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.
Athens, Thessaloniki, Patras, Heraklion
Software Engineers, Medical practitioners, Accountants, Food processing, Language teachers, Shipping-industry related skills, Renewable energy sector skills.
The top local universities in Greece are listed below:
Local: 1
World: 403
Local: 2
World: 449
Local: 3
World: 645
Local: 4
World: 844
Local: 5
World: 928
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 |
Kariera, JobFind, Jobs in Greece
2,198,000
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.
Except for some specific cases, it is not mandatory to have an employment contract in writing. The employment 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.
There is no statutory law for probation period in Greece.
| Date | Name | Type |
| 1 Jan | New Year’s Day | De Facto Holiday |
| 6 Jan | Epiphany | De Facto Holiday |
| 27 Feb | Orthodox Ash Monday | National Holiday |
| 25 Mar | Independence Day | National Holiday |
| 14 Apr | Orthodox Good Friday | De Facto Holiday |
| 16 Apr | Orthodox Easter Sunday | National Holiday |
| 17 Apr | Orthodox Easter Monday | National Holiday |
| 1 May | Labour Day | National Holiday |
| 4 Jun | Orthodox Whit Sunday | De Facto Holiday |
| 5 Jun | Orthodox Whit Monday | National Holiday |
| 15 Aug | Assumption Day | National Holiday |
| 28 Oct | Ochi Day | De Facto Holiday |
| 25 Dec | Christmas Day | National Holiday |
| 26 Dec | 2nd Day of Christmas | National Holiday |
| Type of leave | Time Period | Mandatory |
| Annual leave/Earned Leave Leave | 20 days | Yes |
| Sick Leave | 30 days | Yes |
| Maternity Leave | 17 weeks | Yes |
The payroll cycle followed is monthly.
The minimum wage in Greece ranges from 713.00 EUR to 780 EUR/month.
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:
The 13th-month pay is mandatory in Greece and has to be paid on Christmas, Easter, and summer vacation.
| 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% |
| 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% |
| Income | Tax Rate | Corresponding Tax (EUR) | Total Income (EUR) | Total Tax (EUR) |
| First 10,000 | 9% | 900 | 10,000 | 9,00 |
| Next 10,000 | 22% | 2,200 | 20,000 | 3,100 |
| Next 10,000 | 28% | 2,800 | 30,000 | 5,900 |
| Next 10,000 | 36% | 3,600 | 40,000 | 9,500 |
| Above 40,000 | 44% |
Solidarity contribution is included in the Income Tax Code and is calculated as below:
| Annual Income | Progressive Rate |
| 0 – 12,000 | 0% |
| 12,001 – 20,000 | 2.2% |
| 20,001 – 30,000 | 5% |
| 30,001 – 40,000 | 6.5% |
| 40,001 – 65,000 | 7.5% |
| 65,001 – 220,000 | 9% |
| Above 220,000 | 10% |
The standard VAT rate in Greece is 24%.
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.
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.
| 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 | 20% premium rate of the normal hourly rate |
| More than 48 hours per week | 40% premium rate of the normal hourly rate |
| Unlawful overtime, unnotified to labor inspectorate | 120% premium rate of the normal hourly rate |
| Night hours | 25% premium rate of the normal hourly rate |
