Greece Country Commercial Guide
Learn about the market conditions, opportunities, regulations, and business conditions in greece, prepared by at U.S. Embassies worldwide by Commerce Department, State Department and other U.S. agencies’ professionals
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Selling Factors & Techniques
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Trade Promotion and Advertising

Pricing

Greece has price controls for pharmaceutical and food items. Other prices are not regulated.  When pricing their products, firms should consider payment and credit terms. Orders are usually small, and Greek importers will request special consideration if a U.S. supplier requires large orders. The Greek government regulates the price of pharmaceuticals, and its methodology has been a source of debate for years. Pharmaceuticals prices are among the lowest in the EU, but the Greek government has established a pattern of falling behind on payments for as much as over a year to pharmaceutical suppliers.

Certain food prices, particularly on fresh products like fruit and vegetables, are subject to monitoring by the Ministry of Economy, Development & Tourism. Greek fruit and vegetable importers generally expect a C.I.F. quotation, except when the purchasing company does a large amount of direct buying and provides its own insurance. U.S. firms should be prepared to quote prices on whatever basis is preferred by the prospective buyer. The standard VAT in Greece is 24 percent and there are six percent and 13 percent reduced VAT for certain products or services.

Sales Service/Customer Support

Greek Sales Service/Customer Support standards are consistent with American and Western European standards. Conscious of the discrepancies among member states in product labeling, language use, legal guarantee and liability, the redress of which inevitably frustrates consumers in cross-border shopping, the EU institutions have launched a number of initiatives aimed at harmonizing national legislation. Suppliers within and outside the EU should be aware of existing and upcoming legislation affecting sales, service and customer support.

Consult the European Union Country Commercial Guide for more information on product liability, product safety, legal warranties, and after-sales service

Local Professional Services

For information on various local professional services, please visit the following resources: 

  • Bar Association of Athens
  • Bar Association of Volos
  • Bar Association of Piraeus
  • Medical Association In Athens
  • Medical Association in Thessaloniki
  • Institute of Certified Public Accountants
  • Hellenic Bank Association
  • Local service providers focusing on EU law, consulting, and business development can be accessed here: U.S. Mission to the European Union.
     

Principal Business Associations in Greece

American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce
E-mail:  president@amcham.gr 
The American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) is open to all businesses and individuals regardless of country of origin. Its main purposes are to strengthen Greek-American relations and trade, create business partnerships, and provide assistance in importing and exporting. The AMCHAM represents the American Business community in Greece, serving as an advisory body to the Government. 

The Propeller Club of the United States
E-mail: info@propellerclub.gr 
The Propeller Club primarily serves as a social and business hub for the shipping industry. 

Association of Pharmaceutical Companies of Greece (SFEE)
E-mail:  info@sfee.gr 
SFEE serves as an advisory body to the Greek Government aiming to promote the interests of pharmaceutical companies. Current members include both Greek and foreign multinational subsidiaries.

Athens Association of Commercial Agents & Brokers   
E-mail: aaca@otenet.gr 
The Association’s objective is to promote the interests of its members and settle disputes.  In order to become a member, one needs to have the necessary permit to act as an Import-Export Commercial Agent, which is obtainable through the Chamber of Commerce and Industry. 

Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry 
E-mail: info@acci.gr 
This association represents, supports, and promotes entrepreneurship, and advises the government in formulating policies. Membership is open to anyone running a business in the Attica area.

Federation of Greek Food Industries (SEVT)
E-mail:  sevt@sevt.gr  
SEVT represents the Greek Food & Beverage sector. Foreign companies can become members of SVET if they own a branch in the Greek market. SEVT membership is made up of Greece’s food and beverage companies but also includes sectoral associations. SEVT’s mission is to facilitate the development of an environment where food and beverage companies, regardless of size, can meet consumer and society needs, and at the same time compete effectively for smart, sustainable, and inclusive growth.

Hellenic Federation of Enterprises (SEV)
E-mail: info@sev.org.gr 
Members of SEV include firms that are active in Greece. Serving as the voice of Employers and Enterprises, SEV encourages entrepreneurship and improving the competitiveness of Greek companies. Its committees serve as a powerful instrument for policy and strategy making. 

Hellenic Central Union of Chambers of Commerce & Industry
E-mail: keeuhcci@uhc.gr 
The Union represents all chambers of commerce (more than 56) throughout Greece. It is the main advisory body, representing the views of all the Chambers of Commerce and Industry in Greece, which influences the economic policy and decisions of the Greek Government. 

Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhARMA)
E-mail: m.economopoulou@pifgreece.gr 
PhARMA and its member companies encourage the Greek government to recognize and protect innovation in the pharmaceutical sector by ensuring efficient and timely government pricing and Social Security Funds reimbursement procedures for medicines as well as protect the interests of U.S. industry. Membership is limited to U.S. pharmaceutical companies.

Piraeus Chamber of Commerce and Industry
E-mail: evep@pcci.gr and secretariat@pcci.gr 
The association represents, supports, and promotes entrepreneurship and it advises the government in formulating policies. Membership is open to anyone that has a business in the Piraeus area.

Technical Chamber of Greece (TEE)
E-mail: president@central.tee.gr 
“TEE” acts as an advisory body to the Greek state about issues within its scope. Non-Greek individuals can become members of “TEE” if they possess an engineering degree and pass an examination.  

Thessaloniki Chamber of Commerce and Industry
E-mail: root@ebeth.gr  
This association represents, supports, and promotes entrepreneurship and advises the government in formulating policies. Membership is open to anyone that has a running business in the area of Thessaloniki.

Limitations on Selling U.S. Products and Services

Many products that are freely available and sold “over-the-counter” in the United States, such as protein-based meal replacement products, can only be sold in pharmacies and specialized stores, limiting the ability of U.S. companies to sell their products through direct sales. For information on existing trade barriers, please see the National Trade Estimate Report on Foreign Trade Barriers, published by USTR and available through the following link: USTR Report

Information on agricultural trade barriers can be found at the following website: USDA-EU
To report existing or new trade barriers and get assistance in removing them, contact either the Trade Compliance Center at TANC or the U.S. Mission to the European Union.

For more information and help with trade barriers please contact:
Office of the Trade Agreements Negotiation and Compliance (TANC)