Expand Your Employer of Record Services In Greece

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Expand Your Employer of Record Services In Greece

We Make Visas Easy For You

Expand Your Employer of Record Services In Greece

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Greece At a Glance

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Easily navigate Greece Employment Landscape

Everything you need to know about working in Greece, explained in one place. Explore clear, practical guidance on Greek employment rules under modern labour reforms (including Law 4808/2021), work visas and residence permits for employment for non-EU nationals, employee protections, payroll basics, and taxation—so you can move forward with confidence and build your career in Athens, Thessaloniki, Patras, Heraklion, or anywhere in Greece with clarity and peace of mind.

Understanding Weekly Working Hours in Greece

Explore Work hours Employee rights in Greece

In Greece, working hours are regulated to protect employees and promote fair labour standards under national employment legislation. The standard working time is 8 hours per day and 40 hours per week for full-time employees, typically spread over five working days.

Any work performed beyond the standard schedule is classified as overtime and must be pre-approved, recorded, and compensated. Overtime pay rates vary depending on timing and compliance:

Lawful overtime is compensated with a salary premium, usually 40% or more above the normal hourly wage
Work performed on Sundays or public holidays is subject to higher premiums, often 75% or more, along with compensatory rest where applicable

Greek law also imposes strict annual and daily limits on overtime, and employers must declare overtime electronically through the ERGANI employment system to remain compliant.

Collective agreements and sector-specific regulations may provide additional protections or higher overtime compensation, ensuring fair pay, employee well-being, and a sustainable work–life balance across Greece’s labour market.

Public Holidays and Employee Leave in Greece

Overview of Public Holidays & Employee leave

In Greece, employees are entitled to paid leave on official public holidays, allowing time off to observe national, religious, and cultural events. Greek labour law also provides a structured system of statutory leave designed to protect employee health, family life, and work–life balance.

Employees earn paid annual leave, with entitlement increasing based on length of service and years with the same employer. The law also guarantees paid sick leave, as well as maternity, paternity, and parental leave, with income support shared between employers and the social insurance system (e-EFKA).

In addition, employees may be entitled to special paid leave for specific circumstances such as marriage, bereavement, childbirth, blood donation, or educational examinations, depending on statutory rules or applicable collective agreements.

Together, these leave entitlements ensure employee well-being, social protection, and a balanced working life across Greece’s regulated employment framework.

Understanding Weekly Working Hours in Greece

Explore Employment Contracts & Costs in Greece

In Greece, employment relationships are governed by a comprehensive legal framework that clearly defines employee rights and employer obligations. The standard form of employment is an open-ended (indefinite-term) contract, and employers are required to register employees with tax authorities and the social security system (e-EFKA) and report employment details through the ERGANI. Written employment contracts are widely used and are particularly important for fixed-term, part-time, or specialised roles, as they clearly set out job duties, salary, working hours, benefits, and workplace policies.

Types Of Employment

Greek labour law recognises several employment arrangements, including:

Permanent (indefinite-term) employees
Fixed-term employees, permitted only under specific legal conditions
Part-time employees
Seasonal or temporary workers
Independent contractors, engaged under civil or commercial agreements and not covered by standard employment protections

Correct classification of workers is essential, as misclassification can lead to fines, back payments of social contributions, and legal disputes.

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ICC classifications, labor leasing, and wage rules in Greece

Labor Regulations & Independent Contractor Classification in Greece

In Greece, the distinction between an independent contractor (freelancer) and an employee is determined by the level of independence versus subordination. Independent contractors operate with professional and economic autonomy. If a contractor works under direct supervision, follows fixed schedules, or is economically dependent on a single client, Greek authorities and courts may reclassify the relationship as employment, triggering retroactive social security contributions, taxes, and penalties for the hiring entity.

Labor Leasing

In Greece, labour leasing and temporary staffing are lawful but tightly regulated. Only licensed temporary employment agencies (Εταιρείες Προσωρινής Απασχόλησης) may legally assign workers to third-party companies. These agencies must comply with registration and reporting requirements, and temporary workers are entitled to equal treatment in terms of pay and working conditions compared to comparable permanent staff at the host company.

Both the agency and the user company may face joint liability if employment or social security obligations are breached.

Minimum Wage Requirements

Greece enforces a statutory national minimum wage, which applies across all sectors and occupations. The minimum wage is set by government decision, following consultation with social partners and economic institutions, and is reviewed periodically.

Employers must comply with the statutory minimum wage regardless of industry or contract type. Collective bargaining agreements may establish higher minimum pay levels based on sector, role, qualifications, or seniority, but they cannot fall below the legal minimum.

How pay and health coverage apply during employee illness in Greece

Medical Benefits in Greece

In Greece, employee health protection is a fundamental part of labour law, ensuring income security and job continuity during periods of illness. When an employee is unable to work due to a non-work-related illness or injury, the employer is generally required to continue paying sick pay for a limited initial period, depending on the employee’s length of service. This employer-paid period is relatively short and intended to bridge the early phase of incapacity.

After the initial employer-paid sick leave, income support is primarily provided through Greece’s social security system (e-EFKA), which pays sickness benefits subject to medical certification and statutory conditions.

For work-related accidents or occupational illnesses, medical treatment and wage replacement are covered under Greece’s mandatory occupational accident insurance framework, with costs borne by the social security system rather than the employee.

During certified sick leave, the employment relationship remains in force, and dismissal due solely to illness is restricted, offering employees a degree of job protection while recovering. This system reflects Greece’s commitment to employee welfare, income stability, and legal compliance, while balancing employer responsibilities within a regulated labour environment.

Key rules governing probation duration and employer notice requirements.

Probationary Periods & Termination Notice in Greece

Probation Period in Greece

In Greece, employment contracts may include a probationary period, allowing both the employer and the employee to assess suitability for the role. While Greek law does not mandate a single uniform probation duration, it is commonly set at up to 12 months, especially for open-ended contracts, as recognised under modern labour reforms.

During the probation period:

Either party may terminate the employment without severance pay
Termination may occur with shortened or no notice, provided it is not abusive or discriminatory
The probation period must be clearly stated in the employment contract

Collective agreements or individual contracts may shorten the probation period or introduce additional safeguards, but they cannot undermine statutory employee protections.

Termination Notice Periods After Probation in Greece

Once the probation period ends, statutory notice requirements apply and depend on the employee’s length of service:

Employer notice periods

Up to 1 year of service: No notice or limited notice, depending on contract
1–2 years: 1 month’s notice
2–5 years: 2 months’ notice
5–10 years: 3 months’ notice
10+ years: 4 months’ notice

Employers may choose to provide pay in lieu of notice, which affects the level of statutory severance owed.

Employee resignation

Employees are generally required to give 1 month’s notice, unless a longer or shorter period is agreed in the contract or collective agreement.

How termination compensation and background screening are regulated under Greece labor law

Severance Pay & Pre-Hire Checks in Greece

In Greece, severance pay is calculated at the time of termination and is not funded through ongoing employer contributions. Employees dismissed without just cause are generally entitled to statutory severance compensation, which is based on length of service and monthly salary, in accordance with Greek labour legislation.

The amount of severance may be reduced by up to 50% if the employer provides the full statutory notice period, or paid in full where termination occurs without notice. In addition to severance, employers must settle outstanding salary, unused annual leave, and other accrued entitlements. Certain sectors or collective agreements may provide more favourable severance terms.

During recruitment, employers in Greece may carry out limited background checks, such as reviewing publicly available professional information, only where it is strictly relevant to the role. All screening activities must comply with the GDPR and Greek data-protection law, meaning personal data must be:

Collected lawfully and transparently
Used proportionately and for a legitimate purpose
Processed without discrimination

This framework ensures predictable termination costs, employee protection, and strong privacy safeguards, supporting compliance and legal certainty within Greece’s employment environment.

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Expand Your Employer of Record Services In Greece

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Greece At a Glance

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Calling Code

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Working Hours

National Holidays

Country Information

Easily navigate Greece Employment Landscape

Weekly Working Hours

National Holidays

Leave

Types of Employment

Employment Costs

IC Class Factors

Labor Leasing

Minimum Wage

Medical Benefits

Probationary Periods

Termination Notice

Severance

Understanding Weekly Working Hours in Greece

Explore Work hours Employee rights in Greece

Public Holidays and Employee Leave in Greece

Understanding Weekly Working Hours in Greece

Explore Employment Contracts & Costs in Greece

EOR-TXM Global Reach

We assist clients in discovering global solutions that fuel business expansion.

ICC classifications, labor leasing, and wage rules in Greece

How pay and health coverage apply during employee illness in Greece

Medical Benefits in Greece