ΕΦΗΜΕΡΙΣ ΤΗΣ ΚΥΒΕΡΝΗΣΕΩΣ
ΤΗΣ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗΣ ΔΗΜΟΚΡΑΤΙΑΣ
ΤΕΥΧΟΣ ΠΡΩΤΟ
Αρ. Φύλλου 170
7 Αυγούστου 2006
NOMOΣ ΥΠ΄ ΑΡΙΘ. 3484
Κύρωση της Συμφωνίας μεταξύ της Ελληνικής Δημοκρατίας και της Αραβικής Δημοκρατίας της Αιγύπτου για την αποφυγή της διπλής φορολογίας και την αποτροπή της φοροδιαφυγής αναφορικά με τους φόρους εισοδήματος και κεφαλαίου.
Ο ΠΡΟΕΔΡΟΣ ΤΗΣ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗΣ ΔΗΜΟΚΡΑΤΙΑΣ
Εκδίδομε τον ακόλουθο νόμο που ψήφισε η Βουλή:
`Αρθρο πρώτο
Κυρώνεται και έχει την ισχύ, που ορίζει το άρθρο 28 παρ. 1 του Συντάγματος, η Συμφωνία μεταξύ της Ελληνικής Δημοκρατίας και της Αραβικής Δημοκρατίας της Αιγύπτου για την αποφυγή της διπλής φορολογίας αναφορικά με τους φόρους εισοδήματος και κεφαλαίου, που υπογράφηκε στο Κάιρο στις 27 Νοεμβρίου 2004, το κείμενο της οποίας σε πρωτότυπο στην ελληνική και αγγλική γλώσσα έχει ως εξής:
συμφωνία
Μεταξύ της Ελληνικής δημοκρατίας και της Αραβικής Δημοκρατίας της Αιγύπτου για την αποφυγή της διπλής φορολογίας και της αποτροπής της φοροδιαφυγής αναφορικά με τους φόρους εισοδήματος και κεφαλαίου.
Η Κυβέρνηση της Ελληνικής Δημοκρατίας και η Κυβέρνηση της Αραβικής Δημοκρατίας της Αιγύπτου, επιθυμώντας να συνάψουν Συμφωνία για την αποφυγή της διπλής φορολογίας και της αποτροπής της φοροδιαφυγής αναφορικά με τους φόρους εισοδήματος και κεφαλαίου, συμφώνησαν τα ακόλουθα:
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ΚΕΦΑΛΑΙΟ 1 ΣΚΟΠΟΣ ΤΗΣ ΣΥΜΦΩΝΙΑΣ
`Αρθρο 1 ΠΡΟΣΩΠΑ ΣΤΑ ΟΠΟΙΑ ΕΦΑΡΜΟΖΕΤΑΙ Η ΣΥΜΦΩΝΙΑ |
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`Αρθρο 2 ΦΟΡΟΙ ΣΤΟΥΣ ΟΠΟΙΟΥΣ ΑΦΟΡΑ Η ΣΥΜΦΩΝΙΑ |
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ΚΕΦΑΛΑΙΟ II ΟΡΙΣΜΟΙ
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`Αρθρο 5 ΜΟΝΙΜΗ ΕΓΚΑΤΑΣΤΑΣΗ |
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ΚΕΦΑΛΑΙΟ ΙΙΙ ΦΟΡΟΛΟΓΙΑ ΕΙΣΟΔΗΜΑΤΟΣ
`Αρθρα 6 ΕΙΣΟΔΗΜΑ ΑΠΟ ΑΚΙΝΗΤΗ ΠΕΡΙΟΥΣΙΑ |
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`Αρθρο 7 ΚΕΡΔΗ ΕΠΙΧΕΙΡΗΣΕΩΝ |
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`Αρθρο 8 ΝΑΥΤΙΛΙΑΚΕΣ ΚΑΙ ΑΕΡΟΠΟΡΙΚΕΣ ΜΕΤΑΦΟΡΕΣ |
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`Αρθρο 9 ΣΥΝΔΕΟΜΕΝΕΣ ΕΠΙΧΕΙΡΗΣΕΙΣ |
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`Αρθρο 13 ΩΦΕΛΕΙΑ ΑΠΟ ΚΕΦΑΛΑΙΟ |
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`Αρθρο 14 ΑΝΕΞΑΡΤΗΤΕΣ ΠΡΟΣΩΠΙΚΕΣ ΥΠΗΡΕΣΙΕΣ |
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`Αρθρο 15 ΕΞΑΡΤΗΜΕΝΕΣ ΠΡΟΣΩΠΙΚΕΣ ΥΠΗΡΕΣΙΕΣ |
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`Αρθρο 16 ΑΜΟΙΒΕΣ ΔΙΕΥΘΥΝΤΩΝ |
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`Αρθρο 17 ΚΑΛΛΙΤΕΧΝΕΣ ΚΑΙ ΑΘΛΗΤΕΣ |
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`Αρθρο 18 ΣΥΝΤΑΞΕΙΣ ΚΑΙ ΕΤΗΣΙΕΣ ΠΑΡΟΧΕΣ | |
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`Αρθρο 19 ΚΥΒΕΡΝΗΤΙΚΕΣ ΥΠΗΡΕΣΙΕΣ | |
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`Αρθρο 20 ΣΠΟΥΔΑΣΤΕΣ ΚΑΙ ΜΑΘΗΤΕΥΟΜΕΝΟΙ |
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`Αρθρο 21 ΚΑΘΗΓΗΤΕΣ ΚΑΙ ΕΡΕΥΝΗΤΕΣ |
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`Αρθρο 22 ΑΛΛΑ ΕΙΣΟΔΗΜΑΤΑ |
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ΚΕΦΑΛΑΙΟ IV
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ΚΕΦΑΛΑΙΟ V ΜΕΘΟΔΟΙ ΓΙΑ ΤΗΝ ΑΠΟΦΥΓΗ ΤΗΣ ΔΙΠΛΗΣ ΦΟΡΟΛΟΓΙΑΣ
`Αρθρο 24 ΑΠΟΦΥΓΗ ΤΗΣ ΔΙΠΛΗΣ ΦΟΡΟΛΟΓΙΑΣ |
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ΚΕΦΑΛΑΙΟ VI ΕΙΔΙΚΕΣ ΔΙΑΤΑΞΕΙΣ
`Αρθρο 25 ΜΗ ΔΙΑΚΡΙΤΙΚΗ ΜΕΤΑΧΕΙΡΙΣΗ |
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`Αρθρο 26 ΔΙΑΔΙΚΑΣΙΑ ΑΜΟΙΒΑΙΟΥ ΔΙΑΚΑΝΟΝΙΣΜΟΥ |
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`Αρθρο 27 ΑΝΤΑΛΛΑΓΗ ΠΛΗΡΟΦΟΡΙΩΝ |
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`Αρθρο 28 ΜΕΛΗ ΔΙΠΛΩΜΑΤΙΚΩΝ ΚΑΙ ΠΡΟΞΕΝΙΚΩΝ ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΩΝ |
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ΚΕΦΑΛΑΙΟ VII ΤΕΛΙΚΕΣ ΔΙΑΤΑΞΕΙΣ
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ΣΕ ΕΠΙΒΕΒΑΙΩΣΗ ΤΩΝ ΑΝΩΤΕΡΩ οι υπογεγραμμένοι, νόμιμα εξουσιοδοτημένοι για αυτό, υπέγραψαν αυτή τη Συμφωνία.
Έγινε σε δύο αντίγραφα στο Κάιρο, την 27.11.2004 στην Ελληνική, Αραβική και Αγγλική γλώσσα, όλα τα κείμενα είναι εξίσου αυθεντικά, το αγγλικό κείμενο υπερισχύει σε περίπτωση αμφιβολίας.
| Για την Ελληνική Δημοκρατία | Για την Αραβική Δημοκρατία της Αιγύπτου |
ANNEX II
AGREEMENT
between the Hellenic Republic and the Arab Republic of Egypt for the avoidance of double taxation and prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income and on capital.
The Government of the Hellenic Republic and the Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt
Desiring to conclude an Agreement for the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income and on capital:
Have agreed as follows:
CHAPTER I
SCOPE OF THE AGREEMENT
Article 1
PERSONAL SCOPE
This Agreement shall apply to persons who are residents of one or both of the Contracting States.
Article 2
TAXES COVERED
1. This Agreement shall apply to taxes on income and on capital imposed on behalf of a Contracting State or of its political subdivisions or local authorities, irrespective of the manner in which they are levied.
2. There shall be regarded as taxes on. income and on capital all taxes imposed on total income,, on total capital, or on elements of income of capital, including taxes on gains from the alienation of movable or immovable property, as well as taxes on capital appreciation.
3. The existing taxes ta which the Agreement shall apply are in particular:
a) In the case of the Hellenic Republic:
i) The income and capital tax on natural persons;
ii) The income and capital tax on legal persons;
hereinafter referred to as "Hellenic tax").
b) In the case of the Arab Republic of Egypt:
i) The lax on income derived from immovable properly (including the land tax, and the building tax);
ii) The unified tax on income of individuals;
iii) The tax on corporation profits;
iv) The duty for the development of the financial resources of the stale;
v) Supplementary taxes imposed on taxes mentioned above;
(hereinafter referred to as "Egyptian tax").
4. The Agreement shall apply also to any identical or substantially similar taxes, which are imposed after the date of signature of the Agreement in addition to, or in place of the existing taxes. The competent authorities of the Contracting States shall notify each other of any significant changes, which have been made in their respective taxation laws.
CHAPTER II
DEFINITIONS
Article 3
GENERAL DEFINITIONS
1. For the purposes of this Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires:
a) the terms: "a Contracting Stale" ana1 "the other Contracting State" mean the Hellenic Republic or Egypt, as the context requires;
b) the term "Hellenic Republic" comprises the territory of the Hellenic Republic and the part of the sea, the sea-bed and Us subsoil under the Mediterranean Sea, over which the Hellenic Republic, in accordance with international law, has sovereign rights for the purpose of exploration, extraction or exploitation of the natural resources of such areas;
c) the term "Egypt" means the territory of the Arab Republic of Egypt, and when used in a geographical sense, includes the territorial sea and any area adjacent to the coast beyond the territorial waters, over which Egypt exercises sovereign rights, in accordance with Egyptian legislation and international law and which has been or may hereafter be designated as an area within which Egypt may exercise rights with respect to the sea bed and subsoil and their natural resources;
d) the term "person" includes an individual, a company and any other body of persons;
e) the term "company" means any body corporate or any entity that is treated as a body corporate for tax purposes;
f) The terms "enterprise of a Contracting Slate" and ΄΄enterprise of the other Contracting Stale " mean respectively an enterprise carried on by a resident of a Contracting Stale and an enterprise carried on by a resident of the other Contracting State;
g) the term "national" means:
a) any individual possessing the nationality of a Contracting State;
b) any legal person, partnership or association deriving its status as such from the laws in force in a Contracting State;
h) the term "international traffic" means any transport by a ship or aircraft, except when the ship or aircraft is operated solely between places in a Contracting State;
i) the term "competent authority" means:
i) in the case of the Hellenic Republic, the Minister of Economy & Finance or his authorized representative,
ii) in the case of Egypt, the Minister of Finance or his authorized representative.
1. As regards the application of the Agreement by a Contracting State, any term not defined therein shall, unless the context otherwise requires, have the meaning that it has at that time under the law of that State for the purposes of the taxes to which the Agreement applies, any meaning under the applicable tax laws of that State prevailing over a meaning given to the term under other laws of that State.
Article 4
RESIDENT
1. For the purposes, of this Agreement, the term "resident of a Contracting State" means any person who, tinder the laws of that State, is liable to tax therein by reason of his domicile, residence, place of management or any other criterion of a similar nature, and also includes that State and any political subdivision or local authority thereof. This term, however, does not include any person who is liable to tax in that State in respect only of income from sources in that State or capital situated therein.
2. Where by reason of the provisions of paragraph 1 an individual is a resident of both Contracting States, then his status shall be determined as follows:
a) he shall be deemed to be a resident only of the State in which he has a permanent home available to him if he has a permanent home available to him in both Slates, he shall be deemed to be a resident of the. State, with which his personal and., economic relations are closer (center of vital interests);
b) If the State in which he has his center of vital interests cannot be determined, or if he has not a permanent home available to him in either State, he shall be deemed to be a resident only of the State in which he has an habitual abode;
c) if he has a habitual abode in both States, or in neither of them, he shall be deemed to be a resident of the State of which he is a national;
d) if he is a national of both States, or of neither of them, the competent authorities of the Contracting States shall settle the question by mutual agreement.
3. Where by reason of the provisions of paragraph I a person other than an individual is a resident of both Contracting States, then it shall be deemed to be a resident of the Contracting Stale in which its place of effective management is situated.
Article 5
PERMANENT ESTABLISHMENT
1. For the purposes of this Agreement, the term "permanent establishment" means a fixed place of business through which the business of an enterprise is wholly or partly carried on.
2. The term "permanent establishment" includes especially:
a) a place of management;
b) a branch;
c) an office;
d) a factory;
e) a workshop,
f) a mine, an oil or gas well, a quarry or any other place of extraction of natural resources and
g) premises and warehouses used as sales outlets.
3. The term "permanent establishment" likewise encompasses:
a) a building site, a construction assembly project or installation project or
supervisory activities in connection therewith, but only where such site, project onactivities continue for a period of more than nine months;
b) the furnishing of services, including consultancy services, by an enterprise through employees or other personnel engaged by the enterprise for such purpose, but only Where activities of that nature continue, (for the same or a connected project) within the country for a period or periods aggregating more than nine months.
4. Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this Article, the term "permanent establishment" shall be deemeit not to include:
a) the use of facilities solely for the purpose of storage, display of goods or merchandise belonging to the enterprise;
b) the maintenance of a stock of goods or merchandise belonging to the enterprise solely for the purpose of storage, display;
c) the maintenance of a stock of goods or merchandise belonging to the enterprise solely for the purpose of processing by another enterprise;
d) the maintenance of a fixed place of business solely for the purpose of purchasing goods or merchandise, or of collecting information, for the enterprise;
e) the maintenance of a fixed place of business solely for the purpose of carrying on, for the enterprise, any other activity of a preparatory or auxiliary character;
f) the maintenance of a fixed place of business solely for any combination of activities mentioned in subparagraphs a) to e), provided that the overall activity of the fixed place of business resulting from the combination is of a preparatory or auxiliary character.
5. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs 1 and 2, where a person other than an agent of an independent status to whom paragraph 7 applies is acting in a Contracting Stale on behalf of an enterprise of the other Contracting State, that enterprise shall be deemed to have a permanent establishment in the first-mentioned Contracting State in respect of any activities which that person undertakes for the enterprise, if such a person:
a) has and habitual exercise in that State an authority to conclude contracts in the name of the enterprise, unless the activities of such person are limited to those mentioned in paragraph 4 which, if exercised through a fixed place of business, would not make this fixed place of business a permanent establishment under the provisions of that paragraph; or
b) - has no such authority, but habitually maintains in the first - mentioned State a stock of goods or merchandises from which he regularly delivers goods or merchandises on behalf of the enterprise.
6. Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this Article, an insurance enterprise of a Contracting State shall except in regard to re-insurance be deemed to have a permanent establishment in the other Contracting State if it collects premiums in the territory of that other State or insures risks situated therein through a person other than an agent of an independent status to whom paragraph 7 applies.
7. An enterprise shall not be deemed to have a permanent Establishment in a Contracting State merely because it carries on business in that State through a broker, general commission agent tor any other agent of an independent status provided that such persons are acting in the ordinary course of their business. However, when the activities of such an agent are devoted wholly or almost wholly on behalf of "that enterprise, he will not be considered an agent of an independent status within the meaning of this paragraph.
7. The fact that a company which is a resident of a Contracting State controls or is controlled by a company which is a resident-of the other Contracting State, or which carries on business in that other State (whether. through a permanent establishment or otherwise), shall not of itself constitute either company a permanent establishment of the other.
CHAPTER III
TAXATION OF INCOME
Article 6
INCOME FROM IMMOVABLE PROPERTY
1. Income derived by a resident of a Contracting State from immovable property (including income from agriculture or forestry) situated in the other Contracting
• Slate may be taxed in that other State.
2. The term "immovable property" shall have the meaning, which it has under the law of the Contracting State in which the property in question is situated. The term shall in any case include property accessory to immovable property, livestock and
• equipment used in agriculture and forestry, rights to which the provisions of general law respecting landed properly apply, usufruct of immovable property and rights to variable or fixed payments as consideration for the working of, or the right to work, mineral deposits, sources and other natural resources; ships, boats and aircraft shall not be regarded as immovable properly.
3. The provisions of paragraph I shall apply to income derived from the direct use, letting, or use in any other form of immovable property.
4. The provisions of paragraphs 1 and 3 shall also apply to the income from immovable property of an enterprise and to income from immovable property used for the performance of independent personal services.
Article 7
BUSINESS PROFITS
I. The profits of an enterprise of a Contracting State shall be taxable only in that State unless the enterprise carries on business in the other Contracting State through a permanent establishment situated therein. If the enterprise carries on business as aforesaid, the profits of the enterprise may be taxed in the other State but only so much of them as is attributable to that permanent establishment.
2. Subject to the provisions of paragraph 3, where an enterprise of a Contracting State carries on business in the other Contracting State through a permanent establishment situated therein, there shall in each Contracting State be attributed to that permanent establishment the profits which it might be expected to make if it were a distinct and separate enterprise engaged in the same or similar activities under the same or similar conditions and dealing wholly independently with the enterprise of which it - is a permanent establishment
3. In determining the profits of a permanent establishment, there shall be allowed as deductions expenses which are incurred for the purposes of the business of the permanent establishment, including executive and general administrative expenses so incurred, whether in the State in which the permanent establishment is situated or elsewhere.
4. Insofar as it has been customary in a Contracting State to determine the profits to be attributed to a permanent establishment on the basis of an apportionment of the total profits of the enterprise to its various parts, nothing in paragraph 2 shall preclude that Contracting State from determining the profits to be taxed by such an apportionment as may be customary; the method of apportionment adopted shall, however, be such that the result shall be in accordance with the principles contained in this Article,
5. For the purposes of the preceding paragraphs, the profits to be attributed to the permanent establishment shall be determined by the same method year by year unless there is good and sufficient reason to the contrary.
6. Where profits include items of income, which are dealt with separately in other Articles of this Agreement, then the provisions of those Articles shall not be affected by the provisions of this Article.
Article 8
SHIPPING AND AIR TRANSPORT
1. The provisions of Article X of the Agreement between the Government of the Hellenic Republic and the Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt on shipping and maritime transport, concerning the tax treatment of income derived from the operation of ships in international traffic, signed in Cairo on the 18th of April 1981,
is not affectedby the provisions of this Agreement.
2. Profits derived from the operation of aircraft in international traffic shall be taxable only in the Contracting State in which the place of effective management of the enterprise is situated.
3. The provisions of paragraph 1 and 2 shall also apply to profits form the participation in a pool, a joint business or an international operating agency.
Article 9
ASSOCIATED ENTERPRISES
1. Where an enterprise of a Contracting State participates directly or indirectly in the management, control pr capital of an enterprise of the other Contracting State,t or the fame persons participate directly or indirectly in the management, control or capital of an enterprise of a Contracting Stale and an enterprise of the other Contracting State, and in either case conditions are made or imposed between the two enterprises in their commercial or financial relations which differ from those which would be made between independent enterprises, then any profits which would, but for those conditions, have accrued to one of the enterprises, but, by reason of those conditions, have not so accrued, may be included in the profits of that enterprises and taxed accordingly.
2. Where a Contracting State includes in the profits of an enterprise of that State - and taxes accordingly - profits on which an enterprise of the other Contracting State has been charged to lax in that, other State and the profits so included are profits which would have accrued to the enterprise of the first - mentioned State if the conditions made between the two enterprises had been those which would have been made between independent enterprises, then that other State shall make an appropriate adjustment to the amount of the tax charged therein on those profits. In determining such adjustment, due regard shall be had to the other provisions of this Agreement and the competent authorities of the Contracting States shall if necessary consult each other.
3. A Contracting State shall not change the profits of an enterprise in the circumstances referred to in paragraph 1 after the expiry of the time limits provided in its national laws and, in any case, after five years from the end of the year in which the profits which would be subject to such change would have accrued to an enterprise of that State.
4. The provisions of paragraphs 2 and 3 shall not apply in the case of fraud, willful default or neglect.
Article 10
DIVIDENDS
1. Dividends paid by a company which is a resident of a Contracting State to a resident of the other Contracting State may be taxed in that other State.
2. However, such dividends may also be taxed in the Contracting State of which the company paying the dividends is a resident and according to the laws of that State, but if the beneficial owner of the dividends is a resident of the Contracting State, the tax so charged shall not exceed 10 per cent of the gross amount of the dividends.
The provisions of this paragraph shall not affect the taxation of the company on the profits out of which the dividends are paid.
3. The term "dividends", as used in this Article, means income from shares, "jouissance" shares or "jouissance" rights, mining shares, founders΄ shares or other rights, not being debt-claims, participating in profits, as well as income from other corporate rights which is subjected to the same taxation treatment as income from shares by the laws of the State of which the company making the distribution is a resident.
4. The provisions of paragraphs 1 and 2 shall not apply if the beneficial owner of the dividends, being a resident of a Contracting State, carries on business in the other Contracting State of which the company paying the dividends is a resident, through a permanent establishment situated therein, or performs in that other State independent personal services from a fixed base situated therein, and the holding in respect of which the dividends are paid is effectively connected with such permanent establishment or fixed base. In such case, the provisions of Article 7 or Article 14, as the case may be, shall apply.
5. Where a company which is a resident of a Contracting State derives profits or income from the other Contracting State, that other State may not impose any tax on the dividends paid by the company, except insofar as such dividends are paid to a resident of that other State or insofar as the holding in respect of which the dividends are paid is effectively connected with a permanent establishment or a fixed base situated in that other State, nor subject the company΄s undistributed profits lo a tax on the company΄s undistributed profits, even if the dividends paid or the undistributed profits consist wholly or partly of profits or income arising in such other State.
Article 11
INTEREST
1. Interest arising in a Contracting State and paid to a resident of the other Contracting State may be taxed in that other State.
2. However, such interest may also be taxed in the Contracting State in which it arises and according to the laws of that State, but if the beneficial owner of the interest is a resident of the other Contracting State, the tax so charged shall not exceed 15 per cent of the gross amount of the interest.
3. Interest arising, in a Contracting State shall be exempt from tax in both States if the interest is paid to:
i) the other Contracting State or its local authority there of;
ii) the Central Bank of the other Contracting State.
4. The term "interest", as used in this Article, means income from debt-claims of every kind, whether or not secured by mortgage, and whether or not carrying a right to participate in the debtor΄s profits, and in particular, income from government securities and income from bonds or debentures, including premiums and prizes attaching to such securities, bonds or debentures as well as any income that is treated as interest under the taxation law of the Contracting State in which such income arises. Penalty charges for late payment shall not be regarded as interest for the purpose of this Article.
5. The provisions of paragraphs 1 and 2 shall not apply if the beneficial owner of the interest, being a resident of a Contracting State, carries on business in the other Contracting State in which the interest arises, through a permanent establishment situated therein, or performs in that other State independent personal services from a fixed base situated therein, and the debt-claim in respect of which the interest is paid is effectively connected with such permanent establishment or fixed base. In such case, the provisions of Article 7 or Article 14, as the case may be, shall apply.
6. Interest shall be deemed to arise in a Contracting State when the payer is a resident of that State. Where, however, the person paying the interest, whether he is a resident of a Contracting State or not, has in a Contracting State a permanent establishment or a fixed base in connection with which the indebtedness on which the interest is paid was incurred, and such interest is borne by such permanent establishment or fixed base,: then such interest shall be deemed to arise in the State in which the permanent establishment or fixed base is situated.
7. Where, by reason of a special relationship between the payer and the beneficial owner or between both of them and some other person, the amount of the interest, having regard to the debt-claim for which it is paid, exceeds the amount which would have been agreed upon by the payer and the beneficial owner in the absence of such relationship, the provisions of this Article shall apply only to the last-mentioned amount. In such case, the excess part of the payment shall remain taxable according to the laws of each Contracting State, due regard being had to the other provisions of this Agreement.
Article 12
ROYALTIES
1. Royalties arising in a Contracting State and paid to a resident of the other Contracting State may be taxed in that other State.
2. However, such royalties may also be taxed in the Contracting State in which they arise and according to the laws of that State, but if the beneficial owner of the royalties is a resident of the other Contracting State the tax so charged shall not exceed 15 per cent of the gross amount of the royalties.
3. The term "royalties" as used in this Article means payments of any kind received; as a consideration for the use of, or the right to use, any copyright of literary, artistic or scientific work including cinematograph films and films or tapes used for television or radio broadcasting, any patent, trade mark, design or model, computer software, plan, secret formula or process, or for the use of, or the right to use, industrial, commercial or scientific equipment, or for information concerning industrial, commercial or scientific experience. It also includes payments for technical assistance performed in a Contracting State by a resident of the other Contracting Slate where it is related to the application of any such rights, property or information and is of an ancillary arid unimportant.character.
4. The provisions of paragraphs 1 and 2 shall not apply if the beneficial owner of the royalties, being a resident of a Contracting State, carries on business in the other Contracting State in which the royalties arise, through a permanent establishment situated therein, or performs in that other State independent personal services from a fixed base situated therein, and the right or property in respect of which the royalties are paid is effectively connected with such permanent establishment or fixed base. In such case the provisions of Article- 7 or Article 14, as the case may be, shall apply.
5. Royalties shall be deemed to arise in a Contracting State where the payer is a resident of that State. Where, howevery the person paying the royalties, whether he is a resident of a Contracting State or not, has in a Contracting State a permanent establishment or a fixed base in connection with which the obligation to pay the royalties was incurred and (he royalties are borne by that permanent establishment or fixed base, then such royalties shall be deemed to arise in the State in which the permanent establishment or fixed base is situated.
6. Where, by reason of a special relationship between the payer and the beneficial owner or between both of them and some other person, the amount of the royalties, having regard to the use, right or information for which they are paid, exceeds the amount which would have been agreed upon by the payer and the beneficial owner in the absence of such relationship, the provisions of this Article shall apply only to the last-mentioned amount. In such case, the excess part of the payments shall remain taxable according to, the laws of each Contracting State, due regard being had to the other provisions of this Agreement.
Article 13
CAPITAL GAINS
1. Gains derived by a resident of a Contracting State from the alienation of immovable properly referred to in Article 6 and situated in the other Contracting State may be taxed in that other Stale.
2. Gains from the alienation of movable property forming part of the business property " of a permanent establishment which an enterprise of a Contracting State has in the other Contracting State or of movable property pertaining to a fixed base available to a resident of a Contracting State in the other Contracting State for the purpose of performing independent personal services, including such gains from the alienation of such a permanent establishment (alone or with the whole enterprise) or of such fixed base, may be taxed in that other State.
3. Gains from the alienation of ships or aircraft operated in international traffic or movable property pertaining to the operation of such ships or aircraft shall be taxable only in the Contracting State in which the profits of such ships or aircraft are taxable according to the provisions of Article 8.
4. Gains from the alienation of any property other than that referred to in preceding paragraphs may be taxed in the Contracting State where the income arises.
Article 14
INDEPENDENT PERSONAL SERVICES
1. Income derived by a resident of a Contracting State in respect of professional services or other activities of an independent character shall be taxable only in that State except in the following circumstances, when such income may also be taxed in the other Contracting State:
a) if he has a fixed base regularly available to him in the other Contracting Stale for the purpose of performing his activities, in that case, only so much of the income as is attributable to that fixed base may be taxed in that other Contracting State; or
b) if his stay in the other Contracting State is, for a period or periods amounting to or exceeding in aggregate 183 days in any twelve months period commencing or. ending in the fiscal year concerned;
in that case, only as so much of the income as is derived from his activities performed in that other Slate may be taxed in that other State.
2. The term "professional services" includes, especially, independent scientific, literary, artistic, educational or teaching activities as well as the independent activities of physicians, lawyers, engineers, architects, dentists and accountants.
Article 15
DEPENDENT PERSONAL SERVICES
1. Subject to the provisions of Articles 16, 18 and 19, salaries, wages and other similar remuneration derived by a resident of a Contracting State in respect of an employment shall be taxable only in that State unless the employment is exercised, in the other Contracting Stale. If the employment is so exercised, such remuneration as is derived there from may be taxed in that other State.
2. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph 1, remuneration derived by a resident of a Contracting State in respect of an employment exercised in the other Contracting Slate shall be taxable only in the first-mentioned State if:
a) the recipient is present in the other State for a period or periods not exceeding in the aggregate 183 days in any twelve months period commencing or ending in, the fiscal year concerned, and
b) the remuneration is paid by or on behalf of, an employer who is not a resident of the other Stale, and
c) the remuneration is not borne by a permanent establishment or a fixed base, which the employer has in the other State.
3. Not with standing the preceding provisions of this Article, remuneration derived in respect of an employment exercised aboard a ship or aircraft operated in international traffic, may be taxed in the Contracting State in which the profits from the operation of the ship or aircraft are taxable according to the provisions of Article 8.
Article 16
DIRECTOR΄S FEES
Directors΄ fees and other similar payments derived by a resident of a Contracting State in his capacity as a member of the board of directors or any other similar organ of a company which is a resident of the other Contracting State may be taxed in that other State.
Article 17
ARTISTES AND SPORTSMEN
1. Not with standing the provisions of Articles 14 and 15, income derived by a resident of a Contracting Slate as an entertainer, such as a theatre, motion picture, radio or television artiste, or a musician, or as a sportsman, from his personal activities as such exercised in the other Contracting State, may be faxed in that other State.
2. Where income in respect of personal activities exercised by an entertainer or a sportsman, in his capacity as such accrues not to the entertainer or sportsman, himself but to another person, that income may, notwithstanding the provisions of rticles 7, 14 and 15, be taxed in the Contracting Stale in which the activities of the entertainer or sportsman are exercised.
Article 18
PENSIONS AND ANNUITIES
1. Pensions and annuities arising in a Contracting State and paid to a resident of the other Contracting State may be taxed in the first mentioned State.
2. The term "annuities" means a stated sum payable periodically at stated times, during life or during a specified or as ascertainable period of time, under an obligation to make the payments in return for adequate and full consideration in money or money΄s worth.
Article 19
GOVERNMENT SERVICES
1. Remuneration, other than a pension, paid by a Contracting State or a political subdivision or a local authority thereof to an individual in respect of services rendered to that State or subdivision or authority shall be taxable only in that State.
2. However, such remuneration shall be taxable only in the other Contracting State if the services are rendered in that other State and the individual is a resident of that other State who:
i) is a national of that other State; or
ii) did not become a resident of that other State solely for the purpose of rendering the services.
3. The provisions of Articles 15,16 and 18jshall apply to remuneration in respect of services rendered in connection with a business carried on by a Contracting State or apolitical subdivision or a local authority thereof.
Article 20
STUDENTS AND APPRENTICES
1. Remuneration which a resident of a Contracting State receives for undertaking study or research at a high level or for teaching, during a period not exceeding two years, at a university, research institute or other similar establishment for highest or higher education in the other Contracting State, shall not be taxable in that other State.
2. Notwithstanding the provisions of Articles 14 and 15, income which a student or an apprentice, who is or was immediately before visiting a Contracting State a resident of the other Contracting State and who is present in the first-mentioned State solely for the purpose of his education or training, receives in respect of services rendered in the first-mentioned State, provided that such services are in connection with his studies or training or maintenance, shall not be taxed in the fist-mentioned State for a period not exceeding four years.
Article 21
PROFESSORS AND RESEARCHERS
1. Resident of one of the Contracting States who, at the invitation of a university, college or other establishment for higher education or scientific research in the other Contracting State, visits that other State, solely for the purpose of teaching or scientific research at such institution for a period not exceeding two years, shall not be taxed in that other State on his. remuneration for such teaching or research.
2. The provisions of paragraph 1 shall not apply to remuneration derived in respect of research undertaken not in the public interest but primarily for the private benefit of a specific person or persons.
Article 22
OTHER INCOME
1. Subject to the provisions of paragraphs 2 and 3, items of income of a resident of a Contracting Slate, wherever arising, not dealt with, in the foregoing Articles of this Agreement shall be taxable only in that State.
2. The provisions of paragraph 1 shall not. apply to income, other than income from immovable property as defined in paragraph 2 of Article 6, if the recipient of such income being a resident of a Contracting State, carries on business in the other Contracting Slate through a permanent establishment situated therein, or performs in thai other State independent personal services from a fixed base situated therein, and the right or property in respect of which the income is paid is effectively connected with such permanent establishment or fixed base. In such case the provisions.of Article 7 or Article 14, as the case may be, shall apply.
3. Notwithstanding the preceding paragraphs where income not dealt with the foregoing Articles of this Agreement is derived by a resident of a Contracting State from sources in the other Contracting State, such income may also be taxed in the State in which it arises and according to the laws of that State.
CHAPTER IV
Article 23
CAPITAL
1. Capital represented by immovable property referred to in Article 6, owned by a resident of a Contracting State and situated in the other Contracting State, may be taxed in that other State.
2. Capital represented by movable property forming part of the business property of a permanent establishment which an enterprise of a Contracting State has in the other Contracting State or by movable property pertaining to fixed base available to a resident of a Contracting State in the other Contracting State for the purpose of performing independent personal services, may be taxed in that other State,
3. Capital represented by ships or aircraft operated in international traffic and by movable properly pertaining to the operation of such ships or aircraft, shall be taxable only in the Contracting State in which the profits from the aforesaid ships or aircraft are taxable according to the provisions of Article 8.
4. All other elements of capital of a resident of a Contracting State shall be taxable only in that State.
CHAPTER V
METHODS FOR ELIMINATION OF DOUBLE TAXATION
Article 24
ELIMINATION OF DOUBLE TAXATION
1. Where a resident of a Contracting State derives income or owns capital, which, in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, may be taxed in the other Contracting State, the first - mentioned State shall allow:
a) as a deduction from the tax on the income of that resident, an amount equal to the income tax paid in that other State,
b) as a deduction from the tax on the capital of that resident, an amount equal to the capital tax paid in that other State.
Such deduction in either case shall not, however, exceed that part of the income tax or capital tax, as computed before the deduction is given, which is attributable, as the case may be, to the income or the capital which may be taxed in that other State.
2. Where, in accordance with any provision of this Agreement, income derived by a resident of a Contracting State, is exempt from tax in that State, such State may nevertheless, in calcidating the amount of tax on the remaining income of such resident, take into account the exempted income.
3. For the purposes of deduction from the tax on income in a Contracting State, the tax paid in (he other Contracting State shall be deemed to include the tax which is otherwise payable in that other Contracting State but has been reduced or waived by that Contracting Stale under its legal provisions for tax incentives. The competent authorities of the Contracting States shallpyl mutual΄agreement settle the mode of application of this provision.
CHAPTER VI
SPECIAL PROVISION
Article 25
NON-DISCRIMINATION
1. Nationals of a Contracting State shall not be subjected in the other Contracting State to any taxation or any requirement connected therewith, which is other or more burdensome than the taxation and connected requirements to which nationals of that other Slate in the same circumstances, in particular in the respect to residence, are or may be subjected. These provisions shall, notwithstanding the provisions of Article 1, also apply to persons who are not residents of one or both of the Contracting States.
2. Stateless persons who are residents of a Contracting State shall not be subjected in either Contracting State to any taxation or any requirement connected therewith, which is other or more burdensome than the taxation and connected requirements to which national of the State concerned in the same circumstances are or may be subjected.
3. The taxation on a permanent establishment, which an enterprise of a Contracting, State has in the other Contracting State, shall not be less favorably levied in that other Stale than the taxation levied on enterprises of that other State carrying on the same activities. This provision shall not be construed as obliging a Contracting Slate to grant to residents of the other Contracting State any personal allowances, reliefs and reductions for taxation purposes on account of civil status or family responsibilities which it grants to its own residents.
4. Except where the provisions of paragraph 1 of Article 9, paragraph 7 of Article 11, or paragraph 6 of Article 12, apply, interest, royalties and other disbursements paid by an enterprise of a Contracting State to a resident of the other Contracting State shall, for the purpose of determining the taxable profits of such enterprise, be deductible under the same conditions as if they had been paid to a resident of the first-mentioned State-Similarly, any debts of an enterprise of a Contracting State to a resident of the other Contracting Slate shall, for the purpose of determining the taxable capital of such enterprise, be deduclible under the same conditions as if they had been contracted to a resident of the first-mentioned State.
5. Enterprises of a Contracting State, the capital of which is wholly or partly owned or controlled, directly, or indirectly, by one or more residents of the other Contracting State, shall not be subjected in the first-mentioned State to any taxation or any requirement connected therewith which is other or more burdensome than the taxation and connected requirements to which other similar enterprises of the first-mentioned Slate are or may be subjected.
6. The provisions of this Article shall, notwithstanding the provision of Article 2, apply to taxes of every kind and description.
Article 26
MUTUAL AGREEMENT PROCEDURE
1. Where a person considers, that the actions of one or both of the Contracting States result or will result for him in taxation not in accordance with this Agreement, he may, irrespective of the remedies provided by the domestic law of those States, present his case to the competent authority of the Contracting State of which he is a resident or, if his case comes under paragraph 1 of Article 25, to that of the Contracting State of which he is a national. The case must be presented within three years from the first notification, of the action resulting in taxation not in accordance with the provisions of the Agreement.
2. The competent authority shall endeavor, if the objection appears to it to be justified and if it is not itself able to arrive at a satisfactory solution, to resolve the case by mutual agreement with the competent authority of the other Contracting State, with a view to the avoidance of taxation, which is not in accordance with the Agreement. Any agreement reached shall be implemented notwithstanding any time limits in the domestic law of the Contracting States.
3. The competent authorities of the Contracting States shall endeavor to resolve by mutual agreement any difficulties or doubts arising as to the interpretation of the application of the Agreement. They may also consult together for the elimination of double taxation in cases not provided for in the Agreement.
4. The competent authorities of the Contracting Slates may communicate with each other directly, including through a joint commission consisting of themselves or their representatives, for the purpose of reaching and agreement in the sense of the preceding paragraphs.
Article 27
EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION
1. The competent authorities of the Contracting States shall exchange such information as is necessary for carrying out (he provisions of this Agreement or of the domestic laws of the Contracting States concerning taxes covered by the Agreement insofar as the taxation there under is not contrary to the Agreement. The exchange of information is not restricted by Article 1. Any information received, by a Contracting State shall be treated as secret in the same manner as information obtained under the domestic laws of that State and shall be disclosed only to persons or authorities (including courts and administrative bodies) involved in the assessment or collection of the enforcement or prosecution in respect of, or the determination of appeals in relation to, the taxes covered by the Agreement. Such persons or authorities shall use the information only for such purposes. They may disclose the information in public court proceedings or in judicial decisions.
2. In no case shall the provisions of paragraph I be construed so as to impose on a Contracting State the obligation:
a) to carry out administrative measures at variance with the laws and administrative practice of that or of the other Contracting State;
b) to supply information which is not obtainable under the laws or in the normal course of the administration of that or of the other Contracting Stale;
c) to supply information which would disclose any trade, business, industrial, commercial or professional secret or trade process, or information, the disclosure of which would be contrary to public policy (ordre public).
Article 28
MEMBERS OF DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS AND CONSULAR POSTS
Nothing in this Agreement shall affect the fiscal privileges of members of diplomatic missions or consular posts under the general rules of international law or under the provisions of special agreements.
CHAPTER VII
FINAL PROVISIONS
Article 29
ENTRY INTO FORCE
1. This Agreement shall enter into force on the date of the exchange of the notifications, confirming the completion of the legal procedures necessary to its enter into force in the two Contracting States.
2. After the entry into force of this Agreement its provision shall have effect for the first time:
a) in respect of tax withheld at source, on amounts paid or credited on or after the first day of January in the calendar year next following that in which the Agreement enters into force; and
b) in respect of other taxes, for taxation years or periods beginning on or after the first day of January in the calendar year next following that in which the Agreement enters into force.
Article 30
TERMINATION
This Agreement shall continue in effect indefinitely, but either Contracting States, may, on or before June 30 in any calendar year after the expiration of a period of five years from the date of entry into force, give to the other Contracting State a notice of termination in writing through diplomatic channels.
In such event, the Agreement shall cease to have effect:
a) in respect of tax withheld at source, on amounts paid-or credited on or after the first day of January in the calendar year next following that in which the notice is given; and
b) in respect of other taxes, for taxation years beginning on or after the first day of January in the calendar year next following that in which the notice is given.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned, duly authorized to that effect, have signed this Agreement.
Done in Cairo, on the 27.11.2004 in the Greek, Arabic and English
languages, each text being equally authentic, the English text prevailing in case of doubt.
| For the Hellenic Republic | For the Arab Republic of Egypt |
`Αρθρο δεύτερο
Η ισχύς του παρόντος νόμου αρχίζει από τη δημοσίευση του στην Εφημερίδα της Κυβερνήσεως και της Συμφωνίας που κυρώνεται από την πλήρωση των προϋποθέσεων του άρθρου 29 παράγραφος 1 αυτής.
Παραγγέλλομε τη δημοσίευση του παρόντος στην Εφημερίδα της Κυβερνήσεως και την εκτέλεσή του ως νόμου του Κράτους.
| Λευκάδα, 4 Αυγούστου 2006 |
| Ο ΠΡΟΕΔΡΟΣ ΤΗΣ ΔΗΜΟΚΡΑΤΙΑΣ |
| ΚΑΡΟΛΟΣ ΓΡ. ΠΑΠΟΥΛΙΑΣ |
