Planning a workation in Santorini? Or a business trip to Athens or Thessaloniki? Learn the essential information you and your employees need to work safely and compliantly while traveling in Greece, including working conditions, safety and health regulations, tax treaties, social security, and more.
Capital city
Athens
Telephone code
+30
Official language
Greek
Currency
Euro
Time zone
EET (UTC+2)
Social security compliance
When working remotely abroad, your employees may become subject to the social security scheme of the destination country, which means you, as an employer, would need to pay social security premiums accordingly.
As part of the European Union, Greece follows regulations that coordinate social security among EU/EEA member states and Switzerland. One key regulation is Regulation (EC) No 883/2004, which ensures that social security systems operate smoothly across borders.
Additionally, Greece has entered into numerous social security treaties with other countries to avoid dual contributions, available here.
To ensure your employees remain compliant with these treaties, they must possess a valid A1 certificate (if traveling from another EU country to Greece) or a Certificate of Coverage (CoC) (if traveling from a country outside the EU).
Tax compliance
As a member of the OECD, many of Greece's tax treaties are based on the OECD Model Tax Convention. This framework provides guidelines for structuring tax treaties and covers various types of income, including dividends, interest, royalties, and employment income. In addition to these guidelines, Greece has signed tax treaties with numerous countries, available here.
Despite the existence of many tax treaties and the adoption of the OECD Model Tax Convention, the issue of Permanent Establishment remains a significant compliance concern for employers with employees temporarily working in Greece, whether for a workation or a business trip. If a traveling employee is deemed to constitute a Permanent Establishment in the destination country, the employer may be required to register the company locally, allocate profits to the local business (branch), and file corporate taxes, leading to substantial administrative burdens.
To avoid this scenario, here are some key strategies:
If your employees are traveling for a workation, they should refrain from negotiating or signing sales contracts during the trip. Additionally, they should avoid visiting clients or any office, including the employer's local office in the destination country. Following these guidelines will help mitigate the important compliance risk for the employer related to permanent establishment.
If your employees travel for business, it may be impossible to refrain from the activities above. In this case, please make sure to inform your (tax) compliance department of this matter. If you and your organization are a WorkFlex user, this topic is covered through the WorkFlex platform.
PWD notification obligations for business trips
Under European law, employers are generally required to register their employees’ postings with local labour authorities in the destination country, i.e. to submit a PWD notification. This notification serves several important purposes, including balancing worker mobility with the protection of their rights. PWD notification obligations apply in Greece.
As a consequence, to stay compliant with the PWD obligations, employees traveling to Greece must comply with several local working conditions, notably must receive at least the same pay as local employees in similar roles. Find out more about the PWD notifications in Greece here.
Visa
To work legally while in another country, employees generally need a valid work title. It's important to keep in mind that the consequences of entering without the proper documentation can be significant for both the employee and the employer.
For those planning work-from-anywhere trips to Greece, here’s a quick overview:
- Short-Term Stay: If you’re a citizen or residence permit holder from a Schengen Zone country, you can enjoy a stay in Greece for up to 90 days within a 180-day period without needing a visa. If you're coming from a non-Schengen country, you’ll likely need a Schengen Visa (Type C) for short stays of up to 90 days.
- Long-Term Stay: Planning to stay longer than 90 days? In that case, you’ll probably need to apply for a residence permit or a long-stay visa.
For those planning business trips to Greece, here’s what you need to know:
- Short-Term Trip: If you’re a citizen or a residence permit holder of a Schengen country, you can enter Greece for short business trips without needing a visa, and you can stay for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. For travelers from non-Schengen countries, you’ll likely need a Schengen Business Visa. This visa allows you to move freely throughout the Schengen Area for your business activities.
- Long-Stay Visa: If your business plans involve staying longer than 90 days, you’ll need to apply for a specific long-stay visa. The requirements can vary based on the nature of your business activities, so it's a good idea to check the specifics in advance.
Need trip-specific visa information? Check out WorkFlex Visa Navigator.
Working hours
Most employees in Greece work from Monday to Friday, with a standard workweek consisting of 40 hours. The workday is typically running from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with a lunch break of 1 – 2 hours in between.
To remain compliant during your trip abroad, here are some suggestions to follow:
- Avoid working overtime: Regulations regarding overtime can differ significantly and may be much stricter compared to those in your home country.
- Refrain from working outside regular hours: The rules surrounding working outside regular hours may vary and could be stricter than in your home country.
- Do not work on weekends: If the weekend days differ from those in your home country, please avoid working on both your regular weekend days and the local weekend days.
Public holidays
- January 1 - New Year's Day
- January 6 - Epiphany
- Orthodox Ash Monday: Date varies
- March 25 - Independence Day
- Orthodox Good Friday: Date varies
- Orthodox Easter Sunday: Date varies
- Orthodox Easter Monday: Date varies
- May 1 - Labor Day
- Orthodox Whit Sunday: Date varies
- Orthodox Whit Monday: Date varies
- August 15 - Assumption of Mary
- October 28 - Ochi Day
- December 25 - Christmas Day
- December 26 - St. Stephen's Day
To comply with labor laws, please refrain from working on national or regional holidays during your trip. These days hold significant importance for locals and provide a great opportunity for you to blend in and celebrate with the community.
Working activities
When considering travel for work purposes—whether for a workation or a business trip—it is crucial to understand the implications of Permanent Establishment (PE) and associated tax risks. PE is a significant compliance concern for companies and can become costly due to the administrative burden if the compliance requirements for employees working abroad are not properly managed. To help mitigate these risks, here are a few guidelines to follow.
If you are traveling for a workation, please:
- Refrain from negotiating or signing sales contracts during your trip.
- Avoid visiting clients or any office, including your employer's local office in the destination country.
Following these guidelines will help mitigate the important compliance risks related to Permanent Establishment for your employer.
If you are a business traveler, it may be difficult to avoid the activities mentioned above. In this case, please ensure you inform your employer's compliance department about this matter. If you and your organization are WorkFlex users, this topic is addressed through the WorkFlex platform.
Data protection
Data protection is fundamentally about keeping our information safe from unauthorized access, breaches, theft, or damage. This responsibility is important for everyone, regardless of where they are working.
When employees work temporarily from abroad, data protection involves ensuring continued coverage and compliance with the data protection regulations of both, the home country and the destination country. In addition to adhering to your home country's regulations, it’s important to note that since Greece is a member of the EU, the GDPR will be applicable during your trip.
For WorkFlex users, a comprehensive list of data protection activities is available in the profile, but here are some general data protection guidelines to keep your data safe:
- Adhere to your company's internal data policies: Familiarize yourself with and follow your organization’s specific data protection protocols.
- Use secure network connections: Always connect through secure networks, especially when accessing sensitive information.
- Be aware of phishing: Stay vigilant against phishing attempts by verifying the authenticity of emails and messages before clicking on any links.
- Utilize strong passwords and multi-factor authentication: Create complex passwords and enable multi-factor authentication for an added layer of security.
- Keep your devices in a secure location: Always store your devices in safe places to prevent unauthorized access.
- Lock your screen whenever applicable: Ensure your screen is locked when you're away from your device to protect your information.
Travel health insurance
When traveling to Greece for work—whether for a short business trip or an extended workation—it’s essential to have adequate health insurance coverage to ensure access to medical care.
For business trips, the employer typically arranges the employee's travel health insurance. However, for workations, responsibility can sometimes be less clear. Regardless of whether insurance is provided by the employer or purchased by the employee, international coverage is crucial for a safe and secure trip.
For travelers using WorkFlex
If you’re traveling with WorkFlex, comprehensive health insurance is automatically included if your employer has activated this feature. For more details, please refer to your trip request on the WorkFlex platform.
For other travelers
- EU/EEA/Swiss citizens: The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) grants access to public healthcare services within Greece’s national health system, covering essential services like doctor visits, hospital treatments, and prescription medications (urgent or necessary medical care to the same extent as for local residents). The EHIC is valid only at public healthcare facilities, so check your private health insurance policy to confirm whether additional coverage is provided for private healthcare services.
- Citizens of other countries: Ensure you have travel health insurance with worldwide coverage, whether for a workation or business trip, so that you can receive adequate medical treatment in case of an emergency.
Urgent safety information
For travelers using WorkFlex:
Please refer to your trip's risk assessment under the "Health and Security" dimension to review any urgent security information relevant to your travel.
For other travelers:
Please visit official authority websites to check for any current threats or urgent security advisories:
Terrorism
Follow the general cautionary measures.
Crime
In Greece, pickpocketing incidents are particularly common in major cities such as Athens, Thessaloniki, and Piraeus, especially during the travel season from April to November. Busy areas and public transportation—like the metro and bus lines to and from the airport, as well as city center stations—are especially vulnerable. Additionally, car break-ins and trick thefts targeting tourists can occur.
To help ensure a safe experience, consider the following tips:
- Stay vigilant in major cities, especially at airports, train stations, and on public transport like the metro. Always pay attention to your belongings.
- Keep your money, IDs, driver’s license, and other important documents secure. Consider storing electronic copies or making photocopies of your travel documents to facilitate replacements in case of theft or loss.
- Park your vehicle in monitored parking lots and avoid leaving valuables inside.
- Prefer cashless payments and carry only the cash you need for the day to minimize unnecessary valuables.
- Be cautious of unusual emails, phone calls, prize notifications, offers, or requests for help from unknown contacts. Avoid sharing personal information; verify the credibility of any suspicious communication in person, or contact the police if needed.
Domestic situation
In Greece, protests and demonstrations are common, and while most are peaceful, isolated incidents of violence and traffic disruptions can occur.
Due to its geographical location, Greece serves as a significant entry point for refugees and migrants into the EU and the Schengen Area. Many individuals attempt to travel from Greece to Italy and other Schengen countries without proper documentation, often using the ferry ports of Patras and Igoumenitsa.
To ensure a safe visit, consider the following tips:
- Stay informed through local media for updates on current events.
- Avoid demonstrations and large gatherings whenever possible.
- If traveling by ferry with your vehicle, be sure to follow travel information regarding infrastructure and traffic.
- Adhere to instructions from local security forces for your safety.
Greece enjoys a Mediterranean climate characterized by hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters.
- Coastal areas (Athens, Thessaloniki, Crete): Hot summers with temperatures often exceeding 30°C (86°F) and mild winters with temperatures averaging around 10°C (50°F).
- Inland regions (Meteora, Delphi): Similar Mediterranean climate but can be cooler in winter, particularly in mountainous areas.
- Northern regions (Thessaloniki, Mount Olympus): More continental climate, with cold winters and warm summers.
Potential threats
Bush and forest fires
Especially during the summer months, Greece experiences numerous bush and forest fires due to prevailing climatic conditions. Infrastructure in tourist areas may also be affected in these cases. The fires can spread rapidly or reignite depending on changing wind directions. Road closures and other restrictions can occur at any time. It cannot be ruled out that new fire outbreaks may develop due to the prevailing weather conditions.
Heat
During the summer months, heat waves with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius often occur. Special caution is advised, particularly for infants, children, seniors, and people suffering from chronic conditions.
Earthquakes and volcanic eruptions
The mainland and islands of Greece lie in a seismically active zone, which is why earthquakes and, less frequently, volcanic activities can occur.
Storms and flooding
In the Mediterranean, particularly from August to November, there can occasionally be severe autumn storms, including so-called Medicanes. These often lead to flooding and landslides, resulting in significant traffic disruptions.
Please make sure you remain aware of local weather conditions and any potential hazards to ensure your safety during their visit.
Airports
Athens International Airport (ATH)
Location: Athens, the capital of Greece.
When to use: The main international gateway to Greece, ideal for business travelers with extensive connections to European and global destinations.
Thessaloniki Airport (SKG)
Location: Thessaloniki, in northern Greece.
When to use: Convenient for reaching northern Greece and popular tourist destinations in the region.
Heraklion Airport (HER)
Location: Crete.
When to use: Best for access to Crete, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Greece.
Train stations
Athens Railway Station (Larissis Station)
The primary railway hub in Athens, offering connections to major cities and regions.
International connections: Limited international connections primarily to Bulgaria and Turkey.
Thessaloniki Railway Station
The main railway station in Thessaloniki, providing services to other parts of Greece and some international routes.
International connections: Limited connections to neighboring countries, including Bulgaria.
Ride-hailing services
- Uber: Available in Athens and Thessaloniki.
- Beat: A popular local ride-hailing app, especially in Athens.
Public transportation
Metro
Athens has a modern metro system that connects major tourist sites and neighborhoods, while Thessaloniki has a new metro system under construction.
Buses
Extensive bus networks operate in cities and between regions. KTEL is the primary bus service for intercity travel.
Trains
OSE operates trains connecting major cities and some islands, although services can be limited in remote areas.