Startups in Thessaloniki, Greece: 2027 guide

Startups in Thessaloniki: the short answer

Thessaloniki is Greece’s research-heavy startup city: 35% of Greek spin-off companies operate here, according to the Greek government’s own news service. It ranks #379 of 1,000 cities in our startup city ranking (scores from 2024 ecosystem data) and scores 66/100 on our MeanCEO index for women founders. Founders get a big university and research base and a flat 22% corporate tax. Most venture money still sits in Athens, and Greece has no dedicated startup visa.

Is Thessaloniki a good place to start a startup in 2027?

It suits research-based founders best. Here is why:

• Deeptech and health tech spin-offs. Aristotle University and the Centre for Research and Technology Hellas (CERTH) feed a steady flow of lab technology, and Pfizer runs a digital center in the city.
• Early-stage teams that need runway. The City of Thessaloniki runs OK!Thess, a hub with an acceleration program, and Greek startups registered with Elevate Greece get access to state support measures.
• Founders who sell abroad. Greek corporate tax is 22% on all profits, and the R&D super-deduction lowers the bill for research-heavy companies.

It suits less well if you plan to raise large rounds locally or need a fast-track founder visa. For 2027, watch Thess INTEC, a science and technology park under development near the airport that plans to host 100 to 150 companies and research centers.

What does the Thessaloniki startup ecosystem look like?

Research comes first, and the startup support sits around it:

• Aristotle University of Thessaloniki anchors the city’s research scene and its graduate talent pool.
• CERTH, the Centre for Research and Technology Hellas, runs five institutes covering chemical processes and energy, information technologies, transport, applied biosciences and the bio-economy, plus an entrepreneurship unit.
• OK!Thess is the City of Thessaloniki’s technology hub, with an acceleration program for early-stage teams that includes workshops, coaching, mentoring and access to investor networks, plus coworking and event space.
• Pfizer Center for Digital Innovation opened in Thessaloniki in October 2021, works on more than 200 global projects and has run Start4Health, a program for health startups.
• Thess INTEC is a planned 756,968 m² science and technology park near Thessaloniki airport with a budget above €70 million, aimed at artificial intelligence, advanced materials, clean energy and mobility.

Where do founders in Thessaloniki find funding?

Expect to pitch Athens-based investors, many of whom back founders across Greece:

• Hellenic Development Bank of Investments (HDBI), formerly TANEO, is Greece’s sovereign fund of funds and invests in VC and private equity funds that back Greek startups.
• Velocity Partners is an industry-agnostic VC fund for Greek founders building global tech companies.
• Big Pi Ventures is a deep tech VC that launched Big Pi Growth I, with a €130 million first close.
• Marathon VC is an Athens-based VC that backs Greek tech founders.
• Endeavor Greece runs the Endeavor Entrepreneur Program and Scale Up for high-growth founders.
• Elevate Greece, the National Startup Registry, links registered startups to awards, incubation programs, low-interest loans and investor networks.

How do you register a company in Greece?

Startups use a private capital company (IKE, or PC), a limited liability company or a société anonyme (SA). You set up the company online through the General Commercial Registry (GEMI) one-stop shop, which also has a cost calculator for the setup fees and a name-availability check. After that, register with Elevate Greece if you qualify: the company must be based in Greece (or have a Greek branch with a Greek VAT number), be no older than 8 years, employ fewer than 250 full-time staff and have turnover under €50 million, plus show that the business is new and can grow fast.

What taxes does a startup pay in Greece in 2026?

Let’s break it down:

• Corporate income tax: 22% for companies, with no lower tier for small profits (PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries).
• VAT: 24% standard, with lower rates for some goods and services (EU VAT rates).
• R&D super-deduction: under Article 22A of the Income Tax Code, Law 4712/2020 raised the extra deduction on certified R&D spending from 30% to 100%, so each euro of qualifying R&D cuts taxable profit by two euros. Greece’s research secretariat certifies the spending (GSRI).

We found no change to the 22% rate or to VAT adopted for 2027 when we checked in October 2026.

Which visa can a foreign founder use to move to Thessaloniki?

EU citizens need no permit. For non-EU founders, Greece has no dedicated startup or founder visa that we could confirm on official pages. Your options:

• Residence permit for company shareholders, board members and managers of companies established in Greece, listed as category 1.2.1 by the Ministry of Migration and Asylum.
• Residence permit for investment activity (Article 16A), on the same official list.
• Digital nomad visa: a national visa of up to 12 months for self-employed people, freelancers and employees based outside Greece who earn at least €3,500 a month (Greek Embassy in London). It fits remote work for foreign clients, and it is a poor fit for running a Greek company.

Check the document list for your category on migration.gov.gr before you book a consulate appointment.

Pros and cons for founders in Thessaloniki

Pros

• A deep research base: 35% of Greek spin-offs, Aristotle University and CERTH.
• A municipal accelerator in OK!Thess.
• A corporate tech anchor in Pfizer’s digital center.
• Flat 22% corporate tax plus a 100% R&D uplift.

Cons

• Most VC funds are in Athens, so plan regular trips south.
• No dedicated founder visa for non-EU citizens.
• Official paperwork is mostly in Greek.
• Thess INTEC is still under development, so its startup facilities are not open yet.

What does Thessaloniki offer women founders?

We found no women-only startup program based in Thessaloniki that we could confirm, so look at national and EU options:

• Women TechEU gives €75,000 in non-dilutive funding plus coaching to 160 women-led deep tech startups, and reserves 40% of its budget for companies in EU widening countries, Greece included. The last eligibility cut-off is 13 July 2027.
• OK!Thess and Endeavor Greece accept women founders in their regular programs.

FAQ about startups in Thessaloniki

What is the corporate tax rate for a startup in Greece?

Greek companies pay 22% corporate income tax on profits. There is no reduced small-profits rate, and certified R&D spending gets a 100% extra deduction.

Does Greece have a startup visa?

Not one we could confirm on official government pages. Non-EU founders use the residence permit for shareholders and managers of Greek companies or the investment activity permit, and the digital nomad visa covers only work for clients outside Greece.

What is Elevate Greece?

It is the National Startup Registry. Companies up to 8 years old with fewer than 250 staff and turnover under €50 million can register and get access to state startup support.

Where do Thessaloniki startups raise money?

Mostly from Athens-based VCs such as Velocity Partners, Marathon VC and Big Pi Ventures. The Hellenic Development Bank of Investments invests in Greek VC funds as a fund of funds.

Sources (checked October 2026)

• Greek News Agenda: Thess INTEC
• PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries: Greece corporate income tax
• Your Europe: VAT rates in EU countries
• GSRI: certification of R&D expenditure
• Ministry of Migration and Asylum: residence permit categories
• Greek Embassy in London: digital nomads
• GEMI one-stop shop
• Elevate Greece FAQ
• Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
• CERTH
• OK!Thess
• Pfizer Center for Digital Innovation
• Hellenic Development Bank of Investments
• Velocity Partners
• Big Pi Ventures
• Marathon VC
• Endeavor Greece
• EIC: Women TechEU

MeanCEO Index for Thessaloniki, Greece 🚀

Thessaloniki is a growing startup city with a lot to offer female entrepreneurs. Here is how it scores on the ten factors of the MeanCEO Index.

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1. Weather ☀️

• Score: 7/10
  • Thessaloniki enjoys a Mediterranean climate with abundant sunny days and mild winters. Summers get quite hot, and the pleasant weather allows for year-round outdoor activities, making networking events enjoyable.

2. Location 🏖️

• Score: 7/10
  • Thessaloniki faces the Thermaic Gulf of the Aegean Sea, with a long seafront promenade in the center. The nearest swimming beaches are a short trip away in Perea and Halkidiki, and the coastal views are a draw for both relaxation and creativity.

3. Women Friendly 👩‍💼

• Score: 6/10
  • Greece has made strides toward gender equality, although traditional views still linger in some areas. Programs made for female founders are still few in the city, so there is room for improvement.

4. Foreigners Friendly 🌍

• Score: 7/10
  • Thessaloniki welcomes foreigners, and locals are open to making new friends. Cultural differences can slow down forming connections, and the expat community helps newcomers settle in.

5. English as a Business Language 📚

• Score: 8/10
  • Greek is the main language, and English is common in startup circles and among younger professionals. That makes the city accessible for international entrepreneurs.

6. Delicious Cuisine 🍷

• Score: 9/10
  • Thessaloniki is famous for its food, with healthy Mediterranean dishes built on fresh ingredients, and local wines add to the experience. Onions show up in many classic Greek dishes, so onion-avoiders need to ask.

7. Ease of Getting Married and Starting a Family 💍

• Score: 5/10
  • The dating scene is lively, and as in many cities, balancing work and personal life takes effort. Family support from the community exists and varies from person to person.

8. Medicine 🏥

• Score: 6/10
  • Healthcare services are present, although the speed of access to appointments and tests fluctuates. Costs are relatively affordable, and experiences vary widely based on personal circumstances.

9. Ease of Transportation & Traveling 🚍

• Score: 6/10
  • Public transport is available, though more limited than in larger European cities. There is an international airport, and daily commuting still has room to get easier.

10. Startup Mindset 💡

• Score: 8/10
  • The local culture is increasingly supportive of entrepreneurship, with an emphasis on new ideas and resilience. Failure is starting to be seen more positively, which makes it easier for founders to take risks.

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MeanCEO Index Score: 66/100 🎉

Thessaloniki is a promising and still developing city for female entrepreneurs. It blends cultural richness, a supportive startup community and a strong research base, which makes it an inspiring place to launch and grow a business. Bureaucracy and access to capital remain the main hurdles, and the city is one to watch for ambitious female founders.

Happy entrepreneurship! 🚀