Priority investment sectors (Investment attraction) – Enterprise Greece

Hub source: Κλάδοι Αιχμής: https://www.enterprisegreece.gov.gr/el/proselkisi-ependiseon/kladoi-aixmis/ (Greek hub; English site mirrors content under /en/ where published).

Each sector links to the Greek subpage used as the text source.

Overview (hub page)

The Priority sectors section presents eight sectors targeted for foreign direct investment in Greece. (The hub repeats the same eight blocks; here they appear once.)

Hub teasers

Tourism: Over 16,000 km of coastline and about 6,000 islands and islets; established global position; summer holidays and thematic tourism year-round; strengths in heritage, landscape, and geographic variety.

Energy: Crossroads of East and West; trilateral partnerships (e.g. Greece–Cyprus–Israel); role in the Balkans and Eastern Mediterranean energy map.

ICT: Rising demand for automation and digitalisation in private and public sectors.

Life sciences: Skilled people, R&D footprint, pharmaceutical manufacturing; growth at home and abroad.

Audiovisual: Early cinema tradition; popular film location since the early 20th century.

Food & agriculture: Strong exports to Europe and a growing presence in the Americas; olive oil through flour, honey, processed meats, ready meals; dynamic processing industries.

Supply chain: Junction of three continents (Europe, Asia, Africa); historically a strategic transport node.

Global service centres: Shared services and business process outsourcing (BPO); geo-strategic location; emerging European destination for international business operations.

Investment Helpdesk (from hub)

Subtopics: Investment guides, Specialised investor information, Greece by region, Publications, External links.

Short descriptions: support on licensing, financing, and specialised information; financing tools for investors implementing projects in Greece; regional factsheets.

1. Tourism

Source: Tourism (EL): https://www.enterprisegreece.gov.gr/el/proselkisi-ependiseon/kladoi-aixmis/tourismos/

Documents: Licensing guide / Tourism sector 2026 (PDF, GR): https://enterprisegreece.gr/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/DA_01_GR_2026-2.pdf · Tourism factsheet 2025: https://enterprisegreece.gr/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Tourism2025.pdf

Investing in Greek tourism

• Scale (coastline, islands) and global market position; sun & sea plus thematic products.
• Even during the crisis, tourism was a growth pillar (revenue, arrivals, jobs); product upgrading; new source markets (e.g. Russia, Israel, Turkey, China).

Strategic upgrade (summary): longer season, higher-spending segments (incl. HNWI), higher spend per visitor, new markets.

Product lines: enrichment of sun & sea (wellness, luxury, gastronomy); maritime (cruise, yachting); city tourism (Athens, Thessaloniki); cultural & religious; business events (MICE); sports tourism (golf, training bases, etc.).

Mixed-use resorts / second homes: related law and residence permits for non-EU investors (see site link combination of laws 4002/2011 and 4251/2014).

Why invest

• Brand: Many Greek destinations are globally popular; recognised luxury holidays.
• Geography: Beaches, mountains, forests — potential year-round visits.
• History & culture: Monuments museums, archaeological sites.
• Infrastructure: Reference to WEF Travel & Tourism Competitiveness 2019; >800,000 beds, >500 conference facilities, >8,000 yacht berths, direct flights.

Main opportunities

• HRADF / state asset development (marinas, regional airports, tourism real estate, etc.)
• Luxury resorts with incentives (grants, tax relief)
• Specialised products around gastronomy, culture, wellness, medical/MICE, specific markets or demographics

Sub-themes (short)

• Sun & sea: hotel quality/certification, luxury resorts, legal pairing of hotels and holiday homes, transport upgrades, new thematic products; islands, Crete, Peloponnese; branded hotel opportunities.
• Maritime / cruise: port upgrades; regulatory changes ending cruise cabotage restrictions framed as market opener.
• Cities: Athens & Thessaloniki — culture, urban life, air access, side trips (e.g. Spetses, Hydra, Vergina).
• Culture & religion: 18 UNESCO sites; digital offerings, site upgrades, themed products; support from the Ministry of Culture for investments aligned with national strategy.
• MICE: need for large-event capacity; post-2004 Olympics upgrade; opportunities with incentives and climate.
• Integrated resorts (Law 4002/2011): FDI framework; tourist residences leasable/transferable; interaction with residence permit (4251/2014).
• Sports tourism: global market size; Greece’s outdoor and seasonal sports potential.

External links (sample): GNTO, SETE, Hotel Chamber, HATTA, HAPCO, POX, HYBA, ITEP.

Mini sites: Greece @ MIPIM (Enterprise Greece).

Older event lists on the sector pages are not reproduced here; see the site events calendar: https://www.enterprisegreece.gov.gr/el/imerologio-ekdiloseon/.

2. Energy

Source: Energy (EL): https://www.enterprisegreece.gov.gr/el/proselkisi-ependiseon/kladoi-aixmis/energeia/

Documents: Energy sector licensing procedures 2026 – KPMG (PDF): https://enterprisegreece.gr/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/KPMG_Energy-Sector-GR.pdf · Short licensing guide 2025: https://enterprisegreece.gr/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/KPMG_energy-guide_short-EG_2025.pdf · Energy factsheet 2025: https://enterprisegreece.gr/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Energy-2025.pdf

Investing in Greek energy

• Geography + trilateral cooperation (e.g. GR–CY–IL).
• RES: wind, hydro, geothermal, solar, CSP, biomass.
• Infrastructure projects: TAP, IGB, EastMed, EuroAsia Interconnector, hydrocarbon exploration — upgraded Greek role in EU energy mix and investment cases.

Characteristics of the Greek energy system

• Falling lignite and conventional-fired output
• Import dependence — crude, products, natural gas
• Gas in final demand growing but still below EU average penetration
• RES rollout and efficiency gains
• Rising gas-fired generation share after CO₂ pricing

The sector’s GVA share is high vs many EU peers; expected growth drivers:

• Mix optimisation — less fossil, more RES; EU trajectory (site text cites ~35% RES by 2030); gas as transition fuel
• Privatisations: PPC, HEDNO, DEPA, HELLENiQ
• Further market opening and unbundling
• Gateway role for gas, power, oil (TAP, IGB, Alexandroupolis FSRU, EastMed, EuroAsia, hydrocarbons)
• Efficiency — smart meters, LED, smart grids, efficient buildings
• Island grid interconnections (IPTO)

Why invest

• Hub potential East–West energy flows, interconnectors, LNG terminals
• Resource base: climate, >250 sunny days / ~3,000 hours of sunshine, wind — under-developed RES potential
• Policy support: TAP, Revithoussa LNG, RES investments; updated regulatory framework

Main opportunities

• Gas transport & distribution, LNG terminals
• Public tenders for hydrocarbon exploration
• RES plants (wind, CSP, biomass, geothermal)
• Energy efficiency investments
• Privatisation of energy assets
• Island interconnections and cross-border electricity links (e.g. Maritsa East, EuroAsia)

Recent investor examples (as on site)

Third Point Gas – Energan; Shenhua – Copelouzos (~€3 bn plan cited); China State Grid – 24% IPTO; Fairfax – Mytilineos; York Capital – GEK TERNA; Snam / Enagás / Fluxys – 66% DESFA.

External links: Ministry of Environment & Energy, RAE, CRES, PPC, IPTO, DEPA, HELLENiQ and industry associations listed on the page.

Energy trade fairs and conferences are listed on the site calendar.

3. Information & communication technologies

Source: ICT (EL): https://www.enterprisegreece.gov.gr/el/proselkisi-ependiseon/kladoi-aixmis/texnologies-pliroforikis-epikoinonion/

Investing in Greek ICT

• Major sector due to public and private digitalisation.
• SEPE (2020) estimate: ICT market size about €5.7 billion (Greek source formatting “5,676 bn EUR” interpreted as billions).
• Talent pool, incubators, R&D, co-working, infrastructure.
• Value-added global services; examples: software R&D centres, IC / MEMS fabs — with public support.
• Growth drivers: large public IT projects; adoption of smartphones, broadband, smart TV; clusters, funds (Equifund, NSRF); university research (cloud, positioning, nanotech, smart systems).

International names cited: Nokia–Siemens, Oracle, ZTE, Samsung, Huawei, SAP, Unisoft, etc.

Start-up ecosystem: resilience through the crisis; acquisitions by major tech firms; VC names listed on the page.

Why invest

• Global Talent Competitiveness Index — strong education and ICT skills; >70% English speakers (per site).
• Funding: EU-derived instruments, PPPs, private capital; R&D and innovation focus.
• Infrastructure for large ICT deployments including telecoms.
• Research & education parks, universities, clusters.
• Location for assembly and logistics serving Eastern producers (China, Japan, Korea).

Main opportunities

Database operations; multilingual contact centres; mobile marketing; software development centres; cybersecurity; smart cities; device assembly and distribution; B2B cloud; research & innovation.

External links: GSRT, FORTH, SEPE, SEPVE, Digital Greece portal, EETT.

4. Life sciences & health

Source: Life sciences (EL): https://www.enterprisegreece.gov.gr/el/proselkisi-ependiseon/kladoi-aixmis/epistimes-ygeias/

Investing

• Strengths: scientific workforce, R&D, drug manufacturing.
• Ecosystem: start-ups and international R&D partnerships.
• Generics as pillar for domestic industry and exports; global cost pressure favours generics; Greek industry can scale with know-how and capacity.

Figures (IOBE / SFEE 2018 on page): Pharma R&D about 8% of private Greek R&D; 2,506 clinical studies; pharmaceutical exports ~€1.4 bn, 4.3% of goods exports.

Investment directions: exports toward Western & Central–Eastern Europe; biotech / health start-ups; health–tourism synergies.

Why invest

• Generics growth in neighbouring markets; Greek companies with low transport costs and distribution networks.
• Clinical trials hub: many multinationals run trials in Greece; attractive framework for research investment.
• R&D depth and expertise.
• Medical professionals in high international demand.
• Medical tourism: pairing healthcare and leisure; proximity to markets such as the Middle East.

Main opportunities

• R&D investment in biotech / health start-ups.
• Partnerships with Greek manufacturers to enter new markets.
• Medical tourism as a high-potential segment.

External links: Ministry of Health, SFEE, GSRT, Fleming Institute, Academy of Athens biomedical institute, FORTH.

5. Audiovisual production

Source: Audiovisual (EL): https://www.enterprisegreece.gov.gr/el/proselkisi-ependiseon/kladoi-aixmis/optikouastikes-paragoges/

Documents: Audiovisual licensing guide 2025 (PDF, GR): https://enterprisegreece.gr/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2025-TOMEAS-OPTIKOAKOUSTIKWN_GR.pdf · Audiovisual factsheet 2023: https://enterprisegreece.gr/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Audiovisual2023.pdf

Investing

• Historic industry and international shoots since the early 20th century.
• Investment in talent and festivals; GDP, jobs, tax revenue, and tourism spillovers.

Why invest

• Incentives: investment law, 40% cash rebate, tax relief, upcoming EU structural funds, Hellenic Development Bank
• Licensing: 15 Film Offices in 13 regions (EKOME model)
• Crews & expertise (Greek Film Centre, EKOME)
• Competitive production costs
• Locations & light
• Safety and hospitality

Main opportunities

Fiction, TV series, documentary, animation, cultural/educational games, online formats, game software, apps (PC/tablet/console/mobile), film-induced tourism.

Incentive summary – Law 4487/2017 (cash rebate)

Up to 40% of eligible Greek spend on fiction, documentary, animation, digital games; can support bank finance; €75m PDE allocation 2018–2022 referenced.

• Stacking rule: total state aid ≤ 50% of project cost; 60% for cross-border productions; 80% for “difficult” audiovisual works (per Greek law text on page).

Tax incentive: 30% of eligible Greek spend deducted from taxable income of Greek-tax-resident investors.

Sample productions cited: The Big Blue, Zorba the Greek, Mamma Mia, Before Midnight, The Little Drummer Girl, Loving Vincent (Oscar nominee), In the Fade (Golden Globe), etc.

External links: EKOME: https://www.ekome.media/, Hellenic Film Commission: http://www.filmcommission.gr/.

6. Food & agricultural products

Source: Food & agriculture (EL): https://www.enterprisegreece.gov.gr/el/proselkisi-ependiseon/kladoi-aixmis/trofima-agrotika-proionta/

Investing

• Major export sector; strong EU position and growing Americas footprint; innovation in product and packaging.

• Trends: organic inputs, Mediterranean diet branding, wellness, food security, collaborative R&D with EU funding.

• Scale + ingredients + brand story vs global commodity producers.

Multinationals cited: Mondelēz, Lays, Barilla, Cadbury, General Mills, Friesland Campina, etc.

Exports: vegetables, fruits, olive oil, dairy, fish, canned fruit, olives, raisins, wine, tomato products; USA, China, Russia, Western Europe.

Value-add: snacks, pasta, jams, pickles, seafood, meat; Greece third-largest olive oil producer globally (per site).

Why invest

• Mediterranean diet equity; recognised healthy positioning.
• Climate & geography for premium inputs (e.g. truffle, saffron).
• PDO / PGI and specialty foods.
• Know-how across farming and food science.

Main opportunities

• Modern primary production (hydroponics, greenhouses, high-value crops).
• Organic production for export.
• Packaging and marketing for heritage categories (olive oil, herbs, aquaculture).
• Boutique / niche positioning.
• High-value SKUs aligned with Mediterranean and organic trends.
• Private label / branded mass market using Greek networks into SEE.
• New products leveraging Greek R&D centres.

Sub-sectors (short)

• Crops / organic: “export crop” lines, co-ops, private capital.
• Local specialities: mastic, Kalamata olives, Kozani saffron, Aegina pistachios, yoghurt, honey, PDOs, etc.
• Aquaculture: ~90% of domestic sector value from sea bass & sea bream; global quality reputation; scale/cost improvement opportunity.
• Olive oil: quality, varietals, organic segment; consolidation, processing, R&D, packaging.

External links: Ministry of Rural Development & Food, SEVT, CERTH IBO, University of Thessaly, HCMR institutes.

7. Supply chain & logistics

Source: Supply chain (EL): https://www.enterprisegreece.gov.gr/el/proselkisi-ependiseon/kladoi-aixmis/efodiastiki-alisida/

Investing

• Junction Europe–Asia–Africa; long-standing trade crossroads.

• Seaborne trade: ~80% of world trade by volume, >70% by value (site); European container ports ~+6%/year; SEE port traffic >+8%/year.

• Greek ports as hubs for Asia → Europe flows.

• Piraeus: container & car terminal; ~210 nm to central Mediterranean route; Thriasio logistics zone; high-speed rail Corridor to Europe; turnaround with COSCO; #1 Mediterranean / #25 world container port 2019 (~4.9M TEU).

• Other ports: Thessaloniki, Alexandroupolis, Patras; Thessaloniki port privatisation.

Directions: develop ports as Asia–Europe gateways; privatise strategic transport assets; road/rail upgrades; assembly & quality hubs for Asian manufacturing selling into Europe.

Examples: TRAINOSE (FS Italiane) + HP rail ex-Piraeus; Huawei pilot hub; ZTE logistics centre.

Privatisation portfolio: ports & marinas, rail, Athens International Airport, regional airports.

Why invest

• Competitive shipping economics and regional market access.
• Intermodal links: modern road/rail tied to major ports; TEN-T: >€26 bn Greek infrastructure envelope cited on page.
• Geography: Baltic–Black Sea–Mediterranean corridors.
• Shipping: Greek-controlled merchant fleet among world leaders (per site).
• Logistics talent and 3PL presence (Kuehne+Nagel, DHL, DB Schenker, Geodis, Panalpina, etc.).

Main opportunities

Ports, regional airports, Athens airport, rail & roads, logistics centres, assembly & QA facilities.

8. Global business services (shared services / BPO / GBS)

Source: GBS (EL): https://www.enterprisegreece.gov.gr/el/proselkisi-ependiseon/kladoi-aixmis/pagkosmia-kentra-paroxis-ipiresion/

Documents: Centralising, Outsourcing in Greece (PDF): https://enterprisegreece.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/CENTRALIZING-OUTSOURCING-IN-GREECE-2023.pdf · GBS factsheet 2025: https://enterprisegreece.gr/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/GBS-2025.pdf

Content

• Shared services & BPO; geo-strategic location; rising European hub.
• Business environment, legal framework for GBS, graduate talent, competitive labour cost, office rents, incentives for headcount and training.
• BPO ecosystem: large providers entering Greece; ~5,000 jobs cited.

Functions centralised: finance & accounting, R&D, high-tech product design, consulting, customer care, technical support.

Education: 44% of 30–34 year-olds tertiary-educated vs 40% EU average; large annual graduate volumes in ICT/engineering, languages, STEM masters (figures as on page).

Telecoms & banking: digital transformation; lighter labour rules; improving office market.

Main opportunities

Product design & development; tech support & data centres; tech assembly & distribution; customer engagement centres; R&I centres; in-house finance, HR, supply-chain services.

For the latest events linked from sector pages, use the Enterprise Greece Events: https://www.enterprisegreece.gov.gr/en/events/ page (EN) or the Greek events calendar: https://www.enterprisegreece.gov.gr/el/imerologio-ekdiloseon/.

Source: Enterprise Greece – https://www.enterprisegreece.gov.gr