a crypto trading venue with €150,000 minimum capital, listing rules and market-abuse controls, passportable across the EU from a lower cost base.
The highest MiCA tier - a trading venue with €150,000 capital, passportable across the EU from a lower cost base.
- ✓Operation of a crypto-asset trading platform
- ✓Matching of buyers and sellers in the venue
- ✓Admission-to-trading (listing) framework
- ✓Market-abuse monitoring under MiCA Title VI
- ✓Combines with custody and exchange services
- ✓One home regulator - the HCMC - for all 27 states
Costs and timelines are confirmed for your case before any work begins. The HCMC charges statutory fees by scope; the real investment is the file - capital, substance and documentation are scoped individually in your quote.
Why Greece
An EU passport at a lower cost base.
The framework rests on MiCA and Law 5193/2025, supervised by the HCMC - inside the single market, but at running costs below Western Europe.
✓
A full EU passport
One HCMC authorisation covers all 27 member states after ESMA notification. The licence reaches the whole single market from the point where you set up - the same reach as the large economies.All 27 states after ESMA notification.
✓
Lower operating costs
Salaries, office space and professional fees in Athens run below Paris, Frankfurt or Dublin. The same MiCA file costs less to staff and maintain year on year.Athens runs below Paris or Frankfurt.
✓
An early, complete framework
Law 5193/2025 put MiCA into Greek law in full and named the HCMC as competent authority, with the Bank of Greece over tokens. The rulebook is settled and in force.Law 5193/2025, HCMC in charge.
✓
A securities regulator in charge
The HCMC supervised Greek capital markets long before crypto. Its CASP authorisation is a financial-market approval, read as such by banks and counterparties.A financial-market approval, read as such.
✓
22% corporate tax
Company profits carry a flat 22% rate, among the more moderate in the EU, with ordinary deductions and no crypto-specific surcharge. Predictable at the company level.Moderate by EU standards.
✓
A growing fintech base
Athens has a widening pool of developers, an English-comfortable professional layer and an economy used to moving money across borders through shipping and tourism.Developers and cross-border money flow.
How it compares
How Greece differs from other routes.
Greece is the EU-passport route at a lower cost base. The honest comparison is positioning: the same single-market reach as the heavyweights, run from a cheaper home.
Greece vs other jurisdictions
| Feature |  Greece | Other jurisdictions |
|---|---|---|
| Regulatory regime | MiCA CASP under the HCMC | National regimes or lighter desks |
| Cost base | Below Western Europe | Higher in the large economies |
| Home market | EU member, single-market reach | Varies |
| Weight of the stamp | Securities-regulator approval | Varies |
Regulatory regime
GreeceMiCA CASP under the HCMC
Other jurisdictionsNational regimes or lighter desks
Cost base
GreeceBelow Western Europe
Other jurisdictionsHigher in the large economies
Home market
GreeceEU member, single-market reach
Other jurisdictionsVaries
Weight of the stamp
GreeceSecurities-regulator approval
Other jurisdictionsVaries
Country by country
| Country | License type | Taxation | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greece | MiCA CASP (HCMC) | 22% CIT | Full file; lower cost base |
 France | MiCA CASP (AMF) | 25% CIT | Thorough; PSAN fast-track |
 Germany | MiCA CASP (BaFin) | ~30% effective | Thorough, document-heavy |
 Lithuania | MiCA CASP (Bank of Lithuania) | 17% CIT (2026) | Fast, but strict AML practice |
GreeceLicense typeMiCA CASP (HCMC)
Taxation22% CIT
RequirementsFull file; lower cost base
FranceLicense typeMiCA CASP (AMF)
Taxation25% CIT
RequirementsThorough; PSAN fast-track
GermanyLicense typeMiCA CASP (BaFin)
Taxation~30% effective
RequirementsThorough, document-heavy
LithuaniaLicense typeMiCA CASP (Bank of Lithuania)
Taxation17% CIT (2026)
RequirementsFast, but strict AML practice
Before you apply
Requirements for the HCMC authorisation.Requirements for HCMC authorisation.
The HCMC reviews a CASP file completely, to a real financial standard. The checklist below is what a file that passes actually contains - built to MiCA, Law 5193/2025 and the ESMA technical standards.
01
Greek entity - typically an SA (anonymi etairia) or private company (IKE) with its registered office and effective management in Greece.
02
Substance - decision-making, compliance and at least part of operations genuinely in the country; letterbox setups fail.
03
Fit & proper management - at least two competent directors with clean records and relevant experience.
04
Own funds - €50,000, €125,000 or €150,000 by service class, or a quarter of fixed overheads if higher.
05
Programme of operations - services, target markets, volumes and a three-year business plan the HCMC can interrogate.
06
AML/CFT framework - KYC, EDD, monitoring and reporting to the Hellenic Anti-Money Laundering Authority, with a named compliance officer.
07
ICT and DORA compliance - resilience testing, incident reporting, a register of ICT providers and exit plans.
08
Safeguarding of client assets - segregation of client crypto and funds, custody policy and key-management design.
09
Governance - ownership disclosed up to UBOs, qualifying holdings declared, conflicts and complaints procedures.
10
White papers and disclosures where you issue or admit crypto-assets to trading.
11
Wind-down plan - credible, funded and documented.
01
Greek SA or IKE with effective management here.
02
Real substance - compliance and decisions on the ground.
03
Two fit & proper directors.
04
Own funds €50k-€150k by class.
05
Programme of operations + 3-year plan.
06
AML/CFT with named officer, FIU reporting.
07
ICT resilience under DORA.
08
Segregation and custody of client assets.
09
Ownership disclosed up to UBOs.
10
White papers where you issue or list.
11
Credible, funded wind-down plan.
Reflects MiCA, Law 5193/2025 and HCMC practice as of 2026. Firms under the earlier AML regime had to move onto CASP authorisation by the end of 2025.MiCA + Law 5193/2025, HCMC practice as of 2026.
How it works
From first call to the HCMC register.
01
Perimeter and strategy
We map your services to the MiCA classes and fix scope, capital and timeline in writing before any drafting starts.MiCA classes, capital, timeline - in writing.
02
Greek company and substance
SA or IKE formation, registered office, directors and the governance layer - the presence the HCMC assesses behind the file.SA or IKE, office, directors.
03
The application file
Programme of operations, AML/CFT framework, ICT and DORA documentation, safeguarding and wind-down - assembled to HCMC standards.Programme, AML, DORA, wind-down - HCMC-grade.
04
HCMC review
The statutory MiCA clock - 25 working days to completeness, 40 more to assessment - plus question rounds, 6-10 months in practice. We answer every round.25+40 wd statutory; 6-10 months in practice.
05
Authorisation and passport
Entry in the HCMC register, ESMA notification and passporting into all 27 EU states - plus ongoing reporting we can keep running.Register entry, then all 27 EU states.
Quick facts
RegulatorHCMC
FrameworkMiCA + Law 5193/2025
Capital€50k / €125k / €150k
Statutory clock25 + 40 working days
In practice6-10 months
EntitySA or IKE + 2 directors
Corporate tax22%
PassportAll 27 EU states
The HCMC's completeness bar is the real timeline - a well-built file is where the months are won.
On the ground in Greece
Run from our Dubai office, with Greek counsel.
Prifinance - Greece desk
Athens · Greece
Athens, Greece
01
Greek company formation
SA or IKE incorporation, registered office and the corporate layer the HCMC expects - structured for the application.SA or IKE, structured for the file.
02
The authorisation file
Programme of operations, AML pack, ICT/DORA documentation and capital planning - drafted by us and defended through the HCMC's question rounds.Programme, AML, DORA - defended through review.
03
Directors and substance
Director search, compliance staffing and office arrangements - the substance Greek law demands, assembled pragmatically.Director search, staffing, office.
04
Banking and tax setup
Corporate accounts, VAT and tax registrations and payment rails - the operational layer a live CASP needs from day one.Accounts, VAT, payment rails.
We also have offices in
Tallinn
Estonia
Roseni 13
Vilnius
Lithuania
Gedimino pr. 2
Prague
Czech Republic
Vlkova 532/8, Žižkov
London
United Kingdom
7 Bell Yard
Dubai
UAE
33 Level, Al Saqr Business Tower
Madeira
Portugal
Rua da Alegria 31, 1F
Istanbul
Turkey
Perpa Ticaret Merkezi, A Blok
Good to know
Taxation of crypto companies in Greece.
No crypto-specific corporate levy - company profits carry the flat 22% rate, and crypto-to-fiat exchange is VAT-exempt as a financial service. Both sit on settled, EU-aligned ground.
22% corporate rate
Greece taxes company profits at a flat 22%, among the more moderate rates in the EU. Ordinary deductions apply, with no separate crypto surcharge.Flat, moderate by EU standards.
VAT-exempt exchange
Crypto-to-fiat exchange is VAT-exempt as a financial service under the Hedqvist line - the 24% standard rate touches only ordinary supplies.Hedqvist line; 24% on ordinary supplies.
5% dividend withholding
Distributed profits carry a 5% dividend withholding at the shareholder level - low by EU standards and worth modelling into the group structure.Low at the shareholder level.
Lower running costs
Beyond the headline rate, Greek payroll, audit and office costs stay below Western Europe, so the after-tax cost of running a licensed CASP is lower year on year.Payroll and office below Western Europe.
An EU-aligned regime
Greek tax rules follow the EU framework, with administrative guidance behind them, so positions on trading and disposals are researchable rather than guesswork.Researchable positions, not guesswork.
DAC8 reporting from 2026
EU-wide crypto reporting applies from January 2026 - CASPs report client transactions to tax authorities automatically. Compliance is built into your setup from day one.Automatic CASP reporting, EU-wide.
Tax summary
Corporate income tax22%
Dividend withholding5%
VAT on crypto exchangeExempt
Standard VAT24%
EntitySA or IKE
DAC8 reportingfrom 2026
*Figures as of 2026. We model both company and owner levels before you commit.
Turnkey professional support
Experienced lawyers and international consultants.
We provide end-to-end support, from company registration and the application file to regulatory interaction and compliance oversight - with an individualized approach to each client.
Oleksii Kindratenko
Builds the application itself: Greek SA or IKE, AML/KYC policy pack, capital structure and tax registrations. His document sets are the reason reviews finish in months, not years.
Eugeniu Bevziuc
First point of contact for international founders. Runs the whole setup remotely, across time zones and languages - from the first call to a live, HCMC-authorised business.
Follow Prifinance
Active across our channels.
Greece · HCMC
Launch your crypto project in Greece with expert support.
Full-service assistance - from company registration to HCMC authorisation and ongoing compliance.
Get a consultation →Free legal opinion
Is Greece the right fit for your project?
Our legal team will analyze your case at no cost and provide a written legal opinion: which jurisdiction, licence scope, or route fits your business.
Written assessment within 2-5 business days
Request a free conclusion →FAQ
The Greek crypto licence, answered.
What licence does a crypto business need in Greece?+
CASP authorisation from the HCMC under MiCA and Law 5193/2025 - required for exchange, brokerage, custody, transfer, advice and trading-platform services. It is the single route in.
Who regulates crypto in Greece?+
The Hellenic Capital Market Commission (HCMC) authorises and supervises CASPs. The Bank of Greece handles the prudential side of asset-referenced and e-money tokens. AML reporting runs to the Hellenic Anti-Money Laundering Authority.
How much capital is required?+
MiCA's three classes: €50,000 for advice and order services, €125,000 for exchange, execution and custody, €150,000 for a trading platform - or a quarter of annual fixed overheads if that is higher.
How long does HCMC authorisation take?+
The statutory MiCA clock is 25 working days to completeness plus 40 for assessment, and question rounds follow - 6-10 months in practice for a well-prepared file. Preparation quality decides it.
What substance does the HCMC expect?+
A Greek SA or IKE with effective management in Greece: at least two fit-and-proper directors, a compliance function on the ground, a real office and systems that demonstrably run. Letterbox structures are rejected.
Why Greece rather than a larger economy?+
Cost. Greece gives the same EU passport as France or Germany, but salaries, office space and professional fees run lower, so the file costs less to staff and maintain. The trade-off is a smaller home market.
How are crypto companies taxed?+
Company profits carry a flat 22% corporate rate, with a 5% dividend withholding on distributions. Crypto-to-fiat exchange is VAT-exempt; DAC8 reporting applies from 2026.
Does the Greek licence passport across the EU?+
Yes - one HCMC authorisation covers all 27 EU member states through MiCA passporting after an ESMA notification, with no re-licensing.
What licence is needed?+
HCMC CASP authorisation under MiCA - the route in.
Who regulates crypto?+
The HCMC; Bank of Greece over tokens.
Capital?+
€50k / €125k / €150k by service class.
How long?+
6-10 months; completeness drives it.
Substance?+
SA or IKE, two directors, real office.
Why Greece?+
EU passport at a lower cost base.
Taxes?+
22% corporate; 5% dividend WHT.
EU passport?+
Yes - all 27 states by notification.
Client notes
Google4.7★★★★★
Founders who wanted it done right.
Google4.7★★★★★
“As a software development crew at FewMoreTaps OÜ, we've had the pleasure of working with Prifinance on some key financial moves.First of all, navigating the world of corporate banking and finance can be a maze, but Prifinance made it feel like a walk in the park. They helped us set up a corporate bank account without the hassle of jumping on a plane or drowning in paperwork. Everything was done remotely, smoothly…”
Google
“I had their assistance in company registration and I would recommend them. They were answering all my clarification during the process and offering all their supportThank you Daniel and Irinia”
Google
“We found PRIFINANCE COMPANYvia the Internet and asked for help in organizing the opening of their company in Estonia. PRIFINANCE COMPANY specialists helped us a lot with this. Their professional, competent approach and knowledge of their business left us with only the best impressions.”
Google
“I'm thrilled with my experience with PriFinance! They helped me obtain a crypto license in Estonia without any hassle. The team was super understanding and always available to answer my questions and assist. It was great to see how they put effort into preparing the documents to ensure everything went smoothly. I'm delighted with the outcome and highly recommend PriFinance to anyone looking to get a license…”
Google
“Opening an account with Prifinance in a Swiss bank was such an easy and quick process that I was shocked. It all started with the first call, where I received detailed guidance on the required documents and the entire procedure.One of the key highlights was their attention to detail. As someone who usually gets tangled up in paperwork, I was pleasantly surprised when they sent me all the documents and…”
Google
“I recently had the pleasure of working with Boris.. and I must say, it was a fantastic experience. Boris went above and beyond to assist me with my residency needs. His professionalism, knowledge, and dedication truly stood out. I highly recommend working with Boris and the team!”
Google
Start today
One message away from your Greek licence.
Get a free legal opinion on your project - our legal team will analyze your case at no cost and provide a written legal opinion: which jurisdiction, licence scope, or route fits your business.Free legal opinion: which Greek route fits your project and what it will cost.
✓Written legal opinion within 2-5 business days - free of charge✓A clear recommendation on the right licence scope, not a sales pitch✓Transparent fixed fees, confirmed up front✓EN · RU · ES speaking team
Prifinance is an independent law and advisory firm. We are not a regulator and are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of the HCMC or any other public authority. Authorisations are granted by, and obtained directly from, the competent authorities.