Job search and official employment in Greece

iQ Review Independent journalism

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08/18/2020 at 13:48 65 min. 549

In Greece they not only relax, as many tourists may think, but also work and receive remuneration for their work, as in other countries. And what exactly are the salaries in Greece that we will tell you in today’s material. However, before voicing the numbers, you need to imagine what and how this country in the south of Europe lives.

In 2010, reforms were carried out in Greece, approved by the Parliament of this country, which had an impact on the socio-economic sphere. In 2021, the country emerged from the debt crisis, but the introduced quarantine measures and restrictions did not allow an economic breakthrough in 2021, since most enterprises did not work for two or three months in a row. According to experts, Greece's GDP could decrease by ten percent. Currently, the most important problem is the growth of unemployment, which already in May amounted to 14.4% of the active population, while in the Eurozone this figure is almost half as much - 7.4%.

• Standard of living in Greece
• Average and minimum wage
• Unemployment rate
• Social package
• Tax system
• Peculiarities of work mentality
• Work for foreigners
• Seasonal work and salaries in Greece
• Jobs for girls
• Leisure in Greece

Standard of living in Greece

Greece attracts migrants because prices for food and goods here are lower than in other countries of Southern Europe, such as Italy or Spain. With a salary of two thousand euros, the money is enough for a family of three people for a month. The fact is that there is a certain range of prices, so you can buy bread for half a euro, or for one euro. By the way, in Russia, bread costs approximately the same in euros – from 25 to 50 rubles. The cheapest alcohol costs 4 euros, everything is more expensive 10 or 15 euros, the same situation with seafood. It is more profitable for Greeks, like Russians, to eat at home, preparing food from products purchased in the supermarket, than in cafes or restaurants. In this case, you can spend no more than 80 euros per person on groceries per month.

Gregoriate Monastery in Greece Source: Foter.com

Reference: If we take Russia as a comparative example, the cost of gasoline here is 0.57 euros, and in Greece – 1.70 euros. One euro costs a bus ticket (in the Russian Federation - 0.5 euros). Real estate prices in the capital of the country, the city of Athens, are lower than in other countries of Southern Europe, not to mention the northern one. Thus, the cost of one square meter of a residential building is about 3,000 euros, and in Moscow – 3,845 euros. Renting an apartment is relatively inexpensive, daily - 70 euros per day, monthly rent is ten times more expensive - from 700 euros. But don’t rush to order visas; first you need to decide whether you can earn enough in Greece today to maintain a decent standard of living.

According to local commentators on social networks: “Taxes are strangling all business, and for so many years they have been constantly reducing pensions and salaries in Greece, and so many people have been kicked out of work...”

Labor legislation

The minimum wage has not changed since 2013; before taxes it is 683.76 euros, after payment it is about 540 euros.

The standard working week is 40 hours. Overtime hours are paid separately as agreed with the employee (but not more than 3 hours per day). In this case, the payment is distributed as follows:

Greek citizens and legal migrant workers who have lost their jobs are entitled to unemployment benefits. It can range from 350 to 700 euros per month.

Average and minimum wage

According to government statistics, the average monthly salary in Greece in 2018 was 2,700 euros (more than 200 thousand Russian rubles). It should be noted that before the 2021 crisis, Greeks received only two thousand euros monthly. At the same time, the “net” salary after taxes is deducted is 200 euros less. The range of earnings is from one thousand to two and a half thousand euros per month.

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What is the minimum salary in Greece? The monthly minimum in 2020, as in 2021, according to Eurostat, was 758.33 euros, the minimum wage in 2021, 2021 and 2021 is approximately 100 euros less - 683.76 euros. The minimum wage in Greece per year is 8,200 euros. General workers receive a salary a little more - 800 euros, and experienced specialists with higher education receive from two thousand euros and more. In addition, Greeks who have worked in one place for 365 days, from May to December, receive the so-called “thirteenth salary” at the end of the year. The highest salaries in Greece are in the economics and communications sectors, the most in-demand professions are programmers and marketers, doctors and lawyers. Greece attracts workers from Russia and the CIS countries even in this difficult pandemic year. What kind of work does Greece offer to migrants? Mainly seasonal, which involves hard physical labor.

Making money in Greece – is it worth going?

Emigration is often seen as a way to achieve a better life. People look at foreign countries with awe, because Russia is inferior in wages to many countries on the European continent. On average, wages in Greece are 6-8 times higher than the income of Russian workers. But does this mean the same difference in living standards? Not really, because you should also take into account the overall well-being of the country.

Over the past decade, the Greek economy, as well as the average salary, has been going through hard times. Integration with Western partners resulted in unaffordable credit loans, as a result of which the standard of living in Greece deteriorated significantly. The labor market was also influenced by the general crisis: the unemployment rate in the country is more than 20%, and among young people its value jumps to 45%!

For labor, the minimum wage in Greece stopped at 683.76 euros. In general, this is a decent amount, but its value was established back in 2013 and has never been adjusted since then. Although prices for leisure and accommodation continue to move upward.

But it is fair to say that the economic situation is gradually improving. Thanks to the reforms carried out by the Greek government, over 85 thousand jobs were created over the past year. Accordingly, the labor market in the country is gradually stabilizing, and the average salary of workers is increasing. In general, for 2021 the state is predicted to have a favorable recovery from the crisis and an increase in GDP by 0.6%.

Unemployment rate

After the economic crisis of 2009 and 2021, and now also the consequences of the 2021 pandemic, which had a catastrophic impact on the standard of living of local residents, the number of unemployed people working part-time or remotely has increased even more. Remote work without investment and deception from home. The unemployment rate has reached twenty percent, while among graduates of higher educational institutions it is twice as high. Therefore, low-skilled labor remains the most in demand.

Until 2021, the most in demand were bartenders, waiters, tour guides, administrators in hotels and animators at resorts. So far, most of these specialists are out of work, which has sharply increased the unemployment rate in Greece. When the pandemic ends, these professionals will regain their temporarily lost positions. The question is that no one can yet say exactly when quarantine measures will stop being used in full. The unemployment rate in Greece is higher among highly qualified specialists, as local residents apply for these jobs, leaving jobs that require low qualifications to visitors.

The most in-demand professions in 2021

It is almost impossible to get a job without knowing the language; even laborers, crop cleaners and domestic service personnel must understand what they want from them and be able to express themselves. A minimum knowledge of English is required for hotel room cleaners. Waiters and bartenders must speak well and understand visitors; the level of customer service and tip percentage depend on this. Greek companies en masse invite residents of Russia and Ukraine to take up positions that do not require special responsibility and specific knowledge, but due to working conditions, which local residents do not agree or are not suitable for.

In the service sector

The hot tourist season, which brings 20% of Greece's income to the state treasury, cannot do without service personnel. Hundreds of hotels, cafes and other entertainment establishments begin to actively recruit animators, bartenders, and artists from March-April. However, the mentioned professions are mainly suitable for young people.

Middle-aged migrants go to work as guides and cleaners. Women willingly become caregivers for the elderly, nannies, housekeepers, and maids. Professions in the catering industry are in demand: cooks, dishwashers, waiters, bartenders. It is more difficult to find a more comfortable job that does not involve physical labor in the tourism sector, but it is possible. Sometimes hostesses, hotel reception administrators, and restaurant managers are required.

Quite a lot of contracts are opened by scouts from modeling agencies and artist bureaus. Dance groups, original genre artists, and fashion models are invited. Such work is fraught with risk for foreigners, since contracts are concluded not with hotels and clubs directly, but with intermediary companies for the selection of guest performers. They, in turn, negotiate with the customer themselves.

In construction

If mostly migrant women work in tourism and services, men consider employment in this area. Layers, installers, finishers, loaders and other professions are not considered prestigious by the local population, so finding a vacancy is quite easy. True, the downside is that it is easier for immigrants from Eastern European countries to get legalization in Greece, so a builder from Russia will have to withstand competition. Of course, the salary will depend not only on qualifications, but also on knowledge of the language.

At agricultural work

A large share of the country's income comes from the agricultural sector. The plantations annually produce good harvests of olives, citrus fruits and other vegetables and fruits. For seasonal work in 2021, pickers of avocados, tangerines and lemons are expected at the beginning of the calendar winter, and grapes are harvested here around August. It should be remembered that activities on the land have special features: a 10-12-hour working day, work in the sun and in greenhouses, so physical endurance is required from workers.

One of the treasures of Greece is tobacco. Migrants wishing to settle in Macedonia or Thrace may well end up in tobacco plantations or mini-factories. In the north of the country there are no orange and tangerine plantations, but barley and rice fields predominate.

For specialists with higher education

Things are more complicated when it comes to finding work in industries, the public sector and law. There are few large corporations, and they give priority to Greeks or specialists from EU countries with higher economic or legal education. For a Russian citizen, the mandatory conditions for successful employment are:

• good knowledge of the language (English and Greek);
• higher education;
• reliable protection;
• impressive track record.

Sometimes an existing residence permit and a significant period of permanent residence in the state are required. Education in Greece is attractive not only for locals. Foreigners readily receive diplomas from local universities, and there are several reasons for this.

1. Citizens of other countries can enter a university without exams.
2. Successful students may qualify for a scholarship.
3. It is not necessary to speak Greek to enroll in the institution.
4. University students travel legally and freely throughout the European Union.
5. The internship during your studies is paid.

The result is a diploma from a prestigious institution, which is valued both in Greece and in other EU countries.

Social package

Ten years ago, pension reforms were carried out in Greece, as a result of which the retirement age for women increased from 60 to 67 years and became equal to the retirement age for men. As part of the “austerity package”, a special tax on high pensions was reintroduced. What is the retirement age in Greece today for foreigners or uninsured citizens? It is the same for men and women – 67 years. Only a foreigner who has legally and permanently resided in the country for at least fifteen years can apply for the Regional State Administration benefit and the old-age social package. The size of the pension is calculated in proportion to the number of years lived in the country, the required maximum threshold is 35 years, and the largest pension benefit is 360 euros.

Greek city of Santorini Source: Foter.com

Foreigners in Greece have the same rights as the indigenous population, not only to receive a pension, but also to be provided with free health insurance, naturally after obtaining citizenship, which can be obtained no earlier than seven years of residence in the country.

Pensioners

To bring the country to financial stability as soon as possible, some changes have been made to the procedure for calculating payments to pensioners. These changes have had a negative impact on benefit levels, but they are temporary. And after overcoming the crisis, it is planned to return everything to normal.

The country has the same age for both men and women, which is the basis for receiving pension payments - 67 years. And in Greece, as in most world countries, there is a funded pension system. That is, every resident makes regular contributions to the country during the years of his work, from which, upon retirement, severance pay is formed. The following percentages are provided:

• 6.67 – for all types of officially employed citizens;
• 13.3 – for employers.

When calculating the benefit amount, inflation is taken into account, and therefore all money is converted into points. Receiving an amount of 4.5 thousand points is the basis for calculating the minimum benefit. And the more points, the greater the expected payments.

Before the crisis, pension benefits averaged 80% of income, but this year each pensioner is entitled to only 50% of earnings. And the minimum benefit amount is 360 euros, that is, half of the permissible minimum income.

Overall, wages in Greece are at a high level given the current economic climate. But the amount of taxes can reduce the amounts received by almost half. The only plus is the relatively low cost of living.

Tax system

In Greece, as in other countries of the world, there is a taxation system. Income tax is charged if the employee's annual income exceeds 12 thousand euros. The amount of tax depends on the salary. So 22 percent of the amount is paid by those with an income of up to 25 thousand euros, and 32 percent by those employees whose wages range from 25 to 42 thousand euros, 42 percent of income tax will be paid by those who receive more than 42 thousand euros per year.

If the employee is officially employed, then taxes are paid by his employer. However, if he works for himself, then he must take care of remitting income taxes himself, depending on what his salary is. Companies pay 22 percent of profit tax in Greece if their profits are less than 50 thousand euros per year, and 33% if they are above this amount. Value added tax (VAT) ranges from 6 to 24% of the cost of goods.

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In Greece, property tax is of great importance, since the real estate market is in constant dynamics. This year, the property tax rate consists of a basic and an additional part. The main tax is levied on all types of real estate (from two to 13 euros per square meter). An additional fee is charged to private citizens who own city buildings valued at more than three hundred thousand euros. In this case, the minimum rate is 0.1%, and the maximum is one percent. Purchasing real estate in sunny Greece is very popular among Russians. As a result of the 2010 reform, the amount of so-called “luxury taxes”, that is, taxes on non-essential goods: alcohol, cigarettes and fuel, increased by 10 percent. By the way, in Greece, medical and educational services are still not subject to taxes.

Taxation in Greece 2021 - 2020

When purchasing Greek real estate, it is mandatory to pay a tax on the transfer of ownership; currently there are two tax rates:

• 3.09% (instead of 10% as it was before January 1, 2014) for objects of the primary real estate market that have a building permit issued before January 1, 2006, as well as for objects of the secondary housing market, regardless of the date of issue of the construction permit.
• 24% if the building permit is issued after the above date.

Also, after purchasing real estate, the owner annually pays a single tax (the Greek Parliament adopted the law on a new single tax (ΕΝ.Φ.Ι.Α) on January 1, 2014), this tax is intended to replace the emergency real estate tax introduced in 2011, which was included in the bills for electricity (DEI).

The new single tax will be levied on objects owned by both individuals and legal entities, as well as on plots and land plots of farms. In case of joint ownership, tax payment will be proportional to the share of each of the property owners. The owner will be able to view the amount of tax on his property on the tax office website by logging in using the individual code.

The following property rights are subject to the new tax:

• individual property,
• shared ownership,
• common joint property,
• leasehold ownership (acquired right to use residential property for a long term), etc.

In addition, the new fee is imposed on such categories of objects as parking in buildings, closed parking lots, auxiliary premises, and swimming pools.

The unified real estate tax consists of a basic and an additional tax. The basic tax is distributed on all types of real estate: buildings, land, farm plots, etc. When calculating it, the location of the object, area, purpose, age of the building, floor and number of facades are taken into account.

An additional tax (a kind of luxury tax) is imposed on real estate whose estimated value exceeds 300,000 euros with one owner and 600,000 euros with shared ownership. The additional tax rate ranges from 0.1 to 1% of the assessed value.

Peculiarities of work mentality

Russians need a visa to travel to Greece. Which? Schengen visa because this country is part of the Schengen agreement. Visas are affixed to your passport by visa center staff. To obtain a visa, you must submit an application and personally arrive at the Consulate or visa center, as you must provide your biometric data - this is a digital photograph and dactyloscopy (fingerprints). Children under 12 years of age are exempt from the latter procedure. However, when extending your visa, you must go through the procedure again every five years.

The traditional relationship between citizens and the state, when the state always has the “last word,” has left its mark on the peculiarities of the Greek labor mentality, so the share of government spending today amounts to almost half of the country’s GDP.

Traditional dance of Greece - sirtaki Source: Foter.com

Recently, society has been striving to defend its positions and the rights of people; there are many unresolved problems in the field of health insurance and pensions, which cannot but worry citizens. Despite their respectful attitude towards authority, the Greeks are characterized by individualism rather than collectivism. The latter is clearly manifested when a common misfortune forces people to unite. A striking example of the Greek mentality is the national dance Sirtaki. The work mentality of the Greeks has its own characteristics, including due to the hot climate. For example, most shops and even offices are open part-time.

Official employment

Illegal employment is quite common (especially for seasonal work), but such a worker runs a high risk of not only being left without pay at all, but also having problems with respecting his own rights, as well as deportation and a fine of 1,200 euros. Therefore, it is better to take care of an official document confirming the status of the employee.

Job search

The most common way to find a job is the Internet. There are sites only in Greek:

• naftemporiki.gr/careeronline;
• gr.indeed.com/jobs;
• skywalker.gr;
• mycarriera.gr.

For those for whom English is more accessible, the following resources exist:

• oaed.gr;
• jobs.goabroad.com;
• obsearch.monster.com.

In Russian, work in Greece is offered by Greec.hh.ru.

An equally effective way to find a job is through print media. Some newspapers break down vacancies not only by specialty, but also geographically, for example, Ergasia.

Often, notices of available vacancies are posted on the appropriate information boards near local administration buildings.

Applying for a work visa

When a place of work has already been found, it is necessary to obtain a visa to enter the country. Greece is a member country of the Schengen Agreement, so the registration rules do not differ from the rules of other countries in this zone.

First (after signing the contract), the employer requests a work permit from the Employment Service.

Next, you need to obtain a type D visa, which can be issued for a period of 100 to 365 days. If you have an employment contract, it takes about 2 weeks and costs 35 euros. When extending your contract, you can also extend the validity of your visa.

Work for foreigners

For those who live and work, even despite the pandemic, there are opportunities to earn money and enjoy the benefits of such a climate-friendly country as Greece. However, this mainly concerns local residents who have climbed the career ladder quite high and are now confident in their future. Meanwhile, visitors are not afraid of the fact that the average salary in Greece is lower than in other countries of Southern Europe; there are still many people who want to go there to earn money, especially during the summer and holiday periods.

It should be noted that when hiring migrants for seasonal work, they are not required to know the state language, Greek. To work in the tourism business, knowledge of the Russian language is even welcome. Often hotels offer their employees free food and accommodation at the expense of the employer. Proficiency in English is required when hiring IT specialists, web designers and representatives of other specialties directly related to software and computers. Knowledge of foreign languages ​​is necessary, for example, for bartenders and waiters, who receive an appropriate additional payment to their salary for this.

It is easier for representatives of other professions to find work as translators from English and Greek (salaries up to two thousand euros per month), as well as seasonal agricultural workers (salaries from six hundred euros per month) who come to Greece to harvest crops. Seasonal laborers are especially in demand when picking oranges. The country still has a gray labor market, with workers arriving on tourist visas and staying longer to earn money. However, in 2010, when Greece introduced the corresponding law, the shadow market began to shrink. Illegal employment is punishable by both the worker, who is usually deported or sent to prison, and the employer, who faces a large fine.

Therefore, it is better not to take risks, but to approach the matter of obtaining the required visa as seriously as possible and carefully prepare the necessary documents, trying to avoid mistakes. If the certificate is not prepared as required by the sample, then there is a big risk that the Consulate may not only refuse a visa, but also add it to the list of unreliable citizens. By the way, the latter can greatly affect obtaining a visa not only to Greece, but also to other Schengen countries. In addition, to obtain a visa permit, you need a salary certificate from the bank as proof of financial solvency, the availability of an amount sufficient to stay in Greece for the period you have determined, that is, at least 50 euros per day. A sample salary certificate for obtaining a visa can be easily found on the website of any visa center or Greek Consulate in Moscow, St. Petersburg or Novorossiysk.

By the way, you must submit the necessary documents (certificate of salary and registration) in the city in which your region of residence belongs. A certificate from the bank contains information about the average balance of the account for six months, whether amounts of money are received regularly or irregularly, from which it becomes clear what your salary is. A sample certificate is filled out by a bank employee and certified with a seal. You can also provide a certificate from work stating what salary you receive. It can be filled out in Russian or English, must be issued on company letterhead indicating the details, certified by the seal of the institution and the signature of the head. The certificate must indicate the position, time spent in the position and salary, which must be at least 40 thousand Russian rubles.

Replenishment of the treasury

It is interesting that with the onset of the economic crisis, earnings in the country became an order of magnitude lower, but this also affected the amount of taxation. That is, the percentage of contributions that were previously levied on citizens has decreased significantly, and persons who have an income of less than 12 thousand euros do not make any tax deductions at all. Such a loyal policy allows you to earn enough to live.

For income levels above 12,000, the amount of taxation will depend on the official salary and will grow along with payments. The minimum indicator is 18%. The maximum allowable income tax is 45%. These amounts are charged equally to citizens and foreign workers.

Seasonal work and salaries in Greece

The most in demand during the holiday season are specialists such as tour guides and cleaners, hotel and restaurant workers. The guide’s salary is enviable; last season it reached two thousand euros per month, which is higher than the average income of Greeks. People working in the service sector receive up to 1,200 euros monthly. It’s not bad during the season, which usually lasts three summer months; animators, both children’s and sports, earn money. The minimum salary in Greece for people who entertain tourists is 600 euros; beginning animators with no work experience can initially be paid only 450 euros, like trainees.

The salary of an animator who has experience, qualifications and popularity among vacationers can be a thousand euros. A nice bonus of this seasonal job is that hotels typically provide room and board for their employees. In order to work as an animator for temporary employment, you must obtain a national visa to Greece. By the way, searching for such work is not difficult; on the eve of the holiday season there are quite a lot of offers of this kind on hotel websites. The work of builders and repair specialists, including machines, is also considered seasonal.

An animator in Greece can earn up to a thousand dollars Source: Pixabay.com

A category C visa costs 35 euros, and a national long-term D visa costs 90 euros. Please note that close relatives of citizens of the European Union or the Russian Federation who reside in Greece legally, as well as children under six years of age or those included in their parents’ passport, do not have to pay the fee. Students are also exempt from paying the fee: undergraduates, graduate students, schoolchildren and even the teachers accompanying them. To confirm your student status, an appropriate certificate is required.

Average salary in Greece in 2018-2019: income and expenses

Analysts talk about Greece's imminent exit from the crisis. 2018 should be a period of economic growth, price stabilization and unemployment reduction.

Economic situation and income of the population today

The consequences of the country's accession to the European Union affected GDP growth and an increase in the number of unemployed. However, experts tend to predict a revival of the Greek economy and an increase in the number of jobs during 2021. Prices will be stabilized and salaries will gradually increase.

Salary per month by profession

The most sought-after specialists in the country: general practitioners, surgeons; teachers, lawyers. The service sector requires professional guides, maids, and cooks.

Table 1. Average income in Greece by specialty in 2018.

Minimum

The minimum wage in Greece is 540€. Unqualified workers, students, and interns expect a similar salary. Couriers, nannies, drivers and farmers receive from 900 euros without tax deductions.

Greeks who have lost stable jobs are forced to rely on benefits of 350-700 € per month. At the same time, taxes became stricter. The financial framework has had a negative impact on the agricultural sector, manufacturing, tourism, and shipping.

Average

The average salary in Greece in 2021 is fixed at €1,800. This is the lot of programmers, architects, accounting, managers, engineers, business analysts. But with the advent of the crisis, the average income of the population fell by 2/3, the personal income of a budget employee was ½ of what it was before. The trend has changed for the better since the beginning of 2018: salaries are growing steadily, jobs have appeared on the labor market, and unemployment has decreased.

Average starting salary

Migrants without work experience are guaranteed to receive an income of around 600 € per month. General workers, loaders, and waiters initially earn from 500 to 700 euros per month.

It will not be difficult for newcomers to get a part-time job even in a crisis, because local specialists, left without jobs in the office during a wave of layoffs, are in no hurry to downgrade their rank to low-grade specialties, since this is a stain on their ideal career and future work practice.

Maximum

Bankers, lawyers, doctors, and pilots earn the most in Greece. A qualified surgeon earns from 3 to 5 thousand euros per month. The banking elite, top managers of companies, private lawyers, attorneys and international pilots have salaries ranging from 4 to 15 thousand euros per month.

Salary by city and region

Average earnings are distributed unevenly across the country. In the provinces, incomes are much more modest than in Athens and Thessaloniki.

The same school teacher, with the same workload, earns no more than 1,000 euros per month in the periphery, and up to 2,000 or more in the capital.

Salary taxes

Individuals are severely disadvantaged by Greek taxes. These figures are among the highest in the EU. If the owner of a private hotel with an area exceeding 300 square meters receives income from tourism of more than 35 thousand euros in 12 months, then his tax deduction will be 48%.

The employer pays monthly tax on employee earnings according to a progressive rate system:

• up to 25 thousand euros per year, the rate is 22%;
• from 25 to 42 thousand euros - 32%;
• from 42 thousand euros and more - 43%.

For free workers and self-employed persons, the grid is slightly modified:

• up to 50 thousand euros - 26%;
• over 50 thousand euros - 33%.

Income tax

The tourism sector contributes large sums to the state budget, therefore the fiscal costs of renting real estate and vehicles are regulated in the article of income taxes:

• up to 12 thousand euros - 15%;
• from 12 to 35 thousand euros - 35%;
• more than 35 thousand euros - 45%.

Property owners are annually subject to a duty of 1.5% of the profitability of the building. If the area has a leasing purpose, then the percentage increases to 3. In 2021, they want to increase this rate to 3.2%.

Social contributions and other taxes

Every employer is required to provide social contributions to the pension fund, medicine, and insurance contributions on a monthly basis. 28% is deducted from wages, the employee’s share here is 16% of income. Large families, parents of children with disabilities, and pensioners are protected from deductions.

Salary to living expenses ratio

Today's Greece is experiencing an economic crisis. The level of income of the population has fallen over the past 3 years from 2000 euros of monthly income to 600. In such conditions, it is necessary for every family member to work.

To ensure a minimum level of comfort, a family of two will have enough net income of 1,200 € per month, which is comparable to average salaries.

• Real estate. During the crisis, rental property prices fell. Now for 200–300 euros per month you can rent a comfortable apartment with all amenities, furniture, and appliances. A small villa with sea views within the mainland area will cost around 350–400 €.
• Highways. The country has toll sections of the road, for example, a trip along the Athens - Thessaloniki highway will cost 34 €. You can also take the free road, but the route is twice as long.
• Public transport. Taxi services in Athens from 3 to 15 €. In public transport, the price for one trip is 1 euro; you can purchase a 1-month pass for 35 euros.
• Medicine. The level of medicine in the country is decent. Insurance covers expenses for essential specialists, with the exception of the dentist. If admitted to a clinic for treatment, the patient will be provided with everything necessary, including food, medications, and consumables.
• Catering business. For dinner at a local restaurant, the bill will range from 30–60 €. Alcoholic drinks in restaurants cost 7–13 euros (for one glass). Small bakeries and pizzerias are much more modest in their ambiance and pricing policy. Lunch with a glass of excellent local wine will cost about 10 euros per person.

Unemployment rate and migrants' prospects

Unemployment in the country is being reduced at an intense pace. The authorities are constantly looking for a way out of the situation and are coming to tangible results. Falling incomes hit all segments of the Greeks. But the economy survived, and the process of revival began.

The fact is that, according to Greek principles, it is impossible to get a decent job and build a career if you enter production or the service sector with a specialist diploma. Therefore, the majority of qualified personnel remained on severance pay after layoffs.

This trend is so far in favor of migrants who are willing to accept any income. They are readily accepted for port work, warehouses, and construction services.

Given the subsiding wave of the crisis, the Greek government plans to increase the income level of the population. The immediate plans include: increasing wages, easing the tax burden, and simplifying the process of obtaining a residence permit for residents.

Jobs for girls

For young women, a suitable job during the season is picking citrus fruits. Nurses are needed year-round and are hired to care for sick and elderly people. A popular vacancy is that of a housekeeper; her salary in Greece usually starts at 700 euros per month. Girls with qualities such as beauty, sociability, and knowledge of foreign languages ​​are certainly in demand on the labor market in the leisure sector. The minimum salary in Greece for girls who perform as dancers is two thousand euros per month.

Meanwhile, professional teachers are also in demand in large cities such as Athens, Heraklion, Thessaloniki, Piraeus and others. An English teacher earns an average of $1,030, which is not bad compared to average salaries in Greece. At the same time, the size of the salary in Greece is influenced by the teacher’s work experience and computer knowledge. By the way, it is not necessary for a teacher to have a driver's license. There are different forms of employment for teachers: full-time or part-time. They can work temporarily or permanently. The work of teachers in Greece may be regulated by rules. The working week, as in other countries, is five days from Monday to Friday, forty working hours, 20 paid days, 4 non-working holidays, lunch break is half an hour.

Job prospects for migrants

The real picture is this: it is easier for foreigners to go on holiday to Greece than to find work there. Those who have achieved great success in their careers in their homeland and want to improve their well-being can count on a decent position with a high salary.

Also in Greece, translators of English and Greek have a chance to find employment, regardless of their work experience. The average salary of a beginning translator is 2,000 euros.

Foreigners planning seasonal part-time work in Greece can count on high earnings during the harvest season. Visiting laborers receive from 600 euros per month.

Leisure in Greece

Workers in the country usually have time to spend their leisure time, since most companies provide their employees with one to two days off per week and 22 working days of paid leave if they wish. In addition, twelve holidays have been officially declared for recreation. The most popular holidays are Easter and Christmas, and July and August are the hottest summer months; Greeks spend more time relaxing than working. Local residents use their free time most often to visit restaurants or bars, nightclubs or coffee shops. This is the most popular leisure activity, because the Greeks love, as they say, to show themselves and look at others, listen to live music, dance and chat, drink and eat.

Going to eat at your favorite restaurant in the evening with friends or family is the best entertainment for modern Greeks. Local residents are proud of their national cuisine. Restaurants that cook poultry, pigs and lambs on a spit are called “psistarya”; in “psaro” taverns you can taste fish and seafood prepared according to ancient folk recipes.

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The greatest hobby of the ancient Greeks was theaters, and today their performances, especially dramatic ones, are popular with both local residents and tourists. For those who love the sea, Greece has excellent swimming opportunities; the beach season opens on the island of Crete in May, and usually closes at the end of October on Rhodes. Each Greek island offers a variety of climatic and natural conditions, including sandy and pebble beaches.

Ancient theater in Cyprus Source: Pixabay.com

For lovers of active recreation there are many water activities, including diving and surfing. Hiking, mountain tourism, cycling and rock climbing are popular in the mountainous part of the country. Greece has all the opportunities for lovers of shopping, pilgrimage, health and medical tourism.

Salaries and taxes in Greece

From what we hear in the news, Greece is not one of the most economically successful European countries. Salaries in Greece are not something to be envied. However, we often hear that our citizens willingly purchase real estate in the cities of the Hellenic Republic. Many people go there every year to earn money.

Graph comparing the number of working hours per week in Greece with other European countries

And since they are going, it means there is a point. Our compatriots will not change, as they say, “a real deal.”

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Greek salaries during the crisis period

Still in the same news, you can often hear that 2021 is not becoming more successful for the Greeks than the previous year. In the modern Greek Republic, in fact, everything is not as rosy as before the global crisis.

But this does not mean that it is worse than ours. Every year, crowds of Russian tourists go to Hellas and return home happy and enchanted by an amazing country, where people live in a rhythm completely different from our dynamic life. The Greeks are used to relaxing, not working. Many enterprises, shops, and offices in the country operate part-time. They don't like to work in Greece.

Comparison of salaries in Greece and Russia

As for salaries, that's debatable. The average salary per year is 28,241 euros. This is not so little when compared with other European countries. However, as you know, the average figures flaunted by the press are not at all what workers in various fields put into their pockets every month.

If before the crisis the average monthly salary was 2 thousand euros, then in 2021 many had to be content with half of what they had. As for service sector workers, they are paid from 450 to 700 euros per month.

In 2021, there was a slight increase in wages. Little by little the country is recovering from the crisis. Particularly high hopes are placed on tourism. For the current year 2021, the minimum wage in Greece is 683.76 EUR. Despite the fact that even for Greeks it is not so easy to find a job, residents of the former Soviet Union manage to find good work in Greece.

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Job prospects for foreigners

The low average wages in Greece do not frighten Russians, Ukrainians, Belarusians and residents of other post-Soviet countries. In 2021, many want to go to Greece to try their luck. Most were able to find work.

Seasonal workers are most in demand in the country. The following specialties are most needed:

• tour guide;
• transferman;
• hotel guide;
• office worker;
• agricultural worker;
• builder;
• cleaner, etc.

Qualified specialists from abroad are not particularly in demand, since universities and other educational institutions produce a sufficient number of their own specialists. It is difficult to say what the average salary of a seasonal worker is. It all depends on the company and type of activity.

Comparison of average salaries in Greece with other countries

For example, some hotel guides received 2,000 euros per month in 2021. This is much higher than the national minimum wage and exceeds the average salary of citizens of the Hellenic Republic.

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Seasonal work and salaries

Most vacancies in Greece for Russians, Ukrainians and other migrants do not require knowledge of the Greek language. In the tourism business, good Russian is often necessary. If an applicant for a position in the tourism business speaks foreign languages, he has the opportunity to get a good job and earn at least 1,000 euros per month. Hotels also offer meals and accommodation at the expense of the employer.

You can often find advertisements in newspapers about Greek companies hiring programmers, designers and other specialists. In this case, it is necessary to speak at least English. Salaries will be from 1,000 and above.

Seasonal work picking olives in Greece

In 2021, many companies are offering jobs for men. As a rule, it was about construction specialties. Men can also get jobs in car repair shops. Women are invited to pick tangerines, lemons, oranges, etc. In addition, women are needed to care for the elderly, nannies and housekeepers. Minimum rate from 600 euros per month.

Knowledge of languages ​​and qualifications open the way to such professions as bartender, waiter, receptionist, etc., English speakers receive a salary of 1,000 - 1,200 euros. Most companies provide their employees with 1-2 days off per week (optional).

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Jobs for girls

Young representatives of the fair sex are in demand in all countries. Greece is no exception. As a rule, they are offered well-paid work in the leisure sector. Requirements such as communication skills, beauty, excellent figure and knowledge of English are presented.

Working as a salesperson in a Greek grocery store

Salaries start from 2 thousand euros per month and above. Girls are no less in demand in the dance field, where dances with elements of striptease are the most popular. Salary 1500 – 2 thousand euros.

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Work as an animator

As in many other tourist countries, animators are in demand in Greece in 2021. The average salary is 700 euros. Depends on the employer's company, as well as on qualifications. A qualified specialist with work experience earns 1 thousand euros. Newcomers are paid 450. In most cases, employers take care of food and accommodation for employees. Contracts are concluded for a minimum of three months. Sports and children's animators are equally needed, as well as those working in adult entertainment programs.

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Taxation in Greece

Like citizens of the Hellenic Republic, migrant workers have to pay taxes. In 2021, income tax was levied on those whose income exceeded 12 thousand euros. The amount exceeding the minimum rate was assessed on an income scale. The minimum percentage is 18%, the maximum is 45%. These are reduced rates; before the crisis they were higher. Income tax is paid by the employer, who deducts it from the salaries of his employees. No less than the taxes levied on individuals in Greece, Russian citizens are interested in real estate taxes. In Greece in 2021 the rate is charged in two parts:

The first tax is imposed on all types of real estate. Buildings are charged from 2 to 13 euros per square meter.

The rate depends on where the object is located. Additional interest is only charged on city properties whose value exceeds €300,000. Only private owners are subject to this tax. The minimum rate is 0.1%, the maximum is 1%. Neither taxes nor low wages frighten our citizens. Greece is a sunny, hospitable country with good prospects for those who believe in their luck.