What to check before signing a lease
The practical question for an overseas owner or retail team is whether the premises can support the intended activity. Ask the landlord for available plans, permit information and building rules before treating the lease as a safe commitment.
- What use appears in the building file, and what use do you intend to operate?
- Are approved plans and evidence of lawful construction available?
- Does the building regulation allow the proposed activity?
- Can the premises support access, escape routes, electrical load, water and drainage?
- Will the fit-out require a change of use, permit, fire file or landlord consent?
For a pre-lease decision, read the change-of-use guide alongside this article. A statement that the unit was previously a shop is not a substitute for checking the file and actual condition.
Operating notification versus technical approvals
The phrase shop operating licence Greece covers different procedures. The notifybusiness.gov.gr platform applies to defined categories of economic activity, and requirements vary by activity. A notification is one part of opening compliance, not a blanket confirmation that the building and fit-out are lawful.
| Issue | What it answers | Who checks it |
|---|---|---|
| Operating notification | How the business activity is declared where that procedure applies. | Operator, following the current route. |
| Building permit | Whether planned construction works need a permit through e-Άδειες. | Engineer and competent planning office. |
| EEDMKA or Article 30 | Whether the intervention falls under a limited works route. | Engineer, based on the property and works. |
| Fire safety | Which studies, certificates or measures relate to the use. | Engineer and relevant fire-safety authorities. |
| Property records | Whether the file and existing condition agree. | Authorised engineer. |
This decision tool gives an initial indication only. Use it to prepare a conversation with the engineer, not as permission to start works.
Initial works classification guide
Indicative result
Choose one
Indicative only, within the framework of Law 4495/2017; an engineer confirms the route.
Speak to an engineerDocument categories for an opening file
The final list depends on the activity. Organising documents by responsibility helps a remote owner see what is missing before a site visit.
- Operator: individual or company details, business activity and identification information.
- Property: lease or right of use, address, floor area, building regulation and ownership information.
- Technical file: floor plans, building permit, lawful-works evidence, building identity records and site photographs.
- Engineer: declarations, technical reports and studies required for the activity or works route.
- Special requirements: fire safety, health conditions, public-space use or professional certificates where applicable.
The opening workflow
- Feasibility: define the activity, address, area, layout and target operating model.
- File review: compare the permit, plans, actual condition and approved or lawful use.
- Studies and acts: select the right route for studies and permits.
- Fit-out: deliver the agreed works and keep the required records for handover.
- Checks: review access, escape, installations, fire safety and activity-specific conditions.
- Notification and archive: the operator completes the applicable notification and keeps the file available.
Common failure points
- Signing a lease before checking permitted use and the existing plans.
- Starting work because a previous operator ran a similar business there.
- Relying on an incomplete fire file or a floor plan that does not match the premises.
- Treating a notification as proof that unauthorised works have been resolved.
Once the technical scope is clear, the Greek shop fit-out service can be planned around landlord interfaces, brand requirements and handover.
How Premier Construction supports the file
Premier Construction can coordinate the initial review, technical studies and permits, technical documents and construction where required. The owner or operator remains responsible for the business declaration and activity information.
For a first review, send the address, intended activity, floor area, available plans, permit information, photographs and opening target. Speak to an engineer before committing to works or a fixed opening date.
Sources: National Registry procedure for a KYE notification, notifybusiness.gov.gr, EUGO and e-Άδειες, gov.gr fire-safety route, Law 4495/2017, Law 4067/2012, NOK and Presidential Decree 41/2018. Last checked: 2026-09-06.
Frequently asked questions
Does every shop in Greece need an operating licence?
There is no single route for every activity. A business may use a notification or a specific licensing procedure, depending on the activity, authority and property. The current procedure should be confirmed before opening or starting works.
What documents are needed for a shop operating licence in Greece?
The file may include operator details, lease or right of use, floor plans, evidence of lawful construction, engineer declarations, fire-safety documents and activity-specific certificates. There is no universal list. The activity and current procedure determine the requirements.
What is the operating notification on notifybusiness.gov.gr?
It is a digital declaration of an activity to the competent authority where that route applies. It does not, by itself, prove planning legality, lawful use, fire compliance or that the premises meet every technical requirement.
Do we need a building permit to open a shop in Greece?
Opening paperwork and construction works are separate questions. A change of use, structural intervention or other defined work may need a building permit or small-scale works approval. An engineer confirms the correct act for the property and scope.
Who handles the shop opening process for an overseas owner?
The owner or operator remains responsible for the business declaration and activity information. A local engineer checks the property, prepares the required technical documents and coordinates the file with the relevant authorities. A project manager can also coordinate fit-out and handover.