Side Hustle, Greek Edition! How to Open an eShop While Working a Full-Time Job
So, you’re working full-time in Greece (kudos!) but also thinking,
“What if I opened a little online shop on the side?”
Whether you're Greek or an expat, that “little idea” can become a real, legal, income-generating business, with a little help from the right people.
But what can you sell?
✔︎ Physical Products
Handmade ceramics, eco soaps, olive oil, jewelry, vintage finds, pet accessories, anything you can package and ship.
✔︎ Digital Products
E-books, templates, printable planners, music, illustrations, digital courses, all from the comfort of your laptop.
✔︎ Services
Language tutoring, nutrition coaching, photography sessions, branding consults, and your skills, offered online.
✔︎ Travel Packages & Local Experiences
Curated city tours, weekend escapes, rural stays, and cultural experiences, especially appealing to fellow expats and visiting friends.
✔︎ Subscriptions or Kits
Monthly mystery boxes, curated Greek snacks, wellness boxes, art supplies, language learning kits, great for recurring income.
✔︎ Events
Retreats, workshops, pop-up dinners, and networking meetups tickets or RSVP spots directly from your shop.
💡 I’ve written 2 articles about this with real examples and ideas to help you decide what fits your lifestyle and skills best.
No more "Someday" → Start today! Turn your hobby into income for less than €1,000 a year!
Opening a Blog! From Passion project to profitable eShop!
Even if you're not sure what to start with, you probably already have something to offer.
Your story, your skills, your craft, it’s more than enough.
You’ve got the idea. We’ve got the know-how.
👉 Enter Athens is here to take the stress out of the legal stuff—business registration, accountants, EFKA, and all the paperwork you don’t want to deal with.
👉 Uneedasite is here to design and launch your online shop on Shopify or Squarespace, looking great, working smoothly, and ready to make sales.
Together, we’ve got you covered from paperwork to pixels.
Here’s how it all comes together, step by step.
STEP 1: Find an accountant (aka your new best friend)
Don’t skip this. Your accountant will:
👉 Register your new business activity on Taxisnet
👉 File your quarterly VAT returns
👉 Keep your books squeaky clean
👉 Tell you what you owe before the government surprises you
Tip!
Choose someone who understands freelancers and expats. Bonus points if they’ve had coffee with the devil, that is EFKA.
STEP 2: Open your business activity on taxisnet
You’ll need to:
👉 Log into taxisnet
👉 With your accountant, open a business under the category “λιανικό εμπόριο μέσω διαδικτύου” (Retail via Internet)
👉 This step makes your shop official. No activity = no invoices = no legal income.
STEP 3: Set your business address
This can be:
👉 Your apartment
👉 A shared office
👉 Your cousin’s spare room (if they’re feeling generous and it’s allowed)
It just needs to be declared on Taxisnet. No, you don’t need a storefront in Kolonaki.
STEP 4: Choose your invoicing software
Yes, even a one-person online store needs to issue legal invoices in Greece.
You’ll need software that connects to the government’s myDATA platform.
Options:
👉 Free: AADE-approved tools like eTimologio, Zoho invoicing
👉 Paid: Pros like Prosvasis, Elorus, or Softone (easier to use, with extras)
If you’re using Shopify, many of these tools connect directly to your store. We’ll set that up for you.
STEP 5: Open a business bank account
You’ll need it to:
👉 Accept payments from your eShop
👉 Keep business and personal money separate (a must for clean books)
👉 Avoid the classic “Oops, was that business or groceries?” mistake
Go to your bank with your new business papers. It’s easier than you think (some even allow online setups now).
STEP 6: Learn your EFKA contributions
Here’s where most people panic. Don’t.
As a registered freelancer or sole trader, you’ll pay a monthly social security contribution to EFKA. Your accountant will tell you how much (it starts low for new businesses).
Bonus tip!
Some people qualify for discounts for the first few years. Your accountant will check.
STEP 7: Build your eShop
This is where the magic happens. Here’s how we help:
🔸 Shopify
Best for: growing shops, inventory, multiple products
Features: automations, scalable shipping, smooth payment setup
Add-ons: email marketing, gift cards, analytics, POS, etc.
🔸 Squarespace
Best for: small shops, services, and content creators
Features: beautiful templates, perfect for visual brands, easy to manage
Add-ons: appointment booking, blogging, portfolio, digital product sales
Your shop will be:
✔︎ Mobile-friendly
✔︎ SEO-ready
✔︎ Integrated with your invoicing
✔︎ Bilingual (English + Greek) if you need it
✔︎ Designed to match your vibe, values, and vision
You’ll also get:
✔︎ A mini email marketing setup (welcome emails, abandoned cart flows)
✔︎ Social media integration (so people can shop straight from Instagram)
✔︎ Tutorials so you’re in control
Ready to Start?
Contact us and book a free 30-minute advisory call.
Let’s talk about your idea and what you need to get started.
👉 Enter Athens - Legal setup & relocation support: www.enterathens.com is here to take the stress out of the legal stuff—business registration, accountants, EFKA, and all the paperwork you don’t want to deal with.
👉 Uneedasite - Your digital store, designed & launched: www.uneedasite.com is here to design and launch your online shop on Shopify or Squarespace, looking great, working smoothly, and ready to make sales.
Send us a message and let’s talk about your idea.
Together, we’ve got you covered from paperwork to pixels.
Sources: Taxisnet – AADE, EFKA – Social Security, Gov.gr – Services for Freelancers
