Expand your global workforce in Greece
Your guide to the employment landscape, working customs and local labor laws in Greece
Capital
Athens
Currency
Euro (EUR)
Languages
Greek, Macedonian, Albanian, Turkish
GDP per Capita
$23,538.79
Employer Tax
23.33% - 24.74%
Payroll Frequency
Monthly
Talent overview
Greece is a developed country with an advanced high-income economy. As the largest regional investor in the Balkan region, Greece focuses on the service sector, which comprises 85% of the total economy. Service workers, professionals, technicians, and shop and market sales workers are in great demand. Tourism is the most significant sector providing jobs and contributing to Greece’s economy.
Major economic hubs:
Athens, Thessaloniki, Patras, Heraklion
Skills in demand:
Software Engineers, Medical practitioners, Accountants, Food processing, Language teachers, Shipping-industry related skills, Renewable energy sector skills.
Greece
Top local universities in Greece
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
Ranking
Local: 1
World: 403
National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
Ranking
Local: 2
World: 449
National Technical University of Athens
Ranking
Local: 3
World: 645
University of Patras (incl. University of Western Greece)
Ranking
Local: 4
World: 844
University of Crete
Ranking
Local: 5
World: 928
Top Local Job Boards
Kariera, JobFind, Jobs in Greece
Number of LinkedIn users
2,198,000
Multiplier Recruitment Partner
Where to find talent
Top Local Job Boards:
Top Local Job Boards
Number of LinkedIn users:
Number of LinkedIn users
Top Recruitment Agencies:
Top Recruitment Agencies:
Salary Data
Some of the popular jobs in Greece and their monthly salary are as follows:
| Job designation | Average Monthly salary (EUR) | Average Monthly Salary (USD) |
| Accountant | 1,580 | 1,730 |
| Software Engineer | 2,190 | 2,398 |
| Business Analyst | 2,770 | 3,033 |
| Sales Manager | 3,890 | 4,260 |
| Project Manager | 2,710 | 2,968 |
Employ in Greece
Employing in Greece
Labor laws in Greece follow the basic principle of equal treatment of employees, and any direct or indirect discrimination is strictly prohibited. Employers planning to hire from Greece need to manage payroll, benefits and compensation, taxes, leaves, and other regulated criteria for their Greek employees.
Employee Contract
Except for some specific cases, it is not mandatory to have an employment contract in writing. The job engagement details are documented, specifying the employer, employee, tenure, type of employment, and other conditions applicable to the employee during the working term in the organization. The information can be compiled in English and Greek (or any other local language) to ensure transparency and clarity on the terms and conditions.
Probation period
Under Greece’s labor law, the probationary period for both fixed-term and open-ended contracts is limited to a maximum of six months.
Public and Provincial Holidays
| Date | Name | Type |
| January 1 | New Year Day | National Holiday |
| January 6 | Epiphany | National Holiday |
| March 25 | Greek Independence Day | National Holiday |
| March 25 | Annunciation of the Virgin Mary | National Holiday |
| April 21 | Orthodox Easter Monday | National Holiday |
| May 1 | Labor Day / May Day | National Holiday |
| August 15 | Dormition of the Holy Virgin | National Holiday |
| October 28 | The Ochi day | National Holiday |
| December 25 | Christmas Day | National Holiday |
| December 26 | Synaxis of the Mother of God | National Holiday |
Employee Leaves
| Type of leave | Time Period | Mandatory |
| Annual leave/Earned Leave Leave | 24 days (for 6 working day week) | Yes |
| Sick Leave | 30 days | Yes |
| Maternity Leave | 17 weeks | Yes |
Leave Compliance
Public and Provincial Holidays
Payroll in Greece
Payroll cycle
The payroll cycle followed is monthly.
Minimum wage
The minimum wage in Greece is EUR 830 per month for white-collar workers and EUR 37.07 per day for blue-collar workers.
Overtime pay
Greece follows a 40-hour working week, which can be either a five-day or six-day week. Overtime is restricted to less than 3 hours a day and not more than 150 hours a year. The overtime is compensated in Greece as follows:
Read more
How taxes work
Employer Payroll Tax
| Payroll item | Tax contribution |
| Pension Fund | 13.33% |
| Health Care | 4.3% |
| Health in Benefit | 0.25% |
| Supplementary Insurance | 3.25% |
| Unemployment | 1.2% |
| Professional Risk | 1% |
| High Occupational Risk (industry-specific) | 1.41% |
| Total Employer Cost | 23.33% – 24.74% |
Employee Payroll Tax
| Payroll item | Tax contribution |
| Pension Fund | 6.67% |
| Health Care | 2.15% |
| Health in Benefit | 0.4% |
| Supplementary Insurance | 3.25% |
| Unemployment | 1.2% |
| High Occupational Risk (industry-specific) | 2.2% |
| Total Cost on Employee | 13.67% – 15.87% |
Employee Income Tax
| Taxable Income (EUR) | Tax Rate (%) |
| 0 – 10,000 | 9% |
| 10,001 – 20,000 | 22% |
| 20,001 – 30,000 | 28% |
| 30,001 – 40,000 | 36% |
| Above 40,000 | 44% |
VAT
The standard VAT rate in Greece is 24%.
Bonus
13th Month Pay
The 13th-month pay is mandatory in Greece and has to be paid on Easter, and summer vacation. The 14th month pay is paid as Christmas bonus.
Employee Benefits
- Pension Fund
- Health Care
- Supplementary Insurance
- Easter bonus
- Holiday bonus
- Christmas bonus
- Vacation leave
Employee offboarding
The employer can terminate the employment contract by giving a notice or paying in lieu of notice. The employee can also terminate the contract by giving notice to the employer.
During the probationary period, the notice period is from 1 to 30 days, and for permanent employees, it ranges from one to four months.
In Greece, the severance pay depends on the employment term with the company. In case the employer does not give the necessary notice, the pay is doubled.
Visa and
immigration
For a foreigner to work in Greece for over 90 days, one must get a Type D visa. Also, a work permit has to be obtained within 30 days once the employee arrives in the country. Usually, work permits one year validity, which has to be renewed before 60 days of the expiry date.
Your employment toolkit for Greece
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Overtime Pay
Minimum Wage
Overtime Pay
| Overtime Period | Overtime Pay |
| From 41 to 45 hours of work in the case of five-day week and 41-48 hours of work for six-day week | 120% of the normal hourly rate |
| More than 48 hours per week | 140% premium rate of the normal hourly rate |
| Unlawful overtime, unnotified to labor inspectorate | 220% premium rate of the normal hourly rate |
| Sundays or non-working days | 175% premium rate of the normal hourly rate |
Visa and Immigration