Employment Law

Employment Contracts in Greece

While a written employment contract is technically not required, we strongly recommend that you always provide your employees in Greece with a written employment contract. These contracts should cover all important details of the employee/employer relationship such as salary/wages, vacation, sick leave, termination provisions, etc. It should be written in Greek and use the Greek currency Euro.

Working with our Greek PEO, Remoly's team of local experts can provide assistance in drafting strong employment contracts that comply with local regulations.

Fixed Term

Indefinite

Working Hours in Greece

The standard working week in Greece is 40 hours, 8 hours a day, usually Monday to Friday.

Holiday Policy

Greek Holidays

Employees in Greece are entitled to holidays during their first year with their employer. Those who work five days a week are entitled to 20 days of holiday (those who work six days a week are entitled to 24 days of holiday). For employees who have worked for the employer for more than one year, the minimum allowance is 20 (or 24) days. The employer then gets an extra day of vacation in the second year and an extra day of vacation in the third year. After working for the employer for ten years, the worker is entitled to 25 working days (or 30 working days if working six days a week).

Greece Sick Leave

Employees who take leave due to illness are entitled to 50% of their regular wages for three days. From the fourth day onwards, absentee employees will be compensated by the state.

Parental Leave in Greece

Mothers in Greece typically receive 17 weeks of paid maternity leave. It can be taken eight weeks before and nine weeks after delivery. Male employees are entitled to two days of paternity leave. After childbirth, parents can usually shorten their workday by one hour for 30 months .

Taxes in Greece

Both employers and employees are required to pay a certain proportion of their wages to social security, which are 28.56% and 16.5% respectively.

Health Insurance in Greece

Employees are entitled to free state health care after 50 days of employment in a 15-month period.

Termination and Dismissal of Greece

Employers in Greece are required to provide notice of termination of indefinite employment contracts. The notice period depends on the period of employment. Generally speaking:

• Two months to one year with employer = one month’s notice
• One to four years = two months
• Four to six years = three months
• Six to eight years = four months
• Eight to ten years = five months
• Over ten years = six months (one additional month per year, up to 24 months)

A severance package equivalent to around 50% of the notice period is normal.

For companies expanding overseas for the first time, dealing with employee layoffs and dealing with severance packages can be complicated. Remoly's Greek PEOs can reduce risk for foreign companies and provide guidance during the process.

Salary and Benefits

Greek Compensation Law

The minimum wage in Greece is 758.3 euros per month.

Welfare Administration in Greece

Setting up a benefits system for employees in Greece can be difficult to navigate, especially if you are unfamiliar with the country and its laws. If you want to handle the setup independently, it may take several weeks and may cause delays in the expansion process.

Alternatively, you can use a payroll outsourcing company to handle your Greek PEO and payroll. At Horizon, our Greek payroll experts can set up and manage your benefits system for you, allowing you to focus on successful expansion.