Greek Tax Residency Webinar – February 10, 2021
January 18, 2021
• What are the tax and practical implications of changing my tax residence?
• Are there any planning opportunities in selling my business and retiring in Greece?
• How will my tax migration affect my tax status/assets in Canada?
• What are the benefits associated with the program and who can apply?
• Why should I consider Greece as my new tax base?
• I am a pensioner and want to retire in Greece. How do I apply?
Guest Speaker

H.E. KONSTANTINA ATHANASSIADOU
Ambassador Plenipotentiary and Extraordinary of Greece to Canada
H.E. KONSTANTINA ATHANASSIADOU
Ambassador Plenipotentiary and Extraordinary of Greece to Canada
Born 17th April 1958, in Athens Greece, Ambassador Athanassiadou has a degree in Philosophy, Classical Studies, Linguistics and French Literature, from the Faculty of Philosophy – National Kapodistrian (Athens) University, and a degree in Medieval and Modern Greek Studies and History, from the Faculty of Philosophy – Ioannina University.
She successfully concluded her entry exams and joined the Foreign Ministry of Greece as Attaché of Embassy in 1986.
Having served in various positions in Athens at this early part of her career, she was appointed Secretary of Embassy in Moscow, in 1988. After completion of her term and upon returning to Athens, she joined the First Political Department of the Foreign Ministry for the former Soviet Union states. Promoted First Secretary of Embassy in 1994, she was appointed Head of the Repatriation Unit at the Political Director’s Office, while also becoming member of the Executive Board of the Foundation of Repatriated Greeks.
In November 1995 she was appointed First Secretary at the Embassy of Greece in London and in June 1999, promoted to Second Counsellor.
In years 1996, 1997, and 1998 she attended the First Committee on Disarmament and International Security, of the 51st, 52nd and 53rd, respectively, UN General Assembly Sessions.
In October 2000, as First Counsellor, she was appointed Head of the Deputy Foreign Minister Diplomatic Cabinet. During this period, she participated in a series of official venues of bilateral or multilateral nature worldwide, and had the pleasure to visit for the first time Ottawa, Montreal and Toronto.
In August 2002 she was appointed Consul General of Greece in Alexandria (Egypt) and in September 2004, transferred to the Permanent Representation of the Hellenic Republic to the EU in Brussels, where she eventually became Head of EU External Relations and Enlargement Division. Upon return to Athens in September 2008, she was appointed Director of the EU External Relations and Enlargement Division of the Foreign Ministry.
In November 2010 she became Deputy Permanent Representative of the Hellenic Republic to the United Nations and other International Organizations, including WTO, in Geneva. She was promoted to Minister Plenipotentiary Second Class, in March 2013. In 2014, she was appointed Head of the Liaison Office of the Hellenic Republic in Pristina. In July 2015 she was promoted to Minister Plenipotentiary First Class.
Upon return to Athens in April 2018, she was appointed Chief of Protocol of the Foreign Ministry. In August 2018, Ambassador K. Athanassiadou was appointed General Director of International Economic Affairs of the Foreign Ministry.
Monday November 30, 2020, Ambassador Konstantina Athanassiadou presented her Letters of Credence to the Governor General of Canada, the Right Honourable Julie Payette. She is now accredited Ambassador Plenipotentiary and Extraordinary of Greece to Canada.
Ambassador K. Athanassiadou is a Grand Commander of the Order of the Phoenix of the Hellenic Republic and also has a number of distinctions over the years. She is particularly honoured to also wear the St. Mark Cross of the Patriarchate of Alexandria and all Africa.
She speaks English, French, Spanish and Russian. Ambassador K. Athanassiadou is a proud mother of a son, and is a keen admirer of art and knowledge.
Panelists
ASPASIA MALLIOU
Lawyer (LL.M) and Economist
Aspasia is a lawyer (LL.M) and economist. She is the tax partner of the law firm “POTAMITISVEKRIS”. For more than thirty years she works as tax lawyer. She provides specialized services to professionals and individuals, representing them in Administrative Courts as well as the Council of State for cases regarding taxation of income, capital and transactions. She is also specialized in tax planning and corporate structuring for investors and family offices. She deals with private wealth matters.
Furthermore, Aspasia is the publisher and the director of the biweekly tax law Bulletin “DELTIO FOROLOGIKIS NOMOTHESIAS”, which is awarded from the “Academy of Athens” for its scientific contribution while it was recently awarded from the “Association of Owners of Press and Magazines” for its uninterrupted circulation as from September 1946.
JAMES BELESIOTIS
CPA CA CAIT CISA CITP
James Belesiotis is a well-respected practitioner and published authority on international tax and in current practice. James holds professional tax accreditation internationally and participates in the Canadian Public Accountability Board (CPAB), which sets audit, accounting, and tax standards for listed companies. James has been an accredited tax specialist in public practice for more than 23 years. In addition to tax, his practice renders audits for listed and non-listed entities, special assurance reporting, accounting consultancy, and practice management services, including IT and Non-IT Forensics.
James has represented clients on tax matters from Canada, the US, Europe, India, and Southeast Asia.
Moderator

JOHN SOTOS
Co-President of The Hellenic Initiative Canada
Founding partner of Sotos LLP and conducts a broad transactions and dispute resolution practice with extensive experience representing companies engaged in franchise and distribution. Possesses unique expertise in franchising corporate networks and mergers of competing systems and offers an expert perspective on franchise regulation, having advised governments on both a national and international scale for over 25 years. Has significant expertise negotiating complex franchise matters and regularly represents clients across a broad range of industries including automotive, foodservice and hospitality sectors.
A frequent author and regular speaker on franchise distribution and regulation, John has been recognized as a leading lawyer in LEXPERT, Best Lawyers, International Who’s Who of Franchise Lawyers, International Who’s Who of Business Lawyers, Who’s Who Legal: Canada, and the LEXPERT/American Lawyer Media Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada.