OUTLINE
Leave in Greece
Maternity, paternity, and parental leave in Greece
Adoption leave in Greece
Other leave in Greece
Public holidays in Greece
Protect your employees and your business
Leave and time off in Greece
Employees in Greece benefit from a wide range of leave entitlements that support rest, recovery, and work-life balance. These are guaranteed by national labour legislation. In some cases, they may also be extended through collective agreements or employer policies. From annual holidays to time off for family responsibilities or unforeseen events, leave is a core part of employment rights in Greece.
In this section, we break down the different types of leave available, including annual leave, sick leave, maternity, paternity, and parental leave. We also cover entitlements for adoptive parents, carers, and single parents, as well as leave for school duties, bereavement, marriage, and more. You will also find guidance on how public holidays are treated under Greek law. Whether you’re hiring your first employee in Greece or refining your existing policies, understanding these rules will help you stay compliant and build a fair, supportive workplace.
Leave in Greece
Employees in Greece are entitled to time off work each year for holidays and relaxation. They are also entitled to time off if they become ill or injured. Read on to learn what you need to know about annual leave and sick leave in Greece.
Annual leave in Greece
In the first year of employment, employees in Greece are entitled to leave on a pro-rata basis based on 20 days of leave for those working five-day weeks, and 24 days for those working six-day weeks. This entitlement is increased by one day each in the second and third year of employment, bringing the total to 22 days of leave for employees working a five-day week.
After 12 years of employment — or 10 years of service with the same employer — the annual leave entitlement increases to 25 working days for employees working a five-day week, or 30 days for those working a six-day week (five weeks of leave). Employees are also entitled to an additional day of leave after completing 25 years of service.
Accruing and using annual leave in Greece
Employers in Greece must allow their employees to use their leave each year, though the specifics for requesting and granting leave may be agreed upon between the employer and the employee. However, employers must grant leave within two months of an employee making a request to take leave.
If an employee doesn’t use all of their leave within a calendar year, it can be carried over into the first quarter of the next year. If they still have leave remaining after this point, the employer must pay them for their leave instead. If the employee was not able to use the leave due to the fault of employer, the employee is entitled to double compensation. Employers must also pay employees for any unused leave if they leave the company before the end of the year.
Sick leave in Greece
Employees in Greece are entitled to sick leave if they become too ill to work. The maximum duration of sick leave depends on the employee’s length of service:
- Up to 4 years of employment: 1 month.
- 4–10 years of employment: 3 months.
- 10–15 years of employment: 4 months.
- 15 or more years of employment: 6 months.
Employees with at least 10 days of service are entitled to sick pay. During the first 3 days of sick leave, the employer pays 50% of the employee’s daily wage. From the 4th day onwards, the social security fund (e-EFKA) provides sickness benefits. The employer may supplement this to ensure the employee receives their full wage. Employees are required to inform their employer of their illness as soon as possible and provide a medical certificate to justify their absence:
Maternity, paternity, and parental leave in Greece
Employees in Greece are entitled to paid time off work when they or their partner has a baby, as well as additional leave to care for their child up to the age of eight years old. Read on to learn what you need to know about maternity, paternity, and parental leave in Greece.
Maternity leave in Greece
Employees in Greece are entitled to 119 calendar days (17 weeks) of maternity leave when they give birth to a child. This is generally divided into eight weeks before the baby is born and nine weeks after. As long as they have completed at least 200 days of insurance contributions in the two years preceding the birth, employees are also entitled to maternity pay through the social security system. Employers in Greece can choose to supplement this amount so the employee receives their full salary while on maternity leave.
Paternity leave in Greece
Working fathers in Greece are entitled to 14 working days of paid paternity leave. Up to two days of this leave can be taken before the birth of the child, with the rest to be taken within 30 days of the birth. There are no specific conditions to be met for paternity leave concerning previous employment or the marital or family status of the employee.
Parental leave in Greece
In addition to the specific entitlements described above, each parent in Greece is entitled to parental leave of up to four months per child, as long as they have completed at least one year of service. This can be taken all at once or intermittently, as agreed with the employer, at any time until the child’s eighth birthday. The first two months of this year are paid by the Public Employment Service (DYPA) at a rate equivalent to the statutory minimum wage. The remaining two months are generally unpaid, unless otherwise specified by collective agreements or employer policies.
Other rights and protections for parents in Greece
Employers in Greece may not dismiss an employee during pregnancy and for a period following childbirth. Greek law also prohibits any unfavourable treatment of employees based on their status as parents or caregivers.
In addition, working parents have the right to request flexible working arrangements, such as remote work, flexible hours, or part-time employment. Employers are required to consider these requests and provide a justified response.
Adoption leave in Greece
Parents who adopt children under the age of six in Greece are entitled to maternity, paternity, and parental leave under the same conditions as birth parents. That means that:
- Mothers are entitled to 17 weeks (119 calendar days) of maternity leave with pay.
- Fathers are entitled to 14 working days of paternity leave with pay.
- Each adoptive parent is entitled to up to four months of parental leave per child.
These provisions ensure that adoptive parents in Greece have access to leave entitlements comparable to those of biological parents, supporting the integration of the child into the family and promoting work-life balance.
Other leave in Greece
Employees in Greece may also be entitled to certain other types of leave under employment laws, collective agreements, or individual employment contracts. Here are some of the main types of leave you may come across as an employer in Greece.
Marriage leave in Greece
Employees are entitled to paid leave for their own marriage or the conclusion of a civil partnership. This leave amounts to five working days for those on a five-day workweek and six days for those on a six-day schedule. It is separate from annual leave entitlements.
Caretaker leave in Greece
Employees who have completed six months of service are entitled to five days of paid leave per year to care for a relative or someone living in the same household. This leave requires a medical certificate to support the need for care.
Bereavement leave in Greece
In the event of the death of an immediate family member, employees are entitled to two days of paid leave to attend funeral services and manage related affairs.
School leave in Greece
Working parents are entitled to four working days of paid leave per year per child to attend school-related activities, such as parent-teacher meetings. This leave applies to children attending school up to the age of 18.
Childcare leave in Greece
After maternity leave, working mothers (or fathers, if the mother does not use the leave) are entitled to reduce their daily working hours by one hour for a period of 30 months to care for their child. This reduction is considered paid leave and is funded by the employer.
Sick leave for dependents in Greece
Employees may take up to six working days of unpaid leave per year to care for a sick child or other dependent family member. This entitlement increases to eight days if the employee has two children and to fourteen days if they have three or more children.
Leave for serious illness of a child in Greece
Working parents are entitled to ten working days of paid leave per year to care for a child up to 18 years old suffering from serious health conditions, such as cancer or requiring dialysis.
Hospitalisation leave for children in Greece
Parents may take up to 30 working days of unpaid leave per year if their child, regardless of age, is hospitalised due to illness or accident and requires their presence.
Leave for single parents in Greece
Single parents, including widowed or unmarried employees with sole custody of a child, are entitled to six working days of paid leave per year. This entitlement increases to eight days if they have three or more children.
Leave for force majeure in Greece
Employees are entitled to take up to two working days of paid leave per year for urgent family matters arising from unforeseen events, such as accidents or illnesses, where their immediate presence is essential.
Election leave in Greece
Employees required to travel to vote in elections are entitled to one to three days of paid leave, depending on the distance between their workplace and the polling station. This ensures they can exercise their voting rights without having to use their annual leave.
Public holidays in Greece
Greece observes both national and local public holidays. National holidays are established by law and are observed across the country. These include fixed-date holidays such as New Year’s Day (1 January), Independence Day (25 March), and Christmas Day (25 December), as well as movable feasts like Easter Monday, which are based on the Orthodox Christian calendar. Additionally, certain regions or municipalities may observe local holidays specific to their area, often tied to religious or historical events.
Are public holidays paid days off in Greece?
Yes, public holidays are considered paid days off for employees in Greece. Employees are entitled to their regular pay on these days without any deduction. This applies to both national and local public holidays recognised by the employer.
If an employee works on a public holiday, they are entitled to additional compensation. Specifically, they should receive their regular daily wage plus an extra 75% of their hourly wage for the hours worked on the holiday. This applies to work performed on both mandatory and customary public holidays.
What if a public holiday falls on a non-working day in Greece?
In Greece, if a public holiday falls on a Sunday, it is generally not transferred to another day; the holiday is effectively lost. An exception to this is Labour Day (1 May), which is considered more of a general strike day than a traditional public holiday. If Labour Day falls on a Sunday, it is typically observed on the next working day.
Public holidays in Greece in 2025
Here are the public holidays observed in Greece in 2025:
1 January
New Year’s Day
6 January
Epiphany
3 March
Clean Monday (Kathara Deftera)
25 March
Independence Day and Annunciation
18 April
Good Friday (Orthodox)
20 April
Easter Sunday (Orthodox)
21 April
Easter Monday (Orthodox)
1 May
Labour Day
8 June
Pentecost (Orthodox Whit Sunday)
9 June
Whit Monday (Orthodox)
15 August
Assumption of the Virgin Mary
6 December
Independence Day
28 October
Ochi Day
25 December
Christmas Day
26 December
Synaxis of the Mother of God
Protect your employees and your business
As an employer in Greece, you need to understand your employees’ rights and entitlements. But keeping up with them can be a lot of work.
When you hire workers with CXC, we’ll ensure your engagements are in line with all local, national and international employment regulations. That way, your workers will get their benefits they’re entitled to, and your business will be protected from risk.
Compliantly hire workers anywhere with CXC
With our EoR solution, you can engage workers anywhere in the world, without putting your business at risk. No more worrying about local labour laws, tax legislation or payroll customs — we’ve got you covered.
DISCLAIMER: The information contained on this website is provided for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, tax, or other professional advice on any subject matter. While we endeavor to ensure that the content is accurate and up to date, we make no warranties or representations of any kind regarding the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability, or availability of the information contained herein. The content on this site is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice. Users should not act or refrain from acting based on any information on this website without seeking the appropriate legal, tax, or other professional advice tailored to their specific circumstances from qualified professionals. We expressly disclaim all liability in respect to actions taken or not taken based on any or all of the contents of this website. Use of the information on this site does not create an attorney-client, tax advisor-client, or any other professional-client relationship between the user and the website or its authors.
Australia/New Zealand Head Office
Asia Head Office
EMEA Head Office
North America Head Office
Latin America Head Office
Level 3, 99 Walker Street
North Sydney, NSW 2060 Australia
