Payroll & Employment Guide Greece flag

Payroll & Employment Guide Greece

Greece is an excellent spot for hiring remote workers thanks to its highly educated, English-speaking workforce and affordable labour costs. With a growing remote work culture, solid time zone overlap with Europe, and a digital nomad visa in place, it’s an easy and attractive choice for global teams.

Payroll & Employment Guide Greece
CurrencyEuro (EUR)
LanguagesGreek
Minimum wage880 EUR ross per month
Employment cost24.81%
Working hours40 hours per week
VAT24%
Probation periodUp to 6 months
Paid leave daysMin of 20 to 24 days
Categories

Hiring guide

Located in southeastern Europe, Greece offers a skilled and well-educated workforce at competitive employment costs, making it a strong choice for global companies. That said, employers must comply with local regulations regarding minimum wages, employment contracts, and social security contributions.

Learn more about salaries, employment costs, and legal requirements for hiring in Greece. Get the full hiring guide now!

Employment contracts

Employment contracts can be either indefinite or fixed-term, with indefinite contracts being the most common. If no specific end date is stated, the contract is considered indefinite by default. Fixed-term contracts are used in exceptional cases and must include a clear end date justified by an objective reason, such as covering for an absent employee or completing a specific project.

While not all contracts require written documentation, employers are legally obligated to provide employees with written communication outlining the main terms of employment.

Notice periods: Ranging from one to five months

Termination of employment: Termination can occur through dismissal, resignation, mutual termination agreement, or termination of a fixed-term contract

Want to learn more about employment contracts in Greece? Get our full template now!

Employee benefits

Employees in Greece enjoy a package of benefits that reflects both legal requirements and modern workplace practices. This includes mandatory protections like social security and paid leave, as well as a variety of common perks.

  • Mandatory benefits: Social security contributions
  • Common perks: Supplementary health insurance, meal vouchers, transportation allowances, wellness programmes
  • Leave policies: Annual leave, sick leave, maternity leave, paternity leave, marriage leave, unpaid leave

Want a full breakdown of all the employee benefits available in Greece?

Taxes

In Greece, employers must remit withheld income tax and social security contributions to the tax authorities by specified deadlines, typically on a monthly basis.

Personal income tax rate: progressive rates ranging from 9% to 44%

VAT: 24%

Tax allowances: Fringe benefits are generally treated as taxable income for the employee.

Additional tax reliefs: N/A

Curious to learn about Greece's tax allowances and similar tax regulations?

Payroll

In Greece, employers must pay salaries as specified in individual or collective agreements, ensuring they meet at least the statutory minimum wage. Salaries are typically paid monthly, unless a different arrangement is agreed upon.

Salary payment deadline: At the end of the month

Taxes and contributions payment deadline: By the last working day of the following month

Payroll declarations deadline: Monthly payroll must be declared to AADE by the end of the next month, while EFKA reports are due quarterly

Payroll currency: EUR

EOR services

  • EOR services

Using EOR services in Greece lets you hire workers legally without setting up a local legal entity. The EOR acts as the official employer and handles all key responsibilities, including:

  • Legal employment and contracts
  • Payroll processing
  • Tax withholding
  • Benefits administration
  • Onboarding/offboarding employees

PEO services

PEO services in Greece support your HR and administrative tasks while you remain the legal employer. They're ideal if you already have a legal entity in Greece but need help managing workforce operations, including:

  • HR support and workforce administration
  • Payroll and benefits management
  • Compliance and local labour law guidance
  • Employment contracts assistance

Payroll calculator

Native Teams offers a payroll calculator tailored to Greece’s labour laws. You can easily use it to estimate net and gross salaries, employer and employee contributions, and other mandatory deductions.

Note: The information provided above is for general guidance only and should not be considered a substitute for legal advice. We strongly recommend consulting with qualified professionals who specialise in local labour laws before making any hiring decisions. While the data was accurate at the time of writing, labour regulations are subject to change, and it is your responsibility to stay informed about the latest developments.

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Frequently asked questions

Freelancers in Greece must register as self-employed by obtaining a Tax Identification Number (AFM) and declaring their freelance activity at the local tax office. They handle their own taxes and social security contributions, so as a client, you are generally not responsible for these payments. 

However, it is crucial to ensure that the working relationship does not resemble full employment to avoid misclassification, which Greek authorities actively monitor. A clear contract outlining services, responsibilities, and payment terms is essential to define the freelancer’s independent status.