Greece Labor Law and Employment Policy Overview

Employment Law Overview

• Key Legislation:
  • Greek Constitution
  • Labor Code (Law 3996/2011)
  • Social Insurance Code (Law 4387/2016)
• Legal Characteristics:
  • Protects employee rights, including working hours, paid time off, and severance pay.
  • Promotes social security and welfare.
  • Regulates the relationship between employers and employees.

Employment Contract Requirements

• Contract Types:
  • Fixed-term contracts
  • Indefinite-term contracts
• Contract Terms:
  • Must include provisions on job description, remuneration, working hours, leave, etc.
• Language and Currency:
  • Contracts must be in Greek and denominated in Euros.

Working Time Regulations

• Standard Working Hours: 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday.
• Rest Days and Breaks:
  • Minimum of 24 hours of rest per week.
  • Entitled to a 15-minute break after 6 hours of work per day.

Leave Policy

• Annual Leave:
  • 20 days of paid annual leave per year (for 5-day workweeks) or 24 days (for 6-day workweeks).
• Public Holidays: 11
• Special Leave:
  • Sick leave: Up to 6 months per year, depending on years of service.
  • Maternity leave: 119 days of paid maternity leave.
  • Paternity leave: 14 days of paid paternity leave.
  • Parental leave: 4 months of unpaid parental leave.

Employee Dismissal and Termination of Contract

• Notice Period:
  • Indefinite-term contracts: 1 to 4 months, depending on years of service.
• Severance Pay:
  • Indefinite-term contracts: 1 to 6 months of salary, depending on years of service.
• Unfair Dismissal Protection:
  • Employers must provide a valid reason for dismissing an employee.
  • Employees have the right to appeal unfair dismissals.

Tax Laws

• Personal Income Tax:

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• Social Security Contributions:

  • Employer: 24.74%
  • Employee: 16.5%

Health Insurance

• Insurance Policy:
  • All employees are eligible for the National Healthcare System (EOPYY).
• Insurance Coverage:
  • Basic healthcare services, including hospital care, doctor visits, and prescription drugs.

Compensation and Benefits

• Minimum Wage: 780 Euros
• Compensation Structure:
  • Base salary
  • Bonuses
  • Allowances

Work Permits and Visas

• Permit Requirements:
  • Non-EU citizens require a work permit.
• Application Process:
  • Application made by the employer to the Greek Employment Service (OAED).

Confidentiality and Non-Compete Clauses

• Enforceability:
  • Confidentiality and non-compete clauses are enforceable in Greece.
• Common Provisions:
  • Restrict employees from using or disclosing the employer's confidential information after leaving employment.
  • Restrict employees from working for competitors after leaving employment.

Training and Development

• Legal Requirements:
  • Employers must provide safety training to employees.
• Government Support:
  • Government provides training programs and funding.

Workplace Diversity and Inclusion

• Legal Requirements:
  • Prohibits discrimination based on race, gender, religion, or other protected characteristics.
• Enforcement Measures:
  • Employers must establish anti-discrimination policies and procedures.

Remote Work Policy

• Legal Framework:
  • Remote work is legal in Greece.
• Tax and Insurance Implications:
  • Remote work may impact tax and social security contributions.

Authoritative Website Addresses

• Greek Employment Service (OAED): https://www.oaed.gr/
• Social Insurance Fund of Greece (EFKA): https://www.efka.gov.gr/