Ā For the third consecutive year, Greece has been ranked the world’s most complex business environment, according to the 13th edition of the Global Business Complexity Index (GBCI), released on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.
The report says that while many countries have simplified their business operations in the wake of the pandemic, Greece continues to be the global “epicenter of complexity.” The ranking is driven by a combination of entrenched bureaucracy and an ambitiousābut still evolvingādigital transformation agenda.
What’s Behind Greece’s Business Complexity?
Although Greece has made significant efforts to modernize public services through digitalization, the report notes that long-standing administrative practices remain a major obstacle. Instead of replacing traditional paper-based processes, many new digital systems operate alongside them, forcing businesses to navigate both old and new procedures simultaneously. This overlap increases administrative burdens, slows operations, and adds to the overall complexity of doing business in the country.
MyData and Constant Regulatory Changes Add to the Challenge
The report identifies Greece’s electronic bookkeeping platform, MyData, as one of the main reasons the country has remained the world’s most complex business environment for three consecutive years. Although the system was introduced to improve tax transparency and combat tax evasion, its technical complexity and frequent updates continue to pose significant challenges, particularly for foreign businesses entering the Greek market.
The GBCI also notes that over the past three years, Greece has experienced more frequent changes to tax rates, labor regulations, and compliance deadlines than any other country in the Eurozone. This constant stream of regulatory updates creates what the report describes as “regulatory whiplash,” making it difficult for multinational companies to automate compliance processes without relying on continuous human oversight.
Strategic Outlook
Despite its top ranking for business complexity, the report emphasizes that Greece’s position should not be viewed solely as a sign of economic weakness. Instead, it reflects the growing pains of a country undertaking an extensive modernization of its institutions and regulatory systems.
For international companies, however, the takeaway is straightforward: operating in Greece requires patience, flexibility, and a strong local presence. The report recommends adopting a “local-first” strategy, arguing that the country’s intricate administrative and regulatory landscape is too complex to manage effectively from centralized global headquarters.
Global business environment
Credit: GBCI
Other Countries Ranked Among the Most Complex
Following Greece, Mexico ranks as the world’s second most complex business environment. The report attributes its position to frequent regulatory changes, unpredictable administrative procedures, evolving digital compliance requirements, and inconsistent expectations from tax authorities.
Brazil takes third place, largely due to its highly layered tax system, frequent regulatory updates, and demanding compliance obligations. Businesses operating in the country must also navigate differing rules across federal, state, and municipal governments, adding to the administrative burden.
France, ranked fourth, remains one of the most challenging places to do business because of its dense regulatory framework, strict compliance requirements, and language rules that can slow market entry and raise operating costs.
Meanwhile, Italy, which ranks eighth, continues to face complexity stemming from frequent legislative changes, intricate labor regulations, and cumbersome administrative procedures. Companies are often required to complete notarial formalities, attend in-person appointments, and adapt to constantly evolving employment laws.
Easiest Places to Do Business
At the opposite end of the rankings, Denmark, Hong Kong, the Netherlands, and the Czech Republic are among the world’s easiest jurisdictions for doing business. These markets stand out for their streamlined regulations, efficient administrative processes, and business-friendly operating environments.
Source: Greekreporter.com Edited by Bernie