Employment Rights and Workplace Culture in Greece
Navigating the Greek labor market requires an understanding of both the statutory legal framework and the traditional social norms that govern professional interactions. As of 2025, the Greek government has implemented several reforms aimed at digitizing labor monitoring and adjusting minimum standards to meet European Union directives.
Standard Working Hours and Schedules
The standard work week in Greece is 40 hours, typically distributed over five days (8 hours per day). However, legislation introduced in late 2023 and expanded in 2024 (Law 5053/2023) allows specific industries with continuous operations or high seasonal demand to implement a six-day work week under strict conditions.
- Overtime: Employees can be required to work "over-work" (prosethi ergasia) for up to 5 hours per week in a 40-hour system, compensated at a 20% premium. Overtime exceeding 45 hours per week must be compensated at a 40% premium.
- Rest Periods: Employees are entitled to a minimum daily rest period of 11 consecutive hours and a minimum weekly rest period of 24 hours.
- Digital Work Card: Most sectors now utilize the "Ergani II" digital work card system. Employees must clock in and out via a mobile app or terminal to ensure real-time reporting of working hours to the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs.
Remuneration and Financial Entitlements
Greece operates on a 14-salary installment system for private-sector employees. This means that in addition to the 12 monthly salaries, workers receive additional payments for Christmas, Easter, and the summer vacation period.
Minimum Wage (2025-2026)
As of early 2025, the statutory minimum gross wage for unskilled workers is approximately 830 EUR ($905 USD, Jan 2025) per month. This figure is subject to scheduled reviews by the government and may increase based on inflation and productivity metrics. For employees with prior experience (calculated in three-year increments or "triennial"), the minimum wage is higher.
Additional Bonuses
- Christmas Bonus: A full month's salary, paid in December.
- Easter Bonus: Half a month's salary, paid during the Easter period.
- Vacation Bonus: Half a month's salary, paid when the employee takes their primary summer leave.
Note: In the public sector, these bonuses have been largely restructured or incorporated into the base pay scales.
Annual Leave and Sick Leave
Paid leave entitlements depend on the length of service with the same employer. During the first year of employment, leave is granted on a pro-rata basis.
- First Year: 20 days (for a 5-day week) or 24 days (for a 6-day week).
- Second Year: 21 days (5-day week) or 25 days (6-day week).
- After 12 Years: Entitlement increases to 25 days (5-day week) or 30 days (6-day week).
Sick Leave: Employees are entitled to paid sick leave provided they present a certificate from a doctor affiliated with e-EFKA (the national social security agency). For the first three days of illness, the employer usually pays half the daily wage. From the fourth day onwards, e-EFKA provides sickness benefits.
Workplace Culture and Etiquette
Greek workplace culture is often characterized by a blend of formal hierarchy and strong interpersonal relationships. Building trust (the concept of philotimo) is often considered as important as technical proficiency.
Communication Styles
While English is widely spoken in multinational companies in Athens and Thessaloniki, Greek remains the primary language for administrative and legal matters. Communication tends to be expressive; however, professional hierarchy is respected. It is common to address supervisors using formal pronouns (eseis) and titles unless invited to use first names.
Business Meetings
Punctuality is expected in professional settings, though meetings may start slightly late or run over the scheduled time to allow for relationship-building discussions. Coffee culture is an integral part of business; many informal negotiations and networking sessions occur over a frappé or freddo espresso.
Terminating Employment
The termination of an open-ended employment contract requires written notice or the payment of severance pay. The amount of severance depends on the years of service:
- Under 1 Year: No severance is required if the employee is dismissed within the first 12 months (probationary period).
- 1 to 4 Years: 2 months' salary as severance.
- Over 10 Years: Significantly higher severance scales apply, capped at specific limits defined by national law.
For specific legal disputes or instances of workplace discrimination, employees may contact the Labor Inspectorate (SEPE), which acts as the primary regulatory body for enforcing labor laws.