Your Complete Guide to Finding Work and Jobs in Greece

If you have ever wanted to work under the Greek sun, 2026 is a promising year to try: resorts in Crete and the Cyclades, olive and citrus farms in the Peloponnese, building projects in Athens, port warehouses in Piraeus and the new metro in Thessaloniki are all searching for staff.

Greek employers mostly need practical, dependable people rather than degree holders. Room attendants, dishwashers and kitchen assistants, waiters, harvest workers, greenhouse staff, builders’ labourers, warehouse pickers and cleaners can often start after a short trial. Workers with a trade — electricians, welders, plumbers, lorry drivers, HVAC installers or metro technicians — are hard to find and are paid accordingly.

The basis of every Greek wage is the national minimum salary, raised to €920 gross a month from 1 April 2026. Greek employees also receive three extra statutory payments each year — a full month’s pay at Christmas, half a month at Easter and half a month as a summer leave allowance — so a full-time year is effectively paid fourteen times. Seasonal jobs on the islands frequently add free housing and meals, which can double the real value of a summer contract.

Read on for a full overview: the sectors and regions that hire, realistic wages for each job title, eligibility for EU and non-EU workers, how Greek work permits are issued, the documents to prepare, a clear application plan and the tell-tale signs of recruitment fraud. Remember that a real Greek employer never charges a worker for a job.

Snapshot: Jobs in Greece in 2026

Why Greece Is Hiring More Workers in 2026

Greece’s tourism industry has been breaking records, and its season now stretches from April well into November on islands such as Crete and Rhodes. Hotels, beach bars, restaurants and tour operators regularly say that they cannot find enough local staff, so they recruit from across Greece, the rest of Europe and further afield. Farming faces a similar gap: many rural workers have moved to the cities or abroad, leaving fruit and vegetable growers short of hands at harvest time.

At the same time, Greece is investing heavily in infrastructure after years of economic crisis. Athens is building Metro Line 4, Thessaloniki’s metro opened recently and is being extended, regional airports have been modernised, the Port of Piraeus has grown into one of the Mediterranean’s main container hubs, and thousands of homes and hotels are being renovated. This has created strong demand for construction workers, electricians, plumbers, welders and drivers.

Sectors Hiring Right Now Across Greece

Here are the twelve job families Greek employers most often advertise, the job titles to look out for, and the places where each kind of work is concentrated.

Airport Jobs

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

Athens International Airport is the country’s main gateway, while Fraport Greece runs fourteen busy regional airports including Thessaloniki, Corfu, Rhodes, Kos, Chania, Mykonos, Santorini and Zakynthos. Before each summer season these airports and their ground-handling companies hire ramp agents, baggage handlers and cleaners on fixed-term contracts. Screening officers complete certified security training and background checks before they start. Thessaloniki “Makedonia” Airport also recruits all year because it serves northern Greece.

Driving Jobs

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

Freight moves across Greece along the Athens–Thessaloniki motorway and the Egnatia Odos to the Turkish and Bulgarian borders, so hauliers need C and CE licence holders with a professional competence certificate. Couriers and supermarkets employ van drivers in every city, and food-delivery platforms keep motorcycle and car couriers busy in Athens and Thessaloniki. Bus companies (KTEL) and tourist coach firms need D-licence drivers, while villas, luxury hotels and yacht clients on Mykonos, Santorini and Corfu hire personal drivers in summer.

Construction Jobs

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

Residential renovation, new hotels on the islands, the Athens metro extension, road upgrades and the redevelopment of the former Hellinikon airport site have produced a long list of construction vacancies. Labourers and general building workers can be hired quickly, while qualified electricians, plumbers and carpenters — especially those with licences recognised in Greece — command higher daily rates and are often offered overtime.

Hotel & Hospitality Jobs

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

Hospitality is Greece’s largest seasonal employer. Resorts in Crete, Rhodes, Kos, Corfu, Halkidiki, the Cyclades and the Ionian islands start recruiting in January for contracts that run from April or May to October. Housekeepers, room attendants, kitchen helpers and waiters are the most needed roles, and most island employers provide staff accommodation and meals. Information on tourism-sector rules is published by the Greek Ministry of Tourism.

Agriculture & Farm Jobs

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

Greek farms rely on seasonal help: strawberries in Ilia and Achaia from February, peaches and apricots in Imathia and Pella in summer, olives in Messinia, Laconia and Crete from October to January, and oranges in Argolida in winter. Greenhouses around Ierapetra in Crete and Tympaki grow tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers almost all year, and sheep and goat farms across Thessaly, Epirus and Crete need livestock and dairy workers for milk and feta production.

Healthcare Jobs

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

Greece has one of Europe’s oldest populations, and families increasingly hire live-in caregivers for elderly relatives in Athens, Thessaloniki and regional towns. Private clinics, rehabilitation centres and care homes recruit healthcare assistants and support workers, and public hospitals run their own hiring rounds. Greek language skills are important in this sector because of daily contact with patients.

Cleaning Jobs

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

Cleaning contractors serve offices, banks, shopping malls, hospitals, ferries and hotels throughout the country, with the biggest concentration in Attica and Thessaloniki. Seasonal hotel cleaning on the islands is often outsourced to contractors who hire large teams each spring, while industrial cleaners working in factories, ports and refineries are paid more for specialised equipment and safety rules.

Factory & Manufacturing Jobs

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

Greek industry is focused on food and drinks — olive oil, dairy, fruit canning, bakeries and breweries — along with pharmaceuticals, plastics, aluminium and textiles. Factories in the industrial zones of Thessaloniki (Sindos), Attica (Aspropyrgos, Thriasio), Volos, Larissa and Patras hire production and packing operatives, and fruit-canning plants in central Macedonia recruit extra staff each summer.

Warehouse & Logistics Jobs

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

The Port of Piraeus (OLP) and the large logistics parks in the Thriasio plain west of Athens make Attica the centre of Greek logistics, with Thessaloniki’s port and distribution zone in second place. Retail chains, e-commerce companies and third-party logistics firms hire pickers, packers and forklift operators, and certified forklift drivers are particularly sought after.

Skilled Trade Jobs

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

Shipyards in Perama, Elefsina and Syros need welders and fitters, energy projects need electricians, and the boom in solar panels and air-conditioning across hotels and homes has created steady work for HVAC technicians. Car, truck and boat mechanics are needed in every region and on the islands, where marine engine repair is a valuable skill.

Supermarket and Retail Jobs

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

Supermarket chains operate thousands of stores across Greece and expand their staff before summer on the islands and before Christmas and Easter in the cities. Cashiers, shelf stackers and counter staff for deli, bakery and fish departments are in demand, and tourist shops and duty-free outlets on the islands hire seasonal sales assistants.

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, operated by the state company STASY, runs three lines and is building Line 4, while the Thessaloniki Metro opened in late 2024 and continues to expand. Construction and planning are coordinated by Elliniko Metro, and Thessaloniki’s bus operator OASTH connects with the new metro. These networks recruit train operators, station staff, customer-service agents and maintenance technicians through public selection procedures.

Where in Greece the Jobs Are — City & Region Guide

Work is available all over Greece, but each region has its own specialities. Use the table to pick the place that suits your skills and the time of year.

Who Can Apply — Eligibility

Citizens of the EU, EEA and Switzerland can work in Greece without a permit. After arrival they register their residence, obtain a Greek tax number (AFM) and a social security number (AMKA), and can then sign a contract. Most employers expect workers to be 18 or over and physically fit for the job. English is enough in many tourist-area roles, but Greek gives you access to more stable, better-paid jobs.

Non-EU citizens need a job offer and a national (type D) visa for employment, followed by a residence permit issued by the Greek authorities. Greek employers can request seasonal and dependent workers through annual procedures, and Greece has also signed bilateral labour agreements with some countries to fill agricultural and construction jobs. Because the rules change regularly, always check the latest guidance on the Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum and the Greek Ministry of Labour before you travel.

Information & Documents Commonly Required

• Valid passport (non-EU) or EU identity card.
• Greek tax number (AFM) and social security number (AMKA) — usually arranged in your first days.
• For non-EU workers: the national work visa and, later, the residence permit.
• A short CV in English or Greek listing your skills, languages and licences.
• Health certificate for jobs handling food (kitchens, bakeries, restaurants).
• Driving licence and professional competence certificate for truck and bus drivers; forklift certificate for operators.
• Trade certificates for electricians, plumbers, welders and HVAC technicians.
• A Greek bank account (IBAN) for salary payments.

Salary & Benefits Overview (Typical Greek Pay by Job)

Below are typical gross monthly wages in Greece for 2026, starting from the €920 minimum. Remember that most employees receive fourteen payments a year, and many seasonal jobs include free accommodation and meals. Athens and the expensive islands usually pay at the top of each range.

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

On top of the monthly wage, Greek employees are entitled to the Christmas and Easter bonuses and the summer leave allowance, at least 20 working days of paid annual leave (rising with service), paid sick leave, maternity and paternity leave, and social insurance contributions through e-EFKA (social insurance) that cover health care and your pension. Overtime, night work and Sunday or public-holiday work are paid at higher rates.

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

Where to Find Official Greek Job Openings

• Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum — official rules on visas and residence permits for foreign workers.
• Greek Ministry of Labour — labour law, minimum wage and workers’ rights.
• Hellenic Labour Inspectorate — where to report unpaid wages or unsafe working conditions.
• e-EFKA (social insurance) — social insurance, pensions and contribution records.
• Greek Ministry of Tourism — information about Greece’s tourism sector.
• LinkedIn Jobs — thousands of Greek vacancies from hotels, logistics and industry.
• Adecco Greece, ManpowerGroup Greece and Randstad Greece — established recruitment agencies in Greece.
• Fraport Greece, Elliniko Metro and OASTH — airport and transport organisations with their own job announcements.

Employee Benefits & Training Programs

• Fourteen salaries a year: Christmas bonus, Easter bonus and summer leave allowance on top of 12 monthly wages.
• Paid leave: At least 20 working days a year for a five-day week, increasing with years of service.
• Accommodation and meals: Very common in island hotels and on many farms.
• Social insurance: Health cover and pension contributions through e-EFKA.
• Overtime and premiums: Extra pay for overtime, nights, Sundays and holidays.
• Tips: A meaningful addition for waiters and bar staff in tourist areas.
• Return contracts: Good seasonal workers are often invited back every year, sometimes in a higher role.

Worked Example

Marek, 26, is a Polish citizen with experience in a hotel laundry. In February he applies to three resort groups in Crete through LinkedIn Jobs and a recruitment agency. After a video interview, a five-star resort near Chania offers him a housekeeping position from April to the end of October at about €1,060 gross a month, with a shared staff room, three meals a day and paid overtime during the August peak.

Because the employer covers housing and food, Marek saves most of his salary and also receives the proportional summer allowance. At the end of the season the hotel offers to rehire him the next year as a housekeeping team leader. He was never asked to pay any fee — a sign that the offer was genuine.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Paying an agent abroad for a “Greek work visa package” — real employers never charge for this.
• Travelling on a tourist visa and expecting to find legal work — it does not allow employment.
• Accepting work without a registered contract, which leaves you without insurance or bonuses.
• Not checking whether accommodation and meals are included before accepting a seasonal job.
• Applying too late — most island hotel positions are filled by early spring.
• Underestimating living costs on expensive islands such as Mykonos when housing is not provided.

Your Rights & Staying Safe from Job Scams

Every legally employed worker in Greece is entitled to at least the minimum wage, a declared contract, paid leave, the statutory bonuses, rest days and safe working conditions. Employers must register their staff in the national electronic system, and workers can check their insurance record with e-EFKA (social insurance). Unpaid wages, unpaid overtime or unsafe conditions can be reported to the Hellenic Labour Inspectorate.

Recruitment scams targeting foreign workers often promise high salaries and quick visas in return for a fee, use only messaging apps, and skip proper interviews. Before accepting any offer, check that the company exists, ask for a written contract, and never send money or your original passport. Suspected fraud can be reported to the Cyber Crime Division of the Hellenic Police.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Greece in 2026 offers far more than holiday jobs: there is year-round work in Athens, Piraeus and Thessaloniki, seasonal positions in the hotels of Crete, Rhodes and the Cyclades, harvest work across the Peloponnese, Thessaly and Macedonia, and well-paid opportunities for drivers, welders, electricians and metro staff. Choose the right season and region, apply through genuine employers and recognised agencies, get every condition in writing, and never pay for a job. With good timing and preparation, a rewarding Greek job can be within reach.

👉 Next step: Search current vacancies on LinkedIn Jobs, register with an agency such as Adecco Greece, and if you are a non-EU applicant read the official guidance from the Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum before you accept any offer.