Managing employee leave and vacation entitlements is a critical aspect of compliance and employee satisfaction when operating in Greece. Greek labor law provides clear guidelines on various types of leave, ensuring employees receive adequate time off for rest, illness, and significant life events. Understanding these regulations is essential for employers to maintain legal compliance and foster a positive working environment.
Employers in Greece must adhere to statutory minimums for annual leave, recognize official public holidays, and provide specific entitlements for sick leave, parental leave, and other circumstances. These policies are designed to protect employee well-being and are enforced by national legislation.
Annual Vacation Leave
Employees in Greece are entitled to paid annual leave, with the minimum duration increasing with years of service. The leave entitlement is calculated based on working days, which typically includes Monday through Friday or Saturday, depending on the work schedule.
Minimum annual leave entitlements are as follows:
| Years of Service | Minimum Working Days per Year |
|---|---|
| Up to 1 year | 20 working days |
| 1 - 2 years | 21 working days |
| 2 - 10 years | 22 working days |
| Over 10 years | 25 working days |
For employees working a six-day week, the entitlements are slightly higher: 24 days (up to 1 year), 25 days (1-2 years), 26 days (2-10 years), and 30 days (over 10 years). Leave accrues proportionally during the first year of employment. Employees are generally required to take their accrued leave within the calendar year it is earned, although specific agreements or collective bargaining agreements may allow for carry-over under certain conditions.
Public Holidays
Greece observes several official public holidays throughout the year. Employees are typically entitled to a paid day off on these dates. If employees are required to work on a public holiday, they are generally entitled to premium pay, often calculated at a higher rate (e.g., 175% of their regular wage) or compensatory time off.
Official Public Holidays in Greece (2025):
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| January 1 | New Year's Day |
| January 6 | Epiphany |
| March 3 | Clean Monday (Kathara Deftera) |
| March 25 | Independence Day |
| May 1 | Labour Day |
| April 18 | Good Friday |
| April 20 | Easter Sunday |
| April 21 | Easter Monday |
| June 8 | Holy Spirit Monday (Pentecost Monday) |
| August 15 | Assumption of the Virgin Mary |
| October 28 | Ohi Day |
| December 25 | Christmas Day |
| December 26 | St. Stephen's Day |
Note that Easter dates vary each year based on the Orthodox calendar.
Sick Leave
Employees in Greece are entitled to paid sick leave when they are unable to work due to illness or injury. The duration of paid sick leave depends on the employee's length of service.
Sick leave entitlements and pay structure:
- Duration:
- Up to 1 year of service: Up to 1 month of paid sick leave.
- Over 1 year of service: Up to 3 months of paid sick leave.
- Pay:
- For the first few days (typically 3 days), the employer is responsible for paying the employee's full salary.
- After the initial period, the Social Insurance Institute (EFKA) covers a portion of the sick pay, with the employer potentially supplementing it up to the full salary, depending on the duration of absence and collective agreements.
- Requirements: Employees are generally required to provide a medical certificate from a doctor to justify their absence due to illness.
Parental Leave
Greek law provides various types of leave related to parenthood, including maternity, paternity, and adoption leave.
- Maternity Leave: Female employees are entitled to 17 weeks of maternity leave, typically divided into 8 weeks before the expected delivery date and 9 weeks after childbirth. This leave is paid through social security benefits.
- Paternity Leave: Fathers are entitled to 14 working days of paternity leave, which can be taken either within 4 months before the expected date of childbirth or immediately after the birth. This leave is paid by the employer.
- Parental Leave: Both parents are entitled to unpaid parental leave until the child reaches the age of 8. Each parent is entitled to 4 months of leave per child. This leave can be taken flexibly, either continuously or in installments.
- Adoption Leave: Employees adopting a child under the age of 8 are entitled to 8 weeks of paid leave, starting from the date the child is placed with the family.
Other Types of Leave
Beyond the main categories, Greek law and collective bargaining agreements may provide for other types of leave:
- Bereavement Leave: Employees are typically entitled to a few days of paid leave in the event of the death of a close family member (e.g., spouse, parent, child, sibling). The exact duration may vary.
- Marriage Leave: Employees are usually entitled to a few days of paid leave for their marriage.
- Study Leave: Employees may be granted unpaid leave for educational purposes, subject to specific conditions and employer agreement.
- Sabbatical Leave: While not a statutory right for all employees, longer-term unpaid leave (sabbatical) may be agreed upon between the employer and employee, often for personal or professional development reasons.
- Leave for Force Majeure: Employees are entitled to paid leave (up to 2 days per year) for urgent family reasons due to illness or accident, requiring their immediate presence.
