Greece

In Greece, the duration of an employee's vacation leave is determined by their years of service with their current employer.

Duration of Leave for Employees with Less than One Year of Service

For employees who have been with their employer for less than a year, they are entitled to two calendar days of paid vacation for each month of employment.

Duration of Leave for Employees with More than One Year of Service

Once an employee has been with their employer for more than a year, they are entitled to at least 20 working days of paid vacation. If the employee works a 6-day week, they are entitled to 24 working days.

Duration of Leave for Employees with 10+ Years of Service within the Same Company

Employees who have been with the same company for 10 or more years are entitled to 25 working days of leave. If they work a 6-day week, they are entitled to 30 days.

Additional Information

Typically, vacation leave can be taken after one year of service with the employer. However, with the employer's agreement, employees may be able to take a proportion of their leave in the first calendar year. It's important to note that employees cannot waive their right to vacation leave. If there is any unused leave when the employment relationship ends, the employer must compensate for it. These are the minimum requirements established by Greek labor laws and the National General Collective Labour Agreement. However, individual employment agreements or industry-specific collective agreements may provide more generous vacation entitlements.

New Year's Day is celebrated on January 1st, marking the beginning of the calendar year. Epiphany, a Christian holiday primarily observed by the Orthodox Church, is celebrated on January 6th. Clean Monday, the beginning of the Great Lent period in the Orthodox Christian tradition, is a holiday with a variable date, usually in February or March.

Independence Day, which celebrates the start of the Greek War of Independence against the Ottoman Empire, is observed on March 25th. Easter Monday, the day after Orthodox Easter Sunday, also has a variable date. Labor Day, celebrating workers' contributions internationally, is observed on May 1st.

The Assumption of Mary, a major religious holiday within the Orthodox Church commemorating the dormition and assumption of the Virgin Mary, is celebrated on August 15th. Ochi Day, which celebrates Greece's refusal to yield to Italy during World War II, is observed on October 28th.

Christmas Day, a Christian holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, is celebrated on December 25th, followed by the Second Day of Christmas on December 26th.

Note

The dates for holidays that depend on the Orthodox religious calendar change each year. Regional or local holidays might be observed in specific parts of Greece. Businesses and services may have adjusted hours or closures during public holidays.

In Greece, employees are entitled to various types of leave based on their years of service with their current employer, the nature of their job, and other factors.

Vacation Leave

Employees are entitled to paid vacation leave based on their years of service with their current employer. The minimum entitlement is 20 working days (or 24 for a 6-day workweek), increasing after ten years of service. Employees receive their regular salary in full during vacation periods.

Sick Leave

Employees become eligible for paid sick leave after completing a probationary period with their employer. The specific duration of paid sick leave might depend on employment length and other factors outlined in agreements and labor regulations. Paid sick leave compensation amounts and duration can vary based on employment duration, workplace policies, and the nature of the illness. Employers may require a medical certificate to validate the need for sick leave.

Maternity Leave

Female employees are entitled to 17 weeks of paid maternity leave, usually split eight weeks before and nine weeks after childbirth. Eligible employees receive maternity benefits generally covered by social security institutions.

Parental Leave

Each parent is entitled to four months of unpaid parental leave per child, to be used before the child reaches 8 years of age.

Other Types of Leave

Employees may be entitled to a short period of paid leave in the case of the death of a close family member. Employees may also be entitled to a special leave period for their marriage. Additionally, employees may be eligible for paid or unpaid leave for educational purposes, depending on individual agreements and workplace policies.

Individual employment contracts or industry-specific collective agreements may offer additional leave provisions exceeding the outlined legal minimums. Always consult your specific agreement for the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding leave policies in your workplace.