Greece’s Minister of Development, Takis Theodorikakos, has presented a comprehensive new bill to the Cabinet designed to aggressively attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and modernize the country’s production base. The proposed legislation targets high-tech, high-development projects of up to €50 million (about $52.8 million), funded exclusively by non-domestic capital.
The framework focuses heavily on sectors of strategic and technological importance, including manufacturing, artificial intelligence, research and development (R&D), supply chain logistics, defense, aerospace, biotechnology, and healthcare.
New incentives for foreign investment in Greece
To counteract Greece’s historical hurdles of bureaucracy, slow licensing, and financing constraints, the bill introduces a suite of targeted incentives:
- Tax Exemptions & Fast-Tracking: Investors will benefit from tax exemptions or accelerated asset depreciation to improve medium-term capital returns. Bureaucratic delays will be minimized via fast-track licensing with strict institutional deadlines. Crucially, if licensing authorities stall, the Minister of Development has the power to step in and bypass the gridlock.
- Liquidity Support: The framework introduces loan guarantees backed by the Hellenic Development Bank to provide favorable borrowing terms, lower interest rates, and reduced collateral requirements, mitigating upfront financial risk.
- Administrative Facilitation: To enhance international appeal, the bill streamlines residence permits for corporate executives and foreign investors. Furthermore, applications will be evaluated using a transparent “First-In, First-Out” (FIFO) process to reinforce market trust.
The ultimate objective extends beyond the simple transfer of capital. The Ministry of Development aims to tie foreign investments directly into the real economy to generate long-term value. By varying incentives based on location, the government intends to drive regional development, close economic gaps outside major urban centers, and stimulate local ecosystems through job creation and knowledge transfer.
The government says that this reform signals stability and forward momentum, aiming to elevate Greece’s status on the international investment map by transforming institutional changes into real, productive economic growth.
Related: Huge Drop in Foreign Investment Sparks Caution in Greek Real Estate Market
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