Investment and market
Why You Can't Do Business in Greece the Same Way as in CIS Countries
After seven years of living in Greece, I realized one thing that initially seemed strange: decisions are rarely made quickly here.
If you are used to receiving a contract an hour after a meeting, an advance payment tomorrow, and starting work a week later, a completely different rhythm awaits you in Greece. And this is not a drawback of the country — it is part of its culture.
Greeks Buy the Person First
In CIS countries, we often start cooperation with numbers: price, timeframe, contract. In Greece, it is the exact opposite. First, people want to understand who you are, whether you can be trusted, whether you will still be here in five years, and whether you will keep your word. Only after that do they begin discussing business.
Over seven years, I have become convinced that many major deals took place not because of beautiful presentations, but because of relationships built over months.
You Can’t Constantly Rush People Here
During my first years, I constantly tried to speed up processes: I called, wrote, sent reminders, and demanded answers. Over time, I realized that pressure often has the opposite effect.
In Greece, it is much more effective to plan work in advance, agree on deadlines, and calmly monitor task execution. Calmness here is perceived as a sign of confidence.
Personal Meetings Are Worth More Than Dozens of Emails
You can send twenty emails and get no response. But a single meeting over a cup of coffee can sometimes resolve an issue in half an hour.
For foreigners, this is unusual, but this is precisely how many business relationships are built in Greece. That is why I always advise investors to visit in person and get to know the architects, engineers, contractors, and neighbors of the future project. This saves far more time than endless correspondence.
Not Everything Is Measured by a Contract
Of course, a contract is mandatory. But in Greece, reputation is often valued higher than a signed document.
If someone breaks their word, the professional community finds out very quickly. Conversely, if a company works honestly and delivers quality, recommendations start bringing in new clients without advertising. That is why reputation has always been the main asset of AILIT Group for me.
Why a Foreign Investor Needs a Local Partner
Over my years of work, I have realized that the main value of our company is not just construction. We know how to speak two languages simultaneously:
- The language of international business — where deadlines, transparency, and financial control matter.
- The language of Greece — where trust, respect for local traditions, and personal relationships matter.
It is precisely this combination that helps our clients avoid many mistakes that foreigners make during their first years of working here.
Today, AILIT Group guides investors through all stages: from site search and negotiations with property owners to construction, documentation, and subsequent property management. We don’t just build homes — we help our clients understand Greece even before they become a part of it.
Article reviewed by Alexey Fatuev — expert in real estate construction and development in Greece.