Payroll information

Payroll information in Greece is governed by strict employment laws and regulations, which require employers to provide their employees with written employment contracts, register them with the Social Security Fund, and deduct their social security contributions from their salary each month. The standard payroll cycle is monthly, and employers must pay their employees at least once a month, typically on the last working day of the month.

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Payroll Cycle

In Greece, the standard payroll cycle is monthly. Employers are required to pay their employees at least once a month, typically on the last working day of the month. However, it is not uncommon for some employers to pay their employees on a weekly or biweekly basis, especially in certain industries such as retail and hospitality.

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Employment Law

Greek employment law is primarily governed by the Labor Code, which outlines the rights and obligations of both employers and employees. Under the Labor Code, employers are required to provide their employees with a written employment contract that outlines the terms and conditions of their employment, including their job duties, working hours, compensation, and benefits.

Employers are also required to register their employees with the Social Security Fund and to deduct their social security contributions from their salary each month. The employer is responsible for paying both their own and their employees' social security contributions, as well as taxes on their employees' salaries.

Employees are entitled to a minimum wage, which is set by the government, as well as additional benefits such as paid vacation, sick leave, and maternity leave. Overtime work is also regulated by law and must be compensated at a higher rate than regular hours.

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Employment Contract

Employment contracts in Greece must be in writing and must include the following information:

• The name and address of the employer and employee
• The employee's job title and job description
• The duration of the employment contract (if it is fixed-term)
• The starting date of the employment
• The working hours and days
• The employee's salary and any additional benefits
• The notice period for termination of the employment

The employment contract may be either for a fixed term or an indefinite term. Fixed-term contracts are used for temporary employment and can be renewed, but cannot exceed a total duration of 24 months. Indefinite-term contracts are used for permanent employment and can only be terminated for just cause, such as gross misconduct or redundancy.

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Probation Period / Trial Period

Under Greek employment law, a probation period may be included in an employment contract for new employees. The probation period cannot exceed six months, and during this time, the employer has the right to terminate the employment without notice or compensation if the employee does not meet the employer's expectations.

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Working Hours

The standard working hours in Greece are 8 hours per day and 40 hours per week. Employees are entitled to a break of at least 30 minutes after working for 6 hours. However, some industries and jobs have different working hours, and in some cases, the employer and employee may agree on a different schedule.

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Overtime

Any hours worked beyond the standard 8 hours per day or 40 hours per week are considered overtime. Overtime work must be compensated at a higher rate than regular hours, which is usually 25% higher. However, this may vary depending on the employment contract or collective agreement.

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Bonus

Bonuses are not regulated by law in Greece, and whether an employee is entitled to a bonus depends on the employment contract or collective agreement. In some cases, employers may provide their employees with a performance-based bonus or a holiday bonus.

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Termination

Termination of employment in Greece can be either by the employer or the employee. The employer may terminate an employment contract for just cause, such as gross misconduct, or for economic reasons, such as redundancy. The employee may terminate an employment contract at any time, provided they give notice as required by law.

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Notice Period

The notice period required for terminating an employment contract depends on the duration of the employment. For example, for employment lasting up to 2 years, the notice period is one month. For employment lasting more than 2 years but less than 5 years, the notice period is 2 months. For employment lasting more than 5 years, the notice period is four months. However, the employment contract or collective agreement may provide for a longer notice period.

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Redundancy / Severance Pay

If an employer needs to reduce their workforce due to economic reasons, they must follow strict procedures and consult with employee representatives. The employer must provide the employees with written notice of redundancy, and they must provide compensation to affected employees based on their length of service.

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Maternity Leave

Female employees in Greece are entitled to 17 weeks of maternity leave, with a minimum of 6 weeks taken before the expected date of birth. During this time, the employee is entitled to receive maternity benefits from the Social Security Fund, which are calculated based on her average earnings over the last 12 months.

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Paternity Leave

Male employees in Greece are entitled to 5 days of paid paternity leave, which must be taken within 4 months of the birth of their child.

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Parental Leave

Parents in Greece are entitled to parental leave to care for their child. This leave can be taken by either parent until the child reaches the age of 8, and it can be taken either full-time or part-time. The total duration of parental leave is up to 24 months per child, with the first 6 months paid by the Social Security Fund.

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Vacation and Annual Leave (paid time off)

In Greece, employees are entitled to a minimum of 20 days of paid annual leave per year, which increases to 25 days after 5 years of service. The employer and employee may agree to additional vacation time, but the total number of vacation days cannot exceed 30 days.

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Sick Leave

Employees in Greece are entitled to paid sick leave if they are unable to work due to illness or injury. The length of sick leave is determined by a medical certificate, which is provided by a doctor. The amount of sick leave an employee is entitled to depends on the duration of their employment.

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Other Leave

• Study leave: Employees are entitled to unpaid leave for studying or attending courses related to their job.
• Marriage leave: Employees are entitled to paid leave for their own wedding or the wedding of their children.
• Bereavement leave: Employees are entitled to paid leave in the event of the death of a family member.

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Other Benefits

In addition to the benefits mentioned above, employers in Greece may also provide their employees with additional benefits, such as private health insurance, pension plans, and bonuses.

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Public Holiday

Greece has a number of public holidays that are observed throughout the country, including:

• New Year's Day
• Epiphany
• Clean Monday
• Independence Day
• Good Friday and Easter Monday
• Labour Day
• Pentecost Monday
• Assumption Day
• Ohi Day
• Christmas Day
• Boxing Day

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Taxation

Taxation in Greece includes personal income tax, which is calculated on a progressive scale, and social security contributions, which are split between the employee and employer. Certain exemptions and deductions may be available, which can help reduce an individual's tax liability. Employers and employees must adhere to these laws and regulations to ensure fair and legal taxation practices.

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Personal Income Tax

In Greece, personal income tax is calculated on a progressive scale, with rates ranging from 9% to 44%. For the tax year 2023, the tax brackets and rates are as follows:

• Income up to €10,000: 9%
• Income from €10,001 to €20,000: 22%
• Income from €20,001 to €30,000: 28%
• Income from €30,001 to €40,000: 36%
• Income from €40,001 to €120,000: 44%
• Income over €120,000: 45%

In addition to the above tax rates, a solidarity tax is also levied on high-income individuals, with rates ranging from 2.2% to 10%.

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Social Security

Social security contributions in Greece are split between the employee and the employer. The employee is responsible for contributing 7.5% of their gross salary to the social security system, while the employer is responsible for contributing an additional 20.86% of the employee's gross salary.

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Others

In addition to social security contributions, employees in Greece are also required to contribute to a supplementary health insurance fund, which is typically around 2.5% of their gross salary.

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It's important to note that there are certain exemptions and deductions available for certain individuals and types of income. For example, self-employed individuals may be eligible for deductions on certain business expenses, and there are deductions available for contributions to approved pension plans.

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Visas and Foreign Workers

General Information

Work visa types

‍The Greek government offers different types of work visas, including a long-term visa for work, a temporary visa for work, and a seasonal visa for work.

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Eligibility‍

To be eligible for a work visa in Greece, individuals must have a job offer from a Greek employer and meet certain requirements, such as having a valid passport, proof of health insurance, and a criminal background check.

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Application Process

The application process for a work visa in Greece typically involves submitting an application to the Greek embassy or consulate in the applicant's home country, along with supporting documents such as a job offer letter, proof of qualifications, and proof of financial means.

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Processing Time

The processing time for a work visa in Greece can vary depending on the type of visa and the specific circumstances of the applicant. Generally, it can take several weeks to several months to obtain a work visa.

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Residence Permit

Once an individual has obtained a work visa, they must apply for a residence permit within 30 days of entering Greece. The residence permit is issued by the Greek authorities and allows the individual to live and work in Greece for the duration of their visa.

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Renewal

Work visas and residence permits in Greece are typically valid for one year and can be renewed. To renew a work visa, individuals must submit a new application and meet the same eligibility criteria as the initial application.

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Restrictions

It's important to note that work visas in Greece may have restrictions on the type of work an individual can do or the length of their employment. Additionally, some professions, such as doctors and lawyers, may require additional certifications or qualifications.

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In summary, obtaining a work visa in Greece requires a job offer from a Greek employer and meeting specific eligibility requirements. The application process involves submitting an application and supporting documents to the Greek embassy or consulate, with a processing time that can vary. Once approved, individuals must obtain a residence permit and adhere to any restrictions associated with their visa.

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