Special topics

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VAT treatment of commercial pleasure vessels that cease their activity and are intra-community supplied or exported

According to article 24 of the Greek VAT Code, the supply (sale) of goods that are exported outside of the Community (export) by the seller or a person acting on behalf of the seller, is exempt from VAT. Similarly, according to article 28 of the Greek VAT Code, the intra-community supply (sale) of goods that are dispatched or transported to another EU Member State by the seller or the acquirer or a person acting on their behalf, to another taxable (i.e. subject to VAT) person or to a non-taxable legal person acting in that capacity is exempt from VAT. Therefore, in case...

27 Apr 2023

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VAT exemption of a sale of a commercial pleasure yacht – Conditions and applicable procedure

Conditions for the VAT exemption According to the provisions of article 27 par. 1 case (a) subcase (aa) of Law 2859/2000 (Greek VAT Code), a VAT exemption is provided for the sale of vessels falling under the below categories (and excluding vessels for private use intended for recreation or sport): aa) vessels intended to be used in high seas navigation and which carry out passenger transport for a fee or with which commercial, industrial or fishing activities are carried on, bb) coastal fishing vessels, cc) vessels intended for dismantling, dd) warships and State vessels, ee) lifeguards and other maritime assistance vessels. In relation to vessels...

25 Apr 2023

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Citizenship by investment in real estate in Greece

in Immigration Law, Special topics

Foreign citizens who invest in real estate property in Greece can be granted a five-year residence permit for themselves and their family members. This is a permanent residence permit which can be renewed every five years, provided that the investor retains ownership of the property. According to the new legislative framework on monetary thresholds, for the purchase of property, for areas of the Northern, Central and Southern sector of Athens and the municipality of Vari – Voula - Vouliagmeni of the Region of Attica, the Municipality of Thessaloniki and for islands of Mykonos and Santorini, the minimum value of the property...

25 Apr 2023

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Foreign real estate company in Greece – examination of the obligation to establish a Greek branch

Regarding the examination of any obligation of a foreign real estate company to establish a branch in Greece , the issue is not sufficiently regulated by the existing provisions, as there are legislative gaps regarding various parameters. From 1/1/2015, foreign real estate companies that do not obtain income from business activity in Greece and which build a property owned in Greece or make additions or extensions to such property, have no obligation to keep accounting books and records. However, in case the foreign legal entities acquire income from real estate in Greece, and since from 1/1/2014 said income is considered for income...

20 Apr 2023

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The right to EU citizens and their family members for residence and movement in Greece

in Immigration Law, Special topics

The right to EU citizens and their family members (irrespective of their nationality) to enter, reside and move in the Greek territory is recognized by the Greek Presidential Decree no. 106/2007 which integrates the Directive 2004/38/EC into the Greek legislative framework, and more specifically in article 3, as in force: Article - 3 Beneficiaries (Article 3 of Directive 2004/38/EC) This Presidential Decree shall apply to citizens of the Union who enter or reside in Greece and do not have Greek nationality and to members of their families, irrespective of nationality, as defined in paragraph 2 of Article 2, who accompany...

19 Apr 2023

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VAT on sales of newly built properties under a sale & lease-back contract with a financial leasing company

In accordance with Article 6 paras. 1, 3 and 4 of Law 2859/2000 ("VAT Code"), , the transfer of completed or unfinished buildings or parts thereof and the land transferred with them as a single property or ideal shares of land to which the presumption of completion applies, is subject to VAT, if it is carried out for a consideration, before the first installation in them. Buildings shall be deemed to be buildings in general and structures of any kind attached to the buildings or to the ground in a fixed and permanent manner. The first installation is defined as the...

19 Apr 2023

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Subjection of financial leasing of real estate to VAT following a tax election request

According to Article 22 par. 1 case (kst’) of Law 2859/2000 (VAT Code), real estate leases are exempt from VAT, except for those under case (d') of paragraph 2 of Article 8, which include i) the lease of industrial premises and safe deposit boxes and ii) the lease of premises for the exercise of a business activity (commercial leases) under certain conditions. In particular, Article 8 par. 2 case (d) subcase (ii) of the VAT Code provides that the lease of premises for the exercise of a business activity to a taxable lessee, either independently or under a mixed contract, is...

23 Feb 2023

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Exemption from tax on donations of movable assets located abroad for Greek nationals who reside abroad

Already as of 31/7/2020, a provision had been added by article 6 of Law 4714/2020 to Section C of article 43 of the Code of Inheritance, Donations and Parental Gifts Tax (Law 2961 /2001, hereinafter referred to as the "Code"), as case g', which provided for the exemption from tax "for gifts of movable assets located abroad and not acquired in Greece during the last twelve (12) years by a Greek citizen who has been resident abroad for at least ten (10) consecutive years and, in the case of relocation to Greece, no more than five (5) years have elapsed." Article...

10 Feb 2023

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Real estate company ownership in Greece : individual ownership VS company – a comparative table