SALARY IN GREECE

Over the past ten years, the Greek economy has fallen on hard times and it was only in 2016-2019 that the situation started to gradually improve. To a large extent, the global crisis has also had a negative impact on the Greek labour market. For example, the unemployment rate in the country is around 10%, and among young people it exceeds 30%. By this indicator, Greece is a record-breaker among all EU countries and is ahead of even Spain.

Given the severe economic and social difficulties, the Greek government is introducing effective reforms and local experts predict that the country will emerge from a long recession in the coming years. Even now, work in Greece is very popular among foreigners. By the way, only in the past year, tens of thousands of jobs were created in Greek companies. Next, let's find out what salaries in Greece in 2024.

Minimum wage in Greece

The official minimum wage in Greece in 2024 is €910 per month. This is €73.5 more than the year before. Unlike other members of the European Union, the figure in the country has not changed for 7 consecutive years until 2019. Moreover, in 2012, the minimum wage in Greece was 876.62 euros. That is, the government had to lower the rate. Despite this, local workers are paid more than in Portugal and Eastern and Central European countries.

Note. The minimum wage in Greece in 2024, assuming payments 14 times a year, is 830 euros per month (37.07 euros per day).

For example, the minimum wage in Poland is €975 per month, in Slovakia €750 and in the Czech Republic €765. On the other hand, the French earn a minimum of €1,766.92, Belgians €1,994.18, and Luxembourg citizens €2,570.93. In annual terms, the minimum wage in Greece is 10,920 euros. In reality, Greek professionals can receive incomes below the legal minimum. For example, according to the local Ministry of Labour, up to 25% of part-time workers earn up to 500 euros per month.

Average salary in Greece

Due to the uncertainty and fluctuations in the Greek labour market, it is difficult to determine the exact average salary in the country, and the rate is not set at the legislative level. For example, according to the authoritative Trading Economics portal, the average salary in Greece in 2024 is 1,060.45 euros per month before taxes. At the same time, qualified professionals receive €1,510 and unqualified workers €717.

Note. According to the Hellenic Primary Social Security Fund, the average salary in Greece in 2024 for private sector workers is €1,182.39 per month, while the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development says average salaries for Greeks are €1,466 per month.

Greece ranks 18th among the 27 EU member states in terms of net average wages with an indicator of 943 euros. The country has a population of about 10.3 million people, with about 4.1 million officially employed and more than 543.3 thousand unemployed. Every fifth Greek works part-time, and more than 30 thousand work only up to 4 hours a week or 16 hours a month. Accordingly, this has a very strong impact on the average income level of Greek citizens for the country as a whole.

Salary in Greece in the context of professions largely depends on the capabilities of the employer, the region, the level of qualification and experience of the employee. For example, doctors with experience in regular clinics receive in the region of 1,300-1,600 euros per month, and young specialists 900-950. Lawyers earn from 1,250 to 3,000 euros, school teachers up to 900 euros, and a shop assistant no more than 500-700 euros. One of the highest paid professions in Greece is judges, who, depending on their rank, have an income from 1,500 to 4,000 euros a month.

Even graduates of prestigious Greek universities can hardly expect a decent salary in Greece, let alone migrant workers. Real monthly incomes rarely exceed 700 euros. In such popular areas for the state as tourist services and agriculture, foreign applicants receive up to 500-600 euros per month. This is especially important for those who dream of obtaining a residence permit in Greece in order to settle in this picturesque country for a long time.

Taxes on salaries in Greece

The difficult economic situation also affects the taxation system in Greece. For example, the country has a rather high VAT and corporate tax rate of 24 and 22%, which is not the best way to attract foreign investment.

Income tax in Greece in 2024

Annual income (euros)	Tax rate (%)
Up to 10,000	9
From 10,001 to 20,000	22
From 20,001 to 30,000	28
From 30,001 to 40,000	36
Over 40,000	44

Regarding salary deductions in Greece, since 2016, in addition to income tax, the country has introduced a so-called special solidarity contribution, which also has progressive rates depending on annual income.

Solidarity tax rates in Greece in 2024

Annual income (euros)	Tax rate (%)
From 0 to 12,000	0
From 12,001 to 20,000	2.2
From 20,001 to 30,000	5
From 30,001 to 40,000	6.5
From 40,001 to 65,000	7.5
From 65,001 to 220,000	9
More than 220,000	10

HIGHEST PAID OCCUPATIONS IN GREECE

• Doctors

• Programmers

• Shipping specialists

• Chief Executive Officers (CEOs)

• Bankers, financiers

• Lawyers

• Engineers in executive positions

• Business consultants

• University professors and researchers

• Airline pilots

Cost of living in Greece

Compared to most Western European countries, living in Greece is very cheap. According to Eurostat, prices are 12% below the EU average. The best cities to live in Greece are Athens, Thessaloniki and Patras.

Basic costs in Greece:

• Rent: 400-500 euros per month for a one-bedroom flat in the centre.

• Utility bills: 200-250 euros per month.

• Food: 150-200 euros per month per person.

• Transport: 30-40 euros per month by public transport or 100-150 euros per month by car.

• Internet/mobile phone: 40-50 euros per month.

• Clothing and leisure activities: 300-500 euros per month.

Frequently asked questions about salaries in Greece:

1. What is the average salary in Greece?

• Before taxes, the average salary in Greece in 2024 is €1,060.45 per month.

2. What is the minimum wage in Greece?

• The minimum wage in Greece in 2024 is €910 per month.

3. What is the highest earning job in Greece?

• The highest paying professions in Greece are doctors, computer programmers and shipping specialists.

4. What is the lowest paying job in Greece?

• Representatives of unskilled labour – cleaners, waiters, cooks' assistants, loaders, shop assistants, maids and so on – earn the least in Greece.

5. What is the average salary of programmers in Greece?

• The average income of programmers in Greece is estimated at 20,000-40,000 euros per year.

6. What is the payroll tax in Greece?

• The income tax rate in Greece depends on annual income and ranges from 9% (income up to €10,000) to 44% (income over €40,000).

7. What is the average salary in Athens?

• The average salary in Athens in 2024 is €1,100 per month.

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