Work and Wages
Minimum Wage
Workers can’t be paid less than the minimum wage, which is the lowest remuneration that an employer should pay to an employee. The minimum salaries of all employees should be determined according to the terms provided by the National General Collective Labour Agreement (NGCLA). The terms and conditions of NGCLA will apply to all employers and employees irrespective of whether they are members of any trade union or employer’s union, respectively.
The minimum wage in Greece is to be determined according to the terms of NGCLA. The minimum wage should be given to all workers, whether they are working in the public or private sector. This fact doesn’t affect the minimum wage if either the employee or the employer is a member of a trade union or an employers’ union.
Where an employer fails to pay due wages fully and regularly, the worker may file a complaint with the labour inspectorate (SEPE). SEPE is tasked with monitoring and implementing all employment-related legislation, including the payment of minimum wages. The workers may also file a case in court for unpaid wages. Moreover, the workers have the right to stop working if the wage payment is not full and is unduly delayed. Employment of a worker is secure during such abstention, and he is paid his wages for the period.
Under Law 5163/2024, the statutory minimum monthly salary and minimum daily wage are fixed by ministerial decision after consultation with social partners and scientific/economic bodies and consideration of economic and social indicators. The law contains a transitional regime for 2025–2027 and a new statutory mechanism from 2028.
Source: Law 4093/2012, enacted on November 12, 2012; §6 & 15 of the Law 5163/2024
Regular Pay
Greek legislation differentiates between the workers on the basis of job type. While white-collar contract workers (intellectual work requiring specialised training and experience and requiring initiative) are paid monthly, the blue-collar workers (manual work with clear tasks) are paid on a daily basis.
It is considered a fundamental employer obligation to pay wages on time. However, there is no law in Greece requiring the employer to pay wages within a specific time duration (five or ten days after their eligibility). It is generally assumed that unless the issue is settled under the employment contract or collective agreement, wages must be paid at regular intervals, either fortnightly or monthly.
Employers are required to maintain employee pay slips for at least the previous 3 months. The special overtime (for more details on overtime, please refer to the section on overtime compensation) must also be maintained until the electronic notification to the ERGANI (compliance-related information system) is made. Employers are required to file all wage data to calculate the Social Security contribution.
Workers in Greece are entitled to 14 months ' pay in a year. Employees in private-law employment are entitled to: (i) a Christmas bonus equal to one monthly salary or 25 daily wages if employed for the full reference period; (ii) an Easter bonus equal to half a monthly salary or 15 daily wages; and (iii) an annual leave allowance equal to half a monthly salary, capped at 13 daily wages for wage-paid workers. If employment lasted only part of the relevant reference period, the entitlement is proportionate.
Wages must be paid in local currency, i.e., Euro and through bank transfer only, applicable only to the private sector employees. Non-compliance with this provision is subject to fines ranging from 300 to 50,000 euros. Deductions from workers’ wages are regulated under the law, and an employer may deduct wages as income tax and social security contributions, trade union dues (after workers’ consent), contributions for occupational pensions, and for wages that were paid in advance. If there is a significant delay in wage payment (regardless of the reason for the delay), the employee can consider it equivalent to contract termination by the employer and thus demand severance pay.
Employers are required to provide workers with wage slips, including every deduction and referring to the applicable minimum wage.
Sources: §1 of the Joint Ministerial Decision 19040/1981 (GG B’ 742)
Regulations on Work and Wages
- Νόμος 4093/2012, που εκδόθηκε στις 12, Νοέμβρη 2012 / Law 4093/2012,enacted on November 12, 2012
- Προεδρικό Διάταγμα 88/1999 / Presidential decree 88/1999
- Υπουργική Απόφαση 18310/1946 / Ministerial Decision 18310/1946
