Navigating Greek Employment Contracts

Hiring in Greece for the first time is straightforward once you understand the framework — but the framework is not optional. Greek labour law (notably Law 4808/2001 and subsequent reforms) defines contract types, working hours, notice periods, and contributions, and every new hire must be registered with ERGANI, the national labour registry, within 10 days. Getting this wrong creates real liability; getting it right is routine.

Contract types

Greece recognises indefinite (permanent) and fixed-term contracts. Fixed-term contracts are permitted for genuine temporary needs but cannot be used to avoid permanent employment — repeated renewals can be reclassified as indefinite. For most hires, an indefinite contract is the default; fixed-term suits seasonal, project, or cover roles.

Mandatory clauses

A compliant Greek employment contract should specify, at minimum: the parties, the role and duties, the place of work, the start date, the contract type, working hours and schedule, the salary (gross, monthly, with the 14-salary structure explicit), notice periods, and applicable collective agreement where one exists. Written policies on remote work, where relevant, should be referenced.

The 14-salary structure

Greek white-collar employees receive 14 salaries per year: 12 monthly payments, plus one extra salary at Christmas, half a salary at Easter, and half a salary for summer. Budget for this in your cost model — the "monthly" salary is not the annual cost. Employer social contributions (EFKA, approximately 22%) sit on top of gross salary.

ERGANI registration

Every hire, contract change, and termination must be filed with ERGANI — Greece's digital labour registry. The filing is electronic and must be made within strict deadlines (10 days for a new hire). Mercier handles ERGANI registration for every placement, so foreign investors can hire in Greece without an entity or in-house HR admin.

Practical advice for foreign investors

Three principles reduce risk: use a compliant written contract for every hire, register with ERGANI on time, and clarify the 14-salary and contribution structure in your cost model from day one. Most compliance issues we see come from investors applying their home-country assumptions to Greek law — which is why a local partner pays for itself quickly.