EU citizens can work in Greece freely, without permits; non-EU citizens need a visa and residence permit. After the crisis years the job market has improved greatly: unemployment fell from 27% in 2013 to below 9% in 2025, and some sectors struggle to find staff. Wages, however, remain among the lowest in the euro area, while living costs, especially rents, have risen.
Sectors that hire
| Sector | Opportunities |
|---|---|
| Tourism and hospitality | Seasonal work April to October in hotels, resorts, restaurants and agencies; language skills valued |
| Call centres and multilingual services | In Athens and Thessaloniki many international companies seek native speakers of European languages |
| Technology | Development centres of global groups and start-ups, mainly in Athens and Thessaloniki |
| Shipping and logistics | Piraeus and the big shipping companies |
| Teaching | Language schools, international schools |
| Agriculture | Seasonal harvest work, often hard and poorly paid |
Salaries and contracts
The minimum wage is €920 gross per month from 1 April 2026, paid 14 times a year: Greek employees receive an extra month at Christmas, half at Easter and half as holiday allowance. Average private-sector pay is around €1,000-1,300 net a month, higher in technology and finance. The standard working week is 40 hours. Contracts must be registered on the public Ergani platform, and since 2024 many sectors use the digital work card, recording start and finish times in real time.
Paperwork
- AFM: the Greek tax number, essential for working, opening a bank account and signing a lease. Apply at the tax office (DOY) or online.
- AMKA: the social security number, needed for contributions and public healthcare. Issued by the social security body or a KEP citizens' service office.
- Registration: EU citizens staying over three months register with the police aliens' office and receive a registration certificate; non-EU citizens apply for a residence permit.
- A Greek bank account, required by many employers.
Remote work
Greece offers a digital nomad visa for non-EU citizens working remotely for foreign employers. EU citizens can simply move and work remotely, but if they live in Greece more than 183 days a year they become Greek tax residents.
Tax incentives
To attract workers and professionals, Greece offers people who move their tax residence to the country, if they have not been resident for at least five years, a 50% reduction in income tax on employment income for seven years. There are also special regimes for pensioners and large investors. Tax rules change often: consult an accountant (logistis).
See also buying a home in Greece and the Greek economy.