Looking for a job in Greece without previous work experience? There are entry-level opportunities for people who are starting their careers, changing industries, arriving in Greece for the first time, or looking for their first job after school or university.
The easiest opportunities for beginners are often found in sectors such as hospitality, food service, tourism, retail, cleaning, logistics, agriculture, customer service and other service occupations. Some employers may provide on-the-job training, while other positions require specific qualifications, licenses or language skills.
Yes. You can find jobs in Greece without previous professional experience, but the availability of jobs depends on your location, language skills, legal work status, education and the type of work you are willing to accept.
Greece has a large services economy. Enterprise Greece reports that about 74.1% of employed people work in services, with significant employment also in trade, accommodation and food services, transport, manufacturing, construction, healthcare and other sectors.
For a person with no experience, the most realistic strategy is usually to target positions where employers value reliability, communication, availability and willingness to learn rather than years of professional experience.
There is no single job that is easiest for everyone. However, some occupations are generally more accessible to beginners because employers can train workers after hiring.
Hotels, resorts, restaurants and tourism businesses employ large numbers of workers in Greece. Entry-level positions can include housekeeping assistants, hotel assistants, kitchen assistants, breakfast staff, reception support and other operational roles.
Restaurant and café work can be an entry point for people without extensive professional experience. Communication skills, reliability and customer service are particularly important.
Kitchen assistants, dishwashing staff, food preparation workers and other support positions may be suitable for beginners. Experience can later lead to more specialized kitchen roles.
Cleaning jobs are available in hotels, offices, apartment buildings, commercial properties and private businesses. Some employers provide work-specific training.
Supermarkets, shops and other retailers may recruit sales assistants, shelf-stockers, cashiers and store support staff. Greek language ability is often important for customer-facing positions.
Warehousing and logistics can offer entry-level opportunities such as warehouse assistant, order picker, packing worker and stock support. Some positions may require physical fitness or specific equipment certification.
Delivery work can be available in larger cities. Depending on the position, you may need a valid driving licence, appropriate vehicle and legal authorization to work.
Construction companies may employ workers for general labour and site support. More specialized construction occupations normally require training, qualifications or previous experience.
Agriculture creates seasonal employment in different parts of Greece. Harvesting, farm assistance and other agricultural jobs can provide an entry point for workers who do not yet have a professional career history.
Some customer-service positions accept candidates with limited experience, particularly when they have good communication and language skills. English and other foreign languages can be useful for international customers.
The Greek labour market is not concentrated in one industry. Enterprise Greece, using Hellenic Statistical Authority data, reports substantial employment in trade, manufacturing, accommodation and food services, transportation and storage, construction, healthcare, education and information and communication.
| Sector | Employment Opportunities |
|---|---|
| Trade | Retail, supermarkets, sales and customer service |
| Accommodation & Food Services | Hotels, restaurants, cafés, housekeeping and kitchen work |
| Manufacturing | Production, packaging, factory and support positions |
| Transport & Storage | Warehouses, logistics, deliveries and support roles |
| Construction | General labour and construction support |
| Agriculture | Seasonal and agricultural work |
| Other Services | Cleaning, maintenance and various service positions |
| Information & Communication | Some junior and trainee opportunities |
Your salary depends on the occupation, location, contract, working hours, collective agreements, qualifications and experience. There is no single "entry-level salary" for every job in Greece.
As of 1 April 2026, Greece's statutory minimum monthly salary for full-time white-collar employees is €920. The statutory minimum daily wage for blue-collar workers is €41.09.
These are statutory minimum amounts and should not be treated as the typical salary for every job. Many positions pay more depending on skills, responsibilities, sector and applicable employment terms.
| Type of Entry-Level Work | What Can Affect Pay? |
|---|---|
| Hospitality | Hotel category, role, location, season and working hours |
| Restaurant Work | Position, experience, location, hours and employer |
| Retail | Role, company, schedule and responsibilities |
| Warehouse | Shift pattern, responsibilities and qualifications |
| Cleaning | Hours, contract type and workplace |
| Construction | Trade, skills, qualifications and experience |
| Seasonal Work | Sector, season, location and contract |
Salary figures should always be checked against the employment contract and the applicable Greek employment rules. The statutory minimum can change in future years.
Foreigners can work in Greece, but your legal requirements depend on your nationality and immigration status.
For EU, EEA and Swiss citizens, the process is generally different from the process for nationals of countries outside the EU. If you are a non-EU national, you should confirm that your residence status or employment authorization allows you to work before starting a job.
Greece's Ministry of Labour states that employment of third-country nationals is governed by the Migration Code and related rules. Employer sponsorship and specific admission procedures can apply to third-country workers.
Do not assume that being legally present in Greece automatically gives you the right to work. Different residence permits have different employment rights.
For employer-sponsored employment, the Greek authorities require specific procedures. The Ministry of Labour explains that the employer normally has an important role in the admission process for third-country workers.
Always check your exact immigration and employment status before accepting an offer.
It can be possible, but immigration requirements can make the process more difficult than simply finding an employer.
Under Greece's current rules, employer-sponsored admission for dependent employment involves an employer application and an available position within the applicable framework. The employment contract for the relevant employer-sponsored route must satisfy the applicable requirements.
For seasonal employment, Greece has separate procedures covering sectors in which seasonal recruitment is permitted.
This means that a non-EU applicant should not simply travel to Greece and start working without checking whether the correct authorization is in place.
For more information, see: Jobs in Greece for Foreigners .
EU citizens generally have a simpler route to working in Greece than third-country nationals because EU free-movement rules apply.
Nevertheless, you may still need to complete administrative procedures after moving, depending on your circumstances and length of stay.
EU citizens looking for work in Greece can also use the EURES network. EURES works with Greek employment services and provides information and support for people looking for employment across Europe.
Seasonal work is one of the most important opportunities to investigate if you have little or no previous experience.
Tourism creates substantial employment in hotels, restaurants, resorts, tour operators and other businesses, particularly during the tourism season.
Popular tourism destinations can include islands and coastal destinations, while Athens and Thessaloniki also have substantial hospitality and tourism activity.
Seasonal work can be especially useful for building your first professional experience in Greece.
Hospitality is one of the first sectors beginners should investigate. Hotels, restaurants and tourism businesses need workers in many different operational roles.
For people with limited experience, employers may place greater emphasis on availability, customer service, reliability, language skills and the ability to work under pressure.
Cleaning can be an accessible occupation for people starting their careers. Jobs may exist in hotels, offices, apartment buildings, shops and other commercial properties.
Housekeeping in hotels may be particularly relevant during the tourism season. Some employers may train new workers in cleaning procedures and property standards.
However, you should always confirm the working hours, salary, contract, location and accommodation arrangements before accepting a seasonal job.
Retail employers may recruit workers for supermarkets, shops, department stores and other businesses.
Possible entry-level positions include:
For jobs involving direct communication with Greek customers, Greek language skills can be particularly important.
Warehouse and logistics work can provide another route into employment without extensive previous experience.
Possible positions include:
Some jobs may require additional qualifications, equipment certification, driving licences or previous warehouse experience, so always read the job description carefully.
Construction can provide opportunities for workers willing to learn practical skills. However, construction is not the same as completely unskilled work: many specialized occupations require training, experience, certifications or safety knowledge.
Beginners may look for general construction labour or site-support positions where the employer is willing to train new workers.
As you gain experience, you can potentially move into specialized trades such as electrical, plumbing, masonry, carpentry or other construction occupations, subject to the applicable qualifications.
Agriculture is another area where seasonal employment can be available. Depending on the region and season, jobs can involve harvesting, packing, farm assistance and other agricultural activities.
Non-EU nationals should pay particular attention to the immigration rules for seasonal employment because specific procedures and employment limits can apply.
Yes, although entry-level technology jobs can be more competitive than manual or seasonal work.
A formal university degree is not necessarily required for every junior technology role. Practical skills, certifications, personal projects, internships and demonstrable technical ability can help.
If you are interested in technology careers, see our IT Jobs and Salaries in Greece guide.
Not every job requires fluent Greek, but language ability can make a major difference to your job search.
English can be particularly useful in tourism, hospitality, international businesses and customer-facing positions serving foreign visitors.
Enterprise Greece reports that approximately 69.5% of adults in Greece speak at least one foreign language and approximately 64.5% speak English.
However, English should not be treated as a substitute for Greek in every workplace. If you plan to stay in Greece long term, learning Greek can significantly expand the range of jobs you can apply for.
Athens has the country's largest metropolitan labour market and offers opportunities across retail, hospitality, tourism, offices, logistics, customer service, technology and other services.
Thessaloniki is another important employment centre, with opportunities in retail, hospitality, logistics, services, education, technology and other industries.
Tourism destinations can be particularly interesting for seasonal workers. Hotels, restaurants and tourism businesses may recruit large numbers of workers during the tourist season.
However, always investigate accommodation, transportation, working hours and the exact contract before relocating for seasonal employment.
Smaller cities and rural areas can offer opportunities in agriculture, manufacturing, logistics, tourism, construction and local services.
A good job search should combine online applications, public employment services, recruitment agencies, direct applications and networking.
The Greek Public Employment Service, DYPA, operates employment services and job-search tools throughout Greece. EURES reports that DYPA has 115 Employment Promotion Centres across Greece, as well as special offices in Athens and Thessaloniki.
DYPA also provides job matching, counselling, training and other employment services.
If you are an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen considering work in Greece, EURES is an important resource for finding vacancies and understanding living and working conditions.
For hospitality and retail jobs, direct applications can sometimes be effective. Check company websites, hotel websites, restaurant groups and local businesses.
Recruitment agencies can be useful for temporary, seasonal, hospitality, administrative, warehouse and other positions.
Ask friends, colleagues, local communities and professional contacts about open positions. Networking can be particularly useful in tourism and hospitality.
You do not need a long CV when applying for an entry-level position. A clean one-page CV can be enough for many beginner jobs.
If you have no employment history, do not leave the entire experience section blank. Mention internships, school projects, volunteering, freelance work, family business experience and other relevant activities where appropriate.
Your first job in Greece does not necessarily need to be your final career. An entry-level position can help you obtain local work experience, improve your Greek, build professional contacts and understand the Greek workplace.
However, you should compare the salary with the legal minimum, working hours, transportation, accommodation costs and other employment conditions before accepting an offer.
A practical strategy can be to use an entry-level or seasonal job to obtain your first Greek work experience while simultaneously improving your language skills and applying for better opportunities.
From 1 April 2026, the statutory minimum salary for full-time white-collar employees in Greece is €920 per month. The statutory minimum daily wage for blue-collar workers is €41.09.
The Greek Ministry of Labour also notes that seniority increases can apply under the relevant rules for workers paid at the statutory minimum.
Because minimum wages and employment regulations can change, check the latest information from the Greek Ministry of Labour before signing a contract.
Yes, but there are two separate questions:
The first question depends on your skills, availability, language and the labour market. The second depends on your nationality and immigration status.
For EU, EEA and Swiss citizens, the legal framework is different from that for third-country nationals. For non-EU citizens, employer-sponsored employment and seasonal routes can involve formal applications and documentation.
Never rely solely on an employer or recruitment agent's verbal statement about immigration status. Verify the applicable requirements with the relevant Greek authorities.
Students can investigate part-time, temporary and seasonal employment, depending on their residence status, study arrangements and work rights.
Possible student jobs can include:
Always check the employment conditions attached to your particular student or residence status before starting work.
| Step | What to Do |
|---|---|
| 1 | Create a professional CV |
| 2 | List your language and transferable skills |
| 3 | Check your legal right to work |
| 4 | Search DYPA and EURES |
| 5 | Apply for entry-level positions |
| 6 | Contact hotels, restaurants and businesses directly |
| 7 | Prepare for interviews |
| 8 | Compare the employment contract and salary |
| 9 | Gain experience and improve your Greek |
| 10 | Continue applying for better long-term opportunities |
It can be possible, but it is not guaranteed. Hospitality, tourism, retail, cleaning, food service, logistics, agriculture and other service roles can provide entry-level opportunities.
There is no universally easiest job. For beginners, hospitality, housekeeping, restaurant support, cleaning, retail and seasonal work can be among the areas worth investigating.
Yes, foreigners can work in Greece if they meet the applicable legal requirements. EU/EEA/Swiss citizens and third-country nationals can face different procedures.
Some jobs can be performed mainly in English, especially in tourism, hospitality and international businesses. However, Greek language skills can significantly increase the number of jobs available to you.
Yes. Tourism, hospitality and agriculture can provide seasonal employment opportunities. Non-EU citizens must check the specific immigration rules that apply to seasonal employment.
From 1 April 2026, the statutory minimum monthly salary for full-time white-collar employees is €920. The statutory minimum daily wage for blue-collar workers is €41.09.
You can search through DYPA, EURES, company career pages, recruitment agencies and major private job platforms.
Yes, it is possible to apply from abroad. This can be particularly important for non-EU nationals because an employer may need to participate in the employment admission process.
Your exact requirements depend on your nationality and residence status. Third-country nationals may require an employment-authorized residence permit, national employment visa or another document granting access to employment.
Finding an entry-level job is only one part of moving to Greece. Before accepting an offer, consider rent, transportation, food, taxes, insurance, working hours and the location of the employer.
If you are moving from another country, it is especially important to calculate your expected income against your living costs.
Explore our cheapest areas in Greece guide to compare locations before deciding where to live.