Updated October 21, 2026
Where paying customers come from
Customers in Greece come from a mix of local and online sources. Neighbours and people in your building often become early clients because they can meet you in person and trust you more easily. Workplaces and colleagues can refer you or book sessions themselves. Students and school networks are common sources for small, budget tattoos. Word of mouth remains important in towns and islands where communities are tight. Online search and social media are how new clients from outside your immediate circle discover you, especially for photos and portfolios. Tourists can be clients in some areas, but this depends on season and local regulations.
- Neighbours and local community
- Work colleagues and employer networks
- Students and school networks
- Word of mouth and referrals
- Online search and social media
- Seasonal tourists in some locations
How to set a first price and talk about money
Set a first price that covers your materials, sterilisation, equipment wear, your time, and a margin for unexpected costs. For small designs you can offer fixed-price options; for larger or custom work use a time-based estimate. Be transparent about deposits, cancellations and how you handle touch-ups. When discussing money, be clear and professional: provide a short written estimate before starting, confirm whether the price includes aftercare supplies, and state your payment methods. Avoid underpricing to attract clients, because it trains clients to expect low rates and can create cash-flow problems.
- Include materials, sterilisation, equipment wear and your time
- Use fixed prices for small designs and time-based estimates for custom work
- Require a deposit for bookings and state cancellation terms
- Provide a written estimate and confirm what is included
What the first ten customers usually look like
The first ten paying customers are often people who already know you or have been referred. Expect family members, friends, neighbours, colleagues and a few acquaintances from social media. Many early clients ask for small, low-risk tattoos - initials, simple symbols, or touch-ups. You may also get walk-ins or people from local bars and cafés if you work in a visible neighbourhood. These early jobs help you build a portfolio, refine your booking and aftercare process, and get honest feedback. Treat each as an opportunity to test pricing, timing and client communication.
- Family and friends
- Neighbours and colleagues
- Local students or younger clients
- Social media followers and acquaintances
- Occasional walk-ins
What to sort out when taking money in Greece
Before you take payments you should check obligations with the relevant Greek authorities. Contact AADE - the Independent Authority for Public Revenue - and ask how to register as self-employed, how to issue receipts or invoices for tattoo services, and whether you must register for VAT given your expected turnover. Contact EFKA - the Unified Social Security Fund - about mandatory social insurance contributions for independent workers. Check with your local municipality or regional health authority about hygiene and premises requirements for tattooing. Ask specifically what licences, certificates or inspections are required, and what records you must keep for tax purposes.
- Ask AADE how to register as self-employed and how to issue receipts or invoices
- Ask AADE about VAT registration thresholds and reporting
- Ask EFKA about social insurance registration and contribution rules
- Ask your local municipality or regional health authority about hygiene rules and premises inspections
- Keep clear records of income, receipts and expenses
Common early mistakes and what goes wrong
New independent tattoo artists often run into the same problems. Underpricing and failing to account for all costs leaves you with poor margins. Poor scheduling and not allowing enough time per appointment creates stress and rushed tattoos. Not taking deposits leads to no-shows and lost slots. Skipping proper records and receipts causes tax headaches. Running out of consumables or failing to manage sterilisation routines can harm clients and your reputation. Before expanding, make sure your booking, stock and financial tracking are working reliably.
- Underpricing and ignoring overheads
- Overbooking and poor time estimates
- No deposit policy leading to cancellations
- Poor record-keeping for taxes and insurance
- Running out of supplies or inadequate sterilisation
How a Websta profile fits into this
A Websta profile gives you a page that looks like a small website with services, prices, photos, a contact form and online booking. It is a single link you can send to clients and post on social media. Websta also has a marketplace where local people can find providers by service and place or post a task for offers. Card payments from customers are paid out to the provider's own bank account through Stripe, and the provider sets the prices. Use the profile to show clear examples, list sample prices and explain your booking and deposit policy. That clarity reduces questions and speeds up bookings.
- A single page to send to clients with services, photos and booking
- Found via the marketplace when people search by service and place
- Card payments are paid out to your own bank account through Stripe
- You set your own prices and can list booking and deposit terms
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need to register with Greek tax authorities to accept payments for tattoos?
- Yes - check with AADE (Independent Authority for Public Revenue). Ask how to register as self-employed, how to issue receipts or invoices for tattoo services, and whether VAT registration applies to you.
- Can I start taking clients while keeping a day job in Greece?
- Yes. Many artists start part-time. Make sure you register appropriately with AADE and EFKA, manage bookings to avoid conflicts with your job, and follow any workplace rules about outside work.
- How should I handle deposits and cancellations?
- Require a deposit to secure bookings and state clear cancellation terms. Put the policy in writing before the appointment and show it on your booking page to reduce no-shows.
- What hygiene rules should I follow for tattooing?
- Check with your local municipality or regional health authority about required hygiene standards, sterilisation procedures and premises inspections. Ask what certifications or records they expect to see.
- How does Websta handle payments?
- Card payments from customers are paid out to the provider's own bank account through Stripe. Use your Websta profile to list services, prices, photos and online booking so clients can pay and book more easily.
About the numbers
Counts in this guide were read from the Websta catalogue when the text was written and are refreshed above from the live catalogue. Part of the catalogue was built from the public business register and is marked as such on each profile.