Your Complete Guide to Finding Work and Jobs in Greece

Greece is looking for workers from Athens and Thessaloniki to Crete, Rhodes, Corfu and the farming plains of Thessaly — in island hotels, on construction sites for the new metro and housing projects, in orchards and greenhouses, at regional airports and in the busy logistics zone around Piraeus.

Most openings are practical roles where reliability matters more than diplomas: room attendants, kitchen helpers, waiters, fruit pickers, greenhouse workers, labourers, warehouse staff, delivery riders and cleaners. Skilled positions — electricians, welders, plumbers, heavy-goods drivers, HVAC technicians and metro staff — earn noticeably more and are some of the hardest roles for Greek employers to fill.

Greek pay is built around a national minimum wage that rose to €920 gross per month on 1 April 2026. What surprises many newcomers is that salaries are paid fourteen times a year: twelve monthly payments plus a Christmas bonus of one month’s pay, an Easter bonus of half a month and a summer holiday allowance of half a month. Island hotels and farms frequently add free accommodation and meals, which makes the take-home value of a seasonal contract much higher than the headline wage.

This guide walks through every step: which sectors and regions are hiring, the exact job titles to look for, realistic wages for each role, who can apply, how the Greek work-permit and seasonal-visa system works for non-EU citizens, the documents you need, and how to avoid recruitment scams. A legitimate Greek employer never asks a worker to pay for a job.

Snapshot: Jobs in Greece in 2026

Why 2026 Is a Good Time to Look for Work in Greece

Greece’s economy has been one of the faster-growing in the eurozone, and record tourism numbers mean hotels and restaurants simply cannot find enough staff for the season. Construction has also returned in force, driven by EU recovery-fund projects, new housing, Athens Metro Line 4 and the extension of the Thessaloniki Metro. Builders, farmers and hoteliers have publicly said they are short of tens of thousands of workers.

To close the gap, the government has opened legal routes for foreign workers, including bilateral agreements with countries such as India and Egypt for agricultural and construction labour, faster processing of work permits, and a seasonal-work visa for farms and tourism. Each spring the minimum wage has also been increased, so pay at the bottom of the market is rising year on year.

Sectors Hiring Right Now Across Greece

Here is where Greek employers are recruiting, the job titles they use, and the parts of the country where each kind of work is most common.

Airport Jobs

Roles in demand: Airport Security Officer, Ramp Support Crew, Baggage Handler, Airport Cleaner, Ground Support Staff.

Athens International Airport is the main hub, while Fraport Greece operates fourteen regional airports, including Thessaloniki Airport “Makedonia”, Rhodes, Corfu, Chania, Kos, Santorini, Mykonos and Zakynthos. Heraklion is served by its current airport while a new one is built at Kastelli. Island airports multiply their staff for summer, hiring screeners, ramp agents, baggage handlers, cleaners and passenger-assistance staff on seasonal contracts from April to October.

Driving Jobs

Roles in demand: Truck Driver, Parcel Driver, Delivery Driver, Bus Driver, Personal Driver.

Freight moves from the port of Piraeus and the logistics parks of Aspropyrgos and Thriasio towards Thessaloniki and the Balkans, so drivers with a C or CE licence and a Professional Competence Certificate are always needed. Courier companies and online shops hire parcel and van drivers in Athens and Thessaloniki, tourist regions need coach drivers and transfer chauffeurs for hotels and villas, and urban bus operators such as OASTH in Thessaloniki recruit licensed bus drivers.

Construction Jobs

Roles in demand: Construction Worker, Electrician, Plumber, Carpenter, General Labourer.

Construction is one of the sectors with the biggest shortages. Hotel renovations on the islands, new housing in Athens, the Elliniko waterfront redevelopment, motorways in Crete and northern Greece, and metro works by Elliniko Metro all need labourers, formwork carpenters, electricians and plumbers. Many builders pay a daily rate, and experienced tradespeople can negotiate well above the minimum.

Hotel & Hospitality Jobs

Roles in demand: Hotel Cleaner, Housekeeping Staff, Kitchen Helper, Waiter, Food Service Worker.

Tourism supports roughly one in five Greek jobs. Resorts in Crete, Rhodes, Kos, Corfu, Halkidiki, Zakynthos, Santorini and Mykonos hire room attendants, housekeepers, kitchen helpers, waiters and buffet staff from March or April through October, while Athens and Thessaloniki hotels employ staff year-round. Seasonal contracts very often come with free shared accommodation and three meals a day, and waiters in busy tavernas and beach bars earn good tips.

Agriculture & Farm Jobs

Roles in demand: Dairy Farm Worker, Fruit Picker, Farm Worker, Polyhouse Worker, Livestock Worker.

Greece grows peaches, apricots and cherries in Imathia and Pella, kiwis in Pieria, oranges in Argolida and Laconia, strawberries in Ilia, olives across the Peloponnese and Crete, and cotton on the plains of Thessaly. Greenhouses around Ierapetra in Crete and in Preveza produce vegetables almost all year, and sheep and goat farms in Thessaly, Epirus and Macedonia — the source of feta — need milkers and livestock workers. Seasonal farm visas and bilateral agreements bring many foreign workers to these regions each year.

Healthcare Jobs

Roles in demand: Healthcare Assistant, Support Worker, Aged Care Worker, Caregiver.

Private clinics, rehabilitation centres and care homes in Athens, Thessaloniki, Patras and Heraklion recruit healthcare assistants and support workers, and many Greek families employ live-in caregivers to look after elderly relatives at home. Live-in carers usually receive free room and board, and experience plus basic Greek is often more important than formal qualifications for these roles.

Cleaning Jobs

Roles in demand: Commercial Cleaner, Office Cleaner, Hotel Cleaner, Industrial Cleaner.

Facility companies clean offices, shopping malls, banks, hospitals, ships and holiday villas. Demand is highest in Athens and Thessaloniki year-round and on the islands during the season, when villa and short-let cleaning teams are in constant demand. Industrial cleaners in food factories, ports and shipyards earn a higher rate for specialised work.

Factory & Manufacturing Jobs

Roles in demand: Garment Factory Worker, Production Worker, Packaging Worker, Warehouse Worker.

Manufacturing is concentrated in Attica, Thessaloniki, Volos, Larissa and Patras: food and drink plants, olive-oil and fruit-packing facilities, dairy processors, pharmaceutical and plastics factories, and clothing workshops in northern Greece. Fruit-packing houses in Imathia and Argolida take on many extra packaging workers during the harvest months.

Warehouse & Logistics Jobs

Roles in demand: Warehouse Worker, Picker/Packer, Forklift Operator, Logistics Assistant.

The container terminals at Piraeus — run under the Piraeus Port Authority — and the logistics centres of Aspropyrgos, Thriasio and western Thessaloniki make Greece a gateway for goods entering the Balkans and Central Europe. Supermarket chains and e-commerce sellers run large distribution centres in Attica and Thessaloniki. Forklift operators need a recognised operator licence; pickers and packers learn on the job.

Skilled Trade Jobs

Roles in demand: Electrician, Welder, Mechanic, HVAC Technician, Plumber.

Shipyards at Perama, Elefsina and Syros need certified welders, hotels and resorts need maintenance electricians, plumbers and air-conditioning technicians before every summer, and vehicle and boat mechanics are in demand on the mainland and islands. Solar-panel installations and energy upgrades have added further work for electricians and HVAC specialists across the country.

Supermarket and Retail Jobs

Roles in demand: Cashier, Shelf Stacker, Store Assistant, Deli & Bakery Counter Staff, Store Supervisor.

Large Greek supermarket chains, discount stores and shopping centres hire cashiers, shelf stackers and counter staff throughout the year, with extra seasonal staff in island branches during summer and in city stores before Christmas and Easter. Retail jobs follow the commerce collective rules, including Sunday premiums where shops are allowed to open.

Metro Jobs

Roles in demand: Metro Train Operator, Station Assistant, Customer Service & Ticket Agent, Track & Maintenance Technician.

Greece has two metro systems. The Athens Metro (Lines 1, 2 and 3) is operated by the state company STASY, and Line 4 is under construction. The Thessaloniki Metro opened in late 2024 and was extended to Kalamaria, with planning and expansion managed by Elliniko Metro. Recruitment for drivers, station staff and maintenance technicians is mostly through public selection procedures and contractors involved in operating and building the lines.

Where in Greece the Jobs Are — City & Region Guide

Work exists all over Greece — in the two big cities, in agricultural plains and on dozens of islands. Use this table to match your skills to the right region.

Who Can Apply — Eligibility

EU, EEA and Swiss citizens can work in Greece freely; after three months they register their residence, and every worker needs a Greek tax number (AFM) and a social-security number (AMKA) before starting. The minimum age for most full-time jobs is 18. English is widely used in tourism, but basic Greek is a real advantage for care, retail and construction roles. EU guidance on moving for work is available on Your Europe.

Non-EU citizens need a residence permit for work. Under Greece’s Migration Code, an employer submits a request to hire a named or unnamed foreign worker; once approved, the worker obtains a national (type D) visa from a Greek consulate and then a residence permit for dependent employment. Seasonal workers in agriculture and tourism can receive a seasonal-work visa valid for up to nine months in a year, and bilateral agreements with countries such as India and Egypt speed up recruitment for some sectors. Official information is published by the Ministry of Migration and Asylum.

Information & Documents Commonly Required

• A valid passport (non-EU) or national ID card (EU citizens).
• A Greek tax registration number (AFM) from the tax office.
• A social-security number (AMKA), registered with e-EFKA.
• For non-EU workers: the approved hiring decision, a type D work or seasonal visa, and then a residence permit.
• A short CV in English (and Greek if possible) listing your experience, languages and licences.
• Licences and certificates: driving licence and Professional Competence Certificate, forklift licence, welding or electrical qualifications.
• A health certificate for anyone handling food in hotels, restaurants, bakeries and supermarkets.
• A Greek bank account (IBAN) — wages must be paid by bank transfer.

Salary & Benefits Overview (Typical Greek Pay by Job)

The figures below are typical 2026 gross monthly wages for full-time work, with the €920 national minimum as the legal floor. Remember that Greek employees are paid 14 salaries a year, so annual earnings are roughly 14 times the monthly figure. Islands and Athens tend to pay more, and seasonal jobs often add free accommodation and meals. Always confirm the exact wage and benefits in your written contract.

Airport Jobs

Driving Jobs

Construction Jobs

Hotel & Hospitality Jobs

Agriculture & Farm Jobs

Healthcare Jobs

Cleaning Jobs

Factory & Manufacturing Jobs

Warehouse & Logistics Jobs

Skilled Trade Jobs

Supermarket and Retail Jobs

Metro Jobs

Beyond the monthly wage, employees in Greece receive a Christmas bonus, an Easter bonus and a holiday allowance (together worth two extra months’ pay), at least 20 days of paid annual leave rising with service, paid sick leave, maternity and paternity leave, and social insurance through e-EFKA covering healthcare and pension. Seasonal hotel and farm jobs commonly add free housing, meals and transport to work.

Step-by-Step: How to Apply for Jobs in Greece

Where to Find Official Greek Job Openings

• Ministry of Migration and Asylum — official information on work permits, seasonal visas and residence permits.
• Ministry of Labour and Social Security — labour-law updates, the minimum wage and worker rights.
• Hellenic Labour Inspectorate — the authority that checks pay, hours and working conditions.
• e-EFKA — Greece’s social-security body for AMKA, insurance and pensions.
• Ministry of Tourism — tourism-sector information and programmes.
• Fraport Greece and Thessaloniki Airport “Makedonia” — regional airport operators.
• Elliniko Metro — the company developing the Athens and Thessaloniki metro networks.
• LinkedIn Jobs, Adecco Greece, ManpowerGroup Greece and Randstad Greece — trusted platforms and agencies with Greek vacancies.

Employee Benefits & Training Programs

• 14 salaries a year: Christmas bonus, Easter bonus and summer holiday allowance on top of 12 monthly payments.
• Paid annual leave: At least 20 working days in a five-day week, increasing with years of service.
• Social insurance: Healthcare and pension contributions through e-EFKA.
• Accommodation and meals: Standard for many seasonal hotel, island and farm jobs.
• Overtime and premiums: Extra pay for overtime, night work, Sundays and public holidays.
• Tips: Waiters and bar staff in tourist areas can significantly increase their income.
• Return contracts: Good seasonal workers are often invited back by the same hotel or farm every year.

Worked Example

Ravi, 26, from India, applies for a seasonal kitchen-helper job at a resort in Rhodes through a licensed agency. The hotel submits the request for a seasonal worker, and once it is approved Ravi receives his seasonal-work visa from the Greek consulate. He arrives in April and starts on €1,050 gross a month with free shared housing and three meals a day.

Because he spends almost nothing on rent or food, he saves most of his wages, receives his share of the Easter bonus and holiday allowance, and is offered a contract for the next season as a cook’s assistant. At no stage was he asked to pay a fee — the agency is paid by the hotel, as it should be.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Paying a “visa agent” for a Greek work permit — permits are requested by employers, not sold.
• Travelling on a tourist (Schengen) visa expecting to start work — this is not legal in Greece.
• Working without being declared by the employer, which means no insurance, pension or protection.
• Ignoring the 14-salary system and comparing only the monthly figure with other countries.
• Accepting a seasonal job without checking that accommodation and meals are written in the contract.
• Applying too late — island hotels fill most seasonal posts between January and April.

Your Rights & Staying Safe from Job Scams

All workers in Greece — Greek or foreign — are entitled to at least the national minimum wage, a written contract or employment statement, legal working hours, rest days, paid leave, the three statutory bonuses and social insurance. Employers must declare staff before they start work, and many workplaces use a digital work card to record hours. Complaints about unpaid wages or unsafe conditions can be made to the Hellenic Labour Inspectorate.

Scammers target people searching for jobs in Greece with fake hotel or farm offers. Watch out for requests for money for visas, “processing” or flights, job offers without any interview, and recruiters who refuse to give a company address. Check the employer independently, never send money in advance, and report fraud to the Hellenic Police Cyber Crime Division.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Finding work in Greece in 2026 can mean a summer in a Cretan or Rhodes resort, a forklift seat in a Piraeus logistics centre, a place on a metro or hotel construction crew in Athens, a harvest season in the orchards of Macedonia, a care job with a family in Thessaloniki or a technical role in a shipyard. Pick the region and sector that suit you, check your contract carefully, use official and licensed channels, and never pay to be hired. With good preparation, Greece offers real opportunities — and the 14-salary system makes every year’s work go further.

👉 Next step: Look for current openings on LinkedIn Jobs or with agencies such as Adecco Greece, and if you are a non-EU citizen, read the work-permit rules of the Ministry of Migration and Asylum before you apply.