Accounting for E-shops: The Complete Guide to Taxation and Obligations (2026)

Creating and managing an online store has become one of the most dynamic business moves today. However, behind a well-designed platform, impressive products, and a strong marketing plan lies a strict tax and accounting framework. Ignorance of the law, or a mistake in the initial structure, can prove costly.

At our accounting firm, we provide daily accounting support for e-shops, helping entrepreneurs focus exclusively on their sales. Whether you are thinking of starting your own e-shop or already have one and want to understand your obligations for 2026, this guide is for you.

What Do I Need to Open an E-shop in Greece?

From a tax registration perspective with the Greek Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE), an e-shop is almost no different from a physical store. The process requires specific steps and strategic choices. In cases where we do not hold stock ourselves but operate as intermediaries between the producer and the end customer, we may declare our home as the registered address when starting a sole proprietorship.

Choosing the Right Business Structure

The first and perhaps most important step is to decide on the type of business entity. This choice determines both the way you will be taxed and your personal liability:

Sole Proprietorship: The most common and cost-effective solution for a new business with limited capital. It is quick to set up; however, you are personally liable for the debts of the business with your personal assets.

Private Company (IKE): The most popular structure for those expecting rapid growth, higher turnover, or cooperation with other partners. It offers the advantage of limited liability toward third parties, up to the amount of the company’s share capital.

General / Limited Partnership (OE / EE): Suitable for partnerships, but it requires caution, as partners’ liability is unlimited in general partnerships and for general partners in limited partnerships.

The Correct Activity Codes for an Online Store

The Business Activity Code, known in Greece as KAD, informs the state exactly what your business sells. For e-shops, the main code usually selected is 47.91, which refers to retail trade via mail order houses or via the internet. From there, specialized secondary activity codes are required depending on the products sold, such as retail trade of clothing, footwear, technology products, and so on.

Choosing the correct KAD codes is critical in order to avoid problems in the event of a tax audit, but also to ensure that you are eligible to participate in support programs for new or existing businesses.

Registration with GEMI, EFKA, and AADE

In addition to the tax authority, the entrepreneur must also register with EFKA for social security purposes, as well as with the General Commercial Registry (GEMI) and the competent Chamber of Commerce.

One important detail that many overlook is that your e-shop is legally required to display its GEMI registration number clearly on the website, usually together with the Terms of Use, Return Policy, and contact details.

E-shop Taxation: What Taxes Will You Pay in 2026?

Taxation depends on the legal form you have chosen. Let us look at the rates that apply for the current year.

Taxation of Sole Proprietorships

For sole proprietorships, net profits — revenue minus expenses — are taxed progressively. The rates are as follows:

9%	up to €10,000
20%	from €10,001 to €20,000
26%	from €20,001 to €30,000
34%	from €30,001 to €40,000
39%	from €40,001 to €60,000
44%	over €60,001

The above tax scale may vary in cases involving age, such as taxpayers under 30 or under 25, as well as depending on the number of children.

It should also be noted that presumed income, also referred to as the minimum remuneration, applies to self-employed professionals. This is adjusted according to the minimum wage, the years of operation, and turnover. New businesses are exempt from this presumption for their first years of operation.

The tax prepayment is 55%, reduced by half to 27.5% for the first three years of the business.

Taxation of Legal Entities (IKE, EPE, AE)

If you have established an IKE or another capital company, taxation is more straightforward. Corporate income tax is fixed at 22% on net profits, regardless of their amount.

However, if you choose to distribute profits as dividends to the owners, an additional dividend tax of 5% applies. In this case, the tax prepayment is 80%, also reduced to 40% for the first three years.

All legal entities are also subject to an annual business levy, usually ranging from €800 to €1,000.

VAT and Foreign Sales: How Does OSS Work?

The standard VAT rate in Greece is 24%, with reduced rates of 13% or 6% for specific goods. When selling within Greece, you apply the relevant Greek VAT rate.

But what happens when your e-shop “spreads its wings” across Europe?

The OSS, or One-Stop Shop, regime was created precisely to address this issue for retail B2C sales within the European Union. The rule is as follows: if your total sales to private individuals in other European countries do not exceed €10,000 per year, you invoice normally with Greek VAT.

However, if your European sales turnover exceeds the €10,000 threshold, you must charge the VAT rate of the buyer’s country. For example, for a shipment to Germany, you would apply German VAT at 19%.

Instead of registering with the tax authority of each country separately, you register with the OSS system in Greece. Through this system, you collect VAT from the various countries and pay it in total to the Greek state, which then undertakes to distribute it to the other EU member states.

For sales to professionals and companies in Europe, namely B2B sales, invoices are issued without VAT under the reverse charge mechanism, provided that both businesses are registered in the European VIES system.

What Applies to Dropshipping?

Dropshipping is a commercial model where you make the sale, but the product is shipped directly from your supplier to the final customer. Profit taxation remains the same.

However, the accounting is extremely complex due to triangular transactions, where businesses in three different countries are involved, customs clearance if the supplier is outside the EU, for example in China, and VAT compliance.

Careful planning is required before starting, so that you do not find yourself facing unpleasant surprises from customs authorities.

myDATA, Electronic Invoicing, and E-shops

The transmission of accounting data to AADE’s myDATA platform is at the core of the daily operation of every e-shop. In 2026, the framework becomes stricter:

All revenue is now transmitted in real time.

From October 2026, electronic invoicing through a certified provider will gradually become mandatory for B2B transactions of all businesses. For larger businesses with turnover above €1 million, the obligation has already started from March.

In practice, this means that your e-shop platform must be seamlessly connected with approved invoicing systems that communicate directly with AADE. Any discrepancy or omission may result in fines ranging from €100 to €500 per document.

At our firm, we supervise precisely these integrations, ensuring that everything runs smoothly in the background.

Can I Use My Home as the Registered Address for My E-shop?

The short answer is no. If your e-shop sells physical products, this means that there is inventory and movement of goods. The tax authority does not allow commercial activity to be carried out from a residence. You will need a professional space or warehouse.

Exceptions exist only if you operate strictly as an intermediary or if you sell digital services or software.

Managing a modern e-shop is not limited simply to recording invoices. The volume of electronic micro-transactions, payment gateway fees such as Stripe, Viva, and PayPal, customs clearance, OSS obligations, and absolute synchronization with myDATA create a demanding environment that leaves no room for careless handling.

At our accounting firm, we understand the complexity of managing the tax obligations of an online store, and we are here to offer you comprehensive support from the establishment of the business through to consulting for its growth.

We hold individual meetings by phone, Zoom calls, or email in order to answer all your questions and provide tailored solutions for your needs.