Yes — Greek companies, including those owned by foreigners, can hire employees under local labor law. You can employ Greek citizens, EU nationals, or non-EU workers (with proper permits).
Whether you’re building a local team or expanding remotely, understanding Greece’s employment law is essential for compliance.
📑 Employment Contract Types in Greece
There are three main contract types:
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Open-ended (Indefinite) | Most common contract; full labor protections apply |
| Fixed-term | Must specify reason and end date; limited renewals |
| Freelance/Contractor | External service agreements; limited benefits |
All employment agreements must be:
✅ In writing
✅ Submitted electronically to ERGANI (Greek labor system)
✅ In Greek (with optional English copy)
📌 Borderless Lawyers helps draft bilingual contracts that meet Greek legal standards.
💶 Minimum Wage & Salary Standards
As of now, the Greek minimum wage is approximately €830/month (gross).
Employers must:
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Pay salaries via bank transfer
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Respect collective labor agreements (if applicable)
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Pay Christmas, Easter, and holiday bonuses (totaling ~1.92 extra salaries/year)
✅ We advise on sector-specific salary standards and help set compliant pay scales.
🧾 Employer Tax & Social Security Contributions
When hiring in Greece, employers must pay:
| Contribution Type | Employer Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Social Security (EFKA) | ~22% | Covers pension, health, unemployment |
| Supplementary pension fund | ~3% | Certain sectors |
| Payroll tax withholding | Variable | Based on employee’s income |
| Annual leave pay | Required | At least 20 paid days/year |
⚖️ Employee net salary ≠ total cost. Employers pay approx. 40–45% extra over gross salary.
🏢 Registering as an Employer in Greece
Before hiring, your company must:
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Register for Employer EIN (AME) via EFKA
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Enroll in ERGANI (electronic employment registry)
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Open a payroll account with a Greek bank
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Hire a certified payroll accountant
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Declare employment start date and contract to ERGANI (prior to first workday)
📌 Borderless Lawyers manages all employer registrations and filings on your behalf.
🧮 Monthly Payroll Process in Greece
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Prepare employee timesheets & data
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Calculate net salary, taxes, bonuses
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Submit declarations to ERGANI & EFKA
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Transfer net salaries to bank accounts
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Pay social security and payroll taxes to AADE
🧾 Your accountant handles submissions via TaxisNet and ERGANI platforms.
💼 Hiring Foreign Workers in Greece
| Worker Type | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Greek or EU citizen | No permit needed |
| Non-EU national living in Greece | Must hold a valid residence/work permit |
| Remote foreign workers abroad | Can be freelancers or contractors |
| Bringing talent from abroad | Apply for work visa + residency |
We help employers sponsor foreign workers legally through business visas, startup permits, or intra-company transfers.
⚖️ Key Employment Law Protections
Greek labor law offers strong protections for employees, including:
✅ 14 monthly salaries/year (12 base + 2 bonuses)
✅ Minimum 20 paid vacation days
✅ Sick leave and maternity/paternity leave
✅ Overtime limits and pay premiums
✅ Unjustified dismissal penalties
Terminating an employee requires:
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Written notice
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Final pay + any compensation
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ERGANI submission of termination form
❗ Dismissals must comply with SEPE (Labor Inspectorate) rules.
🧑💼 Example: Dutch Company Hires Staff in Thessaloniki
A Dutch startup forms a Greek IKE and hires:
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1 local marketing manager
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2 remote support agents (contractors in Bulgaria)
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1 non-EU developer sponsored for a work visa
We handled:
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Employer EIN + ERGANI registration
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Contract drafting and translation
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Payroll + tax setup
-
Legal sponsorship for the developer
They operate legally with full compliance — without needing to fly in.
👨💼 Can I Hire Myself as Director or Employee?
Yes — but the process depends on:
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Company structure (e.g. sole shareholder)
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Nationality (EU or non-EU)
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Residency permit (if non-EU and living in Greece)
You may need to register as both employer and employee, and enroll in EFKA.
We guide directors through the best setup based on tax and visa status.
🧑⚖️ How Borderless Lawyers Helps
We offer full legal & payroll services:
✅ Drafting compliant employment contracts
✅ Registering with EFKA, ERGANI, and TaxisNet
✅ Monthly payroll + tax declarations
✅ Visa/work permit sponsorship for foreign hires
✅ Legal support for termination or disputes
✅ Guidance on bonuses, holidays, and collective agreements
❓ FAQ – Hiring in Greece for Foreign Companies
Q: Do I need to hire in Greece to open a company?
A: No, but you must follow employment rules if you do.
Q: Can I use contractors instead of employees?
A: Yes — but they must be properly registered and not misclassified.
Q: Can I pay employees in foreign currency?
A: No — salaries must be paid in euros to Greek bank accounts.
🚀 Hire Legally & Confidently in Greece
Hiring in Greece offers access to a skilled, affordable workforce. But local laws require precision and legal clarity.
👉 Contact Borderless Lawyers to hire employees in Greece with full compliance — from contracts to payroll and visas.