Economic Overview, Maritime Dominance & Mediterranean Tech Hub
Greece combines world-leading maritime shipping assets with an elite engineering workforce and expanding international tech hubs in Athens and Thessaloniki.
Key Economic Sectors
- Maritime Shipping: World's largest commercial shipowning nation, driving advanced maritime tech and logistics software.
- Software & Cloud R&D: Major regional data centers and development hubs for Microsoft, Amazon Web Services, and Google.
- Pharma & Life Sciences: Pfizer global digital innovation center in Thessaloniki and domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing.
Employment Contracts, Greek Labour Law & ERGANI II Registration
Regulated by Greek Labour Law and managed via the ERGANI II government platform.
- Mandatory Electronic Filing: Contracts must be in Greek and submitted electronically to ERGANI before work starts.
- Probation Period: Maximum statutory probation is 6 months (under Law 5053/2023).
Working Hours, Digital Work Card & 14-Salary Structure
Working Hours & Digital Card Tracking
- Standard Hours: 40 hours per week (8 hours/day over 5 days). Real-time digital time tracking via the ERGANI Digital Work Card.
- Overtime (*Yperoria*): 120% (20% surcharge) for supplementary work; 140% (40% surcharge) for statutory overtime; 160% (60% surcharge) for exceptional overtime.
Mandatory 14 Salaries per Year
Under Greek law, employees receive **14 monthly salary payments per year**: 12 regular monthly salaries, plus the 13th month Christmas bonus (*Doro Pascha / Doro Christougennon*) and the 14th month Easter and summer vacation bonuses.
Annual Leave, Public Holidays & Maternity Protections
- Annual Paid Vacation: 20 working days in year 1 (for 5-day week), 21 days in year 2, and 22 working days in year 3+ (scaling up to 25–26 days with 10+ years tenure).
- Public Holidays: 14 official national public holidays.
- Maternity Leave: 17 weeks (8 weeks prenatal + 9 weeks postnatal) paid via e-EFKA and OAED, plus an optional **9 months special maternity protection leave** paid by DYPA.
- Paternity Leave: 14 paid working days upon childbirth.
Social Insurance (e-EFKA 22.29%), 14 Salaries & AADE Tax
| Statutory Scheme | Employer Share | Employee Share | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| e-EFKA Social Security (Pensions & Health) | 22.29% | 13.87% | Primary pension (13.33% Er), health (4.55% Er), supplementary |
| Total Statutory Contributions | 22.29% | 13.87% | Capped at monthly maximum contribution base |
Personal Income Tax: Progressive rates from 9% (up to €10k) up to 44% on earnings over €40,000/yr, administered by AADE.
Termination, Notice Periods & Severance Indemnity
- Notice Periods: 1 to 4 months for written notice dismissals (or 50% reduced severance).
- Severance Indemnity (*Apozimiosi Apolysis*): Statutory formula scaling from 1 month's salary (1–4 yrs service) up to 12 months' salary (16+ yrs service).
Why Use an Employer of Record (EOR) in Greece
- Instant Tech Team Deployment: Onboard software engineers in Athens or Thessaloniki in days.
- ERGANI II & 14-Salary Compliance: Flawless management of digital work card tracking, e-EFKA social security, and Christmas/Easter bonuses.
- EU Blue Card & Digital Nomad Visa: EOR sponsors work permits for non-EU specialists.
