Finding a job in Greece can be relatively straightforward for people with the right qualifications, experience, language skills and legal right to work. However, the difficulty varies considerably by industry, location, education level and whether you are an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen or a third-country national.
This guide explains the Greek job market, the sectors hiring, work permits, salaries, language requirements and practical strategies for finding employment in Greece in 2026.
The short answer is: it depends. Greece has opportunities in tourism, hospitality, technology, engineering, logistics, shipping, healthcare, sales, finance and other professional sectors. At the same time, competition can be strong for some office jobs and highly desirable positions in Athens and Thessaloniki.
For foreigners, the biggest factors are usually the right to work in Greece, Greek-language ability, professional qualifications, previous experience and whether their skills match sectors where Greek employers are recruiting.
Greece's statutory minimum wage increased to €920 per month from 1 April 2026 for full-time employees. The Ministry of Labour has also reported an average salary of approximately €1,516 per month in 2025 based on the annual ERGANI employment report. These figures are useful national context, but professional salaries can be much higher depending on the occupation and seniority.
The Greek labour market has changed significantly over the past decade. Tourism remains one of the country's largest employment sectors, while technology, logistics, shipping, energy, healthcare and professional services have also become important sources of employment.
The employment situation is not the same everywhere in Greece. Athens has the country's largest concentration of corporate, financial, technology and professional-services employers. Thessaloniki is an important centre for technology, logistics, services, education and manufacturing. Tourism-heavy regions and islands have particularly strong seasonal demand for hospitality and tourism workers.
Recent Greek employer research has identified engineers, operations and supply-chain professionals, data analysts, AI professionals and sales professionals among areas of significant recruitment demand.
If your main objective is to improve your chances of finding work, it is useful to target occupations where employers are actively recruiting rather than applying randomly to every available position.
| Sector | Examples of Jobs | Demand Factors |
|---|---|---|
| Technology | Software Engineer, Developer, DevOps, Data Engineer, Cybersecurity Specialist, AI Engineer | Digitalisation, software development, cloud and AI |
| Engineering | Civil Engineer, Mechanical Engineer, Electrical Engineer, Energy Engineer | Infrastructure, construction, energy and industrial projects |
| Logistics | Supply Chain Manager, Logistics Coordinator, Warehouse Manager, Operations Manager | Trade, ports, transport and distribution |
| Tourism | Hotel Manager, Chef, Receptionist, Housekeeping, Tourism Sales | Large tourism industry and seasonal demand |
| Healthcare | Doctors, Nurses, Pharmacists, Medical Specialists | Healthcare services and specialised professional demand |
| Sales | Sales Manager, Account Manager, Business Development, Commercial Manager | Domestic and international business growth |
| Shipping | Fleet Manager, Marine Engineer, Superintendent, Maritime Operations | Large Greek maritime industry |
Foreigners can work in Greece, but the process depends heavily on nationality and immigration status.
Citizens of the European Union generally have much simpler access to employment in Greece because EU free-movement rules apply. EEA and Swiss nationals also benefit from arrangements that make employment and residence considerably easier than for many third-country nationals.
For citizens of countries outside the EU/EEA framework, immigration and employment requirements are more complicated. Depending on the circumstances, a third-country national may need an appropriate national visa, residence permit and/or authorisation connected with employment before legally working in Greece.
Do not assume that receiving a job offer automatically gives you the right to start working. Non-EU nationals should check the current Greek immigration and employment rules applicable to their nationality, occupation and residence status before accepting employment.
For more information about working in Greece, see our Greece Work Visa Guide and Jobs in Greece for Foreigners .
Not necessarily, but Greek language ability can make a major difference.
English can be sufficient for some positions in multinational companies, technology companies, tourism businesses, shipping, international organisations and other workplaces with an international environment.
For jobs involving direct contact with Greek customers, patients, government authorities or local businesses, Greek is often much more important. Regulated professions can also have specific language and qualification requirements.
Even when Greek is not formally required, learning Greek can increase the number of employers you can approach, make interviews easier and improve your ability to integrate into the workplace.
Athens is the largest employment centre in Greece and is a natural starting point for many international job seekers. The city and surrounding Attica region contain a large concentration of companies, corporate headquarters, technology businesses, banks, professional-services firms, retailers, startups and tourism companies.
Athens is particularly relevant if you are looking for jobs in:
However, Athens also has strong competition for attractive professional positions. Candidates should therefore avoid relying on one job website or applying only to the largest companies.
Thessaloniki is Greece's second-largest city and an important centre for business, technology, education, logistics, manufacturing and services.
The city can be particularly interesting for professionals looking for opportunities outside Athens, especially in technology, logistics, business services, education, healthcare, manufacturing and international companies.
Candidates should search both Thessaloniki-based companies and employers with offices or operations elsewhere in Greece.
Tourism is one of the most important sources of employment in Greece. Hotels, resorts, restaurants, travel companies and tourism-related businesses recruit large numbers of employees, especially before and during the main tourism season.
Tourism can therefore be one of the easier sectors to enter if you have hospitality experience, customer-service skills, language skills or relevant vocational training.
However, applicants should distinguish between seasonal work and permanent employment. A job on a Greek island during the summer may not provide the same year-round stability as a permanent position in Athens or another major employment centre.
Technology is one of the most attractive areas for skilled professionals seeking higher-paying employment in Greece. Employers recruit software developers, cloud specialists, DevOps professionals, cybersecurity specialists, data professionals, IT managers and AI-related specialists.
Some technology companies also operate internationally, meaning that English may be used extensively in the workplace.
If you have strong technical skills, a good portfolio and relevant professional experience, the Greek technology market can offer significantly better opportunities than entry-level general employment.
Explore our dedicated guides:
Engineering is another important professional field in Greece. Opportunities can exist in construction, infrastructure, energy, manufacturing, shipping, industrial companies and technology.
Engineers with specialised technical knowledge, professional experience and strong English skills can also be attractive to international companies operating in Greece.
Greek salaries are generally lower than salaries in countries such as Switzerland, but the cost of living is also different. Salary comparisons should therefore consider rent, housing, transportation, taxation, social-security contributions and other living costs.
There is also a very large difference between entry-level positions and senior professional roles. A junior employee may earn close to the lower end of the national salary distribution, while executives, specialised professionals and senior technology, finance, pharmaceutical or maritime professionals can earn considerably more.
Our salary guides cover individual occupations in greater detail.
Yes. Entry-level employment exists in Greece, although the available opportunities and salaries depend strongly on the sector.
Tourism, hospitality, retail, customer service, administration, sales and certain entry-level technology roles can provide starting points for people with limited professional experience.
Graduates can improve their prospects by combining education with internships, practical projects, language skills and industry-specific certifications.
If you are starting from zero, see:
A successful Greek job search should use several channels at the same time rather than relying on a single website.
Search Greek and international employment platforms regularly. Create complete profiles and upload a professional CV.
LinkedIn is particularly useful for professional and international jobs. Follow Greek companies, recruiters and industry professionals and apply directly when suitable positions appear.
Many large Greek and multinational employers advertise positions directly on their own websites. If you know the companies you want to work for, check their careers pages regularly.
Recruitment firms can be useful for experienced professionals, specialists and candidates looking for corporate positions.
Professional networking can be particularly valuable in a smaller employment market. Industry events, conferences, professional associations, university networks and personal recommendations can all lead to opportunities.
Your CV should make it easy for a Greek employer or recruiter to understand your qualifications within a few seconds.
The legal process for working in Greece depends primarily on your nationality and immigration status.
EU citizens benefit from European free-movement rules and generally have substantially easier access to employment in Greece than third-country nationals.
EEA and Swiss nationals are also covered by arrangements that facilitate mobility and employment in Greece, subject to the applicable residence and registration requirements.
Third-country nationals generally face additional immigration and employment requirements. The appropriate residence permit, employment authorisation or visa depends on the person's circumstances and the applicable Greek immigration framework.
Before making relocation plans, always verify the current requirements with the Greek authorities rather than relying only on general online employment advice.
Although Greece has many employment opportunities, finding a specific job can still be difficult.
For this reason, simply moving to Greece and beginning to apply after arrival is not always the best strategy. Where possible, research employers and apply before relocating.
Foreign professionals should approach the Greek employment market differently depending on their background.
Target multinational companies, international Greek companies and employers where your specialised experience provides a clear advantage.
Your potential employer pool becomes considerably larger because you can compete for positions requiring communication with local customers, colleagues and institutions.
Focus initially on international companies, technology, shipping, tourism, research and other environments where English is commonly used.
Consider internships, hospitality, customer service, tourism, entry-level administration, sales and junior professional roles while building local experience.
See our complete Jobs in Greece for Foreigners guide for additional information.
Getting a job in Greece is possible, but it is not equally easy for everyone.
Your chances are strongest when you have an occupation that is in demand, relevant professional experience, useful language skills and the legal right to work in Greece.
Technology, engineering, logistics, shipping, healthcare, tourism, sales and specialised professional services can offer interesting opportunities. Athens provides the largest concentration of corporate jobs, while Thessaloniki and other Greek regions provide additional opportunities in specific industries.
For foreigners, the most important questions are whether you have the right to work, whether your qualifications are recognised where necessary, whether your skills match Greek employer demand and whether you can communicate effectively in the workplace.
Rather than asking simply whether Greece is easy or difficult, the better question is: "How strong is the demand for my profession in Greece?"
It depends on your profession, qualifications, experience, language skills and legal right to work. Greece has employment opportunities in tourism, technology, engineering, logistics, shipping, healthcare, sales and other sectors, but competition varies considerably between occupations.
Yes. Foreign nationals can work in Greece, but the applicable rules depend on nationality and immigration status. EU citizens have significantly easier access to employment, while third-country nationals may require the appropriate visa, residence permit and employment authorisation.
Not for every job. English can be sufficient for some international companies, technology, shipping, tourism and other internationally oriented positions. Greek is much more important for jobs involving local customers, patients, government bodies and many domestic employers.
Demand varies by year and sector, but recent employer research has highlighted engineers, operations and supply-chain professionals, data analysts, AI professionals and sales professionals among important recruitment areas. Technology, tourism, logistics, shipping and healthcare also provide significant employment opportunities.
Greece's statutory minimum wage increased to €920 per month for full-time employees from 1 April 2026. This is a legal minimum and should not be confused with professional or senior-level salary ranges.
Athens is generally the largest employment market in Greece, with a high concentration of corporate headquarters, financial services, technology companies, tourism businesses and professional-services employers. Competition can also be high.
Yes. Thessaloniki is an important employment centre for technology, logistics, services, education, manufacturing and other industries. It can be an attractive alternative to Athens for qualified professionals.
Yes. Entry-level opportunities exist in sectors such as tourism, hospitality, retail, customer service, sales and some junior professional roles. Internships and vocational training can also help new applicants build experience.
Employment rules, wages and labour-market conditions can change. For important decisions, check current information from Greek government authorities and reputable employment research.