Greece offers a well-educated, multilingual workforce and 14 salary payments a year. All-in employer cost runs around 1.22x the gross salary. Here is what to know before your first Greek hire.
Employment runs under the Labour Code and social-security rules administered through EFKA. Salaries are typically paid across 14 instalments, including Christmas, Easter, and holiday bonuses.
The statutory minimum is about €830 per month across 14 payments in 2024*, set by government decision.
Monthly, with Christmas, Easter, and holiday bonuses that make up the 13th and 14th payments in the private sector.
Around 12 public holidays a year, combining national and religious dates.
Written terms are standard. The first 12 months function as a probationary period with reduced dismissal protection.
Employer social-security contributions (EFKA) come to roughly 22% of gross salary, covering pension, health, and auxiliary funds.
The Christmas, Easter, and holiday bonuses are statutory in the private sector and should be factored into any salary quote.
Employees pay their EFKA share plus income tax on a progressive scale, withheld at source. Withholding is the employer's responsibility, which under EOR means ours.
20 to 26 paid days a year depending on tenure and the working week, plus a holiday bonus.
17 weeks of maternity leave (eight before and nine after birth), funded through social security and the employer.
Parental leave with a state allowance for part of the period, on top of maternity leave.
Paid partly by the employer and partly by social security, on a scale tied to tenure.
Dismissal of salaried staff requires written notice and severance that scale with tenure. Reduced protection applies in the first 12 months.
Statutory severance for salaried employees is set by tenure, paid on dismissal without cause.
The first 12 months act as a probationary period with lighter dismissal rules.
A contractor working under employer control can be reclassified, with back EFKA contributions.
*All figures are estimates from public sources (2025-26), pending ops verification - same basis as the EOR cost calculator. Not tax or legal advice.
Compliant Greek employment contract, payroll across 14 payments, social security, and benefits, handled. One invoice, flat $399 per month.