To start a coffee shop in Greece, secure a high-footfall corner near offices, transit or tourist routes and define your model (takeaway kiosk vs sit‑down) because rent, permits and staffing scale differently. Form a Sole Proprietorship for speed or an I.K.E. for liability protection, register with GEMI and AADE, and choose KAD 56.30 (Beverage-serving activities). File the operation notification with your municipality (often via gov.gr) after ensuring the premises meet sanitary specs, and obtain: HACCP plan, floor plan, fire-safety certificate, staff medical fitness certificates, and food-handler training. If using outdoor tables, apply for a sidewalk use permit; for music, get a municipal music license and arrange rights with EDEM/GEA. Install a certified fiscal POS, accept cards, and connect sales to AADE myDATA; set price architecture to keep beverage COGS near 25–30%. Register hires on ERGANI II, insure via EFKA, schedule legally, and enforce the smoking ban indoors. Budget roughly €40k–€120k for fit-out, espresso machine/grinder, water filtration, signage, and working capital. Choose suppliers with next-day service nationwide; build a menu around Greek favorites (freddo, cold brew) plus quick snacks; list on Google Maps, Wolt or efood; and measure throughput (cups/hour) and rent-to-revenue (<12%) to validate viability before signing a long lease.
