Foreign Direct Investment Law
Legal Support for Structuring, Screening and Protecting Investments in Greece
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) law regulates the entry, protection, and treatment of capital invested by foreign investors through foreign direct investment structures. The applicable regulatory framework combines international investment agreements, European Union law, and national legislation, creating an environment that promotes entrepreneurship and the attraction of capital.
The legal framework includes fundamental safeguards such as protection against expropriation, free transfer of capital and profits, and the principle of Fair and Equitable Treatment (FET). At the same time, it provides investment incentives such as tax exemptions, grants, and fast-track licensing procedures.
Today, foreign direct investments are not limited to simple financial participation. Instead, they presuppose a lasting relationship with the host enterprise, often through control or significant influence of the investor over the company’s management and strategic direction.
For any foreign investor considering or implementing investments in Greece, proper legal guidance is essential from the initial planning stage through to the completion and operation of the investment. At Nexus Law Firm, we provide specialized legal guidance to investors and businesses, covering the key aspects of FDI law presented in the following service categories.
Investment Permits & Golden Visa for Investors
Legal support for selecting the appropriate corporate structure and establishing investors in Greece through investor residence permit procedures (Golden Visa), intra-corporate transfers (ICT), and related immigration and investment mechanisms.
International Commercial & Investment Agreements
Drafting and negotiation of agreements for cross-border transactions and investment partnerships, including acquisition agreements, shareholders’ agreements (SHA), joint ventures, distribution, franchise, licensing, and cross-border contractual structuring.
Due Diligence & Investment Legal Review
Comprehensive legal due diligence covering companies, licenses, tax exposure, regulatory risks, and compliance auditing prior to the execution of investment transactions.
Mergers, Acquisitions & Transactions (M&A) with Foreign Investors
Legal guidance on M&A structuring, cross-border mergers, share transfers, and negotiations with international funds and investment structures.
Regulatory Compliance & Sector Licensing
Legal support in regulatory procedures including energy licenses, environmental approvals, land-use compliance, and sector-specific regulatory requirements in industries such as fintech, telecommunications, logistics, and tourism.
Dispute Resolution & Arbitration with International Investors
Legal representation in international commercial disputes and investment arbitration proceedings, including investor-state disputes and enforcement of arbitral awards.
What Are Foreign Direct Investments and What Is Their Regulatory Framework in the EU and Greece
Foreign direct investments constitute a form of international investment activity in which a foreign investor allocates capital to an enterprise in another country with the aim of creating or maintaining stable and long-term economic relations. Their defining characteristic is that they do not merely involve passive financial participation but allow meaningful involvement in the management or control of the company conducting the economic activity.
For this reason, foreign direct investments are distinguished from portfolio investments, which typically have a passive nature and do not imply substantial influence over the company’s management.
At the European Union level, the core investment screening framework is established by Regulation (EU) 2019/452, which introduces a cooperation mechanism for evaluating investments that may affect national security or public order. At the national level, the relevant screening system was introduced through Law 5202/2025, which provides procedures for reviewing investments in sensitive sectors of the economy while excluding portfolio investments and certain intra-group restructurings.
In the modern investment environment, foreign direct investment law is closely connected with the structuring and organization of investments in Greece. The appropriate legal structure, regulatory compliance, and proper management of approval procedures are critical factors for the smooth implementation of investment projects, particularly in projects of strategic importance or investments that fall within broader development and fast-track investment programs.