Live and work in Greece
Greece is the country of tzatziki, ouzo, Greek mythology, olives, wine, Acropolis, summer and a wealth of stunning islands. But what else does the country have to offer? And what is it like to live there?
Lets dig deeper to give you a better idea of what it would be like to live and get a job in Greece.
Latest available jobs in Greece
Dutch Business Development, Cloud Sales – Athens
Do you speak Dutch and do you have a passion for business development and sales? Then we have a job for you in Athens. Apply now.
German Business Development, Cloud Sales – Athens
Do you speak German and do you have a passion for business development and sales? Then we have a job for you in Athens. Apply now.
French Business Development, Cloud Sales – Athens
Do you speak French and do you have a passion for business development and sales? Then we have a job for you in Athens. Apply now.
Currency
The Euro (€) has been the official currency in Greece since 2001. They joined EU in 1981
Famous people
Some famous Greek people are Aristotle, Homer, Haris Alexiou, and Antonios Nikopolidis
Population
Greece has ~10.6 million residents, and almost half of them living in Athens
Typical food
Souvlaki, moussaka, Greek salad, octopus, seafood, dolmades baklava
Avg. working week
Greece has an average of 40 hour work week, 8 hours daily, 5 days a week
Location
Greece is located in south eastern Europe and borders the Mediterranean Sea
Languages
The official language is Greek, and they use the Greek alphabet and Latin script
Healthcare
Self-paid insurance, high standards, some free public appointments via ESY or the Greek Healthcare System
What you need to know about living in Greece
Greece has beautiful beaches, whitewashed houses and amazing mountain landscapes. A lot of fundamental concepts to our way of life today come from ancient Greece. Just think about how many words in our own vocabulary have their origins in the Greek language – words like democracy, politics and philosophy. Ancient Greece has also left clear traces in contemporary architecture, sports, and many other places. In short, it is difficult to imagine what the world would have looked like without the great influence of ancient Greece.
Get a job in Greece if you:
- Want to combine work with experiencing the beautiful ancient culture up close
- Dream of living and working under the sun
- Can see yourself becoming part of the friendly and welcoming Greek community
Basic facts about Greece
- Average working hours per week: 40 hours, 8 hours daily
- Typical working day: Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
- Number of Vacation days: 20 days / 4 weeks
- Commute: Mostly by metro/train/tram or bus
- Work culture: You will have colleagues from everywhere, but you will speak in your own native language, supporting
- Population: There’s approx. 11 mio. people in Greece and the country has an area of 132,000 km2.
Perhaps most impressive and also something Greece is best known for: the amount of islands. In the Greek archipelago there are more than 2,000 islands, of which only a few hundred are inhabited. Some of the islands are both well-known and beloved holiday islands, such as Crete, Santorini, Rhodes, and Corfu. If you get a job in Greece you will have the opportunity of doing island hopping between islands when you’re off work. You can enjoy the magnificent and unspoiled nature peacefully.
Greece borders Albania, North Macedonia, Turkey and Bulgaria, and it has a coastline of almost 14,000 km. The capital Athens is today home to around 4 million people. and the Greek capital has more years behind it than most European cities – it has been inhabited for 3,000 years. If you are interested in history and culture, Athens is an inexhaustible source of new knowledge and cultural discoveries. You will simply never finish exploring the city and expanding your knowledge of Greek culture and history.
What is it like to work in Greece?
In Greek workplaces, relationships are important. Greeks want to work and trade with people they know, and therefore building relationships – and perhaps even friendships – in professional contexts are a big part of Greek work culture. It can take a long time and require many dinners and meetings to reach an agreement. On the other hand, agreements are binding and must be respected once they have been entered into, and this applies to both written and oral agreements.
The Greek working hours are typically 40 hours a week.
Work in Athens
Although the economy in Greece has been passing through difficult times, the tourism industry is part of the 20% of the GDP and you can find job offers in multinational companies of this area, such as customer support agents, travel agents and more related to multilingual speaking jobs. In recent times there’s a growing need in Athens and Crete for people who not only speaks English but also manage other languages like Danish, Norwegian, Finnish, German, Dutch, and more. At Job Squad you will find plenty of offers for multiple languages available, check them out here!
Read more about getting a job and living in Athens, Greece
How to find jobs and housing in Greece
When you need to find a job in Greece, it is a good idea to ally yourself with an international recruitment agency. At Job Squad, we have helped a thousands of people find their dream job abroad – you can read their stories here. With a recruitment agency behind you, you’ll get help finding the right job positions. Agencies typically have contacts in a number of companies that are looking for candidates like you.
After the financial crisis Greece has struggled with unemployment. But there are still plenty of options to choose from. Tourism is also still a large and important profession in Greece, and you’ll find several jobs for English-speaking people – especially during summer.
Start your housing search online on Greek housing portals like xe.gr or spitogatos.gr, and ask around in your network. It could also be that your employer abroad has apartments available or knows some good places to apply. In any case, it is smart to start the search well in advance so that you do not stand without a roof over your head the first time.
Why should you get a job in Greece?
To sum up: Greece is the perfect destination if you like sun, amazing culture, history and a work environment with trust and personal relationships in the forefront. With a job in Greece, you can combine work with island hopping, mountain hiking and fantastic culinary experiences – all with a touch of the jaw-dropping beautiful Greece as a backdrop.
Popular cities in Greece
Speak to one of our recruiters
Life in Greece
Living in Greece means enjoying the blend of ancient history, breathtaking landscapes, and warm hospitality, which creates an extraordinary lifestyle. Imagine diving into the crystal clear waters of the Aegean Sea, discovering hidden coves in the Cyclades, or sailing along the beautiful coastline of the Ionian Islands. With over 2000 islands to explore, you will for sure find your own slice of paradise.
Greece also has many festivals and traditions. Easter is one of the celebrations, where the streets come alive with music, fireworks, and the smashing of pots. Experience the atmosphere of Greek dancing during traditional festivities where locals and visitors of all ages come together to dance all night.
Cultural experiences in a class of their own
Have you ever received a postcard from a holiday in Greece? Then there is a good chance that the motif has been a whitewashed church adorned with a blue dome. For many, this very image is the epitome of Greece, and it is indeed typical of the archipelago called the Cyclades, and especially Santorini. But not for all of Greece! Every group of islands and the mainland is extremely diverse when it comes to landscape, architecture, traditional dishes, and colours. We guarantee that you will be captivated by every part of Greece becasue of the rare and unique beauty of each place. Whether it’s the crystal-clear seas, the forests, the mountains, or the small stone villages – Greece has everything to offer.
Both the landscape and the culture of Greece vary depending on where you are geographically located. There is no doubt that island life is a big part of Greek culture, but Greece also offers big cities like Athens, Thessaloniki, and Patras. The fascinating thing is that modern city life in Greece always takes place with memories of ancient Greece as a backdrop – in Athens, you will find, for example, the Parthenon temple located on the Acropolis, which today is one of the world’s most visited tourist attractions.
Explore Greek cuisine
Can you think of Greece without thinking of feta, olives, and ouzo? Greece is world famous for its culinary traditions, which are characterised by the fresh, simple, and amazing ingredients available. The Mediterranean is a true paradise of seafood, which in Greece is enjoyed in great style, and with the many islands and the long coastline, it is no wonder that the Greeks are experts in cooking just these.
Where to learn Greek?
There are always benefits when learning another language: you have the possibility to blend in a new culture, and Greeks are famous for their hospitality and help you, even more, when they realise you’re learning the language. You can check HERE for Greek courses with immersive experiences for you to learn the actual culture behind the language.
Still not convinced about Greece?
Picture yourself strolling through the narrow streets of Athens, where ancient ruins and monuments stand proud next to vibrant street art. Athens is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world with over 3400 years of history. So it’s almost impossible not to stumble across iconic landmarks like the Acropolis, the ancient Olympic Stadium, and many other well-kept monuments all over Greece.
Or you can head to the romantic island Santorini, known for its stunning sunsets, whitewashed buildings, and blue-domed architecture. Delve into history by visiting the archaeological site of Delphi which is an ancient sanctuary with impressive ruins. Crete is absolutely also mention-worthy, offering a mix of charming villages, amazing beaches, and the historic Palace of Knossos. But to be fair, you really can’t go wrong no matter which islands you choose to visit, they’re all stunning, captivating, and picturesque.
But Greece is not all about beaches and historical sites. The natural beauty and warm climate provide an endless amount of options for outdoor activities like hiking, sailing, and exploring majestic landscapes such as the stunning Meteora. It is also an amazing place for skiing providing beautiful views in the amazing mountains in the mainland. And all the idyllic and authentic villages up north should definitely also be on your bucket list. You can find many bus excursions to such places.
Their cuisine is definitely worth highlighting, and it is truly a celebration of flavours and simple ingredients. Enjoy mouthwatering dishes like moussaka, souvlaki, and spanakopita. Sit back and relax at a traditional taverna. Sip on a glass of ouzo or rich and tasty local wine, and dig into all the delicious fresh fish, meat, cheese, and veggies you can imagine.
Greece offers a variety of wonderful places to live, depending on your personal preferences. Athens provides a blend of urban facilities, historical sites, and a thriving cultural scene. Thessaloniki, Greece’s second-largest city, offers an atmosphere of a rich history and a lively food and nightlife scene. And for a more leaned back coastal lifestyle you can consider living in towns like Chania in Crete or Nafplio in the Peloponnese. These cities are loaded with beautiful beaches, charming architecture, and a slower pace of life. Each location has its own unique charm, allowing residents to enjoy the beauty and culture of Greece.
Click here to see the latest jobs in Greece
Taxes in Greece
If you have a job in Greece, you must contact the local tax office to get a tax number; you can find where the offices are here in English. Here they can also help you figure out what documents you need to pay Greek tax. If you still reside in another country, you must also clarify with your own tax authorities, before your departure, in which country you will be liable to pay tax. In Greece, you are taxed on your global income, and the rate is between 9% and 44%. You must pay the highest tax rate if your income exceeds 40,000 euros per year. Most likely, you will pay around 22 % taxes of your income in Greece if you work in the hospitality industry.
FAQ
No, you do not need a work permit if you are an EU/EEA citizen, but if you are staying for longer than three months you will need to apply for an EU card that allows you to live in Greece.
In Greece, English proficiency varies among individuals, but generally, you can expect to find a decent level of English comprehension, especially in tourist areas, hotels, and restaurants. English is commonly taught in schools and is often spoken by those working in the tourism industry. Younger generations tend to have a better grasp of English compared to older generations. But it is very recommendable to learn some Greek phrases as a sign of respect, and it will make things easier if you plan to stick around for a while.
Greece has a Mediterranean climate which results in hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. The average temperatures range from 12°C (54°F) in winter to 30°C (86°F) in summer. Coastal areas have milder temperatures due to sea breezes, while inland regions can experience higher heat. Mountainous areas have cooler temperatures and snowfall in winter.
Greece has good public transportation. In Athens there are extensive metro/train systems and bus routes available, as well as the tram. From the ports (e.g. Piraeus in Athens) you can go by ferries to all the islands and even do scheduled island jumps. You can buy tickets using ticket machines at the stations (the same ticket is used for both metro/train/bus/tram within the city), and you can order ferry tickets on site and online.
