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Greece |
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| Membership in EU: | 1981 |
| Political system: | Republic |
| Capital city: | Athens |
| Total area: | 131 957 km² |
| Currency: | Euro (EUR) |
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Statistical Office
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Chamber of Commerce and Industry
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Entrepreneurship in the Country
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Business Directories
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Local Communities
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Business Communication
Relationships are the linchpin of business dealings, since Greeks prefer to do business with those they know and trust.
They maintain an intricate web of family and friends to call upon for business assistance, since they can be confident of their trustworthiness.
Nepotism is not viewed negatively and it is very common for relatives to work for the same company.
Greeks prefer face-to-face meetings rather than doing business by telephone or in writing, which are seen as too impersonal.
It takes time to develop relationships: this can be done in the office, over extended lunches, dinners, and social outings.
Never say or do anything, that can be construed as challenging the honour or integrity of a business colleague.
Under no circumstances should you publicly question someone's statements.
Greeks do not like people who are pretentious or standoffish.
Although business is relaxed, it is also serious. Acting informal, before a relationship has developed, is considered discourteous.
If your Greek business colleagues become quiet and withdrawn, you may have said or done something to upset them.
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Business Meetings
Appointments are necessary and should be made 1 to 2 weeks in advance, although, it is often possible to schedule them on short notice.
Confirm meetings one day in advance by telephone.
Many businesspeople eat lunch between 1 and 3 pm, so this is not the optimal time for a meeting.
Quite often it is not apparent, until the third meeting, that business is actually conducted. During the first meeting, your Greek business colleagues will want to get to know something about you as a person. The second meeting is used to develop trust and mutual respect. By the third meeting, business may begin.
Have printed material available in both English and Greek.
Meetings are often interrupted. Several people may speak at the same time.
Greeks will deviate from agendas. They view agendas, as starting points for discussions and will then follow the discussion to the next logical place.
Although some business people speak English, it is a good idea to hire an interpreter.
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Business Negotiation
Forming a personal relationship is critical to developing a successful business relationship.
Companies are hierarchical. Greeks respect age and position.
Business is conducted slowly. You will have to be patient and not appear ruffled.
Demonstrate, how your product or service enhances your colleague's reputation.
Do not lose your temper or appear irritated during business discussions.
Greeks are skilled negotiators. They quite enjoy haggling.
Decision making is held at the top of the company.
Imposing a deadline on reaching a decision may end the negotiations.
Contracts are often quite simple, since the personal relationship dictates, that accommodations will be made on either side, should the need arise.
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President
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Government
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Prime Minister
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Ministries
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Constitutional Court
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Legislation
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Geographical Characteristics
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Greece is located in the south-eastern Europe near the crossroads of Europe and Asia, on the southern end of the Balkan Peninsula. The country comprises more than 2000 island in Aegean and Ionian Sea, of which only 170 are inhabited. The highest mountain in the country is Mount Olympus.
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Languages
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Greek; also Macedonian, Turkish, Albanian and Bulgarian.
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Short History
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Greece is generally considered to be the cradle of the European civilization. The works of ancient Greek scholars represented a giant step ahead in philosophy, medicine, mathematics and astronomy. Greek city-states were the first democratic forms of government. The historical and cultural heritage resonates also in literature, art, philosophy and politics of the modern world.
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Time Zone
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International Dialing Code
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Average Temperatures
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July 27 0C, January 9 0C.
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Opening Hours of Banks
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Monday - Thursday: 8.00am – 2.00pm.
Friday: 8.00am – 1.30pm.
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Opening Hours of Post-Offices
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Monday - Friday: 7.30am – 2.00pm.
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Opening Hours of Shops
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Legally permitted opening hours:
Monday - Saturday: 9.00am – 2.00pm.
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Credit Cards
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The following credit cards are accepted in Greece: Visa, MasterCard–EuroCard, American Express, Diner's Club, Access, Citicard. They are accepted in numerous hotels, restaurants and shops. Almost all petrol stations will accept credit cards.
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Foreign Currency Exchange
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Apart from the banks, foreign currency can be also exchanged in exchange offices, hotel receptions, tourist agencies, petrol stations and larger department stores.
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Mobile Telecommunications
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The country is almost entirely covered by mobile telephony signal, since the operators have concluded contracts with larger European and world operators. Mobile phones in the country are designed to function within the network of frequency bands 900 MHZ and 1800 MHZ. You can host in the following mobile networks: Cosmote, Vodafone, Wind.
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Anti Smoking Law
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The Law that bans smoking in all public places was passed in Greece in 2007, but they decided to postpone the introduction for 11 years.
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Emergency Telephone Numbers
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Population of the State
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Population of the Capital
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Demographics
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Religion
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